An alternate universe where Violet, Duncan, and Quigley joined V.F.D., I never thought I'd write this because I actually hate the idea of them joining but I thought I'd try it out anyway. This will be a 2 part story! Here's hoping it turns out well. Begin!

~Violet's POV

"Will you volunteer for this mission, Miss Baudelaire?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Excellent," Frank said. (He had been the Denouement brother who survived the hotel fire years ago.) He handed me a file. "These are the extended details of your assignment. Your mission will have an assigned partner meet you at the rendezvous point. Duncan Quagmire will of course be overseeing the situation through your communication devices, as you requested. Good luck."

I nodded and stood from my chair and proceeded to leave the room. I took a quick glance through the file and noted where the drop off point was. It's been years since we made it back to civilization after living on the island. Upon reaching Briny Beach we reunited with the Quagmire triplets when Hector landed the hot air mobile home. I'm currently 18, I inherited my family fortune as I was always meant to, and we all live together in a big mansion just like I promised. Duncan and I have been happy together for all that time and I have a sneaky suspicion he might be considering proposing soon. (I'll gladly accept of course but I'd rather wait a while longer on the idea.)

Duncan, Quigley, and I had all joined up with V.F.D. I can't exactly tell anyone why we had made this decision but it seemed like an appropriate thing to do, for now at least. Klaus and Isadora were happy together as well, but they wanted no part of the organization. It's a good thing too because we needed them to stay home and watch Sunny and Beatrice Jr. for us. (Not to mention the two of them are still in school.) The Baudelaire fortune and the Quagmires' sapphire fortune were enough to keep our joined families supported for quite some time, since being a volunteer was a non-paid profession.

Quigley had no steady girlfriend, but with him being 18 we frequently had to scold him for waking up next to random girls he met on the town. His habits are going to get him in serious trouble one of these days. But I didn't have to worry about him today. His V.F.D. mission was out in Finite Forest; so it was just me, Duncan, and whoever my partner was this time.

"Hello gorgeous."

I smiled widely as I felt Duncan's arms wrap around my waist from behind. I turned and gave him a quick kiss.

"Hey handsome, you ready for our assignment?"

"As I'll ever be," He replied. "Is it just the two of us this time?"

"Unfortunately, no. You're driving us to the drop off point, and then I'll meet with another volunteer who's going to help me breach the villain's hideout. We'll keep you updated through our communicators."

He nodded, "Understood, and if anything goes wrong I'll go in and pull both of you out of there."

I gave him another kiss. "What would I ever do without you?"

He started chuckling, "You survived pretty well on your own for over a year after we were separated so I think you'll be fine no matter what. Come on, I've got our ride parked outside."

~…

After several hours of driving we arrived at the meet up location. Duncan had been lent a surveillance van to keep watch over us.

"Ok we're in position."

I double checked my gear, "And I'm ready to go."

Duncan gave me a tight hug. "Come back safely, Violet."

"I always do." We shared a deep good-bye kiss before I stepped out of the van and started walking the rest of the way to my destination.

"Comm-check, can you hear me Violet?"

"Yeah I can hear you Duncan."

"Good, my camera is picking up a ledge across from the hideout where you can grapple across. Your partner should already be there to scout the place."

"Got it, I'll head that way. Hey while we're talking, do you like the spandex?" I was joking, of course to make things a little lighter.

"Would you be mad if I said it makes you look sexy?"

I laughed quietly, "No I don't mind. You're allowed to have those thoughts. You are my boyfriend after all."

I heard Duncan laugh before I continued onward. I reached the ledge Duncan was referring to and damn near dropped my spyglass when I saw who I was supposed to work with.

"Violet?"

"Fiona?"

It was definitely Fiona Widdershins. I never thought I'd have to see her again. She too was wearing a V.F.D. spy uniform similar to my own, her triangle-shaped glasses were still the same, she would be 19 now since she's older than me and her raven hair had gotten a bit longer since our last meeting. She had been surveying the area through her own spyglass. I guess the organization did take her back years ago, but I never figured we'd have to work together again. Well this was awkward...

"Ah... now I see why they wouldn't tell me who I was working with," Fiona said shifting uncomfortably.

"I didn't give it any thought," I replied, "So we're partners now?"

"Temporarily, I was supposed to be on shore leave for the V.F.D. Gala this weekend, stepfather insisted that I attend, but we're short on volunteers so I was asked to step in."

"Violet, who's your contact?"

"Fiona, tap into my frequency, my boyfriend Duncan Quagmire is our ride out of here."

She nodded and did as told with her comm-device. She then went back to looking through her spyglass.

I talked softly into my comm-device, "Duncan, I don't know if I can do this."

"What's the problem?"

"I'll spare you the details, but let's just say this girl and I aren't exactly on good terms. She betrayed me once; how am I supposed to trust her?"

"You know I can hear you right?"

I jumped at Fiona's comment. I suppose I should have guessed that she would hear me since it's nighttime and it's dead quiet out here.

We both heard Duncan laugh at that. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way of your assignment. Fiona I don't know you, but you're a volunteer and I trust you to get Violet inside that compound. So play nice ladies, or the mission will be in serious jeopardy."

"Thank you, Duncan, for being sincere," Fiona said.

"My pleasure miss, now get to it."

"I know it's not exactly ideal, Violet, but we do need to work together for the sake of the mission. I swear on my life right now that I'll do anything you say. You have my word; you're in charge."

I looked at her. Her light blue eyes looked sincere behind her glasses and I unfortunately have to admit... she's right. We're in this together, and Duncan will be upset if I don't cooperate. This isn't about our personal history; this is about finding evidence to put a villain behind bars.

"You'll do anything I say?"

"Yes."

I considered her offer for a moment before responding, "Then we're going in together. And I already have a way for us to get across."

I reached into my bag and pulled out my homemade grappling hook. (I improved the design immensely since the last time I used one.) I looked through my spyglass once more and found an accessible area of the compound where no guards were standing. I shot my grappling hook across the chasm and it latched onto a spot on the building for us to slide down to. I handed Fiona the ropes to hold us up and the two of us rode down into the compound. We quickly unlatched ourselves from the rope and ducked behind some bushes as a couple guards passed by. Thankfully they didn't notice the rope above them.

"Duncan, we're in the compound," I spoke quietly, "Can you find us an entrance?"

"There's a ventilation shaft on the wall to your right. Get inside and it should take you through the whole place."

After ensuring no more guards were approaching we made our way to the other wall. Fiona helped me open the shaft and I climbed inside first. Once she was inside with me we replaced the vent and started on what would surely be a long night of searching. Fiona had been polite and helpful so far, and she hasn't even asked about Klaus, but I'm still wary.

Hopefully, this temporary alliance is something I won't regret later...

~End of Chapter