A/N: Hello again everyone? How have you been doing? I hope quite well. I try to update as soon as possible, I promise. I think I have been doing well so far. :D I want to thank everyone who reviewed. You guys are amazing! Your comments make me smile and jump up and down like a crazy chimpanzee! (weird...) Anyway! I love you all!

Disclaimer:I, Burning Tulip, do not ow the 39 clues.

Chapter seven: Hope

Ted woke up to the soft sound of music playing. Piano. It was quite early though, so could the pianist be? He decided to check it out. He was an Ekaterina after all and mysteries were appealing to him. Besides, what can be a better exercise for the mind than a good mystery? So he got up, put on some clothes quickly (he asked the House for them) and got out of his room to investigate. Following the sound was easy; one of the few advantages to being nearly blind was that his other senses had been enchanted since he depended on them fully now. He followed the corridor outside his room and turned right. The music was a bit louder now. He went closer and felt the wall. He used his hands and tried to find a door or something that would lead into a room, where he could find the mystery piano player. He suddenly touched something. A doorknob. He hesitated. He tried to inspect the door with his hands. There was a sign, which had Braille on it. Weird, he thought. Then he remembered what the twins had said about every sign being written in both English and Braille, so that everyone would be able to read them. He traced the dots with his fingers. The sign said: Seraphine S. Cahill. So it was Seraphine's room. He hesitated even more. But the music was soft and magical and he couldn't help but knock.

Seraphine woke up really early that morning. Which was really unlike her. It was summer after all and she never woke up earlier than 12 at summer. Ever. But she that day she had and couldn't sleep again. So she did what she always did if she couldn't sleep; played the piano. Music always relaxed her and piano was her favorite instrument. And the only she good at, for that matter. So she just went through her morning routine quickly and began. She just played, not really realizing what. She didn't care and to her, it didn't matter. So she kept on, losing herself in the music. If asked why she loved the piano so much, she would just say that she found the music coming from it nice. But, in reality, she loved it because it made her feel free. As a mayor of a secret town and the head in many missions, she always had something to do. She had responsibilities and, even though she wouldn't change anything, she still sometimes felt like she was missing something. Like life moved on without her. That's when she would play the piano. When she did so, she forgot about the rest of the world and for a moment she could stop being Seraphine Sharlin Cahill, mayor and born member of four branches and be Seraphine, a 21 year old girl. And she treasured those moments, because they were so rare. So she was playing again, lost in her own, personal world of piano music when she heard a knock. There goes the moment! She sighed and got up to open the door.

Ted heard someone approaching the door and guessed it was Seraphine. He suddenly felt that knocking the door might not be a very good idea after all. He heard the door opening and then

"Ted?"

She sounded surprised to see him there, so he said the first thing that popped in his mind.

"Good morning Seraphine."

"Good morning to you too. Is there something you need? Why did you come?"

Why had he come, really? He didn't know. He had just followed the music...

"I just followed the music."

Oops. He said that out loud.

"I mean... I heard music and I wanted to know who it was playing. I didn't mean to bother you. Sorry."

"No, no, you didn't bother me. Don't worry. Would you like to come in?"

"Uh... yeah, sure, why not?"

His fluency was incredible. She gently took his hand and led him in and to a couch. She then moved away. He didn't like that. The slight pressure of her palm against his was... nice. He didn't know why, but he had liked it.

"Would you like some coffee? Tea? Orange juice?"

"No thank you."

There was his fluency again. He felt her come and then sit beside him. Not close enough for her to touch him, but close enough for him to fell her presence. Say something! Anything! He thought. All he could think of, though, was the music. So he said something about that.

"You are a really good piano player you know. You were the one playing, right?"

Oh, God, what if she wasn't?

"Yes, it was me."

That's funny. She didn't sound at all like she did yesterday. She sounded like she was a bit... embarrassed?

"Did you really like it?"

"Yes. It was very nice."

