He had set her up in an upstairs guest room. They both slept for a full six hours. He woke up first, though, and was quick to act on Count DeMorgan's idea right after showering and dressing. He called up a local jeweler for a complex order to be started. On getting the guarantee that it would be done in the next few hours, he chuckled and promised extra pay for the rush job and delivery of the finished product. Then he contacted the seamstress to let her know that the dress would be picked up shortly. On the offer of a delivery to cut down on travel time, he accepted.

After that, he called up the man in charge of the Officer's Ball. He was delighted that the detective and his guest would be able to attend. When Dupin dropped a hint of possible reinforcements needed, the man was quick to listen carefully. The phone was quickly passed on to the Chief with a brief explanation of the problem. He took the call without another moment to spare.

"You have proof of the crimes done?" the Chief asked.

"A whole book full," Dupin said. "Marjery and I both witnessed it, too."

"Say no more. I'll rally up the boys after the ball."

"If you could spare a man to check on Marjery's home, I would appreciate it. They know of her whereabouts now," he said. That was quickly agreed to, as well. At another thought, he mused at the idea of her moving in with him. But, that wouldn't be until she decided on what she wanted to do. I have more than enough space to accommodate her. I'd actually feel much better about it, too. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he couldn't fathom the idea of her living without him. Then he finally caved in at one thought. I'm in love with her!

He had to act cool, though. If I bring up this new emotion to her, she may become withdrawn. He witnessed this all too well with their rehearsal acts of affection. With a heavy sigh, he knew what he had to do. I have to act like nothing happened. At least for now. Knowing this, he wisely went into his study to draw up some paperwork and write out some notes of his new travels.

After an hour of intense notes, he glanced up to find her walking in with a small plate of toasted biscuits, jam, and a pitcher of milk with two small mugs. Chuckling, he smiled and cleared a spot for her to set the tray. He was a touch hungry, too.

"I figured we could both use something," she smiled. "And your kitchen is a frightful mess! How am I supposed to find anything in it?"

"I know where to look," he said and spread a little jam on a biscuit.

"And your faucet was leaking. I had to fix that, too, just to wash up a few dishes," she mumbled and poured herself some milk. He rose a brow at her with a small smile.

"Just think of it as small tests to keep up your wit."

"Small tests? Really?"

"But, of course! I always have to have my assistant ready at a moment's notice."

"Speaking of being ready, did you want me to pick up the gown from yesterday?"

"No. It will be delivered soon. I also don't want you to go back to your apartment today. I have some authorities that are going to check in on it from time to time. They know where you live now," he said with a slight warning tone. She could only nod in agreement. "You have your luggage here. It's plenty for now. Right?"

"Yes. You are correct. I'm good for a couple of days, if needed," she nodded again. "Um, do you still have the crystal with you? The one I gave you that was a match to mine?"

"The small one you gave me? Yes, I do."

"Please keep it on you. I'd feel...safer that way."

"I believe I left it on my night stand. Can you get it for me? I'll keep it in my breast pocket the moment I receive it," he said. She rose up quickly to do just that. He caught himself studying her figure in the slender white sleeping gown and robe she wore. He blinked himself back to reality and cleared his throat. He never saw her dress that way before. She actually had a stunning figure! It was going to be hard for him to keep with the act of playing it cool with that thought.

When she walked back in with the small crystal, he accepted it from her. He noticed how her dark brown hair was a touch loose, and it actually seemed to be able to stretch to the middle of her back. I didn't know she had hair like that! Was it even longer?

"Is there anything else you need me to get for you?" she asked.

"No. I'm good, thanks," he smiled. Then he noticed something. "Ah, where is the ring I gave you? You're not wearing it?"

"Oh! Well...I figured it was best to remove it. We don't need to keep up the act, right?"

"Ah. I suppose not."

"You sound...disappointed?"

"Not at all. I just didn't expect you to take it off so soon. I thought it fit you well."

"It did," she said with a soft blush. "But, it belonged to your pocket watch..."

"No, no. It's fine. I will need it back, though. To put back on the watch."

"I can get it for you," she nodded.

"Not yet. You should shower and clean up first. We do have plans for tonight."

"Ah, yes. The ball?"

"Exactly. The guest bathroom should be ready for you."

"You had a puzzle on that lock. Thankfully, I was able to solve it," she chuckled. "It took me a while to find the small wolf figures to put in place, though. You hid them quite well!"

"You were able to solve that lock?" he asked her with disbelief. "And locate the pieces?!"

"But, of course, my dear Detective Dupin," she giggled. He gave her another odd look of surprise. Then she found herself blushing hard. "Um, I'll go clean up..."

She was flustered and embarrassed now. I had no plans to call him that! Just as she reached the door, she found him behind her with his hands on her shoulders.

"Maggie..." he whispered. She tensed, but this time he felt it wasn't with awkward fear. "I want to...ask you something. Of importance."

"Yes?" she asked weakly.

"Would you move out of your small apartment...and live here? With me?" he asked slowly.

"W-what?!" she asked with complete shock and turned to face him.

"I just worry that you will be living alone in that place after everything I've learned about you," he sighed. "I would feel horrified, if something happened to you."

