Disclaimer: "I do not own the Count of Monte Cristo, any of the characters, or any part of that franchise. Alexandre Dumas is the one who wrote the story, and all credit for that should be his. Any quotes from the 2002 movie version of this book belong to the producers, editors, writers, and so forth. I only own Hadlee, and any original content I make her do or say."

Chapter 3

When the stranger came to call upon Monsieur Morrell, his granddaughter informed the man that it would be impossible to see him. But, upon hearing that this stranger was seeking a man named 'Edmond Dantes'… well, she knew that her grandfather would want to invite him in.

The man was called 'Zatarra', and though for a moment he stayed silent, as though expecting Morrell to suddenly recognize him… he eventually let his smile slip a bit before asking if Morrell knew Edmond also.

Morrell sighs, "Like a son." Zatarra leans forward and says gently, "I was hoping you could tell me where to find his family." Another sad sigh, and Morrell explains, "Unfortunately, his father hanged himself, after learning of Edmond's treason."

Zatarra finds he can scarcely speak upon hearing this. Finally, he manages, "I see. That… so terrible. To die alone. How was he discovered?"

Morrell's eyes sadden infinitely at the question, and for a moment he finds himself unable to explain. Then he takes a breath to steady himself and continues. "He… the poor man was set on dying, to be sure. But… the hanging was not his original attempt. He first wanted to starve himself to death. But he found this to be impossible."

When Zatarra tilts his head in confusion, Morrell explains, "A dear friend of Edmond's, by the name of Hadlee Mondego, spent a great many days with Edmond's father. It was only on Saturdays that she could not be at his house. And while she could not force the man to eat any full meals, he found himself unable to refuse her when she would order him to eat something."

Morrell lets a tear slip from his eye as he remembers the day Hadlee had found Edmond's father. "She was so very devastated when she came to find him one Sunday. She had me speak at his funeral, because she could not stop crying when she thought of him. She felt as though she had failed in her promise to take care of him. That was one of the last things Edmond had ever asked of her. The poor girl, there was nothing else she could've done. A man set on death will find a way. Even in spite of one who is so devoted on seeing him live."

Zatarra stares at Morrell a moment more, and then asks, "And… what became of her?" Morrell moves to stoke the fire a bit, and then turns back. "Well… the poor girl has never wavered in her conviction that Edmond was innocent. Not that any of us truly thought he was guilty. She soiled her reputation quite thoroughly in her attempts to find someone who would help her discover what had happened to him. It was only five years ago that she returned from sea, having gone to every place she could think of to try and find where he might've been sent."

Morrell points towards a vase at his kitchen table and says, "At least once a year, on my birthday, she sends me flowers from the shop she know runs in Paris. To this day, if anyone were to ask, she would swear to Edmond's innocence. Traitor indeed. The idea is laughable."

Zatarra nods, "And… this treason you speak of… who accused him?" Morrell shakes his head, "Who knows? Of course, if you ask Hadlee, she will tell you that it was her own brother that had Edmond arrested. And that he and Villefort, and even Danglars, all together, conspired to have Edmond locked away for eternity. But such conspiracies are better left in her stories. All her talking did was ruin her reputation amongst the higher members of society. As for the three she accused…"

Sighing, Morrell explains, "Monsieur Villefort, the man who had Edmond arrested, left for Paris soon after, to take up the post of chief prosecutor. Of course, the shock of his father's violent murder, may also have spurred his departure. They were strange times. Made stranger yet by…"

When Morrell pauses, Zatarra asks, "Made stranger by what?" "I shouldn't say. The poor girl has been through enough already." Knowing he must be speaking of Hadlee, Zatarra says, "Please. I assure you, anything you could tell me about her, I could do nothing with to bring her harm." Morrell considers it a moment, and then says, "It was simply more to her conspiracy theory. But… it was strange in how correct she was on this matter. She claimed that, along with conspiring to be rid of Edmond, each for their own personal reasons, Fernand and Villefort also conspired to help each other be rid of their fathers. Of course, no one believed such a wild accusation, especially with everything else she'd been saying. But… it was strange, indeed. Very strange times."

Zatarra takes a moment more to gather his bearings, and then says gently, "You seem to have fallen on difficult times yourself, sir." Morrell sighs, "After Edmond's death, I reluctantly took on a partner. One of my captains. And then one day, Danglars forced me out. But… my fate is nothing compared to Edmond's."

Zatarra smiles gently, "Perhaps your luck is about to change." Morrell smiles gently back at him, and then Zatarra rises and says, "I shall search out Edmond's fiancée." Morrell turns, "You mean, the Countess Mondego?"

Freezing in his step, Zatarra asks, "Countess?" "Yes. A month after poor Edmond was arrested, Mercedes wed his best friend." Bitterness creeping into his voice, Zatarra says, "Fernand." Morrell nods, "Another strange circumstance that Hadlee saw coming. I will give the girl this, her powers of perception are rather astonishing. She said she knew Mercedes was marrying Edmond for his reputation as a captain. Once he was labeled a traitor, her sights turned towards Fernand."

