Author's Notes: No time for a long Author's Note, as if I think about this much more I'm just going to delete the chapter and abandon the story. Which is why I'm posting it now before I can think better of it. So review! And, er... enjoy? If you can? This story is getting much closer to closing, just to let you know. I can't imagine more than four more chapters.

Ach, I'd really better post this. I'm already regretting it.

Break

Part Four

***

BAD! BAD! SO BAD! she shrieked at the grinning Teatime, completely contradicting what she'd said earlier. Susan had made the terrible mistake of giving said apprentice Assassin Binky's reins, and now they were diving and sailing through the (much-later-than) midnight black sky. She was clutching him for dear life as they bombed downwards, then shot upwards with no discernible pattern.

That was one memory. There was also something about step dancing, but she must have dreamed that.

She was spinning and spinning until her head hurt.

"You're going too fast, Teatime!" she'd called as he had pulled her to him.

"That's the point, Susan," he'd replied evilly. Yes, evilly.

That was another memory, so foggy and faint. She couldn't tell for the life of her whether or not it had happened before or after the last.

So yes, through her throbbing head, Susan remembered some things. But none of them explained how she'd ended up sitting on her bedroom floor with her hands, feet, legs, and pretty much everything else tied up. Of course, there really could only be one answer.

Teatime! she wanted to screech, but she was gagged. That... that... that... URGH!

Remembering what she'd practiced yesterday, Susan started sliding out of the bonds. She was no expert, but Teatime had tied rather simple knots, which made her think he'd done it for the express purpose of her escaping. Susan stood, shook out her sore limbs, changed her clothes, and went to go check on the children. They were fast asleep, and perfectly still. They didn't even look like they were breathing. Susan narrowed her eyes, and opened the curtains.

It was before dawn, but not long. The governess was slightly surprised, as she couldn't possibly imagine how she could have slept for anything less than several hours, and it should be far later than it was.

Wait, she thought. Wait; time isn't moving.

"This is... fun," he said with a crooked grin. "I wish we could stop dawn."

"Maybe we can," Susan replied with a snap of her fingers.

The governess groaned, slamming her head at her own stupidity. He was somewhere, then, and time was frozen. Just grand.

I'm never drinking again, she mentally growled, charging down the stairs at an astonishingly quick pace. Teatime was in the kitchen.

Sipping cocoa.

"Hi, Susan," he said cheerfully. Susan stalked up to him, tilting her head angrily and raising a long, slender finger.

YOU TIED ME – she paused and took a deep breath. "You – " she took another breath. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?" the apprentice Assassin almost pouted.

"Some of it."

"Shame."

He took another sip.

Susan narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"How long was I asleep?" she asked.

"No time. Time isn't passing."

The governess rolled her eyes.

"You know what I mean, Teatime."

"Oh, I don't know," he answered airily. "A long time. Too long." Teatime grinned, "I'm glad you're awake."

Susan sighed.

"You didn't have to tie me up, you know," she said, leaning her back against the counter beside him.

"Don't pretend you didn't enjoy it."

"I most certainly did not!"

"Susan, you know you love a challenge just as much as I do."

"I do not – !"

"Thank you."

"What?" Susan blinked. It was terribly confusing, how randomly he changed topics.

"Thank you, for spending All's Fallow with me," he explained. "I've never had a happier holiday. You were so cute when you step danced."

Any warm feelings starting to sprout in her from his words died brutal deaths at that second.

WHAT. DID. YOU. SAY?

"Oh, and it's nice to know that my curls are cute, too."

She almost screeched, but her head started pounding worse than ever and she sagged back against the counters. She didn't have the strength.

"You're just loving this, aren't you?" Susan moaned, hand to her face.

"Oh, yes," he said, eyes flashing dangerously. "I'm having so much... fun."

She managed a glare for a full three seconds before groaning once more.

"I'm not." She glanced up at him, looking a little exasperated, "How comes you're doing fine? You had almost as much as I did!"

"I guess I just don't get hangovers," he replied nonchalantly, replacing his now-empty mug on the counter.

If Bilious didn't hate Teatime already (from all he would hear from Violet), he would now. The poor oh-god.

"How did you boil the hot chocolate?" Susan asked quizzically. "It's not like time's running."

Teatime's brow furrowed.

"I hadn't thought of that." He grinned, "That's probably why."

Susan raised her brows and nodded in agreement.

"Belief does play a large factor in everyday life." She laughed dryly, "...And it looks like one crazed Assassin is entering mine. Who would have thought?"

"I'd very much like to be a part of your everyday life, Susan," he said, dipping his head for emphasis.

"I'm not sure if I have a choice in that matter. But," she hesitated, "but if I did, I don't think I would send you packing." The smug grin he gave her was just too much. "...I'd just impale you with a poker," she added. Teatime smiled at her remark, looking a little dangerous.

