Truth Will Out

Near The Wall, Egyptian Afterlife

Susie looked at Sherlock, mild amusement on her face. "You're giving me compliments now? Wonders will never cease! okay, I'm a little afraid to ask, but, where to now?"

Thoth suddenly appeared, bowing his stork neck in reverence. "Miss Olivier. You have proven yourself both intelligent and resourceful. I am happy to present to you the Scroll of Thoth. Guard it with your life. There are things in this book that no man should know." He handed her a small silver carrying case with a strap.

Susie took the case and strapped it to her chest. She smiled at the god in thanks. "I promise to guard this with my life, sir."

Mira looked at her friend with slight disappointment. "That was. . . surprisingly easy."

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Agreed. I'm bored. Well, Susie, whose should we get now? I'm itching a little for mine, I'll admit."

Mira jumped up. "Mine! Mine!" She ran off towards the horizon.

Tobias sighed. "Shall we follow her?"

Susie looked at the running girl in confusion, and a little frustration. What the hell was going on with her? She turned back to Tobias with a sigh. "We probably better my love. No telling what she'll get up to if we leave her to her own devices."

She turned to Sherlock. "Don't worry mate. Hopefully this won't take too long, then we can search for your artifact, yes?"

Sherlock sighed. "Agreed. That girl is nothing but trouble. Come on, John."

They headed off after Mira. When they finally caught up to her, she was staring at a statue of an angry man with a sword. There was an inscription that read:

THE ONLY WAY IS THROUGH ME.

Mira frowned. "I wonder what that means?"

Susie patted her lightly on the back. "Search me. All I can think of is you either have to fight the statue, or blow it up or something? Your test honey!"

Mira stared harder at the stone man. "The Girdle. . . hmm. . ."

Sherlock sighed at her, clearly impatient. "Isn't it obvious? You're supposed to be the one with wiles! Not that you've ever demonstrated them."

John stared at him. Was he really that clueless?

Mira grinned, standing on the pedestal and kissing the statue, pressing herself against it. As she got more intense, the stone started to melt into flesh.

John turned away, embarrassed.

Susie pressed herself back into Tobias' chest. What she was seeing was strangely…arousing.

Sherlock just watched with curiosity and more than a little disgust.

When the statue became fully human, Mira was pulled into a tight embrace.

"Thank you!" cried the man. "You have saved me. Please, go through the cave behind me. She you seek is there."

Susie let the others go ahead of her, bringing up the rear with Tobias by her side. she leaned on his shoulder as they followed the others, and sighed. "Honey, why do I still feel like we're being led around by our noses? Please tell me I'm being an idiot!"

Tobias sighed. "No. But I have the strangest feeling we're about to be."

They entered the cave. At the back was a small campfire, with Hathor standing beside it.

"Well done, Mirabel. You have proven yourself able of warming even the most stony heart. You are more than worthy of this. Use it wisely." She handed Mira the girdle. Mira put it on just as Sherlock walked in the cavern.

"What are you. . . oh. . . hello, Mira." He blushed bright red, stammered, and ran out.

John followed him. "What happened? What's wrong?"

Sherlock stared at him nervously. "John. You've got to. . . I love her. Will you help me win her favor?"

John gasped in shock. "You. . . you what?"

Sherlock grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him slightly, his storm eyes flashing. "I can't believe I didn't see it before! Her eyes, her hair! John, she's perfection itself!" He giggled to himself, smiling up at John.

"Snap out of it, Sherlock! You're scaring me."

Sherlock snorted. "I think I'll go write her some poetry! What rhymes with goddess?"

John groaned, walking away in dismay and hurt. "Sorry. You're on your own."

Susie watched the retreating Sherlock in growing anger, then turned to Mira, her eyes flat in fury. She stalked over to the young girl, grabbed her by the arm in a crushing grip and dragged her outside, away from everyone else. then she spun her around and delivered a stinging slap to her cheek. "How. Dare. You. How dare you Mira? John has been in love with that man for years, yet you've decided to steal him simply because you can? What the hell is wrong with you?"

By the time she finished speaking she was shaking the girl. Very slowly and carefully, she released her grip on Mira's arms, as if afraid of what she might do if she made any sudden moves. "You've been acting wierd ever since the incident at the house, and I want to know the reason why."

