The crackling of the roaring fire in the fireplace provided the only disturbance to the silence that filled the library. Kate shifted positions to lay flat on her stomach on the leather couch. She propped her elbows on a pillow and continued to read from the book she held a few inches from her face. Sighing, she flipped the page, enraptured with the story before her. It had been a long time since she'd read any Poe, and she'd forgotten how easily he could draw a reader into his tales. Kate kicked her feet behind her gently while humming a familiar tune, still engrossed in the story when there was a sudden noise, as if someone had cleared their throat. Kate snapped the book closed and quickly moved herself into a seated position on the couch, racing to put her heels back on and smooth out the wrinkles from her gray trousers. She shoved the book under the cushion of the couch and sat atop it. When she was satisfied she looked presentable, she glanced up and found Abe floating effortlessly in the tank before her, his head to one side and his arms crossed over his chest. He shook his head and chuckled.
"I truly didn't mean to startle you."
Kate brushed strand of hair behind her ear which had come loose from her bun.
"No, it's all right. I was just uh…"
"It looks to me as if you were reading the book you stole from the library," he said with a tone that indicated he might have been smirking if his features had allowed him to do so.
Kate let her arms fall limp at her sides for a moment, defeated, before rising to retrieve the book from under the cushion.
"It's been a long time since I've read any Poe," she mused, more to herself than to the creature in the tank before her.
She traced the outline of the cover with her fingertips for a moment, remembering how the book had come to her.
Abe seemed to pick up on her thoughts instantly.
"You're worried it was a warning."
When Kate didn't respond for a moment, he went on.
"The poem you read back at the library. You're worried it was a warning from Ystehogol."
Kate set the book next to her on the couch and watched it, as if she thought it might get up and run away.
"I think he was still in the library when we were there, Abe. Why else would the book have fallen right when I was there to see it? Is it possible that…he might be powerful enough to hide himself from someone with powers like yours? It may have been why you didn't detect him there."
Abe momentarily let himself float absently while in thought. He nodded slightly.
"I suppose."
He seemed reluctant to think he could have not been able to sense Ystehogol.
Kate hadn't meant to offend him, but she was starting to strongly believe not everything was known about Ystehogol.
"I only meant that the poem was clearly foreshadowing something," she offered.
Then something struck her.
"Abe, I don't think he made the connection between me and the fact that I'm the one he's been coming to in my sleep."
Surprised at the sudden revelation, she glanced up at Abe.
"That's quite possible. If he cannot read your mind in your dreams, it's also possible he cannot get a clear image of your appearance either," he concluded, making small circles with his webbed feet in the water.
Kate's mind was racing, and she was overwhelmed with a sense of frustration.
With a huff, Kate buried her face in the pillow next to her on the couch.
"Mmf, hrrm hmmf mmh," was her muffled response.
"I understand your frustration, Kate. Manning was out of line, and his decision was much too harsh," Abe said, not needing to hear Kate clearly to know what she had said.
Kate sat up and propped her elbows on her knees, resting her chin on her palms.
"I feel like there's so much more to find out. It's completely unfair."
The two were silent for a while, listening to the popping of the dying fire. Kate stared meaningfully into the fire. She could see Mrs. Hardy's face clearly in her mind when the widow had asked Kate to find and stop Ystehogol. The image was soon replaced with the lifeless bodies of the former agents in the library.
There was a soft tap and Kate craned her neck to watch the tank as Abe held his hand against the glass. His gaze was sympathetic and she knew he was seeing what she was remembering.
"I know this is important to you," he began softly, "but, for the time being, let the rest of us worry about this. In the meantime, we'll work on your exercises in case Ystehogol attempts to contact you again."
Kate let herself sink a little more into the couch.
"He won't come back. I'm not researching him anymore, remember? That's why he was able to get to me."
Abe shook his head. "There is too much that is unknown about Ystehogol. We do not know what he might know about you and he may-well be able to contact you again."
He had a point, but Kate was still reluctant to continue with their lessons. If Manning found out she was doing anything Ystehogol related, she feared that would be the end of her work at the Bureau.
