OK. Yes, I know it is a short chapter. In fact, in my recollections, this is the shortest chapter of a fanfiction I have ever posted.

But I liked where it ends, so I decided to go ahead and split the chapter here.

The good news is it means you get another posting fairly quickly as the chapter in its entirety was already completed, I just...shortened it into two chapters instead.

Hephaestus

Part II - A New Hope

That night Layton did his best to distract Melanie away from her searching for the hex nut again. But he finally gave up, consigning himself to the fact she was going to search the cabin top to bottom, and possibly even remove a few ventilation plates until she found it.

Knowing the futility of her search bothered him, but not enough to tell her the truth. He knew what he had done had been with good cause. But not certain it would work, he didn't want to get her hopes up. And he only needed one more day to know if his plan was worth her worry or not.

Three nights after the hex nut Melanie had brought with her to cabin had mysteriously disappeared, she returned to the cabin to find Layton sitting on the sofa with a huge smile on his face.

"Well, you're looking inordinately please with yourself." She stated.

The smile remained firmly in place. "That's because I am."

Melanie gave him a curious stare as she set her notebook and papers down on the table. "Any particular reason?"

Layton quickly patted the cushion next to him. "Come and sit down and I'll show you."

Melanie sighed to herself. "Layton, I swear if this is one of your high school era pranks..."

Layton firmly patted the cushion again. "Just come sit down."

Melanie sighed to herself. She really wasn't in the mood for his games that night, but it seemed to be what she was in for. She still had not been able to locate the elusive hex nut and felt herself succumbing to the feeling it was lost for good. A feeling she didn't much care for as to her it represented defeat.

But her roommate seemed to have all but forgotten about the hex nut and was now moving on to thinking up new ways to annoy her.

'Best to get it over with.' She lamented to herself as she forced a smile to her lips and took the seat he indicated.

"All right." She said. "What is it?"

"Hold out your hand."

Melanie bulked lightly at the command. "Layton..."

"Come on." He coaxed her. "Nothing weird, I promise."

Secure that he wouldn't lie to her under those conditions, Melanie obediently put her hand out.

Holding his own hand above her's, Layton opened his fist and let a small piece of well shaped metal drop into it.

A genuine smile instantly came to her lips the second she recognized the item.

"You found the hex nut!" She stated.

But with his self-pleased smile still in place, Layton shook his head. Reaching into the pocket of his shirt, he pulled out an identically shaped object.

"This is your hex nut." He stated.

Melanie looked at the other hex nut, then back to the one in her hand. There was no denying there were two hex nuts at least.

"Then where did this one come from?" She asked. Then a sudden thought struck her. "Layton, if you're dismantling something to get spare parts..."

Layton quickly shook his head, pointing to the hex nut she was holding. "Look at it closer." He stated.

Melanie gave him one last look of warning, then carefully examined the hex nut she was holding. Then as if to verify her findings, took the other hex nut from him and held them up side by side. Pure amazement took over her expression.

"This hex nut is new." She stated, her tone echoing her expression as she quickly turned to him. "Where did you find a new hex nut?"

Melanie swore the man looked so pleased with himself he could hardly contain it.

"I didn't." Layton replied. "I had it made."