Stoking the fire again, Morrell say, "They live together in Paris now. Count and Countess Mondego. And I'd bet the remainder of my purse that Hadlee still can't stand the sight of them. Wouldn't even remain at all, if not for the young lad that Mercedes had entrusted to her for lessons."

Zatarra stares for so long into space, Morrell decides to ask, "Are you alright?" Softly, he says, "Yes. I must go." Morrell nods, "I'm sorry I was not more helpful to you." "Oh no. You told me what I needed to know. Edmond Dantes is dead. And now, if I may, I will ask but one more thing of you." "And it is?" "Where exactly might I find Hadlee Mondego?"

Morrell turns to his granddaughter, who reaches for the letter that had been sent with the flowers that come to them once a year. Handing it over to Zatarra, Morrell explains, "You'll find her address there." "Thank you."

And with that, Zatarra leaves his purse of coins on the table for them, and walks out the door without another word.

"It's well past midnight! I am closed!"

Rolling her eyes and groaning when the knocking at her door persists, Hadlee rolls out of bed and slips on one of her shirts. She didn't bother tightening the strings at the front. Whoever it was that had the nerve to disturb her at this hour would have to accept her messed up hair, and half-dressed appearance.

As she throws open the door, seeing a stranger standing before her does not improve her mood. Albert would be the only soul left on the planet that could hope to disturb her at this ungodly hour and get away with it. Monsieur Morrell could as well, if he were in good enough health to make the journey. But that was it. Those two, and no one else.

Glaring at this particular individual, who is just standing here staring at her, Hadlee demands, "Well? What do you want?" He blinks and says, "I do apologize for the hour." "As you should. Now what do you want?" "I was… hoping that I could ask you about Edmond Dantes?"

The slouched position of her body goes rigid instantly, and the heat of her gaze heightens in its intensity. Glaring fiercely at this stranger, she says, "I am not in a mood to be mocked on a good day, monsieur. I will not tolerate it at this bloody hour of the night."

But as she makes to close the door, the man quickly grabs it with his hand and says, "Please! I mean no disrespect to you, nor do I intend my actions and questions to mock you. I simply seek information about Edmond Dantes." "Why?" "He was once a friend of mind, a very long time ago. I was… hoping to find him."

The door is let back open a slight bit, so Zatarra continues, "I've been to see Monsieur Morrell already. He offered me your address so that I might also find you." He raises the letter for her to see, and Hadlee snatches it from his hand. She takes a moment to determine that it's her own handwriting, and not some forgery.

Zatarra waits with baited breath, and then relaxes when Hadlee sighs and says, "You'd better come in, I suppose. Knock the dirt from your boots before you step in here." He does as she asks, and then steps inside and has to freeze again in surprise and awe.

Flowers were everywhere in her shop. They lined the walls, covered the floors except where you were meant to walk. And he could see through the back windows that what was inside was only a fraction of what she had, considering everything out back seemed to be thriving with life as well.

Hadlee shows him into the kitchen to the side, and has him sit while she puts on some tea. Stifling her yawn, she asks, "So, what would you like to know about Edmond Dantes?" Zatarra leans forward on the table, and says, "At… the risk of upsetting you again… Monsieur Morrell mentioned you had a few theories on who was responsible for his arrest." Hadlee glances over at him, and then says, "I have one theory. And it is not so much a theory, as it is the truth that no one else cares to believe." "And why is that?" "Because it seems to be a far-fetched idea."

Sighing as she pours two cups of tea, Hadlee says, "But just because a thing seems hard or difficult to understand and grasp, does not mean it can't be true." "And what is the truth?" Coming to sit at the table with him, sitting down their glasses, Hadlee says, "Edmond was betrayed by the people he should've been able to trust most. He was betrayed by his first mate, Danglars. He was betrayed by his best friend, Fernand Mondego. And he was betrayed by the magistrate of Marseilles, Villefort."

Zatarra takes a sip and asks, "Just those three?" "Yes. Why?" "I was under the impression you also had a problem with Edmond's former fiancée, Mercedes." Hadlee nods, "I have a problem with Mercedes for a different set of reasons. But no, she had nothing to do with Edmond's arrest. She would've been quite ready to marry him, had he not been betrayed."

Nodding, Zatarra asks, "Then why do you hate her?" "Because she deceived Edmond in different ways. In making him think she loved him. In making him think that she would never love another." Sighing, Hadlee looks at this stranger and says, "Mercedes cares for three things in this life now. Reputation, money, and her son. And she cares about them in that order. Edmond's position with his crew was superb, and he was well on his way to becoming a captain. The reputation she would receive from that alone would've been enough for Mercedes. And while not rich, a captain of a ship makes more than enough for her to have been comfortable with, compared to what she was used to."

Hadlee shrugs, "The only reason she chose Edmond over Fernand was the fact that Edmond was practically guaranteed his reputation. Fernand was not… at least not in any quick timeframe. But as soon as Edmond was arrested and accused of treason, Mercedes began trying to think her way out of the situation of being with him."

Shaking her head in disgust, Hadlee whispers to herself, "The whole lot of them make me sick."