Mira sighed sadly. "Do you really want to know?" She looked up at Susie, her eyes bright with power. "I can't believe you never noticed. I was always around. But no. One day, Zeph brought home a new pet. And you. . . you. . . wouldn't you rather have me?"

Susie stiffened in shock at Mira's words. As she looked the other girl in the eyes, her mind started going fuzzy around the edges. She closed her eyes tightly and grabbed her head in both hands. "Stop it. Stop it Mira! You don't get it, do you? I loved Tobias long before I'd ever even met him! Don't you get it? He's the other half of my soul! Don't do this to us, please!"

Mira whimpered slightly, the power of the girdle going to her head. "I am. . . sorry. But it's too late. I will have you, one way or another. You never even noticed, did you? All that time I spent. . . you were the only person I ever really loved. Now I want you to feel the same way, even if it's false. I deserve at least that much."

Susie crumpled to the ground in agony as she fought the compulsion Mira placed on her. She was strong…but not strong enough, and slowly the pain ebbed, leaving her gasping on her knees. "Mira, what's going on? I just told you I love you, so why haven't you said anything? Please, you have to say you feel the same way!"

Mira embraced Susie, kissing her passionately. "Hush now. I'm here. No one will ever take me away from you again. It's ok. I love you too."

Susie kissed her back, equally as passionately, her arms going around Mira's waist, dragging her against her own body. They were both breathless by the time they paused for breath. Susie buried her head in Mira's neck, nuzzling her. "I'm so glad Mira! you know I'd do anything for your love, and if anyone tries to separate us, I'll kill them!"

Just then, Tobias walked in. "Susie? Mira? What. . . what the hell is going on here?"

Susie turned and gave Tobias a pitying look. "You mean you haven't figured it out yet? And here I thought you were a smart boy! You were good Tobias, but I'm sorry to say that this will always be better! Now, if you will excuse us. . ." She turned back to Mira, nipping her neck and completely ignoring Tobias.

Tobias stammered, his eyes wide with loathing. "Oh. Oh, I see. Well, I'll leave you to it, then." He dashed out of the cave and vanished into the distance.

Mira smiled gently down at the other cadet. "There, now. Isn't that better?"

Susie laughed throatily as she slipped her hands under Mira's shirt to feel the smooth expanse of skin underneath. In the back of her mind something was screaming at her that this was wrong. So very wrong. But she found she simply didn't have the energy to chase that voice. "Much better my love," she crooned. "Now, where were we?"

Outside The Caves

Meanwhile, Sherlock had finished his poem and was humming to himself when he noticed Violet. "Miss Conway. Can I read this to you? I need a second opinion."

Violet was shocked that Sherlock could actually remember her name. "Um, sure…"

Sherlock sighed, reading off a scrap of paper:

To my beloved:
Your eyes as violet as my favorite shirt
Burn embers of passion so bright they hurt
If I could find the words inside my soul
I'd offer them to you complete and whole
For I have never lived before today
Please tell me by my side's where you will stay:
I think, my dearest, that you are a goddess
And of this pantheon you are the hottest.

He sighed, smiling at her. "Is it good?"

Violet caught her breath. It was what she wished she could write for Lucian. But the end was so odd… Goddess, Hottest? Not the greatest brilliance there.

Wait. Violet eyes?

Violet gasped. "You. Are. In. Love? With Mira? Somehow I think that Lucian wouldn't allow this! And because of that, neither can I!"

Sherlock's storm eyes burned into her. "Nothing can get between me and my love! Not even the gods themselves!"

He smirked at her. "Mira and I will get married. It is our destiny."

Violet laughed. "Are you aware of how many guys back at the Academy Lucian either scared away or beat up? Yeah I am sure once we find him… you are not going to be thinking the same thing."

"I am not just any man!" Sherlock bellowed. "I am a genius in love!" He dashed into the cave.

Violet sighed. "Gahh that stupid man!" She ran after him just to see what happened, wishing that Lucian was there to beat this guy up.

Sherlock was all smiles. "My lady! I have a poem –" He stared at the women in shock and anger. "YOU! Unhand my beloved!"

