Author's Note: First of all I just want to say I was shocked by the reviews and PMs, I didn't expect that kind of reaction to Chapter 49. I knew it was heart breaking but still, that was honestly shocking. I had no idea how many of you loved the characters to such a being said I want to thank all of you who are reading, reviewing, PMing andeven emailing me. I hope you can forgive how long this took. Originally 49 was longer but I had to break it up and then do some adjusting to the timeline. I hope all of you enjoy.

Chapter 50: A Gleam in the Distance

Sebastian stared at Claude with wide eyes, as the words rattled around inside his head. "Dad, who is he?" asked Claude, he was a little more commanding than before and his tone was firmer. Sebastian slowly backed away as he felt his heart shatter, his eyes stung and his shoulders shook. Of all things to happen to him, Claude didn't remember, everything was gone. The room was silent and Sebastian felt their gaze upon him, he couldn't look at them, all he could do was stare at the man laid up in bed. Tears were threatening to fall free as Sebastian searched for his voice, which he had somehow lost. All his confidence seemed to vanish as though it were merely smoke. "He's," Lucius began only for Sebastian to say, "a coworker." There was silence in the room as he said this, "A friend and coworker," he elaborated in hopes that somehow if he said this he would be able to stand beside Claude just a little longer.

"I don't remember you," said Claude simply as his eyes finally fell on Sebastian. The Patissier hummed as he wrapped his arms around himself, "We met only recently, I'm new to Noir," he stated. Golden eyes stared back in confusion as the Head Chef tipped his head to the side, "Noir? I don't work at a place called Noir, I'm working on getting my degree in business," he stated. Sebastian was fighting tears, his head spun as he drew a deep breath, Claude didn't even remember him. It was as though he never existed. There was silence in the room as the Patissier bit his lower lip, it was taking everything he had to not breakdown. "You're a chef, the Head Chef of one of the most prestigious restaurants in London, you do have an MBA but you are a master chef as well," Sebastian explained. Silently praying that something in his explanation would spark a memory, anything to see those golden eyes filled with passion and fire. Now they were dim and lost, they looked nothing like the ones he knew.

"You're joking, cooking is just a hobby of mine, nothing more. What do you do anyway? Honestly dad if this is a joke I'm going to kill you," stated Claude. Sebastian stared at him blankly, this man wasn't Claude, not the one he knew, "I'm a Patissier, we do work together, you also work with Ronald and William," he explained. Claude's golden eyes glanced over at the other two, "Will, what happened to your shop? Isn't that the kid you met at the winery in New York?" he asked curiously. Sebastian looked over at the Sommelier and Head Waiter as they exchanged glances, William smoothly stepped closer to the bed and said, "Claude, my shop has been closed for four years now, going on five. I was offered a job at the restaurant and Ronaldy has been living with me for several years now."

Laughter filled the room as Claude clutched his sides, "No offence Ronald but do you honestly think he can survive you're world?" his eyes glided over to Sebastian and he hummed, "And you, you're what a little over twenty? Fresh out of school? You claim to be working at a top restaurant but at your age you should be working as an apprentice," commented Claude harshly. Sebastian closed his eyes and drew a shaky breath, he could hear Claude still speaking and felt his body shake. "Claude, what year is it?" asked Lucius slowly. Claude hummed and tipped his head to the side before responding, "2003, why?" Eleven years had vanished with the bat of an eye, it was gone like smoke through a keyhole.

Sebastian opened his eyes and looked at the bed before responding, "It's 2014, Claude," his voice was soft and cautious as he slowly pulled away from the bed and looked around the room. "You've forgotten eleven years of your life," whispered Sebastian as he felt the agony build inside of him. He wanted to bury it all but knew that was impossible. He slowly pulled back, he wanted to desperately wrap his hands around the man and hold him tight, to scream and shout in agony. Claude looked at him in confusion and then to his father, "You sure he's stable, it's only 2003," he commented. Sebastian took a step back and watched as Lucius gently touched his son's hand. "Claude, what's the last thing you remember?" asked Lucius. Claude groaned with irritation and then looked at him, "Easy me telling you I was going back to Paris in order to negotiate a contract," he stated. His golden eyes looked at William and he asked, "Will, what the hell are you doing in New York? I thought you'd be in Paris serving the wines."

