Author's Notes: Hm, a little deeper look into Violet. Hopefully I can get Sunny and Klaus' thoughts next chapter and we all find out what Olaf is up to, I may even be able to fit a flashback in there. Of course some of you may not be so surprised at who the 'Aquaintance' is. *giggles*

Five- An Old Aquaintance

'Inner voice'
*Violet's thoughts*

Finally packed and ready to go, they all piled into Klaus' four door coup and drove off into the country following the directions Violet had given.

"He's a good friend of mine and offered a place to stay if I ever got away from Olaf. I'm sure once he hears mom and dad are alive he'll help us out. Just keep to the road, when you reach a fork go left and stay straight. We probably won't get there until later tonight, maybe tomorrow if he's moved on again," Violet said, then sat back to enjoy the ride and keep her mind from thinking.

'You left him. You've put your brother and sister in danger because of a drunken Olaf's confession. He could have figured out what you were doing and is playing you for a fool. At this moment he's probably laughing at how stupid you are for taking his bait. Plotting your deaths as he waits for you to come to him. Was it worth it? Was leaving Olaf and following a hunch worth seeing your siblings killed by the man who's child you carry?'

"Violet!!!" Klaus shouted.

Violet jerked out of her thoughts and looked to her brother in confusion, who in turn was looking at her in concern.

"Are you all right? Sunny and I have been calling you for almost five minutes."

"Yeah, nothing to worry about. I'm sorry what did you ask?"

"Well," Sunny began, "I asked if, after all this was over, you wanted to help me practice for dance club when I start school this year."

"You're interested in dancing? Oh Sunny that's wonderful, of course I'll help you. What else are you into?"

"Lot's of stuff. Ballet, reading, I joined a reading group down at the library, sometimes I collect really hard things like rocks or peices of wood that Klaus can shape into an animal," Sunny beamed.

"You wittle Klaus?" Violet raised an eyebrow.

"If the fancy takes me or Sunny nags me long enough that I do it to shut her up."

"Hey!"

Violet smiled as both argued back and forth, seeing the very close bond they had. 'Look at what you're going to destroy. See how they argue as if this is nothing but a quick search and rescue, they have no idea what is really in store for them and yet you willingly drag them into it. What are you going to do once they see what you have to do in order to survive? Will their hatred drive you to finish what you started all those years ago?'

*No I won't, because they aren't going to hate me and I'll protect them from Olaf.* Tuning the voice out, Violet let Sunny and Klaus' arguing lull her to sleep.

~

"Wake up sleepy head, I see a small house up ahead and I wanted to know if it's the one your talking about."

Violet blearily opened one eye and saw the house Klaus was speaking of in the dawning light. "Yeah that's it. Park a few feet away from the house and let me out. He's there but very suspicous of people who suddenly pop up on him, I'll go up and let him know it's just us and wave when it's clear. You two gather your sleeping packs and secure the car."

Getting out of the car, Violet made her way to the house and knocked once, then three times quickly, then once again. She grinned as the sound of many locks being undone reached her ears, the door was soon flung open and Violet was engulfed in a big hug.

"Long time no see," Violet mumbled into the warm chest, hugging back.

"Too long in my opinion," he replied, stepping back he took one look at Violet and tsk'ed at her. "I also see you haven't been eating well again. Come on in and I'll fix you a large bowl of stew."

"Wait, I....I brought Klaus and Sunny with me," she said, looking sadly down at the ground.

"I expected no less. Bring them in, it's cold out here and we don't want you catching anything." Violet waved at her siblings before following him into the house.

Once inside, they were all glad for the warm fire crackling in the fireplace and aroma of fresh baked bread coming from the kitchen. They hung their coats on a rack hanging by the door and sat at the table with the man's insistence.

"Oh how rude of me; Sunny, Klaus this is-"

"Handler, Daniel Handler, but please call me Daniel," Daniel said, interrupting Violet.

"Pleased to meet you Daniel. Violet said you two knew eachother?" Klaus questioned calmly, his brother and investigating instincts coming in.

"Yes we do. Met out in Spain, saved me from being trampled by a bull during the run. Since then we've kept in touch," Daniel replied, placing bowls in front of the three before sitting with his own at the table.

The four ate in silence until the last drop was eaten then ushered into the living room to sit around the fire for a bit and talk.

"What can I do to help?" Daniel asked as soon as everyone was comfortable.