Susie sighed in exasperation at the new interruption. Time to find somewhere more isolated. "Mine!" she growled simply, her hand suddenly holding a gun at Sherlock's forehead. "Get out or die."

Romana walked in, finally, and stepped up to Mira. "Mira, you need to control the power you're getting from the girdle, snap out of it! John, you're going to have to help me, we need to get it off of her!"

By this time, Susie was completely fed up with everyone. "Get the hell out, the lot of you! Mira and I are having a private conversation and you lot are not damn well invited!"

Sherlock hissed. "I'll kill you for that." He pulled out a rather large knife from his coat.

John ran in, eyes wide. "Sherlock, stop! Please! It's not worth it!"

Sherlock turned on him bitterly. "And what would you know? All your relationships fail. Clearly you aren't willing to fight for love the way I am."

John looked down. "Yes. I am. I always am. And I'll be damned if I let this spell you're under win. This isn't you."

"Like you even know me?" mutteredd Sherlock.

"Enough!" cried a petulant voice.

Everyone turned to look as Sherlock's brother ran in, carrying a tall crown in the Egyptian style. "For the Love of God. What the hell is wrong with you, Mirabel? That gift was entrusted to you and you abuse it!"

Mira rolled her eyes. "Why is it me that something's wrong with? All I ever wanted was to be loved. To get attention. But no. Everyone's always thinking about other people and never about me. It's completely unfair!"

He looked furiously at the girl. "Selfish child."

He turned to his brother and stalked over. "Enough of this foolishness, brother mine." He placed the crown on Sherlock's head. "Stop this."

John sighed. "But that's life sometimes, Mira. I know how that feels. Trust me."

Mira cried out in rage and bitterness. "You have no idea! I've seen the way he looks at you, you idiot! Everybody's got somebody, but no one gives a damn about me! And they never will, will they?"

Romana sighed. "Of course they will, Mira. All in due time."

Sherlock frowned. "Not with that attitude. Now stop it. Let us go."

She complied, though not by choice. His mind control took over almost immediately.

Sherlock pulled John into a hug. "I am so, so sorry."

"I know," he whispered in reply.

Susie pushed herself away from Mira, her face draining of colour as she realized what she had just done. And what Mira had done to her. "Oh God…Toby…Mira, what have you done to us?"

Mycroft smiled deviously at his brother and John. "Good. Good. Kiss and make up."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Sherlock pulled John close, kissing him passionately. John didn't seem surprised, but returned the kiss hungrily.

Sherlock smiled around the army doctor's mouth. "So, apology accepted, I suppose?"

John smirked back. "You idiot."

Romana turned to Mycroft. "Thank you, but who are you, and how did you find the crown?"

Mycroft chuckled, transforming briefly into Horus before morphing back. "Does that answer your question, Romana?"

A brief look of surprise crossed her face, but she nodded. "One of them, yes, but why are you helping us?"

"Because Sherlock is my brother," he replied. The god's avatar looked back at Sherlock. "And I'd do anything to help him."

Sherlock nodded, not looking away from John.

John stared at Mycroft in confusion. "So how long has your brother been a god?"

Sherlock rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure that's a recent development. But he is the government, after all. I'm not surprised."

Mira gulped at the look of betrayal on Susie's face. "Susie. I'd say I'm sorry. But. I'm not. I have to go." She ran away.

Romana nodded at Mycroft. "Oddly, that makes sense. I get the sense that's been a long time coming?" She gestured toward Sherlock and John.

"Too long," he replied with a sigh. "Way too long. They just needed a little… push." He turned to the rest of the group. "Now then. Sherlock. Did you discover the riddle of this land?"

Susie stared up at Mycroft, her eyes stil glazed in shock. "You mean the part where you fuck with us because you can?" She looked around at the others desperately. "I'm sorry, but I can't deal with this right now. I need to find Toby. I…I have to try and explain…oh God!" She turned and dashed out the way Mira went.

Sherlock nodded. "Idioms. Every time you use an idiom, it comes true." He smiled apologetically at John. "That's why I shot you. I didn't want to. I had to."

John's eyes widened in understanding. Then he pulled away, withdrawing into his shell. "So when you kissed me. . . you didn't want to do that either."

