Hey everyone,
So I'm sure not everyone's really going to enjoy this chapter. I understand that some people would rather I just use each and every chapter to move the story forward. But I feel like reminiscing with characters will help me to develop and establish who they are and what they're like. I consider one of the best ways for a writer to grow is through their characters. And I also admit that this is the best method to work for me and my growth.
Good? Good,

Venquine1990
PS. Don't forget, I still have more than enough planned for this story. There is still much that will be learned and much that will happen in future chapters.

Chapter 09
A Night Of Thought

3rd of May 2418
Goodman Residence, Japan
Sarah's POV

Dinner was a pleasant affair. Merlock had been shocked that Uncle Bernie used vegetarian meatballs and had told us about how horrible they had tasted the first time he had tried them, which had been 400 years ago. Uncle Bernie had admitted that we don't really like them either, but that he had learned to spice them just right. I had also taken a bit of a risk and asked Uncle Bernie if Merlin could spend the night with me instead.
The others had been shocked and Merlock's face had resembled the tomato sauce. I had lowered my head and mumbled how I was afraid that the fear I had felt earlier today when Adam first came into the clearing might make me have nightmares. Instantly my uncle and brother had understood and Merlock had pulled me close and offered his hypnotic powers to help me sleep. I had told him that just having him close would probably help.
Miss Grey and Uncle Bernie had moved to his office after dinner and Uncle Bernie had given her a bit of a summary of what happened today. Miss Grey had also, apparently, told Uncle Bernie the full honest truth on who she is and why she didn't stop him from flirting with her sooner. Uncle Bernie had been a little hurt, but he had been understanding of her reasons and Miss Grey had said goodbye while apparently impressed with him.

By now a few hours have passed. Night has fallen and I have changed into a long-sleeved night shirt and night pants. I am lying in bed and Merlock is in bed with me. He himself used his specialty to change his suit into a two-piece night suit of the same color as his usual outfit. He is lying on the bed below me and I am lying on his chest with my head and part of my left arm. And the way he runs his hand through my hair feels divine.
On one hand I feel like I am about to take the first step of the rest of my life. And the fact that I get to do this with the man that I love with all my being makes me more excited about the future than I have been in a long while. Yet at the same time, I don't really feel like this is the case. That is because another part of me feels as if it wasn't me that took that first step. It was the man I am lying with. And it happened some time ago.

It's been almost ten months now since he entered my life. I had only just become an apprentice Time Detective, tasked with helping and keeping an eye on the new Time Detective, Flint Hammerhead. We had gone to Russia near the end of the Napoleonic wars and had been looking for the Time Shifter known as Mosbee. We had found him and had been on the verge of becoming friends when Petra Fina tricked and stamped him.
What's worse is that the little flying elephant head had frozen my brother, little Flint and even our guide, Pterry. Getalong and I had been sparred and a sense of helplessness had overwhelmed me. I had started to softly cry, when a suave, smooth voice had told me that the person in question could help me. I had turned around and when he had smiled at me, his looks and the way his smile made his face look dreamy stole my heart.

He had not told me his name after I had asked him, yet he had helped me. This had gone on for a few more missions where he would appear to either help or save me, but where he would also remain mysterious. And each time he'd disappear, I would feel as if he had taken a bit of my heart with him, I would feel myself falling for him more and more. Then, about a month later, we were in Transylvania in the 15th century.
And it was here, in a wood near the castle of Count Vlad Dracula, that I finally learned the name of the man that had stolen my heart. Merlock Holmes has an incredible flair for drama and even seems to be able to summon roses and flower petals upon command. He, like Flint, is a Time Detective and the Time Bureau had sent him off to study and observe my pseudo little brother for this potential. Yet he is also a gentlemen.

After he had introduced himself, he had also told me that he was my servant. This statement touched and amused me as I had fallen so hard, I almost felt as if I had become like a servant to his sweet compliments, his handsome looks, his smooth, suave voice and the way that the look in his eyes pulled me in. To this day I am sure that Merlock and I would have shared a kiss there and then if Petra Fina hadn't interrupted us.
After this a few months had passed until I saw Merlock again. To this day I don't know how Petra Fina managed to get her hands and stamp on Bindi, but I don't care either. All I care about was how Merlock responded to it all. He had not just stopped Flint from attacking Bindi after she was changed into Bindi-Kun, he also refused to fight her himself. And my heart felt like it was being ripped out of me when he was being drained of his energy.