"Hold still."

"What – ?"

It wasn't like Susan had moved. It wasn't like he had, either. No, the wall jerked forwards, slamming into her back, and Teatime magically appeared directly in front her, their noses almost touching.

"Hi, Susan."

He leaned forwards and kissed her before he could think better of it.

Teatime could literally feel the shock on her face, and it was a good half a second before she pushed forwards towards him. He was surprised by how completely wonderful and amazing it was.

The apprentice Assassin pulled back to see the look on her face; it was somewhere between shocked, infuriated, confused, and... was that a tinge of bliss?

"Hi," she gasped, then grabbed the back of his head by his curls (rather painfully, too, but he supposed he deserved it) and wrenched him back, trembling. They kissed for another second or two before she pressed her forehead against his, putting two fingers on her lips. "Goodbye," she managed, unable to meet the black and white eyes boring into her.

Susan ran.

Teatime grinned and gave her a ten second head start before darting after her.

He just doesn't get it, does he? she thought as she heard the lack-of-sound of his footsteps behind her as she scaled up the steps. She was running from him. She wanted to get away. She needed a hot bath, a bit of time by herself to sort everything out, tons of hot water, a few pieces of chocolate, plenty of bubbles, a good book, and did she mention a bath?

She felt so confused and dizzy.

I've just kissed an Assassin (in training), she thought, slamming her bedroom door shut behind her. Worse. I've just kissed a crazy Assassin (in training), who tried to drown me, who poisoned a man in front of me, who got me drunk, and to add insult to injury called me cute. A small, minute part of her whispered (along with a dreamy grin) 'He called me cute...', but that part was blocked out by the rest of Susan. And to top it all off I've never felt so fantastic in all my life. This is terrible!

"We've only just started, Susan. We can't stop now," he said, directly behind her. She whirled around and gasped, before sagging in relief.

"You frightened me."

"Did I?" Teatime grinned.

She managed a glare.

"You used the window, didn't you?" Susan asked dryly.

"You shouldn't have to ask."

"I suppose you're right."

He cocked his head at her.

"I thought you ran to see if I could catch you. That isn't right. I don't understand."

"I'm not exactly sure myself," she said bluntly, with a shrug. "I just… went a little crazy. When we kissed. Not when I ran. No, when I ran, er, when we… I can't tell which, is the problem I suppose."

"It can't hurt to go a little crazy, Susan," he said innocently, stepping closer. "I consider myself a little over the edge, and I think it suits me."

A little? Susan thought dryly. I find that hard to believe.

She didn't say it, though.

"Suits you, maybe. But I'm not sure if you suit me. Or if I suit you, for that matter."

"You suit me," Teatime answered without the slightest bit of hesitation. "I know that. And if you suit me I must suit you."

"It's not that simple," she sighed.

"Why isn't it?"

"Because – " the governess chewed her lip. "Well, you see – " she paused. Teatime stared at her patiently, waiting for her explanation. "It's just that – " She sighed in exasperation. "You're so – "

"You don't know what you're saying, do you?" the apprentice Assassin said, a devilish grin growing slowly on his cherubic face. Susan glared in reply. She really didn't want to admit that he was right at this very second. He tilted his head, leaning forwards slightly. "You don't have any idea what to say."

"Yes I do," she replied defiantly.

"Then say it."

"I – " she paused. "Fine. So you're right," Susan grumbled, glancing down in agitation.

"Oh, Susan, don't get... angry," he whispered softly. "There really is no reason to be." She could tell he just getting a kick out of it. "And we had so much... fun last night. I'd thought we were getting on rather well." His voice had dropped to that low, 'I'm in power' tone and his posture had become all slick. Her hair liked it, and was drifting towards him again.

Stop it, stupid hair! she growled mentally.

"Then a few seconds ago we were getting along very well. And let me tell you a secret," he leaned even nearer, whispering conspiratorially, "I've always thought romance very silly. I still do," he managed to move an inch closer, "but a romance with you doesn't sound silly at all. In fact, I want one. I don't often want things, Susan."

"You can't always get what you want," the governess replied dryly, meeting his eerily near black and white eyes without flinching.

Teatime frowned, glancing down but not moving back.

"People always say that. But as of yet, I happen to believe that particular rule applies to me just as much as the laws of physics."

"Not at all, you mean," Susan countered.

He grinned.

"Exactly."

He kissed her softly, far too tenderly for one so cold. Her hair reached out and wrapped around his face like seaweed, and Susan slid her arms around his neck. As paradoxical as it all sounded, she had never felt so safe, or so complete.

And he knew exactly what she was. He knew she was Death, and Human, and Susan, and he still wanted her. And he held her so tightly, and he was smart, and strong, and interesting, and unpredictable, and he was there when she needed him.

"You do suit me," she whispered.

"I told you so," he replied, then kissed her again in an explosion of bliss.