"And that's basically what you need to know," Balthazar said, "As of last night we repelled Horvath and his associate. That's where we stand."

Veronica nodded.

"So what do you plan on doing now?"

Balthazar shrugged and cracked his neck. The night before he'd gotten Veronica to his room so she could sleep in comfort. He'd seen her wide eyes at all of the modern things, but she didn't say anything. He figured she was too tired to ask. She wasn't tired enough to protest against him going downstairs and taking the couch. It wasn't as though he had it in him to say no to holding her for hours, so he didn't put up too much of a fight.

They hadn't slept long. He estimated that it was about five in the morning when she woke up. Veronica was used to the days where they would spend hunting Morganians. Then sleep was scarce and to be snatched at different moments. Balthazar was looking forward to acquainting her with the time-honored practice of sleeping in.

"Not sure," said Balthazar, "There's Becky to think of in this mess too now and she's still weak. The body burns its own energy when it heals so she'll be out of it for a few days. You could have done better I'm sure."

"Not in this state," Veronica said.

She snapped her fingers. There was a momentary spark before it died.

"My power has been depleted by the Grimhold," she said, "I don't know when or if it will return."

Beneath her casual tone he could hear the pain in her voice. He gripped her hand in his. Balthazar knew how important her magic was to her. It was a part of her, something that had allowed her to break down social barriers and rise above stereotypes. Magic had kept her from making a loveless marriage and going to court.

Veronica would have been special without her magic. There had never been any doubt about that in his mind. However, he knew that she missed it.

"It will," he assured her, "I'm sure of it."

"And how can you know something like that?" Veronica asked.

Balthazar shrugged.

"I just do."

Squeezing her hand tighter he said;

"Either way, they know what she means to him now if they didn't before. We can't send Becky away."

"No, we can't. It's too dangerous," agreed Veronica, "And this Becky, she is the Prime Merlinian's betrothed?"

He laughed and shook his head.

"No, they're…I suppose they're…courting," he replied thoughtfully, "It's not exactly the same thing today; it's called dating. But it's about as close a translation as I can get it."

An image came to his mind of Dave and Becky being engaged and he shook it off.

"Dave acts like a fool around her now," he said, "I'd hate to think of what he'd be like if they were engaged."

"Dave, Becky," sighed Veronica, "Where do these names come from?"

"Laziness mostly," Balthazar said, "Dave is short for David and Becky is short for Rebecca. Just things for that."

He sat on the edge of his bed. Veronica shifted her position so that she sat directly behind him. The hairs on the back of his neck rose in response.

"So you've been training him for ten years," she said, casually brushing her fingertips against his shoulder.

Balthazar coughed.

"Yes, I have," he said, "I've taught him everything he knows. But…I think we should have taught him together."

Veronica smiled.

"I would have loved to have been there with you," said Veronica, "But I'm sure you did more than enough. He certainly had the power to free me last night."

"Yes. I…I think he might actually be one of your descendants."

She started and then a small smile of wonder came to her face.

"And so now I can see Ruth's offspring myself," said Veronica, "I always told her that she'd do great things."

"Well, having a descendant like Dave counts," he said.

"From what he's done for us, what he's going to do, then I believe it does," said Veronica, "Where are his parents?"

"Dave's parents died when he was little," said Balthazar, "He was moved to an orphanage. I've officially adopted him actually."

"Adopted?" asked Veronica, crinkling her eyebrow, "I'm not sure what that means."

"It's sort of like having a ward," said Balthazar.

He hesitated.

"But it's more. Legally, in the eyes of the law and the state and for all intents and purposes, he's my son," he said.

One of Veronica's hands went to the side of his face. She turned it so that she could look him in the eyes.

"You have a son?" she asked.

"Not biological," Balthazar said hurriedly, "He wasn't…he had a completely different set of parents I just-"

"Shhh," said Veronica, kissing him lightly on the lips, "I know. I know there wasn't anyone else. I know you never left me, not really."

Balthazar reached out and held her to him.

"Your faith in me is staggering. You never even asked, just knew," he murmured, "How can you be sure of something that?"

She smiled and pulled away.

"I just am," she replied.