Been three years huh? I don't know if there's anyone still subscribed or interested in this fic anymore. I never intended to come back to this but it's crazy what quarantine will have you up too. Unfortunately, while my email etiquette has improved, my writing skills could use quite a bit of work. Let's see if I can wring out some of the rust with this very late update.

X

Sable had only planned on creating sections for each body part that night; there were just too many pieces. Completely separating each piece of stone into the assorted piles would take hours, days even. Once that was done, she would have to find whatever pieces were missing and substitute it with the remains from Hyde's toybox. But the boys' determination never once waived and they worked hard until they had nearly completed all the piles.

Sable had finished substituting the pieces for both legs and the torso. It was fortunate that Hyde had a tendency of cutting up his victims for quick and efficient discarding, it made her job easier, though she had to swallow down her own bile more than once as she took cold, decaying flesh from the box and laid it out.

Scanning the room, she could see the skeleton guards losing their pace and the sweat dripping off the necks of the boys. How long had they been doing this? She didn't need to look at the time to know that it was well into the night.

Standing up, she dusted her hands and said "You guys have done all that you can tonight. Jackson, go wash up. You two need to get home. I'm sure your parents are worried sick."

Heath wiped his brow and attempted to stand up but his legs refused to move. He hesitated before asking, "Did...Did we do enough?"

Sable glanced at the floor. Just a few, smaller pieces that needed to be placed, and the arms and face she still needed to fill in.

"Yes Heath, you did more than enough, you took a several day task and nearly completed it in less than one. We can have his body worked out in no time. Then a healing spell to keep both the stone and flesh healthy for resurrection. For now, we should all rest."

She turned to the guards and smiled. "Thank you for your help, you are dismissed and relieved from duties for the remainder of the night. You can all sleep in tomorrow as well."

"Our lady, you honor us with your kindness." The skeleton guards bowed before exiting.

"Can I spend the night?" Sable turned to see Heath shakily standing up. "I don't think any of us are going to get much sleep anyhow. And I'd like to help finish this sooner than later."

All three boys turned to her, mustering their best puppy dog eyes. Sable pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"Fine. But only with your parents permission. I'm sure none of you contacted your parents to inform them of your whereabouts, so you should still go home to let them know you're safe. You can pack a bag and return."

"Yes ma'am!" Gil and Heath faux saluted and headed out of the door. "We'll text you on our way back, okay Jackson?"

"Sure."

As the duo headed down the stairs, they felt the days fatigue finally settling in.

"My insides and outside hurts" Health groaned. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep this headache off anytime soon. How about you Gil?"

….

"Gil?"

Gil remained quiet until they reached the bottom of the stairwell. "So who's going to tell Deuce what happened? He was pissed, but not "I want Clawd dead" pissed."

"And what if it doesn't work? What if… what if we can't get Clawd back."

Heath frowned. "Hey man. I kind of just want to focus on one thing at a time. We already have to deal with this mess, let's just take it one step at a time."

Heath opened the front door, stepping out into the cold air, finally letting himself take a deep breath. In and out. In and out.

"None of us want to admit it but there really isn't much that we can do, so let's not keep ourselves occupied with what ifs. Let's keep doing what we can."

"You're right. I know you're right... but I just hate feeling helpless."

"Trust me man, the feeling is mutual."

"By the way Heath, I think that's the smartest thing you've said all year."

"Oh, thank you…. Wait a minute!"

Once the guards had shuffled out and his friends left, it all started to hit him. Jackson felt himself crumble to the floor and allowed the tears to fall.

Sable patted Jackson on the head, "Hey now, let's not get so discouraged."

Jackson pushed up glasses and rubbed the tears from his eyes, "What if... What if we fail?"

"We'll see how things go and if it doesn't work out, we'll look for another solution. I'm a scientist, this is what I do."

Sable got on her knees and pulled her son in for a hug. She held him until his body stopped shaking and his wails simmered into hiccups.

"Go wash up. You're covered in all kinds of muck." Jackson nodded but didn't move away.

"You want anything to eat? I can make you something."

"I don't think I'll be able to hold anything down."

"Well then, I'll make you a cup of my special hot chocolate. Something warm to help settle you. I'll leave it in the big guest room, I'm sure you don't want to stay in yours right now. "

Jackson sniffled and stood up, "Mom… thank you."

"You're welcome."

….CRRRUUUUUU….

That was the creepy sound of Hyde's office door that Sable was positive was intentional. No one else knew it, but Hyde was a man with a flair for the dramatics.

Sable didn't bother knocking, she pushed open the door and walked right in.

"Hyde."

"Doctor."

"I need to speak with Jekyll, it is a matter of great urgency."

Hyde didn't look up at her. He continued writing on a piece of paper before responding, "Is that so?"

