Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own the awesomeness that is The Mysterious Benedict Society.

Chapter 3 (Reynie's POV)

With the sun-setting outside the dining room window I let a small smile fill my face. When I woke up this morning I never would have imagined that I'd be walking a tightrope by the afternoon. But then I knew it wasn't the first unexpected or amazing thing to happen to me. It seemed almost impossible for anything to be less than amazing when Kate was involved.

Most everyone had wondered from the table to spend their evening in various ways, Mr. Benedict had contently paced away to his study, and Sticky and Constance I realized were in the next sitting room over, since I could hear distinct murmuring that meant Constance was sharing one of her latest poems. (Perhaps with mixed reception...)

Milligan had pulled his chair to the side of the dining room and now seemed to be napping with his hat resting over his eyes. I felt my heart quicken in a playful way as I peered a little more closely at him. Somehow I got the feeling he wasn't asleep at all...

But the final clang of Kate finishing the dishes pulled me from my thoughts. Within a few moments she walked back into the dining room as she dried her hands on a towel. She beamed me a large grin as she sat down next to me. "So solve it yet? Wait let me guess, it was the butler after all?"

Looking down at the small pile of paper in front of me I frowned slightly. She had reminded me of what I was supposed to be doing. But honestly I didn't much want to be reminded of the case I received today... Turning to look at her I shrugged with a slight look of guilt. "I'm afraid I let my mind wonder..."

She grinned a little softer. "And what else is new Reynie?"

I chuckled slightly as I again let her eyes take me as far away from Mr. Remington's letter as I could go. With a distinct thump she sat her hand on the table in that familiar position. It meant she was challenging me to a battle of thumb wrestling. Most men wouldn't have been proud to say they hadn't yet managed to win against their own girlfriend, but... I smiled as I reached to accept her challenge. But then...Kate was extraordinary in every way.

Usually she'd announce the terms before we began, but this time she didn't say anything. Though as I watched our wriggling thumbs I figured I already knew what the conditions of my defeat would be. And after a short battle I felt that defeat a little too clearly to be comfortable. But it was only a second or two before Kate lifted her thumb free of mine. After which she slipped our fingers together and held my hand. Looking up to meet her gaze I saw her face soften.

"So what's so scary about your case that you keep avoiding it huh?"

I wasn't really surprised, and yet I was still amazed by how well she seemed to understand me. Even the unsaid things... I let go of a sigh as I tried to form the words I wanted to say. Closing my eyes I decided to try and be direct. "The new director of Stonetown Orphanage would like me to help him with a certain item that's gone missing..."

"Oh well that doesn't sound so bad. I mean-" Kate's words trailed off suddenly as she seemed to understand the hidden sadness in my tone. She was silent for a few moments before she looked back up at me. Her face had fallen into a slight frown. I admit that disturbed me, I didn't like her feeling bad because of me. After all I wasn't the only one to spend a part of my life alone in an orphanage.

Wishing I could shield her from any old unpleasant memories I might have stirred, I squeezed her hand gently.

"It's alright, it won't be a problem."

I watched as she let out a slow deep breath. Then with a soft look of sincerity she patted me on the shoulder with her free hand. Yes even as a slight smile crept up the corners of her mouth. "Here I'm trying to make you feel better, and look you're trying to do the same for me." Her smile then grew as she seemed to be cheered again. "Tell you what Reynie, since we both want to be brave for each other, then let's just make sure we face this problem together. If that orphanage brings up too many bad memories, then let me go with you. Huh what do you say?"

I simply gazed into her beautiful blue eyes as they brought back an old...but now pleasant memory. It was a question... Are you brave?

At the time I wasn't sure how to answer, and I doubted if I could give an honest yes. But now...now I was beginning to understand just a little better. Alone I knew I wasn't brave. But together... Together I was sure we could face anything.

I smiled softly as I gave a slight nod. To that Kate beamed in her usual way and slapped me harder on the back. "Good, then that's settled! Besides you might just need my help to figure out that mystery anyway." I nodded again as I kept my gaze fixed on her eyes. They were the kind of blue that reminded me of summer skies, and more and more I was realizing that in them... In them I saw a clearer reflection of myself than in a mirror.

Gently her expression softened as she smiled sweetly at me. I wished time could have stopped in that moment. It would have been enough to stay like that for the rest of eternity, but I followed her gaze over to Milligan as she gave a playful lopsided grin. Clearing her throat she leaned into her free hand. "Dad, you know you're getting pretty rusty as a spy."

He didn't move for a moment or two, but then with a guilty grin on his face he tilted his hat back on his head. After giving us both a wink he let go of a playful sigh. "I guess retirement and all this easy living hasn't been good for me, has it Katie?"

Shaking her head Kate gave a playful frown. "Nope, next thing you know you'll be completely out of shape. I might just stop making you pie." The look in Kate's eyes when she said that last part made it clear to Milligan that it was a very real threat. Defensively he held his hands up in front of him as his grin widened. "Just take it easy there Katie."

She clucked her tongue as she pretended to be upset. "Yeah well, we'll see..." But try as she might, she couldn't hold back the grin that was raising to her face, or stifle the laughter building in her throat. And before any of us knew what had happened, all of us were doubled over in a fit of laughter.

With happy tears welling up in my eyes I felt my heart soar. I already knew it but...well it just felt wonderful to be assured once again that...

That I wasn't alone anymore.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to tell me what you thought. More coming soon!