Sherlock frowned. "What? No, no. Oh, you dunce." He pulled John into a tight hug, kissing the top of his head. "Forgive me, John. I. . . I just have a very hard time saying what I mean sometimes when it comes to. . . that."

Mycroft smiled slightly. "Well done, brother mine. Well done."

An Uncharted Island In The Atlantic

Faith pointed out the windshield of the ship. "We're here."

"Hot damn!" cried Jack. He jumped off the deck onto the ground.

Lestrade frowned, remembering his bible. "Isn't there an angel with a sword or —"

Jack ducked as a flaming sword swooped and almost killed him. "Shit!"

Faith sighed. "What the? I thought… Oh crap."

The angel, clad in armor, glared at them with fierce amber eyes. "Leave, Mortals. Leave and your lives will be spared."

Faith reached into the bag Osiris gave her. She needed to get that water! She pulled out a box of snuff, tweezers, and a harmonica.

Faith held out her hands with the objects in them towards the Angel.

"I see," he mused. He took the harmonica, frowning. "You may pass. Don't forget to leave things as you found them."

She bowed respectively to the Angel, relief flooding her. "Thank you, Michael."

He smiled warmly back. "So you know your angels. Don't let Raphael give you too much grief."

She nodded, leading Jack and Lestrade behind her. She kept the two other objects in her hands, knowing she'd probably need them soon.

As they continued into the garden, Jack caught sight of something lying in the grass. He stooped to pick it up. It was a pocket watch, bearing the strangled dragon on its face.

He stared at it awkwardly. "Someone was here before us, I think."

Faith frowned slightly. "It's possible… but who? Better yet, why?" Her eyes searched around, looking for what, she didn't know just yet. A clue. Maybe another Angel to ask for directions.

I probably should have asked Michael…

Lestrade moaned. "I think I found the answer."

The others turned to him. He was kneeling beside a body that appeared to have been torn apart. It was a young man, probably in his early thirties, with silver hair half-removed from his skull. A severed hand nearby revealed a silver wedding band.

Jack gasped. "Oh my God." He threw up in the nearby bushes.

Lestrade's brown eyes narrowed. "Wallet." He picked up the blood-soaked piece of leather from the ground next to the body. Going through it, he stopped suddenly. "No identification. But I found this."

He held out a small business card. It bore the same dragon symbol as the one Sherlock had, the same symbol as the watch. Written on it was two sentences:

I RAN OUT OF TIME, GREGORY. FORGIVE ME.

Faith covered her mouth, shock stilling the thousands of Locusts making up her physical appearance. She bowed her head and prayed.

"What have you done?" cried an angelic voice. Another angel approached them, silver eyes full of fury and sorrow. "I'm not even going to ask how you got in. But killing? In Eden?"

Faith looked up at the Angel. She jumped up, recognizing him. "Raphael!"

She looked down at the body and then back up to the angel. "I don't know what creature got to him, but we did not harm him. Please believe us."

He nodded. "I believe you. But. . . if not for this, what are you doing here?"

He knelt, pulling out a small vial of water. He poured this over the head of the dead man, murmuring in Latin. The body began to sew itself back together.

Lestrade stared in shock. "What. . . what is that?"

Raphael smiled. "Water from the Spring of the Blessed. It has the power to restore broken bodies to life. Well, when used by the right individual."

The man sputtered and coughed. His sea blue eyes shot open, and he stared in shock at the group. "What? Where am. . . oh no. Look out!"

Faith ducked.

The man fell over, a throwing knife buried in his chest. Tied to it was a note:

LEAVE, FAITH HARKNESS.

Lestrade pulled the man to a sitting position. "Who. . . sir! Who did this? Who. . . who are you?"

The silver-haired man choked on blood. "N. . . Nathan Ambrose. I am. . . Nathan Ambrose. Please. Promise. You'll protect them."

Lestrade stared, the name unfamiliar. "Who?"

"My ancestors. Sh. . .my descendants. . ."

With a gasp, he died once more.

Lestrade turned to the anger. "Bring him back. Raphael, bring him back."

He shook his head. "The water only works once. There's nothing I can do."

Faith touched the note, hands shaking. "A… A threat… Against… Me?" She looked up at the two living men and the angel. "Why? Who have I angered?"

