SMOKE AND ASHES
Gold and Belle discover Pan's old apartment (aka The Meth Lab) is as disreputable as they suspected it might be. Gold manages to clean it up and the two are able to spend the night. In the morning they re-connect with Belle's parents, Elspeth, Zelena and Omaha and, after breakfast, return to The House to survey the damage.
They find little evidence of a fire but do find that most of previous denizens of The House have been moved to new locations (removing several of the middle floors of apartments in the process). Gold and Belle's apartment is still intact but The House has removed the Conference Room and replaced it with two small apartments (for Zelena and Omaha). Jefferson and Emma have had their apartments joined into one. Archie has been moved to the same floor as Jefferson and Emma.
Ruel-Miranda and Maurice return to Fairyland after giving an invitation to Gold and Belle to come and visit them. Belle wants to know more about her mother's side of the family and Gold realizes this will give him an opportunity to locate the last piece of the dagger and the final scroll.
Smoke
Chapter 43
+ + + + + Testing
The fivesome had collaborated on pulling a supper together. Gold had scoured through his freezer, his refrigerator and his pantry and pulled together odds and ends. He found some frozen black-eyed peas and set them to boiling on top of the stove. In the pantry he found some elbow macaroni and added cheese, eggs and milk from the refrigerator to prep a macaroni and cheese dish. There were two cans of turnip greens in the pantry and Belle heated these up to add to the meal. Then Gold found some cornmeal and Zelena and Elspeth mixed this up to make some cornbread. Finally he had Omaha cut up some tomatoes and cucumber for fresh sides.
"Plain food," he said as the group sat down to eat the homey meal at his kitchen table.
"This is excellent sir," Omaha told him.
"Lovely meal, darling," Belle said to him, smiling at him from across the table.
"This is very good, Daddy," Elspeth agreed.
"I wish I could cook," Zelena said.
"You can," Elspeth told her. "You make cookies and cornbread."
"I do," Zelena agreed.
"I like cookies," Omaha told her and Zelena blushed.
Belle glanced at Gold who seemed oblivious to the budding romance that was unfolding across from him. Despite her empathy skills, she could never quite tell if Gold was genuinely clueless or playing a game.
As the meal finished up, Gold leaned over, "Belle I hate to ask this . . ."
"But you want me to clean up while you take Omaha up to the roof?"
"Please," he asked.
"You supervised and did most of the cooking. The least I can do is clean up. I'm sure Zelena and Elspeth will help me."
"You're a delight. Thank you," he told her with a quick kiss and soon enough headed upstairs with Omaha.
"What's he doing?" Zelena asked, watching the two men as they went out the door.
"Testing Omaha's powers," Belle told her.
"Can we watch?" Zelena asked.
"Let's get cleaned up and we can," Belle told her and within a short time the three females, Elspeth included, were able to make their way upstairs. The little chairs on the side were still in place and the three sat down to watch.
Gold was standing about ten paces from Omaha. He had been throwing balls of light at Omaha but the young man hadn't been able to repel . . . or absorb them. When Gold ramped up the ampage so that the light balls stung Omaha, he still didn't demonstrate any defensive skills.
"Can you come at me?" Gold asked him.
"With my body?" Omaha asked confused.
"With your mind," Gold redirected him. "Think of doing something to me. Try to throw one of those light balls."
Omaha screwed his handsome face up . . . but nothing happened.
"Omaha," Belle called out. "Try thinking that Mr. Gold is immobilized, that he can't move. Hold him in place in your thoughts," Belle directed him.
Omaha nodded and this time, Gold froze. It took him some effort but he was able eventually to move. "Good," he told Omaha, although he did glare at Belle.
"Can you tell him he's afraid?" Belle asked Omaha.
"I'll try," and again the face screwed up.
Gold shook his head. "That won't work against me. Zelena, come here," he called and, hesitantly, the young woman walked over to him.
"Stand here," Gold told her pointing to a place in front of him. In soft tones, he whispered to her, "You'll be all right. I'm right here."
Then Gold turned to his latest protégé. "Omaha, make her afraid. Tell her she's frightened," Gold directed.
"Yes sir," and again Omaha made an effort.
Zelena stepped back throwing her hand up in front of her face. She stepped back visibly trembling. Gold caught her and stopped her from running off the roof.
"Good, you can stop now Omaha," Gold called out to him. He spoke quietly to Zelena turning her around to look at him, "You're all right. You're very brave and you're going to be fine."
