(AN: Alright, I'm sorry for the wait, but here it is! The 3rd chapter. Sorry, I've had a lot of drama in my life of late, so it wasn't that easy to write. The chapter may not be as good as it could have been, had I given it a little more time, but that's the brakes! So, I'll probably be revising it a bunch. Hope it was worth the wait!)

I sighed as I found myself drifting back to The Scarlett Letter. I knew I should be researching the latest entity plaguing the sea caves off the coast of Barbados, but giant 300-year-old sea worms were only so interesting, even to me.

I could sense there was some sort of commotion going on in the main hall of section 51. Unease, distrust, maybe a little fear, and… sexual tension? Huh, that wasn't something I encountered much of in the Bureau, except between Hellboy and Liz, but I knew that for the time being Liz was locking herself away at Bellamie's. Interesting…

I chuckled when I had sorted out that Myers was the one getting all hot and bothered in the hallway, and couldn't help musing at the thought of mentioning this to HB. I would have liked to find out more about the situation in the hall, but thought it better not to pry. I was sure someone would fill me in later.

I sensed the doors to the study open with sudden brutality. Hellboy. He didn't come up to the tank, or mention anything of the activity in the hall, just stood there. It was odd, but I didn't give it much thought. Red generally was odd.

A nagging presence suddenly struck me. I made my way closer to the glass, as the feeling urged me to. Strange. I felt as if I should be in the Library, rather than in the tank. I explored the feeling with my mind's eye. It was more of a calling, but it was politely leading me forward.

The feeling suddenly got stronger, much stronger. It was much more demanding now, and I felt an immense need to fulfill it. It was like invisible fish hooks were rapidly yanking me onward, without the pain- of course. It was more of an aching sensation in my chest, a longing, a need. I was practically pressed up against the glass now, ready to smash through it, if only it would get me out there.

And suddenly- it stopped. It all stopped as she rounded the corner. It was as if I had found a part of myself I had been missing and hadn't known how much I needed, until now. I sensed the same desperate longing being replaced by disbelief and joy in her.

Other than the fact she was like me- another Icthyo Sapien, all I had ever hoped to find in life- her appearance was surreal.

Her hair seemed to be blissfully unaware of the draftless surroundings, in that it was flowing and rustling slightly. Her heavily-lidded eyes were like the calm meeting the turmoil on the sea just before a storm. They were somehow deep and light blue, then green, all at the same time, and had a few sparse flecks of gold that only highlighted the beauty of what was already there, rather than over powered it. There was sea- captured perfectly in each eye, not bound by an iris. Mysterious and brooding- dangerous; yet there was a wistful gentleness and appeal to them that invited you to fall into them- drown in them.

Her eyes, along with her full lips- parted slightly, the hint of a smile at their edges- and raised brows, gave her an altogether intelligent confidence, in an "I know something you don't, and it amuses me" sort of way. She truly was stunning…

Her lips then curved into a full smile, revealing shallow dimples in her smooth cheeks (making her all the more charming), and I could tell, that if she could be blushing then she would be, fervently, by the way her gills flushed and fluttered. Her hands shot to cover her mouth as she gave a small giggle. God, even that was amazingly, well… cute. Waved of bashfulness radiated from her.

Wait ,I thought. Had she… had she heard all of that?! She nodded once, stifled another giggle, and it was my turn to 'blush'.

Shall we? I mentally sent to her, as I lifted my hand to the glass.

But of course, why else would I be here, were it not for you? she bantered back, sweetly, and with a sly grin raised her own hand.

The moment our palms met on either side of the glass, an almost electric current shot through both of us. It was undeniable- there was a deep tie being formed there, mentally and spiritually tethering us together. I had access to her every thought, every emotion, every feeling, and she the same to mine. I didn't mind at all, I was surprised to find; it felt completely natural this way- more natural than breathing.

I explored the rush of thoughts, emotions, and memories that came at me. I was overjoyed to find the same deep feeling of belonging I felt with Viola mirrored in her own senses, but I knew I could never mention anything of it. Viola, what a beautiful name, but I found remorse paired with it, for she did not know any other name by which she was called, though she knew she had once had one; She knew she hadn't always been this way. God, I felt such possessiveness over her, I wanted to make that fear and anger and pain slip away so much it was dizzying. I realized what little clothing she wore, and a thought came to me. Was Viola been the reason Myers was so… Christ!! I will strangle him next time I see him! He was as good as dea- …what is WRONG with me? Myers is a friend and companion and I never swear…

I composed myself, remembering she would sense all of this, were she not to absorbed in my memories. I focused on what she was trying to show me. Viola's thought pattern was jumbled in her haste to tell me her story. She sorted her thoughts, and the scene began to unravel before me…

A blinding light seared overhead, and the acidic tang of chemicals and sterilized metal poisoned the air she tried to breathe. Sharp pains shot through her body when Viola attempted to move her limbs as panic took over. She let out a small moan. Clipped, harsh words in a bemused tone responded to her movement and noise. "Well well, look here. It's awake. Dr. Denis, fetch some more water for the thing. We don't want it getting sickly before this procedure can be completed" Viola heard the sliding of a scalpel from a tray, and despite the sedative being pumped in through multiple IV's, Viola still felt the horrid slicing away of her skin before the darkness took over.

