Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just the storyline.

Chapter Nine

Adrian's POV

I'm carefully carrying the glass of orange juice and the plate of cheese and crackers (no dates unfortunately – they really turned out to be the hardest to hunt) back to Sydney in the lab when I was bombarded by a mini, brunette inquisition.

"Hey, Ivashkov."

"Hey back, Lil' Dhampir. What's up?"

"Nothing much. Just wanted to know when you started eating so healthy."

"No you don't and besides, it's for Sage."

"Oh, that's nice...and you're kinda right. You're eating habits aren't that interesting. I wanted to ask you something."

"Shoot."

"Umm," Rose hesitated, "You know how you guys said not to ask? I, umm...I have to! It's in my nature, please!? What could be so special that it can stop something like that happening, especially when the only thing that's even come close to solving the problem is a shit tone of Spirit?"

I sigh although I kind of expected this. Rose was not known to deal well with secrets unless they were her own. Or Lissa's.

I smirk then, deciding to tease her. "Magic."

"Haha, real funny. As if Sydney would even go near magic. What is this big secret? Please! I know you and Jill know! If you won't tell me, I'll just go and bother her."

"She won't tell you."

"Yes she will. I'm her sister-by-default. She'll have to tell me."

I laugh knowing Jailbait will never reveal anything to Rose. Sydney's more of a sister to her than Rose or Lissa are and probably will ever be. I know her alliance is with Sage, especially on this matter, as it could get her taken away from us.

Rose growls, obviously getting the gist of my thoughts from my laugh. "Come on! Please! For the good of our kind?"

"This is for the good of our kind as well as for Sydney."

"What if I guessed?"

"You can try."

"Ok...is it radioactive?"

I roll my eyes. "No."

"Umm, scientific sunlight?"

"Uh, no."

She clapped her hands together as if she remembered something really important. "I'll just ask my old man then! He was the one to get the ingredients."

"Not going to work, he was sworn to secrecy. He tells anyone and Sydney stops and the vials made are destroyed." Maybe a little exaggerated, but I got the point across. Plus, she doesn't know if I'm lying or not.

"Damn," Rose furrowed her brow. "Liquefied silver...that's been charmed?"

"Yes, actually."

"Woo Hoo! Ha!"

"No, not actually. You really thought it would be that easy when it involves Sage?"

"I'll take that as a compliment."

I spin around, careful not to spill or drop anything, at the sound of My Love's voice.

"It was made as one," I say smiling, taking in her relaxed pose at the doorway of the lab.

"Oh, hey Syd. What's up? You know you look really good in that...uh...shade of brown." Nice Rose, very nice. Way to look guilty.

She raises her eyebrow. "Thanks Rose. So...did you need anything?"

"Nope. Nada. Zilch. Nothing at all. I'm all good. I'll see you for food later." She runs down the hall.

"You heard everything, right?"

"Yep, spell on the walls. Anything relating to me comes through. Pretty powerful actually. I can hear all the way down the hall. First time I've used it as well."

"Huh, that's cool."

"You can do another one that allows you to hear everything, but I thought that would just get annoying."

"Smart thinking, Ninety-Nine."

"What happened to 'My Love'?"

"Too plain."

"All well, I've finished a few batches and I'm exhausted."

I look down once again to the food and drink in my hands. "I couldn't find any dates."

"That's ok. We have lunch with the others at twelve."

That was a surprise. Wonder why I didn't know. At least I now know what Rose meant about seeing us for food later.

Sydney recognised my confused look. "Text from Jill. She knew you were busy."

"Ah." She grabbed the food and sat back at the table where she was working. "I was told you couldn't do that?"

"Do what?"

"Eat with science stuff."

"Only with chemicals or a super-hygienic project is that really considered a rule. The ink and water I'm using is already sterilised so as long as I wash my hands and don't drop pieces of cheese into the vials, it will be fine. Magic tends to help keep out germs as well. It's the reason I haven't gotten sick even after the alchemist tattoo stopped working."

For that I was glad, although it might be nice to look after a sick Sydney. I'm sure she'd look cute, all tucked up in bed with me bring her soup. She'd probably refuse any help though, worried about her pride. Stubborn woman. Man, I really do have a type in that perspective.

"So...yummy?"

"Very nice, thank-you future provider of our future children."

"Oh, while collecting your food I thought of a name."

She looks sceptical, but then again, she has the right to be. "What?"

"Sam," I say smiling, "So when our other children have children they can call him Uncle Sam."

"No."

"You didn't even think about it!"

"Ok then," She paused and pulled an exaggerated thinking face, finger on her chin and all. "No way in hell."

"Aww, it was a good idea."

"Sure, Honey. Maybe I can name the kids while you come up with their last names."

"They will all have the same...haha. Cute Sage, I get it. Can I at least have the middle name? Please?"

"It has to go nicely with the first."

"Pfft. Easy peasy."

"Ok then, go."

I think for a while. I want it to mean something to both of us. "Tatiana Lillian Ivashkov."

She looks surprised but then smiles and pats my hair before sifting her fingers through it. I don't care if she messes it up, it feels too good. "Ok, then. That's one name down. That's four more to go and maybe a few spares just in case."

"Five kids?"

"My maximum. I'm not getting a mini bus and seven is the max limit in a reasonable looking car these days."

"Ah, so practical and so stylish."

She winks at me and smiles slightly while dusting the last of her food off her hands on a napkin. "You love me for it."

"Yeah I do." I say as I look towards her lips where the last of her juice is being licked away.

"What about little Hopper's? He won't be with us much longer, and I hate to say it but I think I'll miss the little guy. It would be good for the kids to have a pet too."

"He's a demon!"

"A docile one that warns people of danger and can fit in the palm of my hand!"

"I should really check up on him, see how he's doing at Mrs Terwilliger's. We might have to get him up here if it's going to take this long." Ha, saw what you did their Sage.

"You didn't answer the question."

"Ok, Possibly."

"Yes!...So how many do you have left to do before lunch, or can we take a little break?"

"I could do a few more, but I might need a little break beforehand."

"Really?" I say hopefully as she walks slowly over to me.

"Yep, only a mini one though."

I shrug, I'll take what I can get. Unfortunately that isn't much as it is no sooner her lips have touched mine that she is back at the desk with glowing salt in her hand.

"What was that?"

"A promise. Now how about I go to work on this and you work on names? And no, you can't name all our children after plants. I'll accept Lillian as a middle name as it combines both 'lilly' and Jill's name and has some reason to it. But that's it."

"Pity. I liked Azalea and Bamboo. All well. Get back to playing with you magic, I have real work to do now."