John Black and John Smith approach a crime scene. Black's dog is walking by his side. Firefighters are still in the area but their job is done.
"Mr. Governor?" asks the first police officer they encounter, befuddled by his appearance.
"FBI," answers Smith, holding his credentials up. They are real, no forgery, magical or mundane.
A similar scene repeats with the leading investigator. This time, Black introduces the old man as agent Smith. Presence of the two of them confuses the detective and piques his curiosity. The fire suppressors in the flat didn't work for some reason, that's strange, but he didn't know that there was something greater going on.
There is nothing they can tell from a body burned to crisp, apart from the fact that it belonged to a female. They will need dental records to confirm her identity but at the moment, they work with an assumption that it was the inhabitant of the flat.
The flat is badly damaged by the fire as well. Black probably won't be able to find any scent traces there. Luckily, the fire didn't spread much thanks to the sprinklers outside of the flat.
Smith tells the detective that he would like to take a look at the body after it is transported. He may need to take a few samples, depending on what is Black going to find.
They leave the flat to take a look around. Black checks the roof, just to be sure, but there is nothing there. No wonder - the building is high and stands alone. He catches up with Smith.
While Smith sits down, Black and his dog search for scent trails. He returns after a while.
"There were three of them," he reports. He doesn't need to say the word vampire. "One arrived separately from the other two. Probably before them. He lingered here for a while. On the side where the flat is. Those two weren't tracking him but headed straight to the building from different direction. If they started following his trail in the end, it had to happen in the area which was already trampled by people in the meantime."
"Did they leave together?"
"Oh yes. Judging by footprints, our guy struggled but only a little."
They will need to wait for dental and Smith's colleagues will check the samples for traces of vampire venom but they are starting to get the picture. The woman was an ex of a stockbroker whose career crashed and burned a year ago when he was used as scapegoat in yet another financial scandal. That was when they separated. He vanished shortly afterwards, just like Rufus Feller many years ago. Various hints suggested that he was still alive.
Feller (through Stefan) confirmed their suspicion that he was probably recruited by vampires and turned into one himself. However, Stefan claimed that neither Feller nor his fledglings were behind it and that they had no idea where he was. They weren't sure whether they should trust Feller - he was a true vampire, after all. It was only later when they learned that a portion of his little kingdom had splintered away.
The leading investigator and his colleagues walk out of the building. They tell Smith that they are leaving and ask him whether he'll be joining them. Smith accepts and shakes hands with Black.
"What was he doing there?" asks the detective on the way.
"Oh, I just needed his dog," answers Smith in matter-of-fact tone. "And him too, of course. The dog doesn't understand English commands."
The detective stares at him for a moment before he asks, "Are you serious?"
"I'm always serious," deadpans Smith. "Governor Black is always happy to help the federal government."
That is true. John Black endorsed the current president and they have been chummy ever since.
Christian stops at the familiar bend of the road. This is the first time they are accompanied by Kate and Elliot.
"OK..." drawls Elliot. "Why are we here?"
Kate struggles in vain to spot something.
"Can you spot it from here?" asks Ana, feigning enthusiasm.
Kate and Elliot shake their heads.
"Great. Put these on."
She gives them headscarves.
"Ana, what's going on?" asks Elliot nervously.
"Just go with it," tells him Kate and ties hers around her head so it covers her eyes.
"And remember to keep your eyes closed too. No peeking."
Christian gives his brother a look. Elliot sighs and does as Kate has done.
When they remove their scarves a little while later, they see the house.
"Wow," comments Elliot. "This is one well hidden property."
"Yes, very private," agrees Christian.
"And very rustic. Are you sure this is your style?"
"It's similar to our grandparents' place. I always liked it there."
In the meantime, Kate is looking around for the ghost. Ana notices that and points her in the direction of Mrs. Morrison who's looking at the newcomers from a window with a neutral expression in her face. Kate narrows her eyes, she still can't see anything. Alas, Kate and Elliot being utterly non-magical can't be called even remotely surprising. Finding two "squibs" in one location was already statistically improbable.
Elliot takes a look around the house. Christian discusses some of the renovations they want to do. Elliot sees that it isn't like the Trevelyans' place - it seems way older, probably more than it really is.