Clearly, he thought. The fear emitting from the teenagers flooded his senses the minute they walked into the mansion. The fleek of servants marching upstairs and the frantic yelling made it apparent that something was amiss. He finally gazed over his wife.

Sables hands were bruised, cut, and covered in dust and blood. The curls she meticulously set in her hair had poofed out from the sweat and humidity. She wore a mixture of weariness and anxiety.

What could have you so frazzled?

His curiosity had him on edge but he refused to give in. After all, the woes of others were of no concern of his.

"Uugh!" Sable let out a loud agitated sigh. Of course he'd dick around. "Hyde, I'm serious. This is a time sensitive matter and I can't do it alone."

"Isn't that a shame. And here I thought you didn't need help from someone like me."

Sable gritted her teeth. This asshat was going to make her work for it, but her patience was gone. She was tired and annoyed and… honestly, a bit scared.

I do not have time for your games…."Clawd Wolf is dead."

If Hyde was surprised, he didn't show it. "The son of the current wolfman? Intriguing."

"He was turned into stone by the son of Medusa and his body was smashed by what the boys are calling an earthquake. I can't use alchemy on this without something of equivalent value. There is only so long a soul can be out of the body before it turns malevolent or passes on, and I do not have the time or resources to find something equal to the soul of a werewolf." Anxiously, she ran her hand through what remained of her curls, her fingers tangled in them. "Without equal value, who knows what the hell I'll conjure into his body. Or rather, what from hell."

If Hyde knew anything about what had happened earlier that day, he didn't say. Instead he eyed the doctor down, seemingly searching for something before he let out a wide smile. His lips curling, shark teeth glistening. My, my… You have never failed to keep me entertained dear doctor.

"You're trying to keep his soul intact, correct? Jekyll won't be of much help. He and I… we are of a unique set of standards, one of which can not be replicated. As you can see by the failure of our offspring."

"Jackson isn't a -

Hyde cut her off, "I will not argue with you over facts, love."

Sable scoffed. A different approach would be necessary, but how else can you persuade a monster? Shoveling out the martial arts she knew? Maybe, but at this point, she didn't have the energy to muster an ounce of intimidation. "Besides, we've been married long enough for me to know that in a real fight, Hyde could take me out, no problem."

Perhaps a tug at his ego? Sable inwardly sighed, this was going to take a chunk out of her pride for sure.

"I have never asked for your help, I have never manipulated you into doing my bidding not once during the seven years the three of us have been together. Hyde, as your wife, I am asking you to help me. Please."

Hyde's smile finally dropped and his eyes narrowed. He did not know how to properly express emotions beyond anger and disgust, this disapproving look was the closest he could get to "surprise".

Well isn't this just getting more and more interesting.

"I have no reason to help you", he said matter of factly. Everyone knew that all his actions were a means to an end. He didn't do "help", unless there was something benefiting him at the end. What would resurrecting the wolf do for him? Ah… But seeing her grovel only makes me want to help myself.

"Alas, you know me better than anyone my love, possibly even better than Jekyll. You shouldn't be wasting your time in here when there's only so much time before the wolf is gone for good."

"I see". His rejection isn't surprising but still… Sable had at least hoped he'd have given it some kind of consideration.

"I'll find a solution on my own then!"

"You do that."

They stood locked in a heated stare down. Hyde's grin returned, aware of the distraught she felt and feeling giddy over it.

It was petty but Sable did not want to be the first to fold. She had already lost the chance of him helping and should've just taken his advice to find something, anything else. But good lord, she hated that smug, condescending look he was giving her. Rubbing it in that she was fighting a losing battle.

Who knows how long they stood like that, but eventually Sable scrunched up her lips and stormed off.

Fuck that guy.

Magic always had a trade off. If you were powerful enough, you wouldn't need the help of objects or others to siphon magic off of. But that was for those in a league of their own, even amongst monsters. What could a mere human do?

From the basic levels of alchemy and most magic, she would need to give something of equal value to attain a soul. But what was worth more than a soul?

Perhaps… another?

It had been two hours since Hyde had seen his bride. She was too stubborn to let things go and too empathic to walk away from those in need. A terrible combination for someone married into a house of pure evil.

His curiosity got the better of him and he found himself standing in front of her bedroom door. He hovered his hand over the knob, letting the shadows weave in through the crevices of the door. He could feel her moving about, but she wasn't pacing. He also couldn't detect any fear or anxiety emitting from her.

Hmmm...

He flung the door open with force; Sable dropped to the floor, scared out of her wits. Seeing who it was, she scowled. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"Have you found a solution?"

Sable took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself before standing and walking over to the door.

"Yes."

Hyde looked at her expectantly.