Zatarra watches her for a moment, and then says, "You seem to have suffered greatly in Edmond's absence." Hadlee doesn't deny that, but says, "There are others who suffered far worse." "You mean his father? Morrell told me what happened. He also says you blame yourself." "Edmond entrusted his father's care to me. It was my job to keep him alive and healthy for as long as possible. I failed." "Not according to Morrell. You more than fulfilled your promise."

Hadlee looks over at him and says, "I should never have skipped a day in seeing him. I should've seen what he was willing to do. But for all my perceptions and wisdom, I did not see that he was so close to giving up. I…"

She locks up as tears well in her eyes. Swallowing and then taking a breath, Hadlee shakes her head and says, "I should've done better." Zatarra reaches forward gently, and then places his hand over hers on the table. Pressing gently, he says, "I'm sure Edmond would be grateful for all you did do, rather than be so focused on the one thing you could not prevent. A man so set upon death, will find a way to make it happen."

Hadlee stares at him for a moment, and then sniffs and wipes at one of her eyes before asking, "Do you have any other questions?" "Yes. Though… it may seem personal." "No more personal than the rest, I assure you." He nods, "You seem, at least by Morrell's description, rather passionate in your belief of Edmond's innocence. Rather passionate in finding and freeing him as well. What spurs you to such…"

In the past, Hadlee would've shied away from the question. She would've clammed up, blushed, or simply ignored it and moved on. But she was older now, and more secure in who she was and what she believed. So it was with simple assurance that she told him plainly, "I loved him."

Zatarra's eyes widen, "Loved him?" Hadlee nods, and then laughs shortly, "Not that he knew it. I was very keen to keep it a secret from him." "Why?" "Because he was in love with Mercedes, and while I have never approved of her way of thinking, she did make him happy. And that is all I ever wanted for Edmond. For him to be happy. So I never told him."

Running a hand through her hair, Hadlee says, "I have always loved him. I always will love him. And no amount of conspiracy, mockery, or money will ever make me sway on that opinion." She lifts her eyes to Zatarra again, and then asks, "Did you have any other questions?" He ponders for a moment, and then says, "Morrell… mentioned that you sailed a great many places looking for Edmond. How far did you go?"

Hadlee watches him for a moment, and then stands and says, "Come with me."

She leads him into her backroom, and then gestures towards everything and says, "This is everything I've ever been able to find on Edmond and what happened to him. Look through whatever you like, but do not take down any of my maps. I'll be in the kitchen when you're done."

When she left him, Zatarra at first found himself unable to move. He could only stand and stare at all she'd done to try and find him. She'd boarded so many ships, traveled as far as the winds in those sails could take her, and had visited well over a hundred prisons and jails. She had lists of places that she'd been told to look that had failed. She had lists of places where someone claimed Edmond had been, but she'd found it to be false.

All his life, he can't believe he'd been so blind to her love. For that was the only thing that could empower someone to look for another person for so long. In spite of what other people thought and said. In spite of what the rest of the world thought they knew to be true. In spite of how little hope must be left in the idea of finding him. Hadlee had never quit. She had hunted for him from almost the very moment he'd been taken. And she would hunt for him until her last dying breath.

There was a great deal he needed to do and accomplish in the next few months. Danglars, Villefort, and Fernand had to pay for what they had done to him. They would be made to suffer in the cruelest ways he could imagine. He would rip everything they held dear away from them, the same as they had done to him.

But as he looks down at a slip of paper on the table before him, he knows that Hadlee will have no problems with anything he's about to do. For on that sheet, she had written, "Do not forget your promise to those who so wronged your beloved. 'Before my life is ended, by God's judgment and wrath, I will see you both suffer for this. On that, you have my word.'"

He thinks back on when he had been with Mercedes, and when Fernand had been his friend. He thinks back with clearer and wiser eyes now, to all the time he'd spent in Hadlee's company. How his presence seemed to make her relax. How she always seemed able to brighten his day. How she would blush at some of the things he'd said to her, and back then he'd been clueless as to why. But no more.

Oh yes. He had a great many plans for the next few months. But now, he had another still to add to his agenda. A considerably more pleasant plan. One that he believes will pan out beautifully for both of them.

Exiting the room, he finds Hadlee sipping her tea and reading a book in the kitchen. Smiling, he comes around to the front of her and says, "Thank you so very much for your time." Hadlee nods and asks, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" "No. You have told me all I needed to know, and so much more."

Reaching down for her hand, he raises it to his lips and gently places a kiss on her knuckles. Meeting her gaze, he says, "I pray that the future finds many ways to bless you in this life." Hadlee smiles gently back at him, but then says, "All I ask God for is to exact his vengeance on the men responsible for this great wrong. And if that is all I ever receive in the rest of this life, that will be more than enough for me."

Zatarra nods, and then says, "I must be off. Thank you again." "Of course. You are welcome back anytime. Any true friend of Edmond's, is welcome whenever he chooses."

And as the door shuts behind him, Zatarra says to himself, "Have no fear, Hadlee. You will come to receive all the love from me that I have to give, and everything else I can provide for you. When I am finished, you will want for nothing, least of all the affection you so greatly deserve."

Chapter 3! Yay!