William's eyes widened a fraction as he slowly approached the bed, Sebastian couldn't hold it together as he took a step back and turned on his heel. Quietly he slipped away from the room, his head was spinning, and his heart throbbed, it hurt so badly he thought it would rupture. He was forgotten, Sebastian walked down the hallway and ignored the hustle and bustle of the nurses as they dashed by, the screaming of doctors, the yelps in pain from patients, he couldn't hear anything. The Patissier wrapped his arms around himself and tried to breath, his chest was tight and he felt as though the air had been kicked out of him. Unbidden tears fell from his eyes, he could feel the warm droplets roll down his cheeks slowly and his eyes stung. His feet guided him away from the room and he turned down a hallway to find it empty.

Sebastian leaned against the wall and tipped his head back, which caused his tears to roll down his neck and slip between his neck and the collar of his shirt. "He forgot me," he whimpered before crumbling to the floor, his head was in his hands as he cried, "He really did forget me," he choked. Tears were streaming down his face, he couldn't stop them and part of him didn't want to. The sounds of the hospital engulfed him and yet it was silent, it was as though he were simply furniture. He curled further into himself and whispered, "I got my wish."

~~xXx~~

Grell slowly walked into the pub, he had been wondering just what was going on since they were currently amassing quite a large group. He grinned as he swung his hips and walked down the street, his tall pumps were clicking as he moved and the dress caressed his skin. It had been a while since he wore the clothes he liked out in public, he chuckled at a pair of men who elbowed one another. The redhead winked before slipping into the pub, the air was thick with the scent of hops and shouting from men at the bar. Laughter grated itself against his ears and he sighed when he noticed a group gathered around a billiard's table. Standing stretched out over the table with a pool cue stick between his fingers and eyes narrowed was a very familiar blonde.

Gell paused as his eyes roamed over the man's body, he was strong and his eyes were still narrowed, a cigarette was resting in the ashtray near by, and with a quick snap he took his shot. The white cue ball flew across the table and slammed into the triangle, causing the balls to ricochet off the walls and fly over the green felt with speed. Grell's eyes widened as he watched them slip into pockets. Bardroy was leaning on the cue stick, his sunglasses were on and wore a smirk which made him gape. Every last brightly colored ball, both solid and striped landed in a pocket, leaving the black eight ball to teeter on the edge dangerously. There was a murmur before it finally dropped into the pocket and the white cue ball came to rest in the middle of the table.

"Whoa," whispered Grell as Baldroy looked over at the challenger, "Put the money on the table," he commented simply and the redhead watched a young man grudgingly stacking a wad of pounds on the table before marching off. Apparently some things did improve with age, other than just liquor, and Baldroy's sex appeal seemed to abide by the same rule. The massive man picked up his cigarette and closed his eyes as he took a drag. Grell looked over to see Snake dressed in a pair of tight black jeans and a rocker tee, Pluto was standing beside him in a button down with it's tails out and a pair of dark blue jeans, his hair was ruffled and he looked more like a dog than usual. He was shaking his head and quickly picked up close to 40 quid off the table. "My cut, after I was the one who found someone to play you," the white haired man commented before tucking the wad of cash into his pocket and running his fingers through his long white hair.

Grell slowly approached and noticed a small blonde boy sitting on a table, his legs were crossed and he was cradling a pint in his hand. His large eyes were sparkling in the light, there was something familiar about the blonde, he was wearing a pair of stressed jeans, with a white shirt and a bright red and black flannel shirt which was draped over his shoulders. His hair was messy and he laughed, "Oh come on Plu-plu, give him a break, we all know he kicks ass with a cue," he stated. Grell's eyes widened, there was only one person who had that high pitched voice that sounded more like a boy's than a young man's. Finnian was sitting there in the massive shirt and seemed to be enjoying himself.

