I felt the ley lines as they pulled me. They were harsh and metallic. The West Coast? I felt the floor form beneath me feet and looked around. I was in a kitchen. "Rachel!" I heard my mom exclaim.

I spun around and saw my mom and Takata watching me. My mom crossed the kitchen and pulled me into an embrace. "Uh, hi Mom," I said, taking in the new surroundings. Takata, er, Donald was watching me with relief in his eyes.

"We got a call from Ivy. She said you went shopping and were supposed to be home hours ago. She was worried that you might have been dragged into the ever after," said my mom.

I pried myself from her grasp and took a few steps back. "I'm fine," I said. "Look, you guys can't summon me for awhile. The demons think it is too dangerous for me to be in reality and want to keep me in the ever after. If they know you can summon me, they might try to kill you."

My mom frowned at me. "You can't stay in the ever after forever. Your friends and family are here."

"I know," I grimaced. "I can visit during the night, if I have a body guard."

"A body guard," she exclaimed. "That's ridiculous. And what about the sun? Won't you miss the sun?"

"Hopefully this is temporary. I'll figure something out," I assured her.

My mom seemed annoyed and not nearly frightened enough. "Well, we will just have to make the best of it. Would you like some brunch?"

I looked at the clock. It was 3pm. I had a couple of hours until Al would cross the lines to check in on me.

"Sure," I said. I started to sneeze but my scrying mirror was back on the East Coast. Nothing I could do about that. The sneezes subsided after ten minutes. It felt like a long ten minutes.

I called Ivy and Jenks and told them I was alright and not to summon me for awhile. Maybe I could get Al to pop me over there tonight. When I returned, my mom and Donald were shuffling around the kitchen. My mom had made one of her famous pies and Donald was making pancakes. The two of them looked cute together.

When the meal was prepared, we sat down at a large table. The house was nice. I knew my mom was living with Takata and he could obviously afford nice digs. I'd have to take a tour when we were done eating.

"I'm so glad you are okay," my mom said as we dug into the pancakes. "I could have just killed that Elf bastard when he cursed you."

I winced. "Trent came through. He gave me a way to fight Ku' Sox when he gave me that curse. I think he's trying to help me. He even said he would try to pass legislation to protect me as a demon." I felt ill telling my mom that I was a demon but hey, she made me this way.

My mom seemed to read my thoughts and reached over to pat my hand. "You're special Rachel. I know you are a good girl. Witch or demon."

We continued our meal as my mom told me about the new friends she was making and the charm license she was trying to get. She wanted to open a charm shop and sell her famous vanity charms. At least she was trying to sell magic legally, I thought. She also filled me in on Robbie, telling me about the new wedding plans. This was a sore spot seeing as I wasn't invited to the wedding. Maybe he would come around. Maybe.

When we were done eating, my mom and Donald went into the living room to talk while I cleared the table and loaded the dishwasher. I jumped when I felt the air shift and Al appeared in the kitchen, looking annoyed.

"What the hell, Rachel?" he said. "Disappearing in the middle of Dalliance's. This isn't going to help our case any. I'll have to tell everyone I killed somebody."

I frowned. "So long as you don't plan on backing that up," I muttered.

My mom entered the kitchen and looked at Al. "You!" she shouted. "What the hell do you think you are doing in my home?"

Al blinked at her. He had clearly forgotten that we weren't alone. Donald came in the kitchen and gaped at Al. My mom grabbed his arm and pointed an accusing finger at Al. "Donald, that's the demon that tortured me with visions of Monty."

Al gritted his teeth and looked down at the kitchen counter. "Sorry about that," he muttered.

I snorted. Al was apologizing? What's next, pixy condoms?

My mom turned to me. "Rachel, if you're going to associate with demons, why not Minias. He seemed like a nice enough fellow. Good looking too."

Al's jaw dropped and he stared at my mom. That's my mom for you. She can even shock a 5000 year old demon.

The tension in the kitchen was becoming unbearable and I decided it was time for Al and me to make our exit. "We're heading out mom. Thanks for brunch."

I pulled Al's arm but he was eyeing the leftover pancakes. "Pancakes," he said. "I love pancakes."

"You should try her pie," I said under my breath.

"Oh, that's right," my mom said. Her voice had lost all of its menace as she remembered her pie. "Here, take this for the road." She pushed the pie in my arms and gave me a hug goodbye. "Don't be a stranger. It is good to see you."

