Impatient little buggers, aren't you? More than twelve hours between chapters, and I start to hear the sound of Harpys being flicked open. Not reassuring, dear ones. Anyhoo, without further ado, the chapter awaits.

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The night was frighteningly quiet, as nothing stirred in the darkness. No wind, no movement of any kind of the air. The silence was heavy in the backyard, as the crickets had long ago sung their last songs of the season. The skies above were blanketed thickly with stars, and the city of San Jose glitters far below. It is the first time they have been up to the observatory when there wasn't a hellish wind trying to blow them over the edge. Emily leaned against the railing looking down from the parking lot, relishing in the fresh air.

Lick Observatory is one of the University of California's observatories. It is located at the summit of Mount Hamilton, in the Diablo Mountain Range, at an elevation of 4,200 feet above sea level. Mt. Hamilton Road, which leads up to the summit is a gnarled winding road that rests on a grade originally laid out in 1876. The road was built espressly for the observatory by Santa Clara County. One who has motion sickness is thoroughly distressed from climbing and descending this narrow highway. The emergency helipad that sits adjacent to the road was once the site of a clay deposit and kilns that were used to make the bricks that were used to build the observatory's buildings. Mountain residents still refer to it as 'the Brickyard'.

The social elite of San Francisco had an annual tour up here, after hours, so they could get the chance to view the telescopes and probe the heavens. Mrs. DeGraffe of the opera board had organized this year's event, and the small group was wandering the summit before their tour of the main telescope. Hannibal stood on the steps to the observatory behind him, watching his wife. She wore dark slacks and a white silk blouse, which shone like a pearl in the moonlight. Not a good night for stargazing, with the overpowering moonlight that bathed the world. Carrying through the still air was Mrs. DeGraffe's high chirpy voice, clearly being ignored by her husband. Emily didn't move, resembling the night air that surrounded them.

A graduate student appears from the cafeteria down below the observatory, calling out in his strongest voice that he wishes for the group to gather around so they can begin their tour. Mrs. DeGraffe, feeling that the young man's voice is not of the proper volume or assertiveness, begins to repeat his instructions. She heads around the road gathering the other socialites and sounding much like a mother hen. Hannibal steps down from his post as he hears her call up the slope to them, and still Emily does not turn. He crosses the lot to him and reaches out to her elbow. A breeze begins to come up at just that moment, whipping a few strands of copper hair into her eyes.

"Come, Emily, before Sarah sends a search party up here after us." Emily didn't react to the slight tug on her arm. "What are you thinking about, Emily?"

Her head slowly turns to his, eyes reflecting the pale sphere of moonlight in her pupils. It was slightly eerie in context. "Just thinking, Hannibal." She released the top bar on the rail and stepped back, turning and moving out of his grip. She walked imperiously across the asphalt to the stairs that led down to the road below where the group waited.

"About what?" he asked, no more than a few steps behind her. She paused at the foot of the first stair, allowing him to catch up to her. If her eyes were eerie before, they were downright frightening now.

"Blood."

And with that, she was moving again, down the stairs, taking the terrain with fluid ease. Waving down at Mrs. DeGraffe as the older woman waved back up at her. It was in that simple answer that he knew. That he had been wrong in laying his trust in her once again. His legs were stiff as he followed his wife down the stairs. The rest of the evening was a blur to him, he didn't hear anything of the lecture's their guide had prepared. Saw nothing as they walked under the moonlight. She had occupied his mind fully, and he almost regretted having asked the question.

*****

The Jaguar handles the tight curves of Mt. Hamilton Road well, fluid and graceful as it races down the mountain. The observatory is nineteen miles outside of downtown San Jose, but may as well be a world away by the time you reach the foot of the peak and drive through the valley below. The interior of the car is unnaturally silent, even though there is music playing over the speakers. Emily is laid back in her seat, looking out the tinted window at the surrounding night. Hannibal has his eyes steadfastly focused on the road as they descend. It is a wonder that she does not become carsick, laying like that and watching the world fly by. Cast-iron stomach had she. As the coast into the valley below he finally speaks, breaking the spell.

"What did you do yesterday, Emily?"

A sigh, and the sound of silk on leather as she adjusted herself in the seat. Fingers tap out the rhythm on the arrest on the door as she draws out an answer. "Nothing, really. Just a little amusement."

"I put my trust in you."

"Hmmmm. Yes." The reply was low and languid, like a slow moving river. She obviously didn't see her actions of any consequence. "I lied. Not the first time, you know."

It was a test of his will to keep his eyes focused on the road illuminated by the headlights. "Why?"

He heard the whir of the motor and the silk on leather sound again as she raised the reclined seat back to a sitting position. He caught a glimpse of her face in the passing light from another vehicle. Calm. With an awful smile on her lips. It spoke volumes about how much she was enjoying things.

"Did I ever ask you 'why?', Hannibal? No. As you're so fond of saying, quid pro quo."

"This is not about me, Emily. It's about you." He braked and took hairpin turn as if to emphasize his point. She remained in that odd state with her hands clasped neatly in her lap.

They were coming in towards some of the houses that were nestled in the hills overlooking San Jose, there were random streetlamps. She chilled him as they passed under one, and she turned to him once again.

"It's more about you than you know, Hannibal." She winked quickly before she continued. "Remember, the threshold I refuse to pass won't always be there to hold me back."

*****

He found sleep was uneasy in coming when they were finally back in San Francisco. He lay beneath the down comforter and watched her chest rise and fall with the deep breath of sleep. Imprisoning her again was not an option, since she would not be so willing to accept it this time. Taking her to a 'mental health professional' would do nothing either. She herself was one and could pass each and every test thrown at her without even batting an eye. He himself was one, and she had deceived him as well. Not thoroughly, he conceded, as he had had his doubts as to her progress, but he had put his trust in her. Trust. Hannibal rolled onto his back with his hands clasped over his chest, closing hi eyes and listening to the sounds of breathing, hers and his own. The notion of trust was so far flung now that it seemed to be a unicorn. But he would chase it until he had his sweet, sweet Emily back again.

*****