Suddenly I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I had just been looking for clues on the internet, when I came across something interesting. In the background of a photograph in a news article, I saw her. Or at least I thought it was her. Faintly at the background you could see a blonde pretty girl with a golden tattoo on her cheek. She was dressed in typical Sage attire; A white short-sleeved blouse and a gray knee-length skirt. It must have been her, I was sure of it. Who else could it have been? The girl stood next to a tall figure dressed in all black. From what I could see, it seemed like a woman. Maybe it was her captor? I was filled with excitement and I looked up where the photo was taken. San Francisco. I almost ran straight to the car and drove there but I stopped myself. I needed company on my trip. I also needed to get a solid location. She could be anywhere in San Francisco, it was a kind of big city after all. Some more research needed to be done. Who would have thought that me, Adrian the spontaneous party-boy, would think long-term? I picked up my phone and started thinking. Who would be the ideal travel partner? Who would be the biggest help in finding her? Suddenly something struck me, I was going to find her. At last. I wasn't going to be forced to fantasize about her, I was actually going to see her. For the first in over five months I was actually going to, hopefully, hear her voice and see her face again. The feeling of joy overwhelmed me. I was going to get my sun back. I was so gonna kick whoever took her into the next century. Suddenly I stopped mid-thought. What if Sage went away because she wanted to? What if she didn't want to be found? No, she would never leave me without a trace. Never. I just knew in my heart that she would have at least said goodbye if she was leaving. Now on to the other problem; the photo was two months old. What if she wasn't in San Francisco anymore? What would I do then? My whole mind seemed to flood with sadness. The little piece of hope I had, quickly shattered. I had so many things against me in all this. The anxiety I seemed to feel all the time these days returned with full force. All the shadows in the room grew and I felt like I was being crushed under thick black clouds. Just when I thought that I was going to die for sure, I saw her again. In the corner of my eye I noticed her. I turned around in the armchair I was current sitting in. By the bed in my room at court she stood. The ghostly Sage. She almost looked paler and more weak than before, but this time I didn't get scared. I had already decided that if I ever saw her again, I would ask her as many questions as possible.

"Is it really you or am I hallucinating?", I asked. The Sage by the bed stared at me for a second before she first nodded, then shook her head. I interpreted it as 'Yes, it's really me.' and 'No, you're not hallucinating.'. I was strangely calm. I should be freaking out since this Sage basically said that this ghost-like figure was my Sage. But I was calm.

"You can't speak?", I asked again. She shook her head and looked sad. I might not get all the answers I needed after all.

"Okay, um, is it you in this photo?", I turned the laptop to face her and she nodded with enthusiasm.

"Are you in San Francisco?", She lifted one of her hands and made a gesture that I interpreted as 'Kind of.'. What did that mean?

"So, you're there, but you're not really there?", I asked patiently. She nodded and seemed even sadder. "Well okay. Did you run away of free will?", She shook her head. "I knew it! You would never leave me without a goodbye!", I exclaimed triumphantly. A small smile grew on the pale Sage's lips and she rolled her eyes. That was the Sage I knew and loved. Time to get serious.

"Do you think I can save you?", I looked straight at her almost see-through eyes. She started shaking her head but then she hesitated and nodded instead. She soon seemed to regret that to because she resorted to a shrug. "Do you mean that you don't know if I can save you?", Sage nodded. Well there went my optimism. "I just want to know what they have done to you. It's a shame you can't talk.", I said and I could hear the sad note in my words. Sage just looked at me and her previous sadness had leaked back into her face. I sat silent for a while then. Just staring at her ghostly face and trying to remember the Sage I knew. The happy one. The one who made my world a brighter place. When I was done reminiscing I decided to ask one last question.

"Do you think of me in San Francisco?", I needed to know. The Sage before me hesitated for a second before shaking her head. I stared at her. "You don't?", My voice suddenly got hoarse and barely above a whisper. The world seemed wrong. Sage shook her head once again, but this time I could swear I saw a couple of tears glistening in her eyes. Oh Sage. "Do you miss me as you are now? Whatever you are.", I asked. I mean, why not ask her that and risk a second heartbreak? I apparently enjoyed getting hurt over and over again. This time she nodded. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something but when no sound came out, she closed it and turned her face toward my canvas that still stood on my easel. The canvas where I had painted her, the ghostly Sage. The one who looked sad and pale. The one who didn't look like my Sage. She seemed even sadder when she saw that painting. It looked like something broke inside her. Real or not, I never wanted to break Sage. "You are still beautiful to me.", I simply said. The Sage in my room turned her head towards me and I saw a small smile play in the corners of her mouth. She mouthed something that looked like a 'thank you' before vanishing. I was left with an odd feeling of joy. Why was I happy? Maybe it was because Sage finally accepted a compliment and even was thankful for it? Or maybe it was because I knew that she didn't want to leave me? Or maybe it was because I knew where to find her at last? Whatever it was, I didn't even care one bit. This was the first time I had truly felt joy since the day she disappeared. When she went missing she took with her every piece of happiness in my life. I hadn't even smiled properly since. I was depending on her to bring joy to my world. Scratch that, She was my world.