Omaha had come over, "Did I hurt you, Miss Zelena?" He asked concerned.
"I'm fine. It was just a bit . . . overwhelming," she gave him a weak smile.
"Omaha, if you wanted to hurt her . . . what might you do?" Gold asked him.
"But I don't want to hurt her," Omaha responded.
"But what if you found out she was going to hurt Elspeth?" Gold egged him on.
Omaha stood quietly. Then he raised his hand. He came towards Zelena. He put his hand on her chest and reached in. Zelena screamed and before Gold could stop him, Omaha had pulled out her heart, a gleaming crystal beating heart.
Gold was surprised but quickly pulled himself together. "Put it back, Omaha," he said quietly.
Omaha complied.
"All right. That's enough for tonight." Gold said.
Omaha, all apologies, conducted Zelena back down the stairs.
Belle and Elspeth had sat quietly throughout the demonstration.
"Omaha hurt Zelena?" Elspeth asked.
Gold was concerned. "Come here Elspeth," and the little girl complied. He knelt down and put an arm around her. "Omaha wants to keep you safe so that the dark shadow men don't ever get to hurt you again."
"Otay," Elspeth understood this.
"And Daddy had to know if Omaha could keep you safe."
"Otay," Elspeth understood this.
"And Miss Zelena was helping Omaha and Daddy. She was very brave."
"Otay," Elspeth seemed relieved.
The three went down the stairs. "That was nicely done," Belle told Gold.
"Thank you, darling. The heart thing was unanticipated and not something I might have had my daughter witness," Gold said very softly.
+ + + + + Breakfasting
Gold wanted very much to get back to his little family routine and he insisted on taking Belle and Elspeth for breakfast the following morning. Belle again put on one of her simple skirts, a top and added a sweater to go under her coat. Elspeth, elated to find that all her new clothes (including her sparkly shoes) were still intact. She put on some purple leggings and matching print top. She twirled in front of her father who told the two he was so honored to have two lovely ladies to take out for breakfast. They walked up to the Early Girl Eatery.
Gold ordered the Early Girl Bennie (a grit cake topped with sundry veggies) with a pot of hot green tea. Belle created her own omelet with farmhouse cheese, mushrooms, peppers and fresh herbs and got coffee to drink. Little Elspeth got her usual scrambled egg (Gold rolled his eyes) with toast and milk to drink.
"How soon do we have to go to Your Mother's?" Gold ask as they were eating their breakfasts.
"Soon. She left me with some instructions on how to build a portal that will take us right to the palace grounds." Belle took another bite. "I know she has something she wants to clear up with you and I know my daddy wants to get back to Avonleigh."
"Taking her with him?" Gold asked.
"I guess," she answered.
"I wonder how he'll explain that she is the long dead wife . . . mother . . . queen?" Gold speculated.
"Likely he'll let on about the truth. My countrymen are a pretty accepting group of folks. You've seen how my father has just rolled with finding out about my mother . . . and me – he's not that unusual."
Gold nodded. "Jefferson was telling me that there was a tremendous amount of psychic energy in your country. Archie felt like the entire place was under-laid with lei lines."
"So as the old curse fades, more and more of my countrymen will start to manifest talents?" Belle asked.
"Maybe," Gold wasn't sure. "Could be."
"So then, we finish breakfast and we're off to pack," Belle suggested.
Gold hesitated. "Not yet perhaps . Why don't I have Omaha go with you, Elspeth and Zelena and you go shopping for them to get them some more clothes and maybe get some housewares for Zelena and Omaha. You barely have enough clothes to last yourself for a week."
"I'm fine, but maybe we can get Omaha some clothing too. I think the poor man has only the clothes on his back," Belle suggested.
"Zelena's in the same position," he told her. "I'll give you cash and take care of the bill."
Belle leaned back and looked at him.
"Just how much money do you have?" she asked him suddenly.
He smiled at her. "Belle, I've had a long time to learn how to manage money. And I'm a Scot by birth so I've always been careful with a penny. I can afford this," he promised her.
+ + + + Shopping
Belle remembered Ashley taking her to Target and, so, that's where, with Gold's roll of cash, she took the group. She could tell early on that Zelena was going to be hesitant to make needed purchases and would have to be encouraged. Belle wanted to save some time so she sent Zelena and Elspeth off together after telling Elspeth to make sure that Zelena got herself a couple of nice things.
"I'd rather go with Omaha," Zelena said.