Luckily enough Merlock had been able to get through to his friend and Bindi has changed from Bindi-Kun to Bindi-Master and brought him back home. And when I went to visit him, it had been the second time since I met him that I learned something about him that had shocked me. The first time was when I learned that he actually worked for the Time Bureau. This time I had actually learned about the mysterious young man's nature.
It had shocked me to learn that he's actually a Vampire and I had needed a few days to come to terms with the whole thing. But then I remembered all the supposed dead guy had done for me and I had suddenly realized that I shouldn't care – and that I didn't. I hadn't been too enamored and yet slightly touched with the fact that he would put me above everyone so much that he would abandon a bunch of island kids just to protect me.

Yet when Merlock had saved me from an incoming missile and I had asked him to help Flint in the battle against Petra and her battle robot, he had worked his way even deeper into my heart with how easily and quickly he had agreed to my request. And while I'm still slightly embarrassed, I also still fondly look back on our journey to 4th century Greece, when Merlock changed my cloths to keep them from ripping due to my growing form.
I know that I usually show myself off as an innocent young girl, but you can't really stay innocent with how powerful, all-encompassing and ever-present the internet is. From time to time since it happened, I felt as if there is this little devil on my shoulder that would whisper about how tempting and exciting it would be to be back in that outfit again. Yet even now that I am together with the man I love, I don't feel ready to tell him this, at least not yet. And earlier today I relived what I consider one of the worst days of my life.

A few more missions took place and Merlock aided us in several of them. He had saved Tony and me when Unita-Master used his power over Time and Space and he kept my team and the future King Arthur from falling to our deaths from a waterfall. He had also made a bit of a fool of himself when trying to sing an opera after saving me from an attack of Musey-Kun, kept me from being hit by gold and he worked together with us twice more.
But after working together with us as bugs against Bugsy-Kun and against Dipper-Kun, our next mission put us against a whole other and horrible kind of enemy. Uglinator had managed to control a whole army of teenage kids and they had shot at the Time Cycle with very sticky goo and this had made us fall out of the air. But Merlock had been there to save me and he had beyond heroic when he told me to find Flint so we could fight together.

To this day I regret leaving my incredible love behind and not just asking him to come with me. In the time I was gone, Uglinator had managed to control his mind and a battle between my pseudo little brother and my true love had ensued. And what's worse, even when I managed to break Uglinator's hold on Merlock's mind, Uglinator took it one step further. He fully connected his own mind to Merlock and brought out the demon within my love.
Like Merlock admitted earlier today, I suffered from nightmares of this one event for some time. Even now, several months later, I still have a reoccurring nightmare every few days. It really hadn't surprised me that Merlock had quit, but it had hurt, even if I hadn't shown it when Miss Grey told us. But there had really only been two more missions between my love making his decision and us suddenly coming up against Petra Fina's boss – and fake lover. And when Merlock left to help Flint, I worried for him as much as I did my little brother.

Merlock had been invaluable in the fight against the Dark Lord all the way until the very end and I had left the Land of Time with the determination that I would tell him my true feelings and how he had won my heart before the year was over. Yet I had needed the last two months to gather the courage as this time the little devil would constantly tell me that I was seeing things that weren't there or that Merlock might not like me the way I am.
Then Merlock had invited me and my family for a picnic and it felt like a sign from above. Last night I had gone to bed with the firm decision that I would not wait another day, that Merlock would know how I feel before the picnic was over. And just like many nights before I had dreamed the night away with dreams of kissing those soft blue lips. And while today has been full of ups and down, I now feel myself falling asleep, feeling content.

A few miles away
Petra's Home
Petra's POV

Little over half a year ago I dreamed of sprouting wings and flying into the sunset with who I thought was the man of my dreams. Two months ago I felt as if every dream I had over the ten months before then had been shattered to pieces and then thrown through a shredder and a burning forge. And the other day something had happened that I really hadn't expected. One of my biggest rivals had offered to set me up with a new partner.
He had actually constantly taken my hatred for matchmaking into account, yet he had also proven that he really is the observant type. And the man he had wanted to match me with is the match made in heaven I had thought the Dark Lord could be. Even Adam's half-demon form had attracted me and I had felt like the woman within me called out to the man within him. And the man behind the beast was even more of a heartthrob.

In just a few hours' time Adam had proven himself a true Leader to the Vampire Clan, a hero against bastards like a corrupt council and a mentally-mad witch, an incredible gentlemen with the tongue of an old Victorian prince and an incredible boyfriend. And he had made one of my many dreams come true upon his return. He had let a friend of his provide me with wings and had taken me on a romantic flight across the forest.
After a few hours of flying across the tree tops, passing the clearing a few times and even crossing the brook and letting our fingers break the surface as we passed over it, we had gone into one of the more obscure parts of town. Adam had been incredibly gentle with me as he got the wings off my back and I had returned the favor. And while he had sworn that he would look into his investments at earliest convenience, he had let me pay for dinner.

