Becky knew he was interested in her. How could she not have noticed? It was in his puppy dog eyes and his inarticulate mannerisms. She knew now that things weren't as hopeless as they'd once appeared. That was why she knew that 'help you with your physics' really meant 'spend more time with you.'

That was why she hadn't even brought her physics book. Becky knocked on the door to the subway turnaround and heard a crash.

"Dave?" she called.

There was a scrambling and a brief argument. Then the door jerked open to reveal a rather harried Dave

"Oh, hi," said Dave, "I uh-"

"Dave," came a deep voice, "is that company I hear?"

The word 'company' was said with deep distaste. Becky looked past Dave to see Balthazar trudging up the stairs.

"Hello Balthazar," Becky said, "I'm-"

"Becky, I know," said Balthazar.

His eyes looked her over once.

"You're taller now," he said at last.

She frowned but didn't say anything. Balthazar turned to Dave.

"I thought we were training all day," he said, "For the whole 'magical emergency' that's sort of important."

Balthazar inclined his head to Becky.

"Could be the end the world."

She felt her heart sink. Of course he would have something more important going on. He was a sorcerer after all and- did he say the end of the world?

"Okay, I can see this is a bad time-" she started.

"It's not the actual end of the world," Dave said, "He's grossly exaggerating. Not really an emergency either. Aren't you?"

Balthazar gave him an intense look.

"Fine," he said, "I needed to pick up your anti-itch cream anyway."

He wriggled past Becky and left the room. Dave threw his hands up in the air.

"He's really difficult," he said, "And I don't need anti-itch cream."

"Mmmhm," said Becky, coming in and shutting the door behind her, "He seems nice. Must have been an interesting ten years."

"It was," Dave said darkly.

They stared at each other awkwardly for a moment.

"Oh," said Dave, "There's something I want to show you."

Dave hurried down the stairs. Becky watched in puzzlement as he started levitating large pieces of equipment around like it was a commonplace happening. The last thing he put in place was what looked like a cage. He stepped inside and started to type away on some of the keys. When he was finished he motioned for Becky.

She went down the stairs, wondering what on earth was going on.

"You should probably step into my cage now," he said.

Becky smiled.

"First time I've heard that one."

"I'm not surprised."

Nonetheless she stepped inside.

"You should hold onto that bar there."

She did so; the set-up looked intimidating enough without disobeying his instructions. He tapped a few more keys on his computer and the lights dimmed. Then what looked like lightning whizzed by, making a sound and sending a shower of sparks into the air. Becky jumped and drew back as another and another struck.

"This magic?" she asked uncertainly.

"Science is kind of magic, but it's just Tesla coils," Dave said, "They going at such a speed and frequency that they make sounds. Watch this."

He tapped a few more keys and the bolts changed patterns. She listened for a minute before her mouth dropped open in realization.

"You really were listening!" she said.

Dave laughed.

"These coils are my life," he explained, "Four years I'm down here working with them and they're making their own music, and it was lost on me and I was never able to appreciate it, until I met you."

Becky felt her breath hitch.

"And I heard you talking about music on your radio show…"

He sighed.

"I'm sappy."

She stared at him and bit her lip. An urge to kiss his awkward smirk off his face came over her. If she had known him for less time than she had then she would have dismissed it. However, she did know him. She'd known him since they were little. And now she felt ready to take a chance.

Boosting herself on her toes she put her hands behind the back of his head. His eyes grew wide which was the last thing she saw before she kissed him. At first nothing happened and she was afraid that she'd made a mistake. Then his lips started to move beneath hers, a hand brushing hair away from her face. Definitely a good decision.

.

.

.

Balthazar opened up the small compartment in the basement of the Arcana Cabana. He gently touched the surface of the Grimhold with her picture on it before putting it down. With some more rummaging he took out a small bundle of cloth. Balthazar unfolded it to reveal a necklace.

"It's for your," he explained, "Just like everything is."

He swallowed.

"That kid. He's never reminded me of myself more than now with Becky. I just wish ou could be here."

Putting the necklace back in the cloth he leaned back.

"His powers are growing though," he explained, "I don't know when he'll be able to take the ring off and do magic that way but…"

His voice trailed off. He swallowed again.

"…but maybe he'll be able to free you soon," he finished, "And I hope he can. God knows we've waited long enough."