Disclaimer: Nope I don't own The Mysterious Benedict Society

Chapter 9 (Kate's POV)

I never really was one for cold. Honestly I'd take warm and sunny, over grey and frostbit any day. But even so there was something about today that felt strangely refreshing. Like something exciting was in the air. But then I guess it could have just been what was jittering around inside of me.

Taking a deep breath of the frosty air, I tossed a treat for Madge over the top of my head. And even with the swirl of thoughts pecking at my brain, I couldn't help but cock a grin when she dived for it. With a little chuckle I leaned back to look at her circling over our special rooftop spot.

"Let's hope I age half as gracefully as you girl."

I can't say age or time was ever anything I gave much thought, but then nothing in the last two months had been normal for me. Finding out how Reynie felt about me had busted my little world wide open, and something told me it wasn't ever going to be the same. And I can't say I wanted it be.

Rocking on my heels I dug my hands deeper into my jacket pockets, as I did my best to forget about my freezing fingers. Milligan had said I should wear mittens, but how on earth can you climb with mittens on? I shook my head at the thought. Time was turning him more into a worried dad, than an ex-secret agent. And I guess I was wondering what time was gonna turn me into.

I laughed a little at myself. It had already turned me sappier than I'd have ever thought possible. So what was next? I guess a part of me was a little worried I might end up changing too much. But then something told me that the things that really made me me, well a million years wasn't gonna change any of that.

Biting down on my lip I looked up at Madge again. We had come a long way that was for sure. All of us. And as much as I loved that some stuff could never change, I was still happy that other things had. And well...maybe that was what I felt in the air. As corny as it sounded, maybe it was change. It was like my life just started moving all at once, and now I was wondering where I'd be a year from now or even ten years.

I knew where I'd been ten years ago, and even the ten before that, so what adventure was waiting down the road now? I wasn't scared to take on Curtain's goons or to be a secret agent, but I had to admit I was a little nervous now. I felt my hands tighten into fists in my pockets. And it wasn't just from the cold. The truth was, over the last couple of months I'd realized just how much I cared about Reynie. I mean I loved the guy! And that wasn't ever going to change. So what did that mean for my future? For our future?

I felt a frown cross my face. Our future...? I knew what that meant alright, but I wasn't sure if Reynie really was set on being stuck with me forever. I mean I wasn't exactly like most girls was I? I guess I'd never really given it much thought though, I mean I was always just being me? Would he really...?

I felt more then a little crazy worrying about something like this, but I hoped that... Well I just hoped Reynie would want to spend the rest of his life with me. And now my face was burning even though it was below freezing out here. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried to wait out the blush I felt straight down to my stomach. I mean I think I was even embarrassed in front of Madge!

But mustering what courage "The Great Kate Weather Machine" had left I opened my eyes and braced my hands on my sides confidently. I'd wanted to admit that to myself for a while, and now I had finally managed to, so that was reason enough to feel proud. Of course admitting that to Reynie was a whole different story, but I figured I needed to start somewhere.

And no sooner then I'd managed to chase the embarrassment from my face, I saw Reynie walking down the sidewalk on his way home from work. Even from this distance he seemed happier than usual. Taking in another deep breath I pretended I didn't feel butterflies all the way down to my knees. Just like I was pretending that I didn't need those mittens Milligan wanted me to wear...

So letting out a sharp whistle to get his attention I waved down at him. When he looked up he beamed a huge smile and motioned for me to come down. I guessed he must have managed to figure out something else about the orphanage mystery. And like we had for so many good old years now, I was ready and waiting to help him finish putting the pieces together.

Running to the edge of the roof and grabbing the drain pipe I slide down until my feet hit a tiny balcony on the third floor. I wasn't all together sure just what small part of my future I was racing into now, but I realized all the same that I wasn't about to back down if someone I cared about needed my help. Time or not, that was one of the things about me that wasn't ever gonna change.

Pulling the windows open I stepped into one of the upstairs studies. Darting past the rows of books and lazy armchairs I headed straight for the banister and slid down. I admit I was getting pretty excited to hear the latest details of Reynie's case, and a slow trip down the stairs wasn't even an option today. (Even if I had heard quite a few playful lectures about what was and wasn't "lady-like" at my age.)

I was planning on landing with my usual Wetherall flair, but as chance would have it Reynie had just made his way to the stairs. I figured he was trying to meet me halfway, but it was getting clear that we were about to meet a little too abruptly. Flinging myself to the side and off the rail I just did manage to not knock him out flat. But seeing as I still landed on my feet, I figured it was as good a way to go down the stairs as any.

With a half surprised, half not surprised look on his face Reynie took in a few deep breaths as he collected himself again. "Are you alright?" He asked. Playfully slapping him on the back I pushed him toward the dining room table. "Right as ever! Now give me the details, how did our orphanage mystery turn out?"

Taking a seat I watched as Reynie held his chin in thought "It was...hidden in the leaves."

Raising an eyebrow I frowned. "The missing ring? You mean it was in the yard the whole time?"

Reynie nodded. "Yes, it was going to be a gift for Mr. Remington's wife, but during lunch period one of the children picked it up off his desk. The girl confessed that she only wanted to try it on, and perhaps wear it during lunch, but the ring was of course too big, so she lost it outside while she was playing." He smiled gently. "Once she came forward it was only a simple matter of searching through the piles of leaves the groundskeeper had bagged up."

I grinned before I chuckled a little. "Well what do ya know, it wasn't the butler after all huh?" He nodded as his face went a little sheepish. "Without the girls confession I'm not sure I would have figured it out before the bags of leaves were thrown out, but all the same Mr. Remington was pleased with me." I smirked. Leave it to Reynie to try and back out of getting the credit for a job well done.

"Of course he was pleased with you Reynie! You probably saved him a real mint on that thing, not to mention got him out of hot water with his wife."

Then doing my best to look stern I pointed a finger at him. "You were smart and clever like always, so don't try to weasel out of getting the credit, or you'll be in even hotter water with me then Remington ever thought he was." Nodding weakly Reynie showed how smart he really was and took my advice before I had to give him any more lessons in "tough love."

Then after a second or two he looked back over at me before he reached to pull something out from under his jacket. "Well he was so pleased that he gave me a bonus and..." Just then Reynie sat a little book down on the table in front of me. My eyes got big as I remembered Reynie's plan to ask for his favorite old story as payment for this case.

He should have known the answer, but he still got sheepish again. "Do you want me to finish reading you the rest...?" It was pretty plain that when it came to Reynie believing in himself we still had a ways to go. But... I felt a smile fill my face as I reached to give his hand a firm squeeze. "You sure better..."

We had a ways to go, but I didn't have any doubt that one of these days we'd get there.

Together we could get anywhere.