He was about to shout out to them when he noticed a young woman wearing a pair of thick hipster glasses walk over, she was wearing a sleek short midnight blue dress which hugged every curve and left nothing to the imagination. She was standing in a pair of Jimmy Choo's that made her hips swing as she walked. Her auburn hair was cut in a bob and her eyes narrowed as she walked over with a coffee cup in hand. "I'll take you on," she stated simply as she placed her cup off to the side and placed several hundred notes on the table. Baldroy's eyes widened and he grinned before commenting, "Little girl you might want to back off before you blow all your money in one place." Grell stood before them and watched quietly, she was grinning as she placed her hands on her hips and shifted her weight, "What's the matter worried about getting your ass kicked?" she asked. Baldroy laughed loudly and the room seemed to start to gather around the table. "No, I'm worried about me schooling you," he stated as he matched her bet.

The young woman chuckled and replied, "Good thing I'm a fast learner." Pluto handed over his cue stick and she hummed as she looked it over. "Fine then, ladies first, you're going to need all the help you can get," he commented. She chuckled and nodded before slipping her glasses off her eyes, placing them on her head. Grell stared at her deep brown eyes and watched curiously as she leaned across the table and positioned the cue stick, her ass popped up in the air and she smiled before quickly thrusting the cue stick forward, the ball slammed into the triangle and he watched as two striped balls slipped into a pocket. She hummed as she walked around the table, "Beginners luck," commented Baldroy.

The young woman chuckled as she took her stance again and tipped the cue, with ease she dropped another ball into a side pocket and proceeded to freeing another. Grell watched in awe as she worked the table. Her eyes were always locked on the target and with each hit she sank another ball. "No fucking way," commented Snake as he walked over toward her. She was grinning from ear to ear as she looked at the eight ball which was a breath away from the lower left corner pocket and the cue was resting against one of his striped ones. He may not have played billiards but knew that shot was nearly impossible to make without sinking them both.

She looked up at Baldroy and winked before slipping on top of the table, which caused her dress to ride up, revealing her beautifully waxed legs, they were creamy white and he listened to several men do cat calls. She chuckled as she held the cue stick vertically and positioned it over the ball. The shot was practically impossible and yet she was going to attempt it.

"No way, she can't make that," commented Finnian. She smiled as she tapped the cue ball, the eight ball spun and looped into the pocket as the cue ball came to rest against one of the bumpers, all the while all of the striped balls were still out. "Made it," she stated as she slipped off the table and twirled the cue stick in her fingers. "Who are you?" blurted out Grell who was finally shaking himself out of his stupor, he hadn't seen anyone play billiards like that in decades. She was certainly good. The young woman hummed and replied, "Mey-rin." His mouth popped open as he looked at the group, they clearly were different outside the workplace.

Grell looked at each of them and attempted to find the words only for Baldroy to say, "Look, if you have business with us get it over with. I don't see you holding a cue stick so scram," he stated. At that the redhead was snapped back to reality as the normal Baldroy reappeared, lacking in manners as always. Grell shook his head and reached into his purse to pull out the envelopes. "I do have business," he stated as he dropped the stack on the table. All five of them stopped and looked at the envelopes and noticed a very familiar logo on them. "Clearly," whispered Snake as he hesitantly picked one up. "How do we know this isn't a trick?" asked Pluto skeptically. Usually Grell would grumble about how paranoid he was, honestly he thought the computer guru would get over it eventually, however he didn't want to open that can of worms, especially since liquor was involved.

Grell put his hands on his hips and rolled his eyes before plucking a card out of his purse and tossed it onto the table, the familiar VP shone on the stark white card. "Where else would I get that?" he asked. The five looked up at him in confusion, and then slowly walked over to him and asked, "So, what do you want?" Grell sighed as he walked over and plucked a beer from Snake's hand and took a gulp, "Not me," he stated as he tossed the envelopes on the table. There was silence as they looked at the stack on the table. "And here I was thinking that this was finally over," commented Snake before he snatched his beer back and glared at the redhead. He growled as he placed it on the table and Baldroy picked up his envelope. He broke the seal and stared at the contents, "Spared no expense and here I thought we were done," he commented as he flickered through the pages.

Mey-rin slipped her finger under the lip of her envelope and smiled brightly, "Oh my, I can have fun with this," she commented as she flickered through pages and looked at them intently, Grell swore he could see the cogs in her head meshing together as she started hatching a plan. It was startling to watch he pull a pen out and begin making notes, she finished her coffee and snapped her fingers summoning a bartender to her side. In a flash she was slipping her cash into his waiting palm, "Looks like I have some packing to do," she commented before turning on her heel and dashing out of the pub. Grell was confused as he watched the others open their envelopes, he had a feeling he wasn't going to know what was in them, that didn't seem to be this guy's style.