"Dude, the biggest problem here is the insulation," he says after some time. "This will be a black hole for energy. The electricity bill will be enormous."
"There's no electricity here," reveals Christian dryly.
That gives Elliot a pause.
"For real?" he asks.
Christian merely cocks his head.
Elliot has to chew on that for a moment. He can't imagine his brother living without electricity.
"Well, gas then."
"No gas either. There's a fireplace though."
Elliot is shocked.
"This isn't just roughing it. You'll freeze to death."
"I'll put on a coat."
The girls arrive and Ana puts her arms around Christian from behind. She makes sure not to put any pressure on his chest - he is still getting used to being touched.
"Don't worry, I'll keep him warm," she promises with a mischievous smile.
Elliot is conflicted. The construction expert in him tells him that it is all a nonsense. His other side finds the last bit very amusing. He sighs and raises his hands in surrender.
"And what am I supposed to tell the boys?" he asks. "They don't do late eighteenth century slash early nineteenth century historically accurate homesteads."
Christian is about to answer but Ana beats him to it. "Don't worry. Between Christian and me, we've got it covered."
Elliot is getting exasperated. "Ana, you've got no idea what are you getting yourselves into. You on the other hand," he points at his brother. "You should know better."
"Now, now, you underestimate Ana," tells him Kate. "From what I understand, this isn't much different from her childhood home."
"Almost," agrees Ana. "No electricity but it does have gas. This one is way older and more charming."
"I meant doing all the work without any crew," clarifies Elliot. Then again, he is equally exasperated about Christian and Ana wanting to live in an unheated and uninsulated home.
"That's how we do it where I come from. My parents built their home on their own, just with their relatives helping them. The same with my brother John and Sue and all the others."
Elliot gives an exasperated sigh and tosses his hands. Then they get to business and start discussing the needed repairs in detail.
Christian, Ana, and Taylor are perusing the decoded contents of Hyde's former work computer's hard drive. Ana isn't sure whether she should be seeing the materials - they are all about Christian's family. However, he doesn't mind her presence so she stays. After all, what concerns them concerns her.
Hyde is obsessed with them, that much is sure (and there is no telling what is on his personal computer). There is a lot of research about Christian but even more of it about Carrick.
"Have you ever met Hyde before?" she asks.
"No, never."
"Then perhaps your father. During his career. Has he ever worked with juveniles?"
"No. I'll discuss this with him. Perhaps he'll remember something."
"May I suggest additional security for your family?" proposes Taylor.
"Yes, of course. Hire more people. Make sure they are low profile, my family probably won't like it as it is. Elliot will most likely refuse out right."
"Then he should reconsider his anti-gun opinions," asserts Ana. "Kate can teach him, she was a beginner herself not so long ago."
"I have no intention of suggesting such a thing to him. It's unlikely that he will be ever targeted anyway. If Hyde ever decides to do something drastic, and that's a big if, he will most likely target one of the others."
"Moreover," argues Taylor. "If he starts learning now, he won't be able to use a firearm in anger in any foreseeable future. It would do more harm than good."
"I guess you are right," concedes Ana.
Christian's various business deals never sleep - he has to go to a meeting in Portland again. For the sake of expediency, he decides to fly Charlie Tango.
Nothing noteworthy happens during his flight there or during the meeting.
On his way back, he thinks about the recent changes in his life. He is getting married. That's big. He finds it strange that in the face of all the things he has learned, this is what he finds most daunting.
Suddenly, he spots something red outside. His head snaps towards it. It is a bird. It's Fawkes. Or possibly some other phoenix, Christian isn't sure whether he would be able to see a difference. He flies along his helicopter and for a moment, Christian wonders whether the bird isn't being careless. As Christian looks at him, Fawkes swivels his head and looks right back.
Fawkes's presence unsettles Christian. He hasn't come back since that first time. What could his sudden appearance mean?
He takes a look at the instrument panel. Nothing. He considers calling the tower. But what would he tell them? That there is a magical bird flying around? Speaking of the bird, he doesn't see him anymore.
Christian starts reducing his speed and altitude. He grabs his phone but there is no signal. He remembers the mirror Ana gave him. That's when the fire alarm lights up.