Seriously now, he had to be more fluent. He was an Ekat for Einstein's sake! He always knew what to say. So what had happened to him?

"Thank you."

Okay, who was he talking to? He may not have known her for a long time (only a day, actually), but that was not how she sounded yesterday. Her voice still hid intelligence and power, but it was softer now, less business like. Maybe that was why he was at loss of words. She didn't sound like he thought she would. Then an idea hit him.

"Would you mind playing a bit? I would like to hear you."

"You want me to play for you?"

She sounded pretty caught by surprise.

"Yes. If you want of course! I'm not making you, or anything. I would just... like to hear you play."

"Okay then!"

Ted sworn he heard her smile. Then he felt her rise and take a few steps. He waited for a second and after that music filled the room. It was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard. It was soft and peaceful and... he couldn't really describe it. It was amazing. It was a delicate melody, one he could not identify. He figured he didn't care. The music slowly ended.

"Wow. You really are great at it!"

"Thanks!"

He wasn't lying. She did play extremely well. He used to play piano too, a long time ago...

"I used to play piano too."

Okay, what was the matter with him? First he doesn't know what to say, then he says exactly what he's been thinking...twice! This is a weird day...

"You did?"

"Yeah. A long time ago though. I haven't played for years."

"Why don't you give it a shot?"

Give it a shot? Give it a shot? She must have been kidding. He couldn't just give it a shot!

"No thank you."

"Why not?"

She sure is persistent, he had to give her that!

"Because I had never been good and it has been quite along time since I last played and I won't be good."

"What?"

Seraphine laughed. She was not making fun of him, however.

"I'm sure you'll do just fine! Com' on! I played!"

Ted was surprised. He hadn't expected that. Her laugh was... like an explosion of colors. Which ironic, because he couldn't see any color now, let alone an explosion. So he rephrased. Her laugh was like an explosion of emotions. He had the impression that who he was talking to now, was the real Seraphine. He didn't know why she was opening up to him, but she was. And he liked it. He hesitatingly gave in. Playing a bit of piano wouldn't hurt, now would it?

Seraphine found it easier to open up to Ted and that surprised even her. She didn't really know him and yet she was being herself. Maybe not knowing him made it easier for her to open up. Or maybe the effect of the piano hadn't worn off. She didn't know. What she knew is that she liked it. And when she had played for him... well that was a first. She had never played in front of anyone before. She had sung, but never played. That was something Shaunee did. She was talented when it came to instruments, while Seraphine could sing and write. They had a balance between them, so Seraphine had never felt like she wanted to play in front of an audience. But playing for Ted... It had been nice, actually. And he had complimented her on her piano skills, which really made her fell kind of happy? Satisfied? She wasn't sure. Something between the two. She suggested he played next. It took a while, but she convinced him. She took his hand again and led them to the piano. She knew she could just tell him and didn't have to lead him, but he didn't complain and, in all honesty, she liked the feeling of her hand in his. Another thing she couldn't explain. They reached the piano and immediately left his hand, feeling a bit awkward. She sat and so did he. He placed his hands on the keyboard, took a deep breath and started.

He was okay. He wasn't good, but he wasn't bad either. He did have potential though, Seraphine could tell. He did not play for long. When he stopped neither said anything for a while. Then Seraphine spoke.

"You are not bad you know. Maybe a little rusty, but certainly not bad."

"You think? Because I think I'm helpless!"

A small laugh escaped her.

"You are not helpless! Just need a few lessons. Hey! I could teach you!"

She was not planning on saying that. But she did and now she couldn't take it back. It was as if she had no control over her tongue for a second. But she was right. He did just need a few lessons and she could teach him.

"You could?"

She decided to stick on what she said. Her instinct told her that she should, and it was never wrong.

"I could. If you'd like me to."

She would realize it later, but she was wishing he would agree at the moment.

"I wouldn't mind, but there is a problem."

