Last time, Max discussed with Leon, Jill, Virgil and Steve the possibility that there's a mole in the bureau, a mole that is passing information to Olaf. Steve asked Max that he'd be the one who deals with the traitor. Meanwhile Violet had a 'brain-blast' concerning the fusion power project she and Virgil were working on. On with the show!

Chapter 21: Financial Independence

"Is Violet done yet?" whined Steve. "She'll be finished when she's finished," said Jill, "Not one second sooner or later." The day had finally arrived for Violet, for she was currently being tested to determine if she could be financially mature. "But I'm bored," whined Steve, "Why do I have to be waiting with you, Klaus and Shawn?"

"That's a good question," said Shawn, "One I have no answer for." "You are here to provide protection in case Olaf tries something desperate," said Jill. "So how much longer is the test going to take?" asked Klaus. "The actual test should be done by now," said Jill as she checked her watch, "While the test is graded, a review board is currently interviewing Violet to 'get to know the real her,' so to speak."

Just then Violet left the testing room. "Well?" asked Shawn. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be," said Violet as she untied her hair, which she tied up before taking the test. "How did you do?" asked Shawn, "Are you Financially Independent yet?" "I won't know until tonight," said Violet.

"Damn pencil pushers," said Steve, "They always tend to drag things out." 'Ignore him,' said Fay's voice in Violet's head, 'he always talks, but he never says anything, well, never anything important. Anyway, you did great.' I'm amazed you didn't try to help me, Thought Violet, Being that you're somewhat a part of me now.

'I've never cheated on a test,' said Fay, 'and I have no intention to start. Besides, I won't be attached to you for much longer, assuming Virgil comes through.' From what I know about him, thought Violet, Virgil has never failed to pull through for his friends. 'Then we're lucky to be his friends,' said Fay.

That night found Violet, Jill and the others anxiously waiting at Jill's newly restored apartment. It was 7:18 p.m., Violet should know, she kept looking back and forth between the clock and the phone. "The way you look right now," said Jill, "Your expression, it reminds me of Andrew Carpenter somewhat."

"How so?" asked Violet. "He was obsessed with time," said Jill, "He checked his watch at least three times a minute, and had all the clocks in his house realigned every day. Even when we made love he kept glancing at his watch. Which reminds me, you asked me if Andrew was related to the bounty hunter Sally-Ann Carpenter. He is; she is, was his cousin."

"Andrew had a cousin?" asked Max; he just happened to hear the last bit Jill said. "Yes," said Jill, "And that bounty hunter Sally-Ann, her father was the brother of Andrew's father." "I didn't know that," said Max, "I really haven't thought about Andrew for a long time. I remember he had the best pair of hands the Bureau had ever seen; he could fix anything mechanical."

"He also was a genius with explosives," said Leon, "He could make and take apart a bomb in the blink of an eye. He had this huge gun that fired a 50 caliber slug with such power, even if the built missed the target, the air displacement would do serious damage to the target." "His one flaw was his obsession with time," said Max, "Steve may believe that the greatest and worse sin man can commit is the betrayal of another's trust; Andrew believed that to lose track of time was the worse possible sin."

"To lose track of time is no sin," said Maria, "Humanity existed for thousands of years with a simple concept of time and without complex methods of keeping track of it. No, the worst sin a person can commit it to lose faith; faith in God, faith in your friends, faith in what you believe in and faith in yourself."

Just then the phone rang. Everyone went silent as Jill answered the phone. "It's for you Violet," said Jill as Violet picked up the phone. There were a few moments of silence before Violet said in a somber voice, "Yes, I understand, thank you." She hung up the phone.

"Well?" asked Shawn as everyone else looked with baited breath. "I passed!" exclaimed Violet as she burst into smile. The room exploded with shouts of 'Congratulations!' and "Well Done!' "You did it!" exclaimed Jill, "Now that creep Olaf can't touch you or your money!"

"A multi-billionaire at 15," said Laura, "Only in America." "What are you going to do with all that green?" asked Steve. "I haven't thought about it that much," said Violet, "I've been so busy studying. But I do know this," she looked at Virgil, "As I promised, and as soon as I can get my own checkbook, I'm donating $15,000,000 to fund our fusion power project. That should get the new design up and running much faster." "Violet," said Virgil, "The day you were born was a great day for science."

Some time later Violet managed to meet up with Shawn alone on the balcony. "I had this made for you," said Shawn as she handed Violet a small black box, "I had high hopes you'd pass and you did, so open it." It's too big to be a ring, thought Violet as she opened the box. 'Of course it's not a ring!' said Fay, 'you're what 15, and he's 17? Neither of you are old enough to vote yet, so you're definitely too young to get married.'

You really know how to spoil the moment Fay thought Violet, 'I have my moments,' said Fay. Violet opened the box to reveal a silver pendant on a gold chain. The pendant had symbols etched into it, the kind Violet had never seen before. "It's beautiful," said Violet as she held the pendant in her hand.

"Not as beautiful as you are," said Shawn as he fastened the chain around Violet's neck, "Those are Celtic symbols, each chosen to ward off evil spirits and demons. There's an inscription on the back." Violet turned the pendant around to see the words:

'You are the light of my world,

I'll love you to the end of time

Shawn'

"You mean it?" asked Violet. "Indeed," said Shawn, "I've never meet anyone like you Violet, and if I were given the choice, I'd give up being a Rambler for you. I'd even give up my powers. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no matter how long that is."

"Oh Shawn," said Violet as she embraced him, "I feel the same way; I'd give up every penny I own, I'd surrender my knack for inventing, if only I could be with you. But I have nothing to give to you as you have given to me." "You need to give me anything," said Shawn, "Just to be with you is enough." They kissed long into the night, or would have if Jill didn't interrupt them.

"Sorry to interrupt this tender moment," said Jill, "But the Bureau just called Virgil; Fay's clone body is ready." "And I thought this night couldn't get any better!" said Violet. 'Amen sister!' exclaimed Fay, 'I'd thought I'd never get out of here!' What's wrong with my mind? Thought Violet, is it too cramped for you. 'It's okay,' said Fay, 'If you like studio apartments. Me, I like my space.'

The end of chapter 21. Next chapter, Fay's soul is finally transferred out of Violet. See you next time!