Sunny looked to Klaus who looked to Violet. "I've come across some news that our parents are still alive," Violet began.

A shuddered look came to Daniel's face, "I...see. Any clues to their whereabouts?"

"All I have to go on is that they are somewhere very hot. That only leaves a few places since the hottest areas are all near the equator. What I need is a few maps, a couple possible location tips, and a few escape routes if we get caught," she said, leaning against the back of the sofa.

"I can get you that and more, but all of you look like you need some sleep. Sunny and Violet can take my bed, Klaus you can bunk in the spare room and I'll have the couch out here. Come on, we can talk more in the morning there's nothing important that can't wait until then." Daniel led them all to the rooms and made sure they were comfortable before settling down on the couch himself.

~

She couldn't sleep, every time she closed her eyes the ghosts of those she had helped deceive and kill haunted her dreams. Since she didn't want to wake Sunny with one of her screaming nightmares Violet got out of bed as quietly as she could and snuck out the window heading to a small clearing away from the house and sitting down. It wasn't but ten minutes later that Violet felt a blanket being put over her shoulders and looked up to see Daniel taking a seat next to her.

"Beautiful night isn't it," Daniel murmured, getting only a nod from Violet in response.

They sat quietly for a moment taking in the starlit sky and sounds of crickets chirping in the forest depths. Violet sighed and folded her knees wrapping her arms around them and resting her head on top.

"I'm so confused," she whispered, closing her eyes.

"Just confused?" Daniel replied just as quietly, keeping his eyes on the stars.

"Right now it's the only emotion I'm allowing myself. I couldn't sleep and came out here. Lemony, sorry Daniel-"

"I know what you're saying, I did it to protect them just as you are. As long as we're alone you can call me Lemony, it is my name."

"Hm, I thought as much. It's just..I hate him, I loathe the very ground he walks on. He made my life hell and I will never forgive what he's done to me. I'd kill myself before ever going back to him." Violet sighed, "But then a part of me does want to go back to him. Remember the time you asked me to runaway from him, offered a place if I ever needed it?"

"Yes and if I think about it you looked a bit disappointed about the prospect," Lemony declared.

"That was because he had actually been treated me decently for almost six months then. He was attentive, acted caring, he was even," Violet blushed, "gentle in bed those months."

Lemony scrunched his face at that but tried to picture a caring Count Olaf, it didn't work.

"The first month I thought he was trying to get something out of me. I made him angry and he just told me it wasn't my fault then asked if I wanted some tea. As the days and weeks went by I accepted that Olaf had finally changed, at least towards me, I was a wife to him and not some pawn in one of his schemes. Of course once I got my hopes up they came crashing down. I got pregnant." Violet heard a gasp next to her but continued on. "I was feeling sick and was told to go to the doctor, found out I was having his child and told Olaf when I got home."

Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, the loss of her first born child still painful after all these years.

"He...he beat me when he found out and I lost my baby. I've hated him before but after that I couldn't stand to be around him. That was when he went back to being an evil bastard, taking what he wanted and not caring if I wanted it or not. The only reason why I still stayed and cooperated was because he knew where Sunny and Klaus where at the time and threatened to kill them in front of me if I didn't do as he said."

"Oh Violet," Lemony placed an arm around her shoulders and let her lean against him.

"He went from evil to nice so often, Lemony...I....I'm pregnant again but Klaus and Sunny don't know. I don't want them to be disgusted with me and I won't give up this child. Please," Violet looked up at him, "You have to help me find our parents and somehow stop Olaf. He's already looking for me, caused an accident on the train I was riding on my way to Klaus' and I fear that was just a sample of what he can do."

Sighing, Lemony rubbed Violet's back to keep her warm and spoke, "You know that I will help in any way I can. But you should go into hiding, in your condition you won't stand a chance against Olaf or his cronies and I seriously doubt Klaus and Sunny will be disgusted-"

"I don't want them to know yet. I'm not ready to tell them."

"Then they shall not know. All I'm asking Violet is that you take care of yourself as well. If you feel tired or strained out stop and rest, find a safe place and stay until you're well again or call me. Promise," Lemony demanded, tilting Violet's head to look her in the eyes.

"I promise. Now why don't the both of us head of to bed and get what little sleep we can." They both got up and went into the house, already doubting the ability to get any sleep that night.

~End Five~