"I'm sure you would, but I think it will go faster this way," said Belle truthfully. The group split up. Omaha was easy to shop with as he accepted that he needed to get whatever Belle told him to.
Buying clothes for Omaha proved interesting. Unsure of his size, Belle pulled several pairs of jeans off the rack and had him try them on. Omaha would go into the dressing room to try on a pair of pants and then come out to show them to Belle. After he came out with the first pair of jeans on, Belle noticed that several female shoppers had stopped and had begun to dawdle in the men's section. On his third pair, Belle glanced around and saw that not only an increasing number of shoppers were lingering but several store clerks had also seemed to have found jobs to do in the men's section. By the time he got to the fourth pair, Zelena had come up with an excited Elspeth. Elspeth was wanting to share her proposed purchases with Belle and chattered on, holding up different outfits for Belle to comment upon. When Omaha came out, Belle could hear Zelena suck wind.
"Oh my. Appears that he's a left-leaner," Zelena commented very quietly so that only Belle could hear.
"Omaha," Belle spoke softly to the young man. "Those pants may be a might snug."
"Uh uh," Belle heard several women protest.
Omaha tried to adjust the waist and then looked up at Belle apparently oblivious to the attention he was attracting. "I believe you are right, Miss Belle. I believe I would have trouble sitting down in these."
He ended up selecting three pairs of dark jeans that passed Belle's approval.
Then the man needed to find a tee-shirt. The sales staff helped with this and were able to find different tee's that weren't in plastic wrap.
By now there were an embarrassing number of on-lookers. Belle heard one of the women who had just come up whisper to another, "Where's the hot guy in the men's department?"
The other woman whispered back, "Trying on tee-shirts."
And at that moment Omaha came out and Belle heard a collective gasp, "Oh my god!" several women muttered.
"Miss Belle, it's a little tight on the sleeve," he complained and, indeed, the sleeves of the teeshirt were stretched to the limit trying to accommodate the man's biceps. The saleswoman surreptitiously fanned herself but assured him she would find something else for him.
Belle managed to help him find a few more appropriate articles of clothing but now Belle had to trundle through Zelena's purchases. Zelena was very uncomfortable spending Gold's money a feeling Belle could commiserate with. Zelena didn't feel worthy of his support and the recent fiasco with Elspeth's kidnapping had not helped her feel any better about herself.
"Miss Zelena did-unt get pretty clothes," Elspeth complained.
Zelena decided that she wanted clothes that reflected her new position, as nanny or governess, and had primarily put dowdy, drab clothing into the cart. Belle walked back through the clothes with her and talked her into a few brighter choices and a few more outfits.
Then Belle had to attend to Elspeth. The child had selected about five more outfits for herself. Belle was generally accepting of the child's choices – she had picked out some cute little outfits - but she did concerns about one frilly dress– not because she didn't think Elspeth could pull off frills, but she felt the garment was cheap.
"This is a party dress," she explained to the child. "If we have a party to go to, we'll go shopping at a party dress store together, just you and me."
Her comments mollified the child and Elspeth willingly put the frilly dress back.
Now with Omaha, Zelena and Elspeth, Belle finished up the shopping trip, picking up some basic household items (she remembered what she had needed the first time out and what things she had forgotten to get). She also turned into the grocery aisles and helped them pick out food for a week. Watching Omaha and Zelena together, she had the strong impression that they could likely be preparing some meals together.
Finally, back in the car, Omaha held up several scraps of paper. "Miss Belle, women kept giving me these. What are they?"
Belle glanced over at the ten-digit numbers. "They're phone numbers," she explained.
Omaha nodded but was still clearly puzzled.
"They want you to give them a call," Zelena explained.
"Call them?" he asked.
"For a date or a . . . "Zelena glanced at Elspeth, "Uh . . . some . . . uh . . . quick adult time," she finished lamely.
Omaha was still confused.
"I'll explain it later," Belle told him kindly.
They parked the car in the Rankin garage and everyone helped carry their purchases. Belle stopped in the shop to talk to Gold while the others lugged the purchases up the stairs.
Gold was waiting for her, standing behind the counter. He was absolutely still and Belle couldn't help but be reminded of her initial impression of the man – that sense that he was a spider sitting in the center of a web. At times she thought she could see the imp behind the man, the green-skinned Dark One, clawed and scaled, powerful and calculating. He was watching her, only his eyes moving as she walked over to him.
"Have fun?" he asked.
"I'm exhausted. Between Zelena's low self-esteem, Elspeth being three and Omaha being . . . serious eye candy, I'm just wiped out," she told him.