I won't deny it, all day I had been wondering and dreaming about what kind of body Adam might hide underneath his cloak. And this was especially because I met several other vampires like George, David and little Blood Boy and they all had muscles of different levels. And when night had fallen and I had taken Adam back to my place, my waiting curiosity had been answered. At the bedside Adam had pulled off his robe.
He wears a body-fitting shirt and pair of hip-hugging skinny jeans and neither of these left anything to the imagination, especially when it comes to his physical desire for me. Yet Adam is a real gentlemen and had told me that he would court me, care for me and cherish me before he would bring me physical pleasure. He had assured me that he deeply desired me, but also reminded me of how we both deserve some romance after our years of loneliness.

We crawled into bed together and for the last hour I have been sharing my life story with him. How I was born a princess, but that I ran away from home because I had no interest in being used for my mother's political or financial gain. How I preferred the life of crime over the life of the heroes or anything else. How I became infamous and grew into the Famous Interdimensional Time Thief that went up against Flint and his team.
Adam had been deeply shocked to hear that I was willing to corrupt the Time Shifters for the sake of the Dark Lord, yet he had been appeased when he heard that I had no idea of his actual plans. "So if you had known that he was going to destroy the Land of Time and bring true Dread upon the world, you wouldn't have done it?" He had asked me and yet I had hesitated with my answer. Adam had, amazingly enough, understood.

"He had your heart." It had been four simple words, yet Adam had spoken them with a sense of understanding that I hadn't expected of him. Since then we've just been locked in a loving embrace. My whole body is covering Adam's and his right arm is wrapped tightly, but comfortingly around my waist. His left hand is running through my hair, which I stopped wearing in a high ponytail after I left the Land of Time behind.
"Trust me, my kitten. I understand what it feels like to do things, simply because your heart leads you astray." Adam whispers after a few more minutes and I remember everything Blood Boy and the other vampires told me, about Adam and their past with him. I look up at the man as he moves his hand from my hair to my cheek and says: "But we are together now, my love, and our hearts are eternally connected." And with those sweet words, I fall asleep.

Tony's POV

For the past two months I've been wondering about my sister's strange behavior. Shortly after we saved the Land of Time, Sarah suddenly started acting more like a girly-girl than I ever saw her. The only times she was still herself was when she was doing homework, having fun with Flint or getting annoyed with Jake. But even in class she would suddenly behave unlike herself. She would doze off and go off into dreamland, all out of the blue.
The other day Sarah had confused me even more. When Flint yelled at us that Merlock was on the big screen, Sarah was helping me with a bit of my own homework. She had yelped and started ranting completely nonsensical things. I had stopped her and told her that we should just go downstairs and see what he wants. My sister had completely baffled me as she asked me how she looked and if she looked okay or not.

Merlock had actually invited us to a picnic and while it didn't really sit well with me that Petra Fina would also be there, I was definitely looking forward to a private party. And I got to admit, one of the reasons I had always had a low opinion of Merlock was because I just didn't know all that much about him. So the fact that he was offering us the chance to learn more about him had really appealed to me – just like the food had appealed to Flint.
But then this morning Sarah had acted even weirder than the last two months. She had actually locked herself in her room and yelled at us not to disturb her and that she had to get ready. I had been beyond confused as she had yelled this at around 10.30 and the picnic wasn't for another two and a half hours. What confused me even more was that Sarah had actually needed two of those hours to really get ready. But I had to admit, my sis looked good.

About ten minutes before we left, Sarah had let me into her room and apologized for how rude she had been. She had then come clean to me and I had felt like a first class idiot. My twin sister was in love with her guardian angel and I hadn't even noticed. But the poor girl had been terrified that Merlock didn't return her feelings. I had really, for a moment, wondered who of us was the blind one here, but then I realized what was really going on.
Sarah did know that Merlock returned her feelings, she was just overwhelmed with the nerves over finally telling him that she felt the same and they made her question herself. I know I'm almost 5 minutes younger, but I had taken on the role of the caring older brother. I had pulled my sister in for a reassuring embrace and told her that either Merlock would kiss her lights out or he would be his usual charming self and compliment her.

