Chapter 26: New Friend, Old enemy?

"Not everything is as bleak as you think." I saw his face soften and felt his arms wrap around me.

"Doris hasn't come back yet." He was sounding very down and I didn't like it in the least little bit.

"Alright Mr. Chipper…let's go amuse ourselves." I pulled him toward the elevator watching his thoughtful frown before he reluctantly followed. "I know…I'll play a certain song." I stated in a conspiratorial manner.

"Oh no you won't." Willy pulled back at the threat of the chewing gum song. "I have a better idea, come help me in the inventing room." he pushed the button inside the elevator sending us off among the factory again.

The glass elevator again stopped inside the familiar room. It was still a magical lab paradise full of strange machines, liquids and sounds. The sweet smells emanating in the air were relaxing and I found myself taking in the different sounds along with the sight of strange tables and such scattered about, tubes of colored liquids making odd sounds. Willy led me to what I assumed was the main work area and I saw Charlie and some Oompa Loompa's were busily working on some candy, Charlie glanced up smiling at the arrival of his two best friends and nodded. I sat on the offered chair observing both of them working and discussing candy, one candy apparently gave you multicolored hair by accident, which was very inconvenient for one of the taste testing Oompa Loompa's, another allowed one to be invisible for a short time much like one I had already experienced, the side effect with this one though is one couldn't see where they were going and it created quite a racket, when he crashed into one of the many tables. After the mess was cleaned and taken care of they attempted another candy that would glow in the dark while you sucked on it…problem with this one at the moment is it would blind someone in a dark room. Charlie found this out stumbling back from the candy and colliding with Willy who somehow managed to maintain his balance blinking away the spots before his eyes. They tried several more candies with other interesting effects, soon both Charlie and Willy gave up their work and noticed I was studying them with a very amused look on my face.

"Boys and their toys." I stood shaking my head giggling when Charlie offered me an annoyed wrinkle of the nose before laughing himself and heading off to go get ready for dinner. "This was very entertaining…I just hope that one candy didn't blind you too badly." I noticed he was still blinking rapidly occasionally and assumed the candy was still affecting his eye sight.

"Not too bad…it doesn't help to have sensitive eyes to light either." Willy blinked again finally succeeding in clearing the red spots dancing in his eyes.

"I noticed when I first met you…are you going to be alright?" I couldn't help it, I was worried about him.

"Of coarse…it wouldn't be the first time I was blinded by something." He flushed at the comment realizing how it could be taken in a very wrong manner. "Doris."

"Mr. Cocoa Bean…the CIA friend of yours has tracked down Mr. York after explaining things to his superiors, he also has Delaine in custody. The evidence you found in the security box is being sent out immediately." Doris signed rapidly watching him halt in his tracks grinning suddenly from ear to ear reminding me oddly enough of the Cheshire cat.

Willy explained what happened and noticed my small smile in turn. "No more Mr. York and Lexie and family can have their lives back?" He thought about that a minute and nodded. "Thank goodness…I can get back to work again too, but I'm not leaving without you…Maggie, Ginger and Bernie have taken a fondness to you." He gave me a look at this again glancing heavenward.

"Thanks for reminding me." He chuckled at the annoyed look I offered. "This isn't over just yet though…there's going to be quite an assortment of information going around and questions. Do you think you can put up with me that long?" I gave him an odd look between 'annoyed' and 'offended'.

"Why ask such a silly question?" I noticed his smirk and already had an idea he was planning something but again the enigma presented himself in all his glory again. "Oiy…you are impossible." I tapped my foot seeing Doris found this amusing as well.

"You love it." I couldn't help but shrug and giggle in agreement, sadly he was right I did love the enigma that was Willy Wonka. "I would suggest laying low for a few more days though…Mr. York isn't the type to not have friends…I don't want anything to happen to any of you, especially Charlie and you." He held out his hand waiting for me to take it. "Will you listen this time?" his brow rose waiting for my usual sassy retort.

"Hmmm…that's a tough question, I'll have to think on it." I accepted his hand clearly not disappointing him in my answer finding myself literally twirled into his grasp and laughing. "Show off." Doris nodded in agreement with me before smiling at us both in amusement.

Days passed with us laying low as suggested by Willy, it was a good thing that he was so cautious because there were several incidences where someone had tried to get Charlie during school or the alarms of the factory going off, did I mention those alarms were very, very loud and were not welcome at all hours of the night? Charlie had a special team assigned to watch him at school along with Lexie and Willy wouldn't let me out of his sight no matter what he was doing. I was starting to get the hang of the factory and my drawings were coming along nicely for various emails and companies that had requested my talent. My library friends we would visit on occasion but I never did seem to get too much work done, Bernie, Ginger and Maggie had taken more of an interest in Willy and my relationship then my actual much needed to be finished work, he was uncomfortable for a time but eventually warmed up to them. Finally at week two buried in the cave of blankets of Willy's bed with his arm wrapped around me there was some news, but to say neither of us were morning people lately was an understatement, we were both considering having the alarms disconnected by then but it was not a good idea and he had mentioned this to me several times over.