Gold listened and then made a decision and a quick phone call. He turned back to Belle, "Emma's available to watch the shop while you and I get a nice lunch. Let me call Zelena and ask her to take care of Elspeth and Omaha. We'll take a short break from everything."
"Oh, but you've had to miss so much time from your shop . . .," Belle wasn't sure about this.
"Chai Pani," he told her. "You and me. A nice walk, a nice meal, nice company."
She couldn't argue. She really wanted a break.
+ + + + Doubting
They both got the thali, hers was the vegetarian version, his was not and both got Lime Rickys to drink. It was too cool to eat outside but they were able to get a nice booth.
"You seem nervous," he told her.
"I am. This going to see my mother. I mean it sounds good on paper as it were, but actually going there, knowing how badly they treated you. Maybe I should back out. Maybe I should go by myself. Maybe I . . . I don't know what to do," she finally told him.
"I think you should go. It's a part of who you are."
"What if it turns out that this is some kind of evil ploy, to get you back there and somehow imprison you and maybe me too and what can she think about Elspeth, not to mention Zelena, and now there's Omaha, too!"
"Belle," he said softly. "You're getting yourself all worked up. What does your heart tell you about your mother?"
Belle blinked a couple of times. "That she regrets some . . . many . . . of the things she did but she felt she had no other options. But . . . she's still hiding something. Something important."
"Do you know that? Or do you just think that there might be something."
Belle screwed up her face, clearly not sure of what to think. She looked adorable but he wasn't about to tell her that – he wasn't the sharpest man when it came to women, but he knew better than to tell a woman she looked beautiful when she was mad or irritated or confused. He had learned that such comments came over as patronizing.
But damn, if she didn't look adorable. If they didn't have other responsibilities he would have liked to have taken her back to his bed for the afternoon.
Belle finally answered, "I just don't know. I want to trust her but . . . I don't know if I can."
"Darling, darling, my Belle, my Belle," he reached across the table and took her hand. "Whatever, whatever your mother throws at us, we'll handle it together."
"Promise?" Belle asked him.
+ + + + + Arrangements
The next morning Gold had everyone in for breakfast, including Jefferson, Emma and Archie. Jefferson, Belle and Elspeth helped with meal preparation. Emma sat and chatted with Omaha. Zelena fussed about, not sure how to best make herself useful.
In a corner of the kitchen, away from the bustle of the other activity, Gold quietly talked with Jefferson regarding what was to happen next.
"So you go willingly into Fairyland? Again?" Jefferson asked him.
"Willingly? Perhaps not, but by necessity - again, yes. This time, I shall be there by invitation, not brought in chains nor arriving in stealth," Gold replied.
"Do you trust Ruel?" Jefferson asked.
Gold did not even hesitate, "No. But she is determined to put on a good and pleasant face for her daughter. And that shall be my salvation. I will be able to come and go, well, perhaps not as I please, but without . . . close supervision."
"Do you think you will be able to locate the scroll and the dagger piece?" Jefferson had turned his back to the group and whispered this final question.
"If I cannot, it has all been for nothing."
Jefferson hesitated. "It would seem to me . . . that you have already gained everything you might want without the Hundred Generations Curse."
Gold looked sharply at the younger man.
"You have authority in the Underworld and, for those who are Aware, you are quite recognized as the most powerful in this sphere – none would challenge you here – none could challenge you here." Jefferson faltered and carefully added, "But also through the woman you love, there is authority in her homeland and in the upper kingdoms. Through Belle, you two unite the upper and lower kingdoms and you will be regarded as a most powerful man in these venues. Do you still need this curse?"
Gold did not respond. Jefferson stared at the floor for an awkward moment. He took a deep breath. "Well, I was just wondering all that . . . never mind me," and Jefferson turned away back to the cooking chores.
Besides Jefferson who had precipitated the entire episode, Belle was the only who noticed the change in Gold.
Of the women present, Emma had always thought the man was aloof and difficult to approach, not to mention damned dangerous. She wasn't one to spend a lot of time trying to figure out his mindset – she was more concerned that she didn't piss the man off. As for Zelena, she was wrapped up in Zelena and trying to impress a clueless Omaha. Little Elspeth was enjoying her position as princess and was sitting on her new 'Uncle' Archie's lap listening to him tell her about his dog.
Of the men present, Archie's attention was revolving around Elspeth otherwise someone of Archie's Talent would have picked up on the abrupt change. Omaha, well Omaha was struggling with his own emotions and had no idea how to read anyone else.
