Author's note: We're going to assume that Abe makes it to the medical wing of the BPRD without incident and is now resting comfortably in the med tank.

"So you want to explain all of this to me?" Sharon asks hotly.

We're walking down the hall toward the library. I figure that's probably the least disturbing place in here, and it might give Sharon a chance to calm down before we head back to Manhattan. I checked with John, but he can't drive us back until Manning gives him the green light. Unfortunately, Manning is still back at the bar dealing with all of the civilians that saw Hellboy, Abe and Liz. So now we wait for his return.

"I told you it was complicated," I remind her as we go through the last set of doors and into the library.

Sharon's train of thought is slightly derailed as she takes in the shear size of the place. She looks around in wonder for a few minutes. She finally spots the tank.

"Is that where he…?" she half asks, pointing at the glass.

"That's Abe's tank," I answer. "This is where we first met. I came in here looking for a phone, and there he was. The most incredible being I had ever seen."

"That's how I felt when I first saw Ron," she says quietly.

"Since it doesn't look like Manning's going to be back any time soon, I might as well tell you the story," I tell her.

I take a seat facing away from the tank. Looking at it reminds me of where he is and why he's there. I wait for Sharon to take a seat and then I start. I tell her everything that's gone on for the last seven months of my life involving the BPRD. While I'm talking, Hellboy walks in.

"I'm a little confused," she says at the end of my narration.

"About what?" I ask.

"Well, you said that the world was almost destroyed by some guy that was going to sacrifice the Fire Mage," she starts.

"Yes?" I prompt her.

"Why did he want to destroy the world in the first place?" she asks. "I mean, I know the world isn't a perfect place, but still, what is there to gain by destroying it?"

"You know, I have no idea why he wanted to destroy the world," I answer. I turn to Hellboy. "Were you able to get a reason out of him?"

"Nope," he says. "After we were done beating up the monsters, we went looking for the guy and he was gone. Abe was never able to get any info on the guy either. The sword disappeared, too."

"Thank you for telling me," I reply. "There's a good chance this guy will try something else, isn't there?"

"Oh, yeah," he answers. "That's the story of my life."

At this point Manning comes charging in with John in his wake.

"Tell me, Miss Cavendish," Manning starts hotly, "how many more family members do you intend to bring in here?"

"From what I understand, Dr. Manning," I reply, "you were the one who brought my grandmother here. I was definitely in no condition to bring anyone anywhere at that time."

"Yes, but you're the one who brought in your uncle and cousin," he points out.

"Technically, Guillermo is not my uncle. He's just an old family friend that I called uncle as a child and I've never seen a reason to change that," I tell him. "As for Sharon, I'm not the one who stuck us in the back of the garbage truck. But if it hadn't been for her, Abe would be in even worse shape than he is in now."

"Excuse me, Dr. Manning," John intercedes. "But it is getting late, and the ladies have requested to be taken home."

"Very well, if you must," he replies grumpily. "This still isn't over, Miss Cavendish."

"Is it ever over?" I rhetorically ask his retreating back. "Hellboy, be so kind as to tell Abe that I'll be back tomorrow. I guess I'm going to have to fill out more paper work."

"Hey, not a problem," he says as he takes a cigar out of his duster. I look at him and he stares back with those glowing yellow eyes. "You're leaving, right?"

"But I'm not," says Guillermo as he comes in from the upper area. "You smoke that foul thing in here and I'll tie your tail in a knot."

"What is it with you two and tying my tail in a knot?" he snarls as he stalks out of the room.

"Ladies," John says. "The car is this way."

John drops Sharon off at her apartment building and me off at my hotel, where I have yet another dream about Abe.