I had enjoyed being proven right. Still, the rest of the day had definitely not gone like I had expected. While I had gone to the picnic with an interest in Merlock's backstory and with the notion that I would probably hear a few nasty tales, I hadn't expected the near adventure we had been put on. And to see the Leader of the Vampire Clan get together with the one woman who has been making our life miserable for the past year still weirds me out.
"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." I mutter to myself as I lie on top of my bed and blanket, my hands behind my head and staring at the ceiling. I actually have a picture of every Time Shifter I ever befriended plastered to the ceiling above my bed. It was a little pet project of mine that I started when I realized that we might be approaching the time where the Time Shifters had to return home. And of course my buddy Wing is in the center.

Still, the thought that there is only a single thin wall between me and my sister and her boyfriend should be filling me with possessive anger and a strong protective need. But it doesn't. If anything, it brings a smile to my face. "I know he's way older than her and in normal cases that would make this whole thing pretty perverted. But Merlock can't help being what he is anymore than Flint. And Sarah loves him. That's what matters."
Yeah, I know that I usually portray myself as childish, easily entertained and a bit of a brat. But while Sarah sometimes annoys me with her drive to learn, her amazing ability to study and how she often uses her status as the older twin against me, I still love her. Yet just like the last year, I got real evidence today that I'm not alone. That, while it's a different kind of love, Merlock loves Sarah as much as I do. And that's what matters.
I know that, if anyone were to find out about this I'd be the laughing stock of school for years. But as I tuck myself in for the night, I envision what it would be like when Sarah and Merlock get married. Tears sting my eyes as I envision my big sister all grown up and wearing all kinds of beautiful wedding dresses. And the sight of her kissing Merlock for the first time as her husband is the last conscious thought in my mind, before my dreams take over.

Flint's POV

Today sure was strange. Then again, ever since my dad and I got restored back to normal – or semi-normal for my dad's sake – I don't think I've lived one day where I didn't think that same thought at the end. Yet the fact that my dad is a Stone Axe is a real bonus as it makes it so that he can stay in the room with me. This gives me the chance to just question anything and everything that confused me about the previous day.
Dad doesn't always have the answers, but he's still incredibly wise. Then again, whenever he's not with me, he's with Sarah and I know he likes watching over her as he studies. Sarah also always leave a few books open for him to read while she studies and sometimes talks to him when she's working on a problem that she's having trouble with. Because of this, dad knows a lot of things about the 25th century that I don't and that really helps.

"So dad, what's so special about Merlock's love for Sarah?" I can't help but ask and the man hums before he says: "Let me put it this way, son. You have the friendship that Tony had with Time Shifters like Wing, right? Consider that to be like a third grade kind of love. More friendly than anything else. Then there's the bond you had with the Shifters. That's still friendly, but you were close. So we consider it second grade. Follow me so far?"
I nod and dad continues: "The first stage can be divided over three groups. The love Sarah and Tony feel for each other and you. The love they – and you – feel for Dr. Goodman. And the love that Merlock feels for Sarah." I hum as I can almost feel like I understand what he means, yet not entirely. So I ask him what's different and the man answers: "There are two vital differences. First between the first two of the groups.

You love and like Sarah, but you love and respect Dr. Goodman, right?" I nod and then I grin and tell him that the same counts for him as well. Dad might only still have his eyes and eyebrows visible, but the way they shape when he closes his eyes still really shows how happy he is over this. "Then there is a difference between the third and the other two. And that difference lies in the emotions themselves as well as in a desire for certain activities."
By now I'm just confused again and dad spots this. "Look, Merlock likes to do certain things, because they make Sarah a different kind of happy than the things you do. You understand that, right?" I nod and then dad jumps up. And while he's only a stone axe, he rubs the top of his head over my head as he says: "Well, one day you're going to want to do those same things for a girl too. It won't be Sarah as you don't see her like that.
But it will happen, son. And like David told Merlock almost 900 years ago now, when it happens, you'll know." Dad sounds wistfully excited and I feel tears sting my eyes as it's obvious that dad's saying this, because he knows. He knows that when that day comes I'll be as happy as Merlock made Sarah today. I happily land down on my bed with my arms spread wide and say: "I sure hope that day comes soon, dad." Dad agrees and I fall asleep.

Sweet dreams, all.
Okay, so I did include Flint. And I am very happy that I did. Also going over most of the FtTD series from Sarah's POV was both a lot of fun and a nice way for me to establish her character and how she came to fall for Merlock. I know it's not really obvious in the series, it really looks like a one-sided romance story there, but – I don't care, I SHIP THEM AND I SHIP THEM HARD! And next chapter, Merlock is going to be my vessel to prove this.
Let's have fun,

Venquine1990
PS. Should I have included Dr. Goodman? I feel like that would have been a bit too much, yet at the same time I don't want people to think that I'm forgetting about him.