Gold had become quiet and introspective, not unusual for him, but he was radiating something that was unusual – doubt, self-doubt. He was very uncomfortable with this odd feeling. From time to time he would glare at Jefferson.
But Jefferson had simply spoken aloud what was already in his mind.
Did he need to continue his pursuit of the final dagger piece and the last scroll?
It was something he had been working for ever since he had been released from the Fae prison. It was his insurance against anything like that ever happening to him again. It was his guarantee against ever being under someone else's control.
Gold felt a very gentle touch. His Belle. He looked up at her. She was sitting next to him. She reached out her hand to him. He took it and gave it a gentle squeeze.
After breakfast, with small bags of necessities and a couple of clothing changes, everyone went up to the roof. Gold gave some last minute directions to Jefferson, Emma and Archie.
As he talked to them, out of the corner of his eye, he watched Belle cast a portal on the rooftop. She moved her hands around and from them came a simple outline of a door, the outline glimmering and fading in and out.
Emma reassured Gold that they would be fine, her attention on Belle as was everyone else.
Zelena fretted what would happen to her when she set foot in Fairyland. "I'm afraid I may just burst into flames, totally combust, or be turned into stone or lose my memories," she whined. "Or what happens if I can't get through?"
"You'll be fine," Gold said shortly. He was more concerned about his daughter. He didn't think it was likely but fervently hoped that taking her into Fairyland wouldn't awaken the sleeping Lady Shivat. Didn't think that would go well for Fairyland or the Lady. "Worse case, we step through, you throw up, you turn around and come home."
Zelena nodded, "Home? I guess, this is my home now. All right," she reluctantly agreed.
Belle went through first, then Elspeth, then Zelena, and then Omaha. Gold turned once more and Lovecraft was sitting next to him.
"What? You want to come too? . . . Of course you're welcome but who will watch over The House? . . . What do you mean, that's taken care of?" he asked.
The cat trilled at him and stepped through the portal.
"Well that was strange," Emma commented. "You know you often sound like you're having a conversation with that cat."
"What makes you think I'm not?" Gold asked her.
Emma just gave him a hard look. After everything, everything she had been through, everything she had learned, everything she could do, Emma was still an Unbeliever at heart.
"Take care of yourself, man," Jefferson told him. "I think we'll be all right here."
Gold nodded, turned and stepped through the portal.
+ + + + + Arrivals
He'd never really liked portals. There was always the chance when you stepped out you'd be in some toxic environment. He wished he could have sent a camera through first just to see what he was stepping into.
But his anxieties were for naught. There was nothing amiss when he emerged onto a green lawn in the back of the Ruel's palace. Belle was there waiting for him and the others? Well Zelena and Omaha seemed fine, if a little uncomfortable. Omaha was holding the large black cat but set it down to come over and touch Gold.
"You look different sir," he remarked.
"Feel different," Gold admitted. He always felt more himself in the imp form, more powerful, more in control in the green glittering guise. He had been immensely glad that Belle hadn't found him repulsive, in fact had been fascinated by the tiny scales, the claws, the cat-eyes.
Elspeth seemed happy enough running around, wanting to go into the house, wanting to go down into the gardens, wanting to do anything but stand around.
"Daddy!" she greeted him, unflummoxed by his change in appearance – apparently remembering him from Undertown. "We did-unt compust!" she told him.
Gold translated in his head. "I'm so glad," he told her. "That would not have been a good start to our visit here."
Belle whispered to him, "Apparently she had heard some of Zelena's forebodings. My mother's been notified and is on her way."
"Peachy," he answered.
And sure enough, he turned and could see his future-to-be mother-in-law coming across the lawn. She was by herself which he thought was a good sign.
"Belle, Rumple!" she greeted them. "I see you brought your extended family," she added perhaps a little sourly.
"Of course," Gold responded (he couldn't help but smirk a little). "I've had to be separated from my daughter several times recently and I want to keep her close. Omaha and Zelena help me out with her, keeping her busy and keeping her safe."
"Yes, I understand," Ruel-Miranda. Maybe she did. "Why don't I show you to your quarters and show you around the place."
"Delightful," Gold told her and they followed the fairy queen back to her palace.
Elspeth scampered along but was continually distracted, looking all around and noticing everything. She was drawn to the flowers first, then the patterns in the stone walkway, even the fluffy white clouds. Belle often lagged behind, waiting for the child.