Snake and Pluto snatched their envelopes and didn't even bother opening them before leaving, Grell sighed as he watched each of them file out, leaving him behind with Baldroy. "He does realize this isn't going to be easy right?" asked the man after a moment. Grell was confused until he watched the Head of Security lay out the pages on the table, it was security footage of Claude being assaulted, Grell's heart stopped, he hadn't been told about the event he didn't know a thing about it and yet here where photos of it. His head spun and he gripped the counter tightly. "What?" he asked in confusion, the towering blonde sighed and looked at Grell, "He's safe according to this, but I've been asked to track down and dispose of the assailant, that's going to be tough since I don't have that kind of info," he commented. Grell shrugged as he began to wonder what was in the other envelopes and how this mysterious man seemed to know all.

"Call Ronald and William," he commented only to be met by a pair of very amused blue eyes, "What?" he asked after a moment. Baldroy pulled out a card and turned it around to show the note suggesting that he do so. "Freaky," commented Grell as he looked at the all too familiar script of the mystery man who had been giving them instructions. Baldroy nodded before slipping the pages back into the envelope and turning to leave, "You know, if I didn't know better I would say that you are him, then again you can't be because your handwriting is horrid," he stated. Grell glared and smacked him harshly in the arm, "Fuck you," Grell hissed. Baldroy grinned and replied, "He also isn't anywhere near as vulgar."

Grell growled as he watched the man leave the pub and went looking for his next lay, he was tired of playing the good guy. He did as the note instructed and now he could chase some tail. He walked over to the bar and looked at the bartender, "American Beauty," he said simply and the bartender was quick to make his magic happen. The entire time he became consumed with questions, one of them being who this 'VP' was and just how he knew everything.

~~xXx~~

William's lips parted as he made a motion to speak only to stop himself, "Claude, that event has passed," he said hesitantly and looked at the Head Chef. He remembered what it was like pushing Ronald away, to be in a hospital bed alone and in severe pain, the agony of his mangled body and broken soul. William's green eyes were locked on Claude that was the only thing he couldn't protect Sebastian from, Claude. Claude looked at William in confusion, "What? How did you do?" he asked. William smiled sadly, his greatest achievement wasn't that event, a smaller warm hand wrapped around his own and he was jarred into the present. He looked down at their entwined fingers and smiled at the wedding bands which seemed to be winking in the light.

"Very well, New York has produced some phenomenal wines," he commented. A smiled tugged at his lips as he remembered when Claude had heard the announcement at the event, "You were there actually, you were the one with the key," he stated. Claude's eyes narrowed, they were colder than before, judgmental and harsh in a number of ways. Clearly the Head Chef didn't believe him, and part of William hurt, now he understood how Ronald felt all those years ago when he woke up after the accident.

William pulled out his mobile and quickly scrolled through the images and pulled up the one of Claude sitting in a chair with the list and opened the metadata. "See?" he asked softly as he showed Claude the image. Staring back at the confused Head Chef was a young man with the same messy black hair and golden eyes, smiling brightly as he looked at the list and kept notes on his pad of paper. William was in the background as well as an entire panel of judges and the bottles resting on the table. "What?" he asked in confusion as he looked at the mobile, "It really isn't 2003," he whispered as he slowly raised his gaze.

He looked far more confused after looking at the photo than he did when he had just woken up. William slowly turned the screen off and slipped it back into his pocket. His green eyes were locked on the Head Chef as he slowly swept his hand through his hair, "No, it's 2014, and you are currently one of the most famous chefs in Europe, the man who was in here before is an award winning Patissier from Paris, with a reputation that puts even the finest to shame," William explained as he slipped his glasses off his nose, he held them up to the light and inspected them looking for dirt and dust. In seconds a beautiful merlot colored lenses cloth was in his hands and he was slipping it over the lenses. "You're married," Claude whispered and William paused before realizing that he was cleaning his glasses with his left, rather than his right.