Being on alert already, he doesn't even consider that it might a malfunction of the fire detection system. He turns the supposedly burning engine off and engages fire suppression. Only then he considers that Fawkes may have been trying to warn him not to do it. After all, he doesn't smell smoke.
It doesn't matter, he decides to land immediately. A few moments later, the other engine starts burning too. This time, he does smell smoke.
He crash lands in a clearing he has picked up. Activating fire suppression on the other engine and shutting everything down, he grabs his bag and a fire extinguisher and gets out quickly. Hanging around only long enough to subdue any remaining fires, he puts some distance between himself and the aircraft.
He checks his phone again, already knowing that there is no signal. He opens his bag and rummages in it for a few moments. There it is, he hasn't forgotten to pack it. Activating it with the pass-phrase, he waits for Ana to answer.
"Christian? What's going on? Why are you in a forest? Aren't you supposed to be flying back?"
"You wouldn't believe what just happened to me."
He tells what occurred quickly, making sure to mention Fawkes. That gives Ana a pause. As is usual when the bird is involved, she has to consider his motives. Was he there to warn Christian or to block Alice's vision? Then again, Alice never met Christian and she isn't attuned to him. It is highly doubtful that she would be able to see anything, even if she wasn't stretched thin already. So maybe Fawkes was simply hedging his bets.
"Very well, we'll pick you up," she says when he is finished. "It might take a while to find you. Is there something you need me to do first?"
"Yes. Tell Taylor to call my parents. I don't want them to worry."
"What should he tell them?"
"That I had to land. As a precaution. I'll discuss it with father later."
"I'll be right back."
She calls Taylor and tells him what happened. In the meantime, Christian scans his surroundings. He spots Fawkes, sitting on a branch. The bird locks eyes with him and takes flight.
"I just spoke with Taylor," reports Ana when she returns. "He doesn't like this. Is Fawkes still there?"
"He just left."
"Dammit. What if it was a sabotage designed to force you to land?"
"If it was a sabotage than its intention was to kill me."
"Still, you better get moving. This is why you should carry a gun."
"Don't start."
He checks the GPS on his phone and reports the position.
"I'll go towards the road but it's a few hours."
"We'll meet you there. But maybe I should ask my sister to bring the truck. Just in case."
The truck and perhaps a few hippogriffs and Quileutes to ride them (Lily herself is too heavy). That would do the trick.
"It's a little out of the way from La Push," disagrees Christian, balking at the idea of somebody spotting a flying car. "Simpler to just report this to the authorities."
"Yes, I'm sure Taylor will do that."
Taylor has concluded his call with Carrick.
"Are you ready?" he asks Ana.
"Yes. We should bring rifles, just in case."
Taylor has finally convinced Christian to let him follow Jacob's advice and store an assault rifle at the place. He intends to purchase a new one for the purpose but the paperwork hasn't gone through yet so he has brought one of his own for the time being.
They retrieve their weapons - Taylor his vintage A1 platform and Ana a battle rifle.
"Don't forget to pack the papers for that thing," reminds her Taylor. He said that just in case, but also to subtly insinuate that it may be an overkill.
"Can you drive?" asks Taylor when they get to an SUV. "I need to make some more calls on the way."
In the end, their worries prove to be unsubstantiated. They reach the road Christian is heading shortly before him. His battery has been drained by the GPS so he doesn't know his exact location and Ana can't locate him telepathically from such distance yet. Ana wants to go search for him but the two men convince her that it is simpler to wait for Christian to reach the road. They pick him up when he does.
"Glad to see you're OK, sir," greets him Taylor.
"I'm glad to be OK," replies Christian jovially.
Ana leans on the car, folds her arms, and shakes her head, smiling. Christian smiles back at her.
Ana wants to go back to Seattle but with the authorities and transport crew (for the helicopter) on the way, they decide to stay. Christian drinks some sparkling water and makes phone calls. Grace sounds disturbed even though she doesn't know what a near miss it was. Christian reveals the details to Carrick right afterwards. As expected, Carrick understands right away that simultaneous malfunction of both engines can't be a coincidence.
"Perhaps I could take a look at the helicopter in the meantime," proposes Ana. "See if I can sniff something out."