She wanted to cry. Jack was an Ambrose, which meant Nathan would be her ancestor. He died because of her?

Jack patted her on the back gently. "Don't dwell on it, Faith. You said we needed the water. Raphael has it. We should ask him for it."

Faith nodded and stood. She turned to the Angel. "Raphael. I was sent here by Osiris, Egyptian deity of the Dead. He said to save my friends from the Land of the Dead, I would need the Tears of the Blessed. If there is a test I need to pass to prove myself, I will willingly do so."

Raphael shook his head. "There is no test you could possibly pass that would make me give it to you. I am sorry."

Lestrade frowned. "But we need it! It's the only way to save our friends!"

Raphael glared at him, silver eyes flashing with power and sadness. "I'm sorry. I truly am. But you will have to leave now."

"Wait!" cried Faith. She held out the other two items from her bag to Raphael.

He gasped. "You have. . . no idea how hard I've been looking for this." He took the tweezers. "Straight ahead through those doors. Gabriel will help you the rest of the way."

Faith beamed. "Thank you, Raphael!"

When Raphael left, Faith led the two men though the doors, looking for Gabriel. For some reason, she felt a horrible sense that time was running out.

Gabriel was kneeling beside a small, trickling spring, crying into it. Faith approached the weeping angel quietly.

"Gabriel?"

He looked up, ruby red eyes staring into her soul. "Faith Harkness. I am afraid. . . something terrible is going to happen to you."

Faith's eyes widened. She'd heard this enough for one day. "Is that why I feel like things are falling apart?"

She shook her head, needing to focus. "Raphael sent us here."

He nodded. "I know. The time is coming, and soon, when no one will be able to protect you. Any of you. It is. . . it is too much." He handed her a bottle. "Please. Fill this. It may be your only hope to save his soul."

Lestrade stared. "Whose soul?"

"The most important person in the world," replied the angel. "And perhaps, even the hero can be saved."

Faith did as Gabriel directed. When it was full, she pulled the bottle close to her and clutched it to her chest. She closed her eyes and then brought the bottle to her lips, kissing it.

I will save you all.

She placed the vial in her bag.

Faith's body rematerialized as a drop of the water clinging to the outside touched her lips. She gasped in pain as she dropped to the floor.

Lestrade caught her, his eyes wide with concern. "Faith! Are you alright? Speak to me!"

Faith's eyes fluttered open. She inhaled sharply, her eyes widening. "Oh…" She put a set of fingers to her neck. A pulse was strong under her fingertips.

"I'm alive. After….oh my!"

Lestrade smiled gently. "Yeah. Alive. And naked. Here. Take my coat." He threw it around her, looking away but not embarrassed. One could assume that he'd seen his share of naked children and thought of her as just another child to protect.

The angel nodded. "I suppose you should be leaving. Please, be careful."

Faith smiled at Gabriel as she pulled the coat tightly around her. "Thank you, Gabriel." She held out one of her hands to the angel. In it was the container of snuff. Since the two other angels took the other items, the only logical conclusion was that this one was for him.

He looked at her, startled. "What is this? No, Faith. You need that for –"

An explosion rocked the little chapel. His eyes grew wide. "Open it. Pour out the snuff and run."

Faith did as she was told, pouring the snuff all over the floor. She then grabbed Jack's hand and dashed for the door, Lestrade hot on their tail.

Behind them, the snuff materialized into copies of the three of them.

Jack watched in awe as they were cut down, blood everywhere. "Well, that was handy."

As they made it back to the ship, the tree of them collapsed on the deck, exhausted and freaked out.

Faith leaned hard against the wall of the ship, her breathing rough and ragged, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Well… that was interesting. Two down. One more item to go…"

She looked to Jack. "Is there any way we could find me some clothes?"

A Cave, The Egyptian Afterlife

John smiled up at Sherlock. "I know. I know. It's just. . . if I lost you, I don't know what I would do."

Sherlock's eyes grew wide as he remembered his nightmare.

No. I can't. If he knows, if things are like this, it'll hurt so much worse when he's gone.

"John?" he murmured

"Hmm?"

Sherlock summoned the power of his crown. "What just happened. It was a dream. All of it. Things between us are as they have always been."