A smile curled William's lips as he asked coyly, "Can you guess who?" Claude looked confused for a moment as he looked at the Sommelier, William could feel the man's gaze on his hand and his smile broadened. He noticed how Ronald seemed to shift nervously, his eyes were on Claude and he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. William slipped his glasses back on and suppressed a chuckle as Claude looked around curiously, "She's probably a looker, you were always high on the women's charts of future sperm donor," said Claude after a moment.

Laughter filled the room as William walked over to Ronald and hummed, slowly he wrapped his arms around Ronald's shoulders and kissed the man's neck, slowly running his lips over the smooth column, tasting his warm skin and savoring his scent. Ronald shivered as William nipped at the young man's neck playfully. He could taste Ronald's delectable salty skin against his tongue, it was slightly sweet and he smirked as he heard a low moan come from the young man. He noticed Luicus smirking and Claude looking rather stunned as Ronald lifted his left hand and wrapped it around William's, the matching platinum bands winked in the light as he did so. "Ronald?" asked Claude in shock.

William's green orbs left Ronald and gazed at Claude, he wore a lopsided smile and chuckled as he felt Ronald run his fingers through his hair. He loved it when the blonde pleated his fingers through it, making a mess of him, it was thrilling to feel someone stripping him away of his armor. "Yup," replied William with a grin as he nipped the Head Waiter's earlobe.

Claude blushed slightly as he looked at the pair, "When?" he asked. Ronald stiffened and gently pulled out of William's arms, clearly he was hurt. His head was bowed and William placed a hand on the young man's back. There was silence in the room once again, "What?" asked Claude in confusion. Ronald looked up and then looked to William before pulling out his phone and opening a photograph, "2004, we were engaged on New Years, we had a spring wedding in the Vineyard," replied Ronald as he turned his phone to Claude.

William knew the picture was one of Ronald's favorites, it had been a sunny day and the sky was cloudless, the vineyard was a lush green and it was possible to see the mountains in the background, it was quite frankly a perfect day. Standing in a beautiful white tuxedo with gray vest a blue tie and a beautiful smile was a very familiar blonde. He was wearing contacts so the massive glasses on his face were gone and had his arm wrapped around a very familiar man who was in a beautiful black tuxedo with a merlot vest and tie. He watched the Head Chef stare at the image, "You gave me away," said Ronald softly as he skipped to the next image where Claude had given Ronald to William.

Claude slowly dragged his finger across the screen and stared at the pair who were kissing and he was caught in the background clapping and smiling. "I was there," he whispered as he looked at the images, "Yes," replied Ronald, "You agreed to hand me off after my father refused." Claude gently pushed Ronald's hands back and looked at the pair before him, William could tell he was overwhelmed, and they had yet to tell him the most important fact, that Sebastian was far from simply a coworker. He paused and glanced around the room, only to realize the Patissier was gone. He looked at Lucius who looked concerned, and conflicted, he could tell the man just wanted to run and comfort Sebastian but at the same time didn't want to leave his son. "Ronald, I'm going to grab some coffee for Lucius and myself, want anything?" he asked slowly. His eyes were locked on Lucius' golden eyes and he seemed to understand that he wasn't really interested in coffee, "No, just something sweet and warm," whispered Ronald in reply, he sounded worried and at that second he knew what was going through his partner's head.

"Alright, I'll try to avoid the bitter stuff," he commented as he slipped out of the room and began to walk down the hallway, his shoes echoed as he moved, he hated hospitals but understood that they were important places of healing. It was odd how it was possible to observe the cycle of life by simply walking through a hospital, the beginning, the middle, the challenges and finally the cold ending when the last breath had been released before a person fell into oblivion.

He stalked down the hallways, his eyes scanned them looking for a familiar Patissier. He paused when he noticed a young man curled up in a ball leaning against the wall. The Sommelier let out a sigh before sitting beside the Patissier. He leaned his head back and looked at the ceiling, "He doesn't remember me," whispered Sebastian in agony. William closed his eyes, he couldn't handle seeing the man before him so broken, he hadn't seen it in such a long time, he had grown accustomed to seeing the Patissier smiling at Claude and the pair radiating love. He glanced over and noticed the young man shaking, he could tell Sebastian was sobbing and trying his best to avoid showing it. William slowly slipped an arm around the chef and held him close, "Sebastian, it's alright to cry when you are sad, I know it hurts, believe me I know," he whispered as he tucked the Patissier to his chest.