"Is this place always in eternal spring?" Zelena asked Gold.
"I don't know. The first time I was here, I spent most of my time locked in a dark, cold basement," Gold told her. "Most recently I had to survive a snow storm on top of a mountain."
Zelena was surprised to hear this, "Really. They were able to lock you up?"
"Long time ago. I don't think they could hold me now," he told her.
"Do we trust these . . . fairies?" Zelena asked him in a whisper.
"Oh, I don't. Of course, they don't trust me either so we're on a level playing field."
"Are we just here for Belle to get to know her mother?" Zelena asked
Gold hesitated a microsecond, "Yes. That's what we're here for."
+ + + + + Discovery
In short order, they were assigned rooms (Belle and Gold were given rooms apart from each other), and told they were free to explore the Palace and the grounds. Belle disappeared with her mother. Elspeth burst into the room that had been provided to Gold.
"Daddy! Daddy!" she ran up to him.
"Yes darling,"
"Where Miss Belle?" she asked.
"Off with her momma," Gold told her.
"Oh," and Elspeth screwed his little face up.
"You got a problem with that?" he asked the child.
"Miss Miranda?" Elspeth hemmed a bit and she shook her head.
"Me too, kid. You got good instincts," he told her. Likely the child had picked up on Ruel's discomfort with her inner-demon. "Where are Zelena and Omaha?" he asked her.
Elspeth sighed, "They talkin' and talkin' and talkin'."
"I understand. Listen, I have some time on my hands. Why don't we go for a walk and do some exploring?"
Elspeth's eyes lit up. "Otay," she told him and reached out to hold his hand.
Gold began to systematically go through the palace. They appeared to be in a wing with multiple guest bedrooms. They started at the top and went down floor by floor going up and down the halls. When they had exhausted the wing, they went on into main hall, a grand room able to hold several hundred people . . . or fairies.
"Pretty!" Elspeth said. She liked the soft colors on the walls, windows and carpets. She had long since let go of his hand and would randomly cut down different hallways and, of course, Gold had to follow to keep an eye on her. Truth be told, riding herd on Elspeth allowed him the freedom to explore without being obvious. If anyone said anything to him, he would point at Elspeth and explain that she was a curious child and had gotten away from him.
It was later in the morning. They had gone up some stairs and were in one of the high points of the palace, in the center of the large facility.
Gold could feel it. Like a humming. It was likely due to his absorption of some of Belle's talents. This particular impression had not revealed itself to him before. But there was no question what he was feeling. He stopped outside an unremarkable door. He looked both ways. Only Elspeth was in the hall with him. It was one of the more opulent parts of the palace, everything cream and gold with touches of rose pink. There was scroll work on the walls framing elegant pale paintings, chair railing, ceiling moldings and ornate corner sconces. There were gold metal benches here and there along the wall each equipped with rose pink velvet cushions.
Gold opened the door and went into the room. It was dark with only some natural light coming in through the windows that circled around the ceiling dome. Here the walls were colored green and blue, jewel tones, and darker than the other rooms he had been into.
The items were set on a table carved from dark wood and set in the center of the room. He walked around, trying to sense what wards, what alarms had been set up, but nothing was apparent.
He stepped back. Was it some kind of a trap? He extended his hand over the items and still did not feel anything. He began to reach for the dagger when . . . .
"Daddy! Daddy! I fell down!" he heard Elspeth calling him from outside of the room.
+ + + + A New Friend
"What is that sound?" Emma asked Jefferson. She was lounging on her sofa with her feet up watching some re-run. They were comfortably seated in their new co-joined apartment. Furniture had been mixed and matched and the new look was beginning to settle on her.
"What sound?" Jefferson was sitting on the other end of the sofa debating if Emma would appreciate having her feet rubbed.
"It sounds like . . ." Emma got up and went to the door.
Outside the door was a very young, very fluffy, very little grey kitten. "Meeeoooowwrrrrr," it trilled, looking up at Emma.
Gosh this story is almost over (two, maybe three chapters to go): Thanks (and appreciation) to all those reviewers who've stayed with me all this time and to those who have reviewed just recently: Robin4, RaFire, MyraValhallah, orthankg1, cynicsquest, Anne Andrews (Guest), Grace5231973, deweymay, Erik'sTrueAngel, Aletta-Feather, Astrumadamas, AnneElliotsCat, crazykat77, and jewel415
NEXT: The final part of the dagger and the last scroll have been discovered - what happens then