At this, she swallowed and straightened herself up to say evenly, "You just want me here to clean up your messes and fix your puzzle locks when they fall apart, don't you?"

He threw his head back and laughed heartily before regarding her again. On thinking of what to say, he responded with, "You can think whatever you choose, my dear. I'm only thinking of your safety. So, I ask again. Will you live here with me? So that I can protect you? I'm sure you'll appreciate it when you don't have to travel across town to visit me anymore."

"True. I could give my shoes a rest," she chuckled.

"I'll even get you a set of slippers," he smiled.

"I've never had slippers before," she blushed. "Um...well...considering the circumstances..."

"I truly am thinking of your best interests."

"I know, Dupin. And I think I will have to decline your offer."

"Well, that's wonderful! Wait, what?!" he asked incredulously.

"I just...with everything going on...and with what happened yesterday..."

"Maggie, please..."

"I don't want you to call me that anymore, either..." she trembled. She was distancing herself from him. He didn't release her shoulders yet. Instead he evaluated everything. He figured it out.

"My dear, you don't have to protect me," he said gently.

"But, I must!" she whimpered softly. "I have a very weak bloodline! I just..."

"I know what your heritage is now."

"But, it's worse than that," she whispered. "My family...they all end up dying young."

"What?" he blinked.

"It's a rare condition. I don't know if I have it. But...if I do...I don't want my children to have it, either! It's also why my parents wanted me to marry. To try and fulfill my life, if something did happen. So, not only did I not want to get married, I didn't want to think that my life was too short. I'm not sure if that's also why the town did what it did to keep everything in. To only accept travelers that happened by. I honestly don't know..."

"Then we'll test your blood. Right now," he said with a look of determination. She gasped when he grabbed her hand and practically hauled her to his medical room. On looking at the lock, he groaned. "Marjery, I'm sorry. I just...you are my assistant. I care very deeply for your well-being. Please..."

"And I care very deeply for yours, too," she whimpered. "And I was right..."

"About what?"

"The rehearsals we did. They became something more."

"I won't lie to you, Maggie," he swallowed. "You're right. By a hundred percent. On top of that, it was Stanley that started the thoughts for me to pull off what I did with you."

"What?"

"You honestly didn't sense the sheer amount of jealousy that came from him, did you? I doubt you ever did," he frowned. "It affected me. It...rankled. I don't know how else to explain it. And I didn't want someone like him to have any more hold on you."

"So...you decided to put this burden on yourself?" she asked softly.

"I had to. I never asked about your past out of respect. But...the moment you called me in a terrified voice over that letter from your sister...I knew something was wrong. That I couldn't bear to hear that sort of terror in your voice. I didn't know it at the time, though. But, I do know this. I don't want to hear that come from you anymore. I dropped everything I was doing and came straight to you. In truth, I'm terrified to let you even leave my sight right now. Because they know where you live."

"Dupin..."

"I'd rather have them swear and kill themselves over a simple puzzle lock than be able to simply kick in a door to take you from me," he said bluntly. "You saved my life, Maggie. From a gunshot wound to the chest. From chandeliers crashing on me. Even being trapped by supernatural things. I know for a fact that I can't let you out of my life. I am your guardian angel, as you are mine."

She swallowed and trembled. Looking at the medical room lock, she sighed and said, "I need a pitcher and three cups of water. I need to balance these scales precisely."

"I'll get them for you," he smiled softly. He didn't leave just yet, though. Instead, he let one of his hands come up to gently caress her cheek. That was when she knew exactly how much he cared about her. She rested a hand on his and shivered.

"If you just stand here, I can't open the lock," she whispered.

"Then come with me to find what you need," he muttered gently. She looked up at him with her large, light-green eyes. Before he knew what was happening, he kissed her.

"Dupin...!" she gasped when he pulled himself back.

"I'm sorry!" he hissed. "I couldn't..."

She was breathing hard from the small shock. He was still shaking from what he did. When her hand moved to trace over his cheek, he winced. She knew that it wasn't with pain, either. After another deep breath for control, he kissed the inside of her palm and forced himself to stand tall. He glanced at the puzzle lock and gestured for her to follow him. She nodded and swallowed, as she followed him into the kitchen. With her help, they found the items she needed for the lock. The pitcher was filled up and taken to the lock.

He watched her calmly measure out the various amounts needed to open the way to his medical lab. Once in here, he had her sit down in a chair. She looked away when he managed to use a sterilized swab to clean the area before using a syringe to take a sample of her blood. Placing a ball of cotton on the small wound, he told her to press down to stop the bleeding. He placed various drops of her blood on a few slides and altered them with chemical drops. On studying them, he seemed to sigh.

"Bad?" she frowned.

"No. You're perfectly healthy," he smiled softly. "I think it's the men that have the issue. Do you recall the limping gait they all had? Most of them, anyways?"

"Yes. It was rare for the women to have it. And...oh! I think you're right," she blinked. He checked where he took blood from her and was relieved that the bleeding stopped.

"I will check for any children that come from you, though," he said. "To see what I find."

"You would be my personal doctor?" she blushed.

"An emergency field one," he grinned. "Since...your children could be mine, too..."

Now she blushed even harder. "Not yet, though."

"No. I haven't asked you to marry me. Yet."