Things like this happened many times. Wakefulness to some medical facility, pain, and then darkness returning. Once I stayed lucid for long enough for one of them to … maniacally, explain some of the procedures and studies they performed on me and their plans for me, how they came to obtain me, among other things… She added in the gap of blackness. Then the barrage of memories continued.

Dizziness and confusion clogged her mind and choked her rational as she took in racking breaths, getting accustomed to the air after so long. It was dark, and only the faint rustling of trees and the sound of footsteps broke the silence.

In a sudden shock of wakefulness and recognition, the form on the ground (Viola, I assumed) shot upward, and crouched, defensive. Footsteps, there are footsteps she realized. Someone's coming for me… Her muscles tensed, and her eyes darted about her surroundings, taking in all she could while she still could.

"Look, look- it's okay. I won't hurt you." said a voice in soothing tones behind her, and she snapped to face it. A man in his mid 20's with an armful of towels and a first aid kit was taking cautious steps toward her. His light blonde hair slicked back, but a few strands mussed, undoubtedly from a day of work and ice blue eyes gave him a childish innocence, but from the set of his jaw and the depth in his eyes, you could see he had seen more than most would think.

Viola's vision was getting blurred, and the ground began to swim under her feet, so she had no time to think of the repercussions gratefully falling into the stranger's outstretched arms would have. The man gave a slightly strained huff as the strange girl fainted into his arms, and swathed her in one of the towels he had brought out with him.

I couldn't ignore the nagging sensation of jealousy.This stranger was getting so close to Viola, while here I stood… I shook the thought from my mind and delved back into the tale.

An uncomfortable darkness settled in over Viola's memories as unconsciousness took over. When she awoke I saw the introductions of the man, Matthew Quincey or Quince as Viola came to call him, the accommodations being figured out, and over the months the research and digging they both did, and finally finding a lead- Dr. Sapien and the address of the Bureau. Then finally, one fateful night violent noises coming from the house, and finally a gunshot, then the screeching of car wheels on the street rapidly fading.

Viola ran from the old hot tub in the backyard where she stayed to the house, and through to the back room where Quince did work late at night. And there he lay, bleeding out over his desk, gasping for air. Viola rushed to him, barely holding back tears as she took his ghost-white hand in hers. Here lay the man who had taken in a freak, a random creature he knew nothing of and done all he could with his insights to the government and truly befriended her, despite what she was and all the liabilities that could come with her, doing all he could to stutter out his last words.

"T-t-they came. The ones you told me about, th-the doctors. Idi, Idi, I didn't say a word, d-don't worry. Take the open file on the desk and g-go." His voice was barely a whisper now. "Just go before they come back. B-b-be safe. I hope you find what you arre look-oking for. Good luck."

Viola couldn't believe what she was hearing. "No! I won't leave you like this, I'll get you help… somehow," but she was shouting at a corpse by that time. After a few moments hesitation, she numbly began going through the motions of closing Quince's eyes, then getting the folder from the desk and grabbing the bag of the few things she had- basically her leather gear, and putting it on. Then, without a backwards glance, for she knew if she indulged herself in one, she wouldn't be able to leave, Viola walked out the door and seemed to blend into the night as her glamour kicked in…

As the room came back into focus, I saw that Viola clenched her teeth and balled her hands into fists. "So that's what brought me here, to you." She looked up, the frown creasing her face fading away.

"I promise you- I'll find a way, I'll tell you all I can, find out all I can, study you, all it takes." I responded. I swam up and climbed the rungs leading out of the tank, and made my way quickly down into the library where Viola stood.

"Let's get some of your business here straightened out, eh?" I said with a smile, taking her hand.

(A.N. I do wish I could have given Quince more "screen time" so to speak, but I couldn't find a reasonable way to fit it in. So, he and Viola did get pretty close, in the few months V spent with him he was doing digging in the higher level of restricted files at work, and he asked no questions of her and her origins, only tried to help, just so you know, but nothing romantic, don't worry- we'll give Abe a chance...)