Tug, Tug

"Go away." Was all I heard muttered before peeking out and seeing Willy was facing me eyes closed against whatever was bothering him, he was awake though you could tell by the annoyed look on his face. "Please go away…we haven't slept much." He opened his violet gaze in surrender meeting mine and offered a small smile. "Doris." He muttered to my inquisitive expression.

"Oh." I yawned peeking over his shoulder and sure enough there was Doris lightly tugging on his shoulder trying to get his attention, along with Iris and after closer inspection six or eight more Oompa Loompa's. They were all an odd shade of red but none moved. "Try Doris, Iris, and many others." He gave me a surprised look and reluctantly rolled over hearing a startled sound as Doris toppled to the soft floor.

"Sorry Doris." He saw her stand giving him a look before she pointed around the room. "What now?" he sounded cranky and was already aware I would probably sound as bad. I rolled over lacing my fingers through his hair observing the others with the blankets wrapped around me. I continued to play with his hair out of habit and noticed Doris and Iris rapidly signing. "WHAT!" this startled not only the mass of Oompa Loompa's but me as well and I was instantly alert, I slowly de-laced my fingers from his soft brown hair.

"This can't be good." I winced at the sound of alarms going off again and groaned miserably. "Dare I ask?" Willy sat up with a groan of his own before watching the miniature army disappear leaving us alone.

"Someone attempted to hack into the computers, and tried sawing through the main gates…there's also my friend waiting down in the chocolate room to speak with us about the York and Delaine situation." He rubbed his temples in irritation. "I'm too tired for this." He started to climb out of bed and pulled me to my feet both of us going to the bathroom.

I was wearing a black pair of jeans and flowing sleeved violet shirt watching Willy finish getting dressed in an emerald green suit adjusting his top hat. We then both were in the elevator on our way to greet out guest and the other problems waiting. After two rather annoying weeks, things just kept getting far worse and I got the feeling Willy was about to crack.

"Morning." Charlie murmured softly appearing beside us, following in step toward his house. He knew better then to say anything else, he smiled briefly at the couple before seeing how tired both looked and sighing. "Coffee?" he quirked a brow at the two narrowed gazes in his direction and then nodded as if that was confirmation enough and disappeared ahead of them to get the coffee.

"Wise grasshopper." I heard a slightly amused chuckle beside me and leaned into his arm around my waist. "He's reading both of us far too easily now." Willy nodded in agreement.

"Mr. Wonka…nice to see you again." The voice belonged to whom I assumed was Willy's CIA contact. He was wearing a very neat black suite standing outside the Bucket house with a cup of warm coffee studying our approach. "You must be Ms. Falkner, pleasure." He tipped his head in greeting unaware of my less then amused thoughts about his cheery attitude.

"Coffee." Charlie come out holding out two cups of chocolate coffee which oddly enough I had gotten very used too and found myself smiling into the warm liquid. "Mum will have breakfast after this is sorted." Willy nodded watching Charlie go back into the house.

Willy clasped my hand gently in his and led us slowly down to the edge of the chocolate river, the smell of cocoa a pleasant familiarity to both of us. "What would you like to ask about Allen?" his voice was soft yet had a note of demand behind it, I gave him a curious look seeing a harden spark in his violet eyes.

"Aren't we our ever pleasant self." His sarcasm was most unwelcome and he was greeted with a sneer, something of Willy's darker side which I had seen before but there was something else going on between these two and it wasn't anything to do with the situation at hand. "Mr. York may be out of this situation faster then you can say…whatever those little workers of yours are…he appears to have legitimate claim in these events as does Delaine." I winced hearing a sharp intake of breath beside me already knowing Willy was ready to blow a gasket.

"Our justice system sucks." I braced against the torrent of words I was sure would come from Willy but nothing escaped his lips. "Love?" my voice barely above a whisper I ignored the curious look from Allen.

"I'm fine." His violet eyes met mine and I could see he clearly wasn't fine. "What legitimate claim Allen? They tried to hurt people I care about and were trespassing, among other illegal activities." He turned meeting nervous brown eyes and managed to keep his temper momentarily in check.

Allen sighed running his hands through his blond hair in annoyance. "I'm not sure…I won't know anymore until tomorrow, if they still remain behind bars by then." This was what I was dreading, the minute those words left his mouth I noticed Willy tense up.

"Allen…you're lying." His free hand flew out faster then I could blink catching the startled Allen by the black tie he was wearing and held fast. "What do you really know." His voice was low and warning.

Allen swallowed very hard and it wasn't because of the grip on his tie. "H-he paid off someone, their supposed to walk away free of this…I don't know how." Willy released his tie eyes narrowing in thought. "I had nothing to do with it this time I swear to you Willy." His voice had a note of pleading in it.