Reluctantly, Kate nodded. "All right."
Abe suddenly turned his attention to the golden doors and a moment later Manning came strutting into the library, his arms full of manila folders and papers. Kate had a sinking feeling which was confirmed when Manning reached where she was sitting and dropped the massive pile of papers in her lap. She grunted when the pile hit her lap; it was just as heavy as it looked.
"I need these filed by tomorrow morning," he demanded, placing his hands on his hips and glaring down at her.
"It's almost ten o'clock at night," said Kate, gawking at him.
Manning shrugged. "You've got all night."
Restraining herself from wringing his neck, Kate closed her eyes for a long moment before she spoke.
"I'm a research assistant, not a secretary. If you need someone to do this kind of work, then hire somebody else, because it's not part of my job," she argued calmly through clenched teeth.
She could see the heat rising to Manning's cheeks and the large vein in his forehead beginning to pulse.
"Your job is to do whatever I tell you to do, and if you ever have the urge to refuse an order I've given you again, you might find yourself back at the library cataloging books. Am I clear?"
Seething, she was about to retort when Abe's voice rang clearly in her head.
"Do not say anything you might regret, Kate. We need you here."
Kate glanced at him quickly before turning her attention to Manning.
"Yes, sir."
With a satisfied smirk, Manning nodded and headed back the way he had come.
"Very good," he called cockily over his shoulder.
The moment he let the doors shut behind him, Kate groaned.
"Can you believe this? I was hired on as a research assistant and here I am filing papers when I should be doing more important things. And all of this is just because he thinks I made him look bad by sneaking out behind his back."
Sighing, she shoved the pile of papers off of her lap and on to the cushion next to her.
Abe watched her.
"I know this is difficult, but you cannot do or say anything now that may jeopardize your job. You're needed here, Kate, whether you believe it or not."
With a half smile, Kate let herself sink comfortably back into the couch.
"Thank you," she whispered.
It was the first time in a while she'd felt useful, and she was glad to know someone cared about her staying. Abe picked up on her gratitude and gently touched the glass paneling separating them.
Kate smiled, contented with the idea she had a true friend.
---
"Damn it, Manning," Kate cursed under her breath.
Not only was there a terrible amount of papers which had to be filed, but Manning had given her papers which were almost impossible to file. Half of the information seemed not to fit in any particular area of the archive room, and Kate was finding she had to constantly make new folders and reorganize the outdated folders already present. Frustrated, she slammed down a large stack of papers on the floor next to her and brushed the same annoying strand of loose hair out of her eyes. She knew she looked terrible; her eyes were bloodshot, her hair was coming loose from her usually perfect bun, her glasses were sitting crookedly on the end of her nose, and her suit was wrinkled from her time spent lounging around the library reading. Holding her head in frustration, she finally let herself fall backwards and lied still on the cold, metal floor, gazing up at the ceiling.
Manning was right up there with Hellboy on her list of annoyances. Ugh, she didn't even want to bother thinking about Hellboy. It had been a couple of days since their yelling match during which time she'd spent reading and surreptitiously researching more on Ystehogol and his previous attacks. John had said Hellboy hadn't quite been himself since then, and Kate was glad. She needed to know Hellboy might feel sorry for the way he had treated her. Normally, she would have found something to blame herself for, but in this case, she knew it was all on Hellboy, and she hoped he knew it too. It would have to be up to him to apologize to her for what he'd said.
Kate suddenly stopped counting ceiling tiles and sat upright. Why was it she wanted his apology so much? It certainly wasn't as if they'd developed a close relationship or anything. On the contrary, they tolerated each other more than anything. So, why had she been finding herself waiting for him to show up at her bedroom door for the past two days, ready to apologize? Whether she cared to admit it or not, Kate knew, in a way, they had developed a strange sort of friendship over the time she had been at the Bureau. She even occasionally enjoyed their time together, but only occasionally. Their clashing, stubborn personalities tended to get in the way of any type of strong friendship, but Kate almost wanted him to apologize to her and for things to be alright again between them. She didn't know why, but she simply just did.
