Disclaimer: Well, I own Isaac's character. And a really beat up pick-up.

Chapter 10

Dave navigated through the streets cautiously, desperately thankful that he had managed to magic the car so that it drove for him, more or less. The old auto had been owned by a magician for so long that it was extremely cooperative when it came to enchantments. Dave sighed with relief as they pulled up in front of the alley leading to their subway home. He glanced over at Balthazar, whose eyes were half open as he drifted in and out of consciousness. The older sorcerer had been muttering incoherently for several minutes and Dave was becoming more and more worried.

"C'mon buddy, just a little further." Dave said as he hauled Balthazar gently out of the car, catching the Grimhold as it tumbled from the messenger bag.

By the time Dave managed to drag Balthazar back into the subway station and get him settled on the couch, the sun had already risen.

Dave checked the clock on the wall and realized that it was Monday and he was due for his date with Becky in an hour. "Damnit."

"You got somewhere to be?" Dave turned around in relief as Balthazar stirred.

"No, not really, just…no." Dave paused awkwardly.

Balthazar sat up looking stronger by the minute, but winced when he glanced at his arm. "You really are the most dreadful liar. Did we win, at least?"

"I'd say it was more of a draw. But we got the Grimhold." Dave said as he moved to pull all of Balthazar's healing ointments from the shelves in the kitchen. Grimacing in sympathy, Dave brought the medicine back over to Balthazar, who quickly began spreading the smelly salves on the injured limb. Once the salve was applied, both men gritted their teeth firmly while Dave wrapped clean bandages around the arm.

Once that was done, Dave rose and retrieved the Grimhold, handing it to Balthazar. Balthazar took it with his good hand and examined it thoughtfully. "Now that we have it we can start working on spells to destroy the Morganians trapped inside."

Dave nodded intently. "When do we start?"

"After I've had some sleep. In the meantime we'll put this where a Morganian can't get to it." Balthazar rose and Dave followed. The older sorcerer placed the doll on a table and gestured for Dave to bring the Incantus. Balthazar flipped through the pages of the massive book before pointing at a specific spell. "You'll have to perform it. It should keep any Morganians from entering a specific area, but it takes a lot of power, so it can only cover a small space."

Dave nodded and began copying the symbols from the book onto the table with a piece of chalk. Once he finished, Dave stepped back, scrutinizing his work carefully. Checking the book once again, Dave invoked, "Nyllan Morganian nirewett."

The symbols glowed momentarily before burning blackly into the wood. Dave grinned, obviously pleased with his handiwork. "So, I guess that's it."

"That's good work. Now I suggest we both get some rest before tackling this problem tomorrow." Balthazar watched as Dave glanced at the clock yet again. The young man was tapping his feet and fidgeting slightly, unsure of what to say. Balthazar took pity on the young sorcerer and said, "Look, wherever you wanted to be, whatever you were planning to do, don't. Horvath and his little friend are ready for a fight. If you go out in the open and he finds you, we're both dead."

Dave nodded glumly. "I guess. It's just Becky-"

"-will be a lot safer once we have taken care of the Morganian threat. There will be plenty of time for dating after we defeat Morgana." Balthazar turned to head back to his own room. "Besides, if Becky likes you, she'll understand. And she likes you."

Dave stared after him incredulously. "How do you know she likes me?"

"What's not to like?"

SA-SA-SA

Horvath sat in the high-backed chair tapping his fingers rapidly against the desk in irritation. Though he could feel the grimhold, Horvath could not pinpoint its' location, which was incredibly frustrating. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, straining to strengthen his connection to the doll.

Suddenly he felt a dark presence reach back towards him from the grimhold that he recognized. With a start Horvath's eyes snapped open and he grinned. If he could sense the inhabitants of the grimhold, then with enough power, he might be able to release at least the last Morganian that had been imprisoned.

"Stone, get in here!" Yelled Horvath angrily.

Drake moseyed into the room chewing carelessly on a donut. "Yeah, what?" Crumbs sprayed from his mouth as he spoke.

Horvath sneered disdainfully as he spoke. "I need power, more than either of us can provide."

"And what, exactly, do you want me to do about that?"

The younger man's sarcastic tone made Horvath grind his teeth, but he let it slide. "Surely at some point in your 'career' you made acquaintances with other young Morganians like yourself. I want you to introduce me."

SA-SA-SA

Dave made certain that Balthazar was asleep before slipping quietly from the subway station. He ran to the coffee shop knowing that he was over two hours late. As he paused in front of the large picture window he was grateful to see that Becky was still in the shop. Dave moved to step through the door but he stopped once again when he saw another handsome young man set coffee down in front of her and take a seat.

Without a second thought Dave turned and left. Walking down the street Dave began to berate himself angrily. "Stupid, stupid Dave. Of course there's another guy. Stupid."

"Dave wait!" Dave turned out the sound of Becky's voice and the tap of her shoes as she sprinted after him. She was panting as she caught up with him. "Hey, I was hoping that you'd show."