John smiled dreamily. "A dream. . . yes. . ." He blushed awkwardly. What if Sherlock heard him talking about that dream? It was so vivid! If he asked. . . no, John couldn't admit it.

Mycroft eyed his brother, but did not say anything. Sherlock had to make his own choices.

John pulled himself out of Sherlock's arms. "I. . . I'm sorry. Did I pass out? I'll go check on Susan."

He walked outside to find her sitting on a rock, looking into the distance. "Are you alright?"

Susie barely acknowledged John's presence. Her eyes were distant and haunted by fear and guilt. "I remember. I remember what I said to him when he found me with Mira…It was like…a part of me was still free…still aware of what was happening…but I couldn't reach it. I hurt him badly. And now I can't find him."

He sat next to her, sighing sadly. "Susie. We all have things we regret. Decisions, choices that we wish we'd made differently. But we can't. I know how much it hurts. But I've seen the way Tobias looks at you. He'll be back. He'll forgive you. Time heals all things, and brings all truth to the fore." He smiled bitterly. "Between you and me, though, it had better happen sooner rather than later. All these lies and secrets. . . they're killing us."

She leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment, closing her eyes. "I wish I could believe you John, but I remember the look on Toby's face before he left us…"

She let out a long, harsh sigh, then straightened up and stood, turning back to look down on John, her eyes hard. Determined. "Right. Let's find the rest of these artifacts and get things back to how they should be. What's your idiot doing at the moment?"

Violet came storming out of the cave. "Susie, idiot doesn't even begin to explain about what that man is! Ok, let's go. Isis isn't going to wait forever!"

John sighed. "Sherlock, what did you do?"

Sherlock looked away. "Nothing. Really. But she has a point. We need to find the rest of the artifacts soon." He nodded at Susie. "Is she going to be a problem?"

John glared at him. "What have I told you about calling emotions problems? They aren't, you know. Some of us actually have some!"

Sherlock turned to the others. "Maybe we should leave them both behind. If they can't handle it. What do you think, Violet?"

Violet glared at him. "Whatever. I can't believe that you even know what my name is. OK, Susie, let's go. I know that you are having emotional issues, but I think we really do need to get going."

Susie gave John and Violet a quick wink before slapping Sherlock smartly across the cheek. She gave her best cheeky grin as she danced backwards out of reach. "You know? I rather think I feel better now! Get a move on idiot, you're holding us up!"

Mycroft grinned. "I've been meaning to do that for a while. Thank you, Susan."

Sherlock seemed more out of sorts from John's comment than Susie's slap. He walked along silently.

It didn't take long before they found themselves in a dense forest.

John looked about warily. "Ok. A forest. In the middle of the desert. This makes sense."

Suddenly, it began to rain. Hard.

He moaned. "Oh, boy. This keeps getting better and better!"

Mycroft opened his ever present umbrella and handed it to John. "Better, John?"

He smiled back at the older man. "Much. I never thought I'd say this, but thank you, Mycroft."

Violet rolled her eyes at John. "At least you are dry. Well maybe the trees will keep us somewhat dry. . ."

Romana smiled at the young Irishwoman. "Perhaps this is a sign we should go into the forest, hmm?"

Sherlock still didn't speak, but stooped to the ground, picking something up and frowning.

"What did you find, Sherlock?" asked Mycroft.

He held up a worn old locket, made of silver. It bore the image of St. Irene on the front. His eyes sparkled dangerously. "Well, this will be interesting."

John stared at him. "What will?"

He opened the locket. Inside was a picture of Sherlock. And a young woman with a knowing smirk.

"Is that. . .?"

Sherlock nodded. "Irene Adler."

Violet whistled. "Ooh! It's pretty… but who is Irene?"

Sherlock turned away. "Shut up. Everyone. I need to think."

John turned to the others. "He'll catch up. Come on. We need to get to shelter."

Romana wandered over for a look, a knowing expression on her own face. "Well, are you going to explain it, standing in the rain?"

Violet looked at Sherlock for a moment and then shook her head and started running down the path looking for shelter.

Susie just followed the others. Let the boy do what he wanted.

Mycroft walked away carefully. Something didn't feel right.

