A/N: Since a lot of my chapters haven't been very dialouge based I decided to shake things up a bit. Also, something a little lighter now. ;)

This was difficult. It was the problem of a Master compounded with those of a…father. Balthazar didn't like thinking of himself in that way, but he appeared to be forced to do that. Part of him, the part that was trying desperately to be rational, told him that it could have been much worse. It could have happened in a civilian area.

"So," Balthazar said rubbing his temples, "Explain how this happened."

His apprentice started studying his shoes.

"Um…"

"Dave, right now I am trying to stay sane. I want you to know that this is no easy task for me. For some strange reason it has become increasingly difficult in recent years," said Balthazar, "I really wonder why that is."

"I don't really know what to say-" Dave started.

"Just be quiet for a minute," Balthazar said, "And I'll tell you what to say."

"Really?"

Dave's face brightened up considerably. Balthazar wondered if it was just in Dave's nature to jump the gun in the manner that he did.

"Yes," Balthazar said, giving him a sardonic smile "You see, I want to know, in no uncertain terms, no hemming or hawing, what exactly happened. And then I want you to tell me how to fix it."

A cloud passed over Dave's face.

"I'm…not sure if I can do the last part…"

"Oh, you're going to figure it out," Balthazar said threateningly, "Now, let's start from the beginning."

"I needed to go and walk Tank," said Dave.

The dog in question sniffed before settling down on the floor and drooling some more. Balthazar sometimes wondered about the wisdom in giving Dave a dog that drooled so much.

"So far so good," Balthazar said, "Continue."

Dave started to squirm. For someone in his teenage years he still had a rather healthy fear of authority. That was good.

"But I had to go and finish my math homework," Dave said, "There's a packet due tomorrow and I had two assignments that I hadn't been thinking about."

"But you should have," Balthazar said, "A little less procrastination next time."

"Okay…I wanted to get it done before dinner because there was a show Bennet recommended that was going to come on after that."

"Still good," said Balthazar, "although I'm not sure how exactly T.V. should factor into your decisions."

"Hey! I have hobbies! I should anyway."

"Okay, not going to go there," said Balthazar, "But I hope you've learned something from this."

"And that is?"

"Haste makes waste," Balthazar said, "Now continue."

Dave sighed.

"So I had to do all those things. And then you told me to clean up the runes from the containment spell I was doing earlier," he said, "And those things covered the entire subway turnaround."

"They don't work otherwise," said Balthazar, "You did read that passage in the Incantus, didn't you?"

"Yes, but it doesn't talk about the way that chalk gets ingrained into this flooring," Dave said, "I figured I had two hours of work on my hands at least."

"Probably true," Balthazar conceded.

"Glad you agree," said Dave, "So I figured that those two hours would eat up the time I had allotted for the dog walk and for my homework."

"Again, probably true."

"And I thought…"

Balthazar put up a hand to stop him. He needed a few moments to collect himself before he dared to speak again.

"I think I can guess what happened next," he said, "You figured that magic would be your quick fix."

"I…yeah," Dave sighed.

"So you decided to do what is arguably the stupidest thing you have ever done in my presence."

"I wouldn't go that far-"

Balthazar put his hand up again. He pointed to where the veritable army of mops were hauling buckets of water towards the middle of the floor and dumping it out. The water was knee-length but the mops were still scrubbing the floor. Several of the sponges wee floating to the bottom so they could assist as well. On top of it all was a thick blanket of soap bubbles.

"…yeah," admitted Dave.

"Now, tell me how you would fix this."

"I don't know how."

"Dave," said Balthazar, "Despite this recent situation you are not stupid. You have a good head on your shoulders. You figure it out."

For a minute Dave bit his lip. He looked around at the mops and folded his arms.

"I ask you," he said finally.

"In this case, correct. You were right in asking me for help before it started to reach the power outlets," he said, "Although if you'd left it for another couple of minutes who knows what could have happened."

Balthazar stretched out his arms.

"Now watch carefully."

His apprentice nodded. Balthazar cleared his mind and his ring began to glow.

"DISPERSE!" he yelled.

With delicate motions he pushed all the water back and quieted the mops and sponges. Dave watched in awe as the water was pulled back and all the cleaning materials were left.

"And now," Balthazar said, putting his hands down, "for your punishment you are going to put all of these mops and sponges back. No magic."

Dave groaned but headed down the stairs. Balthazar shook his head but couldn't keep back the wry smile. Despite his lack of control Dave had actually managed a very complex spell, animating several objects to do his will. Although he'd never tell him, Balthazar was actually faintly impressed.