Dave looked at her guiltily. "Yeah, I just got caught up in my…work. I wouldn't have stood up on purpose, I swear."

"Why were you leaving then?" She seemed genuinely confused.

"Well I saw you with that guy and I just-"

"Assumed I was with him?" Dave nodded awkwardly. Becky continued, grinning. "He's my producer, Andre. He saw me sitting there and we were going over my next show."

"So you're not, you know, together?" Dave began feeling hopeful again.

"God no, he's a total ass!" She was laughing now. "Did you really think that one botched date was going to make me hate you?"

She grabbed his hand and pulled him back towards the shop. "Come on, it's your turn to buy."

SA-SA-SA

Horvath stepped over the two bodies of the young Morganians as he felt the power coursing through his veins. Drake's face had gone pale as he looked at his two former acquaintances. "Oi, I didn't think you were gonna kill them."

"Better them than you, Stone." Horvath's face was pitiless as he walked over to the windows of the townhouse and looked out over the city. "Now be quiet. I need to concentrate."

SA-SA-SA

Balthazar woke slowly feeling partially restored. His magic was still not at full capacity, but he was well enough to fight. He rose and unwrapped his heavily bandaged arm, noticing that the limb was still an angry red color with skin peeling off. The offending arm ached all the way down to the bone, but he did have complete use of it. Magical injuries were always tricky that way.

Glancing at the clock he saw that it was late evening. Balthazar stretched and yawned before leaving the room.

Dave was leaning over the Incantus sound asleep when Balthazar walked into the make shift living room. Balthazar smirked at the younger man and tapped his arm. "Dave, wake up."

"I'm awake." Dave shot up from his seat, leaving a damp mark on the table.

Balthazar took in the young man's appearance critically. "Dave, why are you all wet?"

"Because it was raining outside." Dave answered slowly.

"Then why were you outside?"

Dave looked up at the ceiling and blew air through his teeth before saying, "I just needed some air."

Balthazar rolled his eyes knowingly and Dave knew that he was busted. "Dave, I commiserate with your circumstances but can you please eschew from your saccharine endeavors at paying court until after we deal with the Morganians?"

Dave looked slightly confused at the old fashioned wording and Balthazar sighed. "You don't get the girl until we get the bad guys. Get it?"

"Got it." It was Dave's turn to sigh. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's destroy some evil- Hey Balthazar, are you doing that?"

Balthazar followed Dave's gaze to the brightly glowing grimhold. "No. Dave, something's wrong. Start setting up containment spells."

Before either of them could begin the enchantments white light flashed through the room. When it cleared an angry looking Chinese sorcerer stood next to the table holding the Grimhold.

SA-SA-SA

Horvath grinned when he felt Son-Lok escape from the miniscule prison. He was now able to communicate with his old ally much more effectively. Horvath could feel the other sorcerers desire for revenge, but he couldn't allow it yet. If Son-Lok was defeated before he had taken the Grimhold then not only would Horvath be down an ally, but he wouldn't have the energy to break the next seal in the doll.

In his mind he demanded that Son-Lok leave the two Merlinians until another time. Finally he felt the other man reluctantly comply.

SA-SA-SA

Dave and Balthazar were ready for a fight, but they weren't ready for the Morganian to bolt. With astonishing speed the inimical sorcerer darted for the stairs.

"We can't let him see where we are." Balthazar yelled to Dave, who nodded. With a muttered incantation Dave caused the stairs to collapse and begin to twist around Son-Lok in an attempt to imprison him. Balthazar started to magically seal the exits of the subway station.

They miscalculated exactly how fast their opponent was. With an agility that would have made any professional gymnast proud Son-Lok leapt out of the imprisoning staircase and began scaling towards the exit. Right before he reached the door Dave muttered the only spell that he could think of. With another flash of light Son-Lok disappeared.

Dave turned towards Balthazar looking incredibly guilty. "Well, at least he won't know where we are. But now we have to go find him."

"Dave, do you know where you sent him at least?"

Dave nodded. "Yeah. He's somewhere in China Town. It was the only place I could think of. On the bright side, at least Horvath has to look for him too."

Balthazar almost smiled at the statement. As both men headed out the door Balthazar couldn't refrain from adding, "If I didn't know better, Dave, I'd say you were becoming an optimist."

SA-SA-SA

JFK International Airport

All of the flight attendants were giggling about the handsome, well-spoken, mild-mannered gentleman sitting it first class. They had been enjoying his company so much that they were actually sorry that their flight had arrived on time. As the object of their focus made to leave one of the bolder flight attendants stuck out her hand. "Thank you for flying with us Mr. Jones."

Instead of shaking her hand as the woman had intended, the handsome stranger took it and brushed his lips against her knuckles, causing her to blush. "The pleasure was all mine, ladies. And if we ever meet again, please, call me Isaac."