Glancing around the room at the piles of papers surrounding her, she groaned loudly and resumed her work once more. It wasn't long before she found herself drifting off. She did not know the time, but she guessed it was late, and her work was nowhere near finished. Agitated and knowing she'd be up for hours, Kate pushed herself up from the floor and headed sleepily to the door, planning to head to the kitchen for some coffee.
The hallways were empty, and she groggily pressed on until she found herself at the doorway of a dark kitchen. For a moment she groped for the light switch, finally lighting the room and making her way to the coffee maker. After grabbing a mug, Kate noticed the coffee maker was filled with fresh coffee. She cocked her head and stared down at a hastily scribbled note sitting on the counter.
Thought you might need this. Abe told me you'd be working late. Good luck. – John
Shaking her head with a smile, Kate poured the coffee into her mug, added her customary excessive amounts of cream and sugar, which had also been set out for her, and shut the light off in the kitchen, making her way back to the archive room.
She hadn't made it far before she felt a sharp pain in her chest. Stopping dead in her tracks, Kate placed her hand over her heart, wondering what could have possibly brought about the pain. She shook it off and continued on, only to stop a few moments later with the same pain. Without warning, the pain began to worsen, spreading throughout her body. The mug grasped in her hand fell and shattered as it hit the floor, a puddle of coffee mixed with the remnants of porcelain. Kate hardly felt her knees buckle and connected harshly with the floor a second later. Gasping in excruciating pain, Kate reached for her waist, attempting to find the belt locater Abe had given her a few days ago. He'd told her to keep it on her at all times in case anything happened. Finally feeling the button, Kate pressed it and waited. It felt like decades before she heard pounding footsteps on the floor from somewhere nearby.
Hellboy rounded the corner, heart racing, and with a start found Kate lying helplessly on the floor. She looked as though she was having a seizure, convulsing violently and pale as could be. Hesitating only for a moment, he knelt down next to her. He was reluctant to touch her in the state she was in, but he had to get her out of the hallway. Gently, he picked her up. In his arms she continued to shake, and Hellboy could almost only see the whites of her eyes as he watched her. Panicking, he began to head in the direction of her room when he realized his own room was closer. He ran as quickly as he could while still holding Kate securely and reached his room shortly. Laying her down gently in his bed, Hellboy sat on the edge of the bed beside her, in a state of panic.
Professor Broom and Abe had left earlier on a trip, and Hellboy had no idea what to do. He left for a moment, returning quickly with a cold, wet towel which he placed on her forehead; she was incredibly hot and sweating. Watching her, he realized there wasn't anything else he could do for her. Feeling it might be best to simply wait it out, he took her clammy hand within his own.
"It'll be okay, kid," he whispered, not truly knowing if he was speaking the truth.
He felt helpless watching her tremble there in front of him, and he desperately wished Abe were there to know what to do to make her better. He continued to hold her pale hand between his red ones, hoping her condition would change soon.
It did, but it had been an excruciatingly long ten minutes before the shaking died down and she rested silently. Hellboy lifted the towel from her forehead and let his hand rest gently there for a moment, sighing with relief when he felt her fever had broken. Trying not to wake her, he lifted the covers over her small form and then crossed the room, falling into his leather chair. He breathed deeply for a moment, relaxing now that he knew whatever it was had passed. A nearby table served as his footrest, and Hellboy sunk back into the chair, watching Kate from across the room.
He wouldn't sleep that night.
A/N: Well, here's lucky chapter thirteen for you! I cannot begin to express how truly sorry I am this took such a long time to get out. My classes are killing me this semester. But, no excuses. I'm just glad I found some time to get this out. Thank you to The-Gothly-Emo, who has stuck with me this WHOLE time and then got this chapter back to me with corrections only a couple of hours after I sent it to her. How amazing is that?! Thank you to all my reviewers (we've made it past 100 reviews!) and to those of you who continue to read this little story. Take the time to leave a short review (although, longer ones are acceptable too, haha) because it really keeps me going. Again, thank you and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!