"Mr. Wonka…you lost the right to call me Willy a long time ago Allen." I watched Willy stalk off across the chocolate room deciding it wise to let him be.

"Do I dare ask what you did?" I realized I had spoken the thought aloud and heard a small sigh from Allen.

"Used my authority against him. If you really want to know ask 'Mr. Wonka'" Allen gave a curt nod and started to show himself out followed by some of the Oompa Loompa's.

I took that in and pondered it for a long moment. I knew Willy's temper by then and the fact he was hurt at the moment, against my better reasoning I started in the direction he had stormed off too taking small sips of coffee while navigating around the candy plants, rocks, and such. I saw he was standing just at the edge of the falls and took a deep breath slowly walking toward him hearing him muttering candy curses very rapidly before glancing up. Willy lowered his head and continued to rant feeling an arm hesitantly wrap around his body and my head rest lightly against his shoulder. I stood there with him letting him fume over things for a while knowing he would eventually calm down long enough for me to talk with him.

"You alright Willy?" I managed after a good ten minutes of his ranting.

He nodded taking a breath. "Yes." He pondered for a moment. "Wondering why we aren't on good terms I take it?" I met his gaze and nodded. "He almost cost me the factory. When I brought the Oompa Loompa's into the factory to work for me, he was supposed to help me get through all the red tape and paperwork. He was offered a promotion and nearly cost me the Oompa Loompa's help…I paid a great deal of money and fines to keep my life the way it is and told him where he could shove his apology and offer of friendship. He flashed his badge and lost my friendship in the process so to speak." I stepped over in front of him meeting his sour look and placed a hand gently against his cheek.

"Why does that not surprise me?" I smiled briefly at the small smirk I received for the comment. "Problem now is what to do about Delaine, York and your machine they are so interested in?" he sighed miserably finishing his coffee in hand and glanced skyward thoughtfully.

"Find out how they bought their way out." I felt a hand clasp mine and found myself being led toward the Bucket house for breakfast and more much needed coffee. "That's going to take all the help we can get…Charlie and Lexie aren't going to school today either, just to be safe." I nodded in agreement.

The small house was far more crowded then usual for breakfast as what we had all grown used to in the past couple of weeks. Willy explained things carefully to all those in the room, he answered as many questions he could and gave everyone a small job to help figure things out. He paired each family member with Oompa Loompa's in different area's of the factory for research and other things important to the current situation, including talking to other agencies such as the FBI among others. The house had emptied rather suddenly that morning leaving Charlie and Lexie to email a list of people handed to them by Doris. I followed Willy to the familiar security room and stayed close to his side while he sat at one of the terminals going over the black security box that had been discovered. I listened to the silence of the room for nearly two hours never taking my eyes of him, he was constantly clicking away at the keyboard his face in concentration. I felt a gentle tug on my pant leg and glanced down finding one of the workers holding coffee and thanked them placing one next to Willy who smiled briefly before returning his attention to the screen in front of him.

"Licorice whip." I was startled by his curse realizing I had been daydreaming waiting for something to turn up during his research. "I don't know how they can get out…this is more evidence then even necessary to lock them away for a good twenty years or more." He tapped his gloved fingers thoughtfully.

I thought about that for a moment. "Then it must be someone from inside." His fingers stopped drumming almost instantly and he turned his violet eyes on me. "I didn't mean Allen." His eyes harden slightly at the name before he nodded in agreement, it made me curious how he could easily dismiss him so fast.

"Allen isn't smart enough." I rolled my eyes and took another sip of coffee. "Who would be, is the better question." I noticed him take his coffee into hand closing his eyes in thought. "As much as I hate to admit it…I need to have a meeting with Allen." He let out a small string of candy curses and sipped at his coffee with an annoyed pout.

"Just don't strangle him with his own tie." I said absently watching a devilish smile cross his face. "Oiy." I shook my head seeing that was probably the wrong thing to mention.

He giggled at that before nodding as if coming to a conclusion. "Come with me…it's time to have a meeting with him." I gave him a curious look before accepting the offered hand and finding myself being led to the glass elevator.

A short while later found me standing in his office staring around at the mini museum again while Willy started going through various things around the room on a search for something. I waited patiently in the office ignoring the familiar layout making my way over to his desk and sitting in his high back chair. I let out a startled sound when the chair suddenly swiveled around bringing me eye level with a giggling Willy Wonka.

"One of these days I'm going to…

"Do absolutely nothing." He cut me off before meeting my lips with his and lifting me from the chair without warning and then I found myself wrapped in his arms sitting in his lap. The chair swiveled back around to face the desk. "Hmmm."

"Don't even say what is going through your mind." My voice was low after he slipped from the kiss. "I mean it." That was all it took to get a giggle before both of us turned to the opening office door.

"Allen waiting for you Mr. Cocoa Bean." Signed Doris almost hesitantly watching his violet gaze narrow briefly, he nodded watching her disappear.