Ser was disappointed. She told herself it was due to the fact that he could actually be really good.

"What problem?"

"I cannot see. I won't be able to read the notes."

"That's not a problem!"

She was relieved.

"Really?"

"You can't see but you can touch, can you not?"

"Yes, I can."

"Well there. Music is not about seeing. It's about feeling. If you can touch the keyboard and can feel the music, you'll be fine. So, will we get on with the courses?"

"Yes."

Hardly had he said that when a screen appeared in front of Seraphine. A robotic voice was heard.

"Miss Seraphine, Sinead Starling and Ned Starling have asked to see you and miss Shaunee. They sent a message: 'Good morning Seraphine, good morning Shaunee. You asked to see us and Ted today. We don't know where he is, but we are awake. Could you come in contact with him and then speak with us? Thank you'"

"Oh right! Come on Ted. We have to find you siblings and my sister."

She took his hand and led him out of the room, where they found Shaunee.

"Good morning sis! Good morning Ted. I suppose you heard the message?"

She did not comment on why Ted had been in Seraphine's room, nor on why her sister had been holding his hand. She knew Seraphine would talk to her later. Now they had other things to do.

"We have. Shall we get going?"

"Going where?" asked Ted

"To find your siblings of course." Seraphine responded.

Shaunee led the way, while Seraphine followed close behind, with her still holding his hand. (He hadn't complained yet, and they moved faster this way.) Once they took the turn to the corridor where the other Cahills stayed they immediately saw Sinead and Ned waiting for them.

"There you are!" Sinead and Ned said at the same time, relief evident on their tone.

Seraphine had left Ted's hand the second she had spotted them, so they never saw that. Ned took his place next to his brother and took her place in leading him. She wasn't pleased with the change, but let it pass. She had more important things to do.

"Good morning Sinead, good morning Ted!" both sisters greeted

"Good morning. What did you want to talk to us about?"

"Straight to the point I see!" Seraphine joked. "Well, we'll get to that. We can't talk in here now, can we? Let's go. We'll go to the conference room. There we will be able to talk."

They reached it and sat in a small circle. It was Shaunee's turn to do the talking, so she began.

"We are aware that Ned and Ted have been facing problems since the incident at the Franklin Institute during the Clue Hunt. We were given details about the problems you have been facing and we think we might have come up with something."

"What do you mean by 'come up with something'?" Sinead asked.

"We believe we might have found a way to help them."

"Help us how?" asked Ned.

"By treating you."

Silence welcomed Shaunee's worlds.

"How can you do that?" Ted's voice was a whisper.

"We have been experimenting on pills that may help Ned temporarily and have been designing surgeries which could have permanent effect."

"How?"

"The pills are based on a pill Ser created two years ago, to cure hangover. It's effects were superb. It cured hangover within a minute and had almost no side effects. The headache wouldn't return but it wouldn't prevent another hangover if the person got drunk again. The surgeries are something completely new. Nothing is perfected yet and there is plenty of work to be done, but we are optimistic. If the five of us worked together... we think we would be able to make it."

Nobody spoke for a while. Then:

"How long will it take?"

"If we do work together, about a month of work on the pill and three months on the surgeries."

"Only?"

Seraphine and Shaunee smiled and Seraphine persponded.

"Yes."

"Do you really think it will work?"

"Yes."

The Starlings didn't even have to look at each other. They all said in perfect sync.:

"We're in."

"Good. We start tomorrow."

The twins and the triplets smiled. The former because they would have a chance to help people. The later because there was finally hope. Solid hope, something they could rely on.

No one of them knew it at the time, but this day was bound to change their lives for ever.

A/N: Oooh spooky ending! Tell what you think in your REVIEW! Any suggestions? I would love to hear them! Also, could some one please tell me age of the Starling triplets? (I don't care in which series.) Thank you!
Any kind of criticism is accepted, but please be polite.

Love,
Burning Tulip