I hugged her back and felt tears threaten. She was doing great. She had survived so much and she seemed happy now. God, I missed her. "Bye mom," I shouted as I made my way out the door.

Al followed close behind and we stood on the front porch. I looked up at the house. It was big. I hadn't really gotten the chance to appreciate it. Guess I would have to take the tour next time. Al shifted next to me. He was eyeing the pie. I grinned. "Wanna find a spot to eat this?" I asked.

Al grinned back at me. "Well, it isn't cake but it sounds like a fine idea."

I thought a moment. "Tell you what, I'll let you pick the place."

Al raised his eyebrows. "Any place?" he asked.

"You bet," I said.

Al took my arm and I felt the ley lines pull. They kept their strange, harsh feeling and a moment later we were standing on a rock cliff, overlooking the ocean. I could tell that we were still on the West Coast and I sucked in a small breath. It was beautiful. There was a full moon and its reflection shown on the dark waters below. The air smelled crisp and salty. I could hear the waves breaking on the rocks below. I took a small step towards the edge to look down further when I felt Al's hand grab my elbow.

"Careful, itchy-witch," he said. You tend to attract danger like moths to a flame.

I looked around and saw a picnic table a few feet away. We made our way to it and I sat down and put the pie on the table. I was wondering how we were going to eat when a fork appeared in Al's hand.

"Hey, where's mine?" I asked.

Al smirked. "I thought we could share," he teased.

With unusual precision, Al cut a piece of the pumpkin pie and brought the fork to his mouth. His eyes widened in surprise. "This is quite good," he said.

I watched him eat enviably. Al looked at me and handed me the fork. Gross, I thought. It has his saliva on it. I wasn't a germa-phobe but I thought he could have whipped up another fork if he wanted. He was trying to get to me. I decided to not give him the pleasure and took the fork, cutting out a piece of pie for myself.

Mmmm, the pie really was good. My mom knew her stuff. Al was still eyeing me and I handed the fork back to him. He took another bite and his eyes closed briefly as he tasted the pie. He is teasing me, I thought. Flirting with me.

I turned my eyes and looked out to the ocean. This was a beautiful spot. I wondered if Al came here often? A scraping sound from the pie plate brought my attention back to Al. He was trying to sneak another bite. He saw me watching him and handed the fork back to me. I took the bite and shifted back. "I think that's enough for me," I said, feeling uncomfortable.

I stood up and walked over to the edge of the cliffs and looked out. I heard a rustle and could felt Al move up beside me. With a small grunt he sat down and crossed his legs. He continued to eat the pie and I felt a little foolish standing so I sat down next to him.

Al took a final bite and then sat the plate down next to him. He dusted his hand together and then turned his attention to me. I just sat, looking at the ocean. Al's voice interrupted my thoughts. "So, did you enjoy your pie?" he asked.

With a sudden motion, Al scoped me up and dropped me in his lap. My back was to his chest and I felt his hand press against my stomach. I could feel his breath against my neck and heard him inhale deeply, taking in my scent.

"Hey, watch it," I yelped. I struggled slightly, trying to get out of his grasp. I felt his fingers move against my stomach. I wondered what it would feel like if those fingers moved higher. What if they moved lower? Before I could stop myself, desire rushed through my body and I shivered. Al must have sensed what I was thinking because I heard a low sound come from him.

"Stop it," I said firmly. He released his grip and I stood. His expression held a small smile and not the typical sneer that I was used to seeing.

"Can we go to Cincinnati?" I asked. "I'd like to visit Ivy and Jenks. Maybe pick up my scrying mirror?"

Al thought a moment. "The meeting with the collective will be starting soon. We better not risk it. Come along."

The demon offered his arm and I took it. I felt nervous. I might not get another chance to visit Ivy and Jenks if things went wrong with the collective tonight. I held my breath as we were pulled back into the ever after.

Luffy fan: For some reason, I really liked the idea of Al meeting Rachel's mom again. They have such a caring relationship and I imagine it must seem strange to Al. I am looking forward to writing the next chapter. I already have it planned out and I think it will provide an interesting little twist. I couldn't remember Rachel's Dad's name (the father who raised her). If you know, can you add it to the comments? I'd like to include it here.