"Perhaps rather not, if I may say," disagrees Taylor. "Authorities would wonder what are those additional footprints doing there. Or giant paw-prints, for that matter."
"I agree with Taylor," says Christian. "It could be considered messing with evidence. Let's leave it to the authorities."
"OK," surrenders Ana. "Any smells have probably waned out during the flight anyway."
Speaking of not raising suspicion, they get their story straight on when and how has Christian contacted them when there was no signal at the site of the crash. They can't possibly tell the truth (about the mirrors) but they can't have any cracks in their story either.
A recovery crew finally arrives along with a FAA official and someone from Airbus. Christian is interviewed. He makes his account as boring as possible. A warning lighted up. He decided to land, as a precaution. It proved to be a nearly simultaneous failure of both engines. The end.
"You know, perhaps it was better this way," muses Ana on the way back.
"Excuse me?" reacts Christian.
"That there was nothing deeper behind this. Whoever sabotaged the engines - if it was a sabotage - is probably just an ordinary guy working alone. He didn't mean to force you to land, he hoped to make you crash and burn. He probably didn't consider that you are a cautious pilot. And now he's angry that he's tipped his hand in vain."
Christian narrows his eyes.
"That's speculation."
"Maybe. And maybe it's really that simple. A hater with a false image of your person. Somebody who sees you as rich idiot who likes flashy cars and helicopters. Somebody who doesn't realize that Charlie Tango is just a matter of convenience for you. That is, unless it's yet another ex who didn't really mean to kill you and just cries for help."
Christian takes a breath to refute that but he changes his mind.
"That's highly improbable. Welch has double-checked on them after the incident with Leila. Any further surveillance would be stalking. At some point I've got to respect their privacy."
"Very well. Let's hope we'll find out more soon."
They reach the garage of Escala. Ana and Taylor grab their rifle bags. Christian didn't know about them before. He gives Taylor a look. Taylor shrugs and heads to a lift.
A surprise awaits them up in the penthouse. Christian's parents and Gail are waiting for them.
"Oh, thank God!" exclaims Grace and rushes to Christian. She gives him a hug while trying to respect his limits as much as possible.
"Mom, what's going on?" he asks, momentarily surprised. He doesn't return the hug at first and when he does, he does so with one arm only.
"What's going on?! You almost crashed!"
Christian gives a quick glance to Carrick. He specifically didn't tell Grace the details because he didn't want her to worry. Alas, Carrick's expression tells him that he didn't tell her anything. Maybe she sensed that she wasn't being told everything.
"Not you too!" he tells her, feeling a little bit guilty. He doesn't want to lie to her and while he didn't state anything, technically, his meaning was obvious. He decides to misdirect her.
"Ana and Taylor were worried too," he continues. "Look how worried!"
He grabs an edge of Ana's rifle bag and tries to hoist the bag up to bring Grace's attention to it but Ana yanks it away from him.
"Christian!" she admonishes him in a hushed tone.
"What? What is that?" asks Grace, befuddled. Carrick closes his eyes in consternation for a moment.
"Nothing, just a precaution," retorts Ana and goes to put the battle rifle away.
Taylor excuses himself and follows the suit. Gail brings Christian a bottle of beer. She asks him what he would like to eat but he has eaten already.
He spends some time talking to his parents. Wearing dirty clothes, he doesn't even sit on a couch and sits on the floor instead. Grace struggles to keep herself from reminding him that it is unhealthy.
When they leave, Grace gives Christian another hug. Carrick shakes his hand and inconspicuously whispers to him that they'll talk later. Christian acknowledges with a light nod.
Ana is going over results of her proof-reading with an author.
"You are very meticulous," says the author diplomatically.
"Thank you."
"I mean, is it really necessary to nitpick everything?"
"We live in the age of Internet. When one fan notices something, it will be public knowledge the very same day."
The author doesn't argue even though she believes that tiny flaws in a story are part of what makes a writer's art special, just like print errors on rare stamps.
"I wonder how long is your zeal going to last," she comments instead.
"Until I've got half a dozen children on my hands. Then again, they do grow up eventually."
The other woman shakes her head in amusement. She has raised only one herself and considers it more than enough.
They continue in their work.
"You know, I was worried when I learned that you had replaced Jack," she says when they are done. "But now I see that you can fill his shoes."