I wasted no time after my visit. I started looking for the fastest routes to San Francisco and I started contemplating if I was to bring somebody with me. It would be good to bring Castile and his muscles if I was going to tackle a kidnapper, but at the same time, he was busy. Everybody was busy. The more I thought about it the more it seemed like I would have to go on my own. I could always get my spirit mojo going and trick those suckers. I would figure it out, I mean come on, I was Adrian freaking Ivashkov. I always figured things out, and if I didn't I could always rely on my charm. On the other hand, it would be great to have someone with a little more fighting experience with me. I decided to take a stroll around court and try to find Eddie or Rose or anyone. I needed to tell people about my discovery and I also needed a guardian to follow me on my journey. Suddenly my earlier calm went out the window. I needed to leave right this second preferably, I could barely wait any longer. I would see my lovely Sage again. I would actually see her. My world reeled and I had to lean against a wall outside my room for support for a second. I could barely believe it. I had found her. People had said it was impossible. People had told me to give up. I hadn't. I had fought and searched and kept on going, and finally I found her. When the world seemed to be plain and still under my feet, I continued walking. I wanted to grab every person that I walked past and scream in their face. I wanted to scream 'HA! I told you I would find her! Never underestimate the power of ADRIAN!', but I restrained myself. I could save my triumph for my friends. If I could find them. They were probably out on different missions, scattered around court. If I could just find one of them. I scanned the view in front of me when a familiar brunette caught my attention. I only saw the back of her but I knew that it was Jill. Even better, Castile was standing just next to her. I immediately ran up to them and they gasped in surprise. They obviously hadn't expected to see me outside my room for a while. In an instant all my confidence and excitement disappeared. I couldn't find the words.

"I did it.", I simply stated. Judging by the confused look on both their faces, I needed to elaborate. "I found her."

"Wait, what? You're kidding.", Jill looked at me like I was lying.

"No, I did it. I know where she is.", I stated. I felt like a deflated balloon. All my energy had disappeared from my body and my mind. I couldn't believe that I actually did it. Looking over at Castile and Jailbat, I could see that their eyes were big in shock and excitement.

"Where is she?", Jill asked quietly. It was as if she couldn't believe it either.

"San Francisco.", I replied. "Speaking of that, I need a road trip pal. I'm going to get her.", I looked at them expectantly. Jailbat looked overwhelmed. She looked like she didn't know how to feel. Castile on the other hand wore a neutral facial expression. Such a guardian, but his aura indicated that he was feeling a range of emotions. I saw a part happiness, a part worry and a hint of excitement.

"You should let the alchemist handle this Adrian, it could be dangerous.", Jill spoke. Her face had at last settled on worry but I could see in her aura that she was excited too. I mean, who wouldn't be?

"I don't trust them anymore. They gave up on her, that's why I need to go get her myself.", I was determined, no alchemists would ever come in contact with my Sage again. They kept ruining her life.

"But Adrian-"

"But what? I understand that it's dangerous. I understand that this isn't my job. I understand everything, okay? I have to do this. I can't just sit holed up here when I know that she's out there, somewhere in San Francisco. I just can't.", I confessed. "I understand the dangers, that's why I need a roadtrip buddy, preferably a guardian, if I'm in need of someone to kick a son of a bitch's ass.", I looked at Eddie with a meaningful stare.

"Whoa, wait a second here, You want me to go on a roadtrip with you?", Eddie asked. I simply nodded as an answer. "What makes yo think that I can just drop everything and drive across the country with you?", He raised an eyebrow challenging.

"It's simple. You're Sage's friend too.", I simply stated. Not even he could deny that. "Plus, we're at court, how many guardians do they need?"

"I think you should do it Eddie. For Sydney.", Jailbat said. I guess that was all it took to convince Castile because he seemed to think for a second before sighing.

"I guess I can check with my superiors.", He spoke. Jill let out a squeal of happiness and hugged him tight. They both froze for a second and I almost let out a snort of laughter. They were in a state of denial, both of them. I could see it. But I wouldn't comment on it though, at least not now. Their hug ended almost as soon as it began and they pulled apart. We all parted ways. I needed to pack my things, Jill had some meeting and Eddie needed to find his boss. I was thrilled. Soon I would be with her.

A/N: Merry Christmas everybody! (Or if you don't celebrate christmas; Happy tuesday!). I can't say that I'm content with this chapter, something about it felt off for me but I hope you can read it and still like it!