Sable fiddled with her hands, rocking on her heels, avoiding eye contact. She bit back a smile. Enjoying the rare chance to dangle something in front of his face instead of the other way around. "It's simple really." She answered after a few moments had passed.

When she could feel Hydes annoyance building up, she smiled, I was just starting to enjoy myself too. "I'm going to trade my soul to save him."

For the second time in his life, and on the same day no less, Jekyll was in total surprise.

"I… Excuse me?"

SLAM! Click! Sable slammed her bedroom shut and made sure to turn all 3 locks on the door loudly for him to hear. "Goodnight dear" she called out.

X

It took alot of self control not to tear down the door. He wanted to break it down, drag Sable by the hair, and demand that she explain herself. He wasn't too sure if he would be able to keep himself from snatching her head right off her shoulders.

How dare she try to take what is mine! Her mind, her body, her fucking soul… It's mine. All of it. You belong to me! He wouldn't let her sacrifice herself to save the world, much less some worthless hound. No. This would not happen.

He waited outside the door the entire night, eyes burning through the doors. His shadow clawing into the walls around him, destroying the wallpaper and imprinting devastating marks on the wood beneath.

Time did nothing to soothe his rage. When she finally stirred up, rinsed off her face, brushed teeth, and opened the door, Hyde was emitting smoke from his mouth as he tried his best to breathe and stay calm…. He was doing quite a poor job.

She was taken aback but not too surprised. Had he waited the whole night? You psycho. Hyde stared her down for a few minutes before giving her a deep frown. For everyone else, his face would've seemed the same, but Sable would know. He was furious.

"You can not trade what is not yours."

Sable could only laugh. "You own me now? Have you left your mind in the 1800s?"

"Our wedding vows were incantations binding all of us. You don't have the right nor the power to perform any spells of that nature."

Sable cocked her head, placing one hand on her hip. "Yeah. Lecture me about vows. You're not even the one I married."

"Jekyll is not on your side on this one."

"Then both of you can pick a cheek and kiss my ass."

In an instant, all the lights in her room were off; the air conditioner shut off without so much as a sputter. The sunlight that was once beaming in her room suddenly disappeared as if the day had never come. All but one candle stayed lit in the hallway, illuminating the utter rage in Hydes face. It was so quiet, one would have thought they'd gone deaf. No sound, no movement, no life…But there was definitely fear. That was the real power behind Hyde.

When he spoke, she could feel her heart sink into her stomach.

"Sable. I will not allow this."

How chilling it was to hear him say her name. Did this mean he would physically stop her? Verbal spats were one thing but fist to fist were another. Hyde was alot stronger than he looked and had only gained more power since she first met him.

Instinctively, she wanted to run. But she knew she would not get far before he'd catch her. I shouldn't do anything that could stir up his primal instincts.

In a feeble attempt to regain her sense of control, she found herself rambling for reason,"We don't even know what will become of me really."

Hyde's gaze didn't falter.

"It's not like I didn't think this through. I won't be gone. Just undead. I'm unsure of what that entails specifically for myself but between the two of us, we know plenty of witches and scientists who can keep me alive in one form or another."

Sable could feel her heart pounding near out of her chest, "Even if I'm less me, I'll still be here. I'm not going anywhere, if that's what you're upset about."

Hyde's frowned deepened. The thought of someone as capable, determined, and intelligent as Sable without a conscious was… displeasing. He was certain his other half would be both resentful and turned off by the replacement. In fact...

Hyde stepped back, his eyes glazing over and opened his mouth wide; Jekyll's voice emitted out: "No, I'm much more upset about you throwing your life away without consideration to your family."

How unsettling it was to hear such a soft voice emit from such a horrid creature.

The voice continued, "Sable… I love you. Jackson loves you. What are we to do?"

She was unprepared for an emotional assault. Truthfully, she hadn't considered anyone else's feelings on the matter. She was a mad scientist, at some point, she was sure she'd have attempted to find a way to prolong her own life or even forsake her humanity to become something else. Current circumstances just fast forwarded that ambition.

"I'm… sorry. I was... just trying to do the right thing. I hadn't really thought about the aftermath of my actions."

"Then think about it now. Are you willing to risk your mind, your family, your life?"

"You're not being fair -"

"And you are?"

Sable contemplated for a moment. He was right; there was too much risk, too many unknown variables. She had never tested any of this and she was indeed being reckless. At this point this was less about helping the Wolf and more of her pride on besting Hyde.

"Fine. Then help me, both of you."

Hyde's mouth snapped shut before Jekyll could answer and he stared her down for a few moments before smiling, "A compromise perhaps?"

If anyone is reading this, I hope you're doing well. I guess I'll scuffle off back into the hole I dragged out of now, until next time...?