More than fill, thinks Ana. Then again, he was more experienced.
"Do you know why he left so abruptly?" asks the author.
"And with a loud door-slam on top," chuckles Ana, referring to the article. "I guess it was itchy feet. He doesn't stay anywhere for long."
It is true, just not the whole truth. There is no reason why "his" authors should know the details.
"Definitely a sabotage," reports Taylor. "That's why both engines failed simultaneously."
"Are they sure?" asks Christian.
"Five people have been fired already for letting the saboteur gain access to the craft."
"Any indication as to who might be the culprit?" asks Ana.
"Well," starts Taylor and gives Christian a fleeting look, debating with himself whether he should discuss that with him first. He dismisses the thought. "They've found a partial finger print. Jack Hyde."
"I see," comments Ana somberly. There is a moment of silence.
"Well, let's track him down and put a bullet in the back of his head," she adds.
"Is that how your brother does business?" exclaims Christian.
"His political business? Most certainly not."
"Excuse me," intones Taylor. "I do not track people down and I don't put bullets in them."
"I was talking about myself, of course."
"No one will be tracking anybody down!" states Christian. "For the purpose of putting any bullets anywhere, that is. We should find out what he's up it and keep an eye on him."
"I'll make the arrangements."
Seeing the soon to be new tenets making repairs and small changes on the house and the property, Mrs. Morrison starts inquiring about their wedding plans. Normally, Christian wouldn't like to be pushed into something, especially by a ghost. However, he has to admit that he has asked Ana to marry him already and setting a date would be appropriate.
Both their families know their intentions. What Christian's family doesn't know yet are the time-frame and the location. Ana confirms what Christian has already suspected - she wants to have the wedding in La Push. She and her family always assumed that it was going to be the case. Apart from tradition, it is a way to advertise the fact that he is joining the family to the rest of the tribe.
Christian asks whether something special will be expected of him during the wedding or after it.
"Don't worry," laughs Ana. "You are marrying me, not the tribe. So, everything will be as normal for you."
She doesn't have to mention that he won't be becoming a Quileute citizen, Christian knows that.
"Well, we'd better take a trip to La Push," she adds. "You need to finally meet my parents."
She can see how will it go already. Her dad will be frowning sternly and mom will be supportive.
Christian and Taylor arrive to the Greys' house. The family is waiting for them there already. Taylor is carrying four folders with NDAs.
"Hello everybody," opens Christian. "As you have surely heard, Ana and I will be getting married in La Push. As you may have also heard, the area has been a military space for some time now. Don't worry, you won't need a special clearance. Signing these will suffice."
"But we haven't met Ana's family yet," complains Grace.
"You've met some of them already," evades Christian. He is talking about Carlisle.
He gestures to Taylor who passes the folders around.
"Remember," Taylor cautions in a lower tone. "This gives Uncle Sam power to deal with you in case you talk. So please, don't talk to anyone who haven't signed this about what you'll see or learn."
It may seem as impractical. They could have the wedding in Seattle and keep everything a secret. However, Christian doesn't think that lying to his family is realistic in a long term - especially with Elliot being involved with Kate and his own possible transformation.
When all have signed, Taylor is sorely tempted to say "Ana is a werewolf!" just to see their faces. He keeps his mouth shut. Christian thinks it is better to ease them into things gently at a proper time. They will start realizing that things aren't what they expected as soon as Grace sees Carlisle.
Carrick asks what is it all about and Christian gives a careful, evasive answer. He deflects by posing a question whether they think the grandparents should be in La Push as well. It would mean them having to sign too. They are considering having a second reception in Seattle after they return from the honeymoon anyway.
"Of course they have to be there," insists Grace.
Christian agrees. Grandpa Theodore of all people should be there and he is glad that he doesn't need to cut the number of guests down that much. That means they'll have to sign as well.
"Now, let's talk about the wedding," opens Christian. "Am I right to assume that all of you are opposed to eating whale meat?"
The room erupts.
"Of course we are!" insists Mia, echoed in various ways by the others.
"Is that something that will be required of us?" asks Grace worriedly.
"No, absolutely not. In fact, John Black never partakes himself from what I hear."
"Well, that's a relief," jokes Carrick.