So, I'm just not gonna even bother with an author's note.
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"Pssst, Reagan!" Everyone else was asleep except for Madison and Reagan, and Madison decided to lighten the mood between her and her twin.
"Yeah?"
"Are you and Ted officially a couple?" Reagan threw her pillow at Madison and the two shut up, although Madison giggled and Reagan blushed.
She still hadn't let go of Ted's hand.
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"Wow, you know not many people can shock me twice in one day, Elizabeth."
"Yeah."
"I don't think we should tell the others."
"Well, Amy already knows."
"Damn, Amy knows more about my own girlfriend than I do."
"Well, she's been my friend for a while, and we've only been dating for a bit."
"Yeah, I guess. Also, Amy doesn't know what it's like to kiss you."
"Duh. We're ju-Mmph!"
"…"
"…"
"I like using that method to shut you up."
"While, I don't like being shut up, it is really fu-Mmmph!"
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"Ok, love. The painting disappeared after being bought by the owner of the casino."
"First of all, don't call me love. Second of all, does he have some sort of private vault where he would keep it?"
"Yes, love, however he's arrogant. He most likely keeps it in his room, thinking that no one would dare try and take it. I'm going to send Hamilton to help you."
"Why Hamilton?"
"He's surprisingly good with computers and can hack the owner's security giving you enough time to pop in, grab it, and get out. Sound good, love?"
"Okay, bye Ian."
So, maybe she didn't remind him again to stop calling her love, so what? It had nothing to do with the fact that it caused her to blush, and feel like a swarm of butterflies where bouncing around in her stomach. Nothing to do with that.
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"Hey, Nellie?"
"Yeah, Phoenix?"
"Can you tell me a story?"
"What kind of story?"
"I don't know, just something to distract me."
"Okay, kiddo. Once upon a time there was a spoiled prince, and a spoiled princess who ruled the land with their evil parents."
"Nellie, I said a story, not a story based on the Kabras."
"You caught onto that, huh?"
"Yep."
"Fine. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away,"
"Not Star wars, either."
"You're making this pretty tough, kiddo."
"Tell me a fairytale."
"Fine. I'll tell you the story of little red headphones."
"Is that like little red riding hood?"
"Yes, only it's awesomer, now shush."
"Okay."
"As I was saying, Once upon a time…"
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"Ned, you can't just keep working without a break, I know you're worried, but as your sister I'm ordering you to stop."
"Fine."
"Reading a physics book isn't a break."
"Sinead, why don't you go bother your boyfriend."
"I can't, he's off in Monte Carlo helping Amy."
"See! Hamilton gets to help, so should I."
"Ned, you've narrowed it down to ten possible countries, you need to sleep!"
"I can sleep when I'm dead."
"Ned, sleep! If you do not I will knock you out with poison."
"Fine."
Ned sings Heavy and The Slow by Andy Grammer
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Madison and Reagan were close, and Madison loved her sister, but she was jealous of her.
Reagan walked first.
Reagan got to pick her purple tracksuit first.
Reagan woke up first.
Reagan was able to break a board in half with her head first.
Reagan was allowed to take ballet first.
Reagan got her Starling twin first.
Reagan even got kidnapped first.
Madison was always second, and she doubted that she would ever get her Starling twin. Because he, 'didn't like her like that.'
She wanted to curl up in a ball and die. Slowly. Because that's what this felt like.
No matter how much knowing he didn't like her hurt Madison, a part of her wished he was here so that she wouldn't be so lonely.
Madison sings Wish You Were Here by Avril Lavigne
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"Hey, Sinead."
"Hi, Elizabeth, hi, Jonah."
"Why'd you say Elizabeth's name first!"
"Don't be so immature, Jonah. She said mine first because I'm awesomer."
"Actually I said your names in alphabetical order, but whatever."
"Oh."
"Ha."
"Shut up, Jonah."
"So, how's Hamilton?"
"He's fine. I think Ned is actually more upset than him though."
"Oh, because he and Madison like each other?"
"What?"
"You didn't know?"
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"Reagan?"
"Yeah?"
"Does Natalie spend all of her time in the corner sulking?"
"Yep."
"Oh."
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"Okay, security is down."
"Got it. I'm in the room."
"The painting should be hanging above the bed."
"I see it. You're sure the security and alarms are off."
"I'm positive."
"Only fools are positive."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"Okay, do you have the painting?"
"Yep, leaving the building with a Vermeer tucked under my arm."
"Okay, see you back at the hotel."
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"And so the evil wolf tried to take away Little Red Headphones IPod away, but she kicked him and ran off to Grandma Grace's house, and lived happily ever after."
"That story…"
"Yes?"
"WAS AWESOME!"
"Thank you!"
"Can I hear another story?"
"Sure. This one is about Cinderella and the glass ear buds…"
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"We delivered the painting to the Vespers, now we just have to wait for another text."
"Okay. You alright, love?"
"What do you mean?"
"You sound tired and sad."
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Alright, well get some sleep. Bye, love."
"Bye, Ian."
Since when did Ian care so much about her?
Ian sings Little Bird by Ed Sheeran
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In Monte Carlo a man walked in to a room to find his most prized possession gone. Meanwhile, Vesper one looked at that prized possession and smirked.
Vesper one sings There's A Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered by Panic At The Disco
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Ned went to sleep at 12:50 and woke up at 5:00, so technically he got some sleep. All he could think about was solving the problem of where the Vespers where. He couldn't go off and help Amy and Dan because of his head aches, but he could do this.
He would stay awake for hours if need be, he wouldn't be able to sleep until he got this done.
At 7:00 Sinead found him asleep, drooling on maps and charts.