Shaking her head and giving Sherlock a oddly disappointed look, Romana followed after Susie and Violet.

They found themselves in a small clearing, where a pure spring flowed. The rain had suddenly stopped, but looking around, that was not quite true. It was simply not raining in that place. As they moved forward, they spied a body beside the spring. Lucian.

Violet walked into the clearing and stopped and stared. "Lucian is that you?"

Susie stared at the body dispassionately. She vaguely wondered if she was in delayed shock…but she just couldn't seem to care that apparently here was the man that Zephyrus traded for the life of Tobias…her eyes widened fractionally at a memory. "Zephyrus…" She whispered quietly.

He sat up. Really, as far as outward appearance, nothing about him was different. "Violet? Is that really you? Oh, I thought I'd never see. . ."

He spied Susie and leapt up, running to her. "Susie! Hello! Oh, I've missed you!"

Romana frowned. "Something's amiss… Be careful, Violet…" She hung back, watching cautiously.

Violet looked at Lucian for a moment. Lucian, um, yes, it's me. I…. where have you been? I have been worried." Violet walked towards him and Susie and threw her arms around his neck.

He shook her off. "What's your problem, Violet?"

Susie backed up hurriedly, a gun suddenly pointed at Lucian's chest. "No…no, you're not Lucian are you? Who the hell are you?"

Lucian stared at her in shock and pain. "Susie. Please. Put down the gun. Don't you. . . don't you even love me any more?"

John frowned. "What's going on here?"

Violet looked at Lucian and her eyes started tearing up. "But Lucian… What about the last time we saw each other? Did that not mean anything to you? I knew it was to good to be real…"

Violet ran out of the clearing so that the others didn't see her tears.

As she ran past, Sherlock grabbed her arm. "Violet. Listen. I know what's going on here. You have to understand who's speaking to you. I can't solve this for you. But your heart knows the truth better than your eyes. Listen to it."

She realized that Lucian was acting completely wrong. She stopped, turns around, and looked at the man that looked so much like Lucian. "You can't be Lucian!"

Lucian shook his head. "I'm not Lucian. Since when have I. . ."

He looked in the creek. "What? But. . . but I. . ."

Isis appeared, holding a simple bronze sword. "Very good, Violet Conway. You have learned to rely on the passion of your heart rather than your eyes. You are truly worthy of bearing my sword."

Violet looked at the sword that was given to her "That was a cruel test!" she cried.

Isis sighed. "I was not the one who did this to him, Violet. But perhaps you can tell us where the real Lucian is?"

Sherlock nodded. "Yes. Do you know where he is, Tobias?"

Susie lowered her gun slowly, staring at the face that looked nothing like her love. "Tobias?" she whispered brokenly. "Is that really you?"

She ran and threw herself into his arms, clinging tightly as she buried her head in his shoulder. "Oh god Toby, I'm so sorry! please, you have to believe me, I wasn't myself!"

He pulled her close. "What are you talking about, my love? You haven't done anything wrong, have you? And even if you had. . ."

Violet stared at Tobias and Susie as they embraced, fighting back tears.

At his words, Susie went still. She moved backwards so she could see his face, trying to read something in his eyes. "Toby? What's the last thing you remember?"

Tobias frowned, searching his thoughts. "The dungeon. Zephyrus. He. . . I thought I was going to die. He thought. . .he thought Lucian was me. . ."

He stared hard at Susie. "What did you do?"

Susie's eyes widened as the implications of what he had just said hit her. And she hadn't noticed. She backed away from Toby, eyes wide in shock and growing horror. "No…Please no…oh god no…"

The eyes that stared back at her were hard. "What. Did. You. Do?"

She just looked back at him, unable to say a word. Then, with a cry of pure grief, she turned and ran out of the clearing, not caring where she went, just needing to get away.

Romana sighed. "Tobias, it wasn't her fault, she… we had no idea… Susie, wait!"

Turning, she ran after Susie.

Sherlock sighed, holding out the locket. "I believe this belongs to you, Tobias Forth."

He took it gently. "Yes. It's been in my family for generations."

Sherlock stared at him, searching his face. "But you're not. . . hmm. I wonder when. . ."

He took off to think, leaving Tobias with John.