He could feel damp warm tears seeping through his chest and the talented hands of the Patissier grip his shirt harshly, "How?" he croaked. William ran his hand through Sebastian's hand in a soothing motion before whispering, "Do you know why Ronald always goes home with me?" he asked. He felt Sebastian shake his head before continuing, "Let's just say I know what it's like to forget someone," he replied. Sebastian slowly looked up at him, his crimson orbs were a brighter red than usual. "I know it's tough now but it will get better, we just have to find his trigger," he explained slowly, avoiding the ugliness of his own past. Sebastian looked confused before slowly sweeping back William's bangs, his eyes widened and the Sommelier sighed as he felt warm fingers trace an all too familiar scar. "I wrecked a rental car, when I woke up I didn't remember a thing, it was blank and I was met with a man I swore was an angel. It took a trigger to remind me who he was," he stated after a moment.

"Why don't you go home and get some sleep?" asked William.

Sebastian dropped his hand and slowly wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "I don't have a home and I don't want to go back to Ciel," he whispered after a moment. William paused, he had heard that Ciel had removed him from his flat, but didn't realize that in essence Sebastian was homeless. The Sommelier paused, he didn't have room for the Patissier, that and with the press about he couldn't risk Ronald's well being. He closed his eyes for a moment as he attempted to figure out what to do, putting him a hotel was dangerous, even with security something could happen and when he had tried to contact Vincent his call went straight to voicemail. "Why don't I see if you can stay with Lucius tonight?" he asked slowly, although he had a feeling he would turn this down.

He was about to say more when he heard the click of heels and watched as a familiar blonde knelt on the floor, "Will, shouldn't he stay with us?" asked Ronald after a moment. William stared at him and wondered just what he was thinking, "Look, I know the press is bad, however after this incident I'm sure Vincent will do some damage control, we should really get him out of here, he looks dead on his feet." William contemplated his partner's words when he heard Sebastian mumble something. He looked down at the Patissier and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Perhaps I should have just stayed in France and did as Angela wanted," he mumbled.

William felt his heart break upon hearing this and gently lifted Sebastian's chin, "To live a life within the parameters which have been laid out for you by another person isn't a life worth living," William began his voice was soft and yet commanding, "Life is all about unexpected turns, twists and the surprises make it all worth while," he continued and felt a warm hand on his shoulder, it was gentle and encouraging as he felt a familiar warmth on his right. "To live within boundaries isn't a life well lead, it's a prison with bars and windows where we can watch others living, but never ourselves," he said softly before giving Sebastian a squeeze, "You have had an adventure of a life and I would be upset if I didn't get a chance to see you again," he stated.

Ronald nodded and he watched as the blonde tucked a lock of hair behind Sebastian's ear, "You are a wonderful chef, never forget that," Ronald stated. William smiled at his lover and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips. Sebastian slowly sat up and looked at the pair who were sitting on the floor of the hospital with him. "You don't mind having me?" asked Sebastian tentatively. William could tell that he was uncomfortable returning to Claude's home without Claude, and in a way it made sense, it really wasn't home without the chef.

"Of course," William said after a moment. Sebastian smiled a little before pushing himself off the floor and standing before them. William followed suit, he didn't want to see Sebastian ever like that again, the man was too gentle and lovable for that. He glanced over to see the same look of determination on Ronald's face, clearly he was thinking the same thing. Now all they had to do was figure out how to put out the fires and get Claude to remember who Sebastian was. They couldn't end like this, William ached to see them both happy, it was cruel really. They were so close to being happy and yet this happened, it was as though fate didn't want them to be happy. William looked at Ronald and shook his head, fate had challenged his marriage, yet they still managed to get together. There was always hope, if he could be with Ronald than Sebastian could be with Claude. It was just going to take time.

~~xXx~~

The wheels of a Boeing 747 hit the runway with a screech jarring its passengers, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to New York, it is currently 2 in the afternoon, and it's a cool 43 degrees Fahrenheit and the sun is shining. I advise you to make sure that you have all of your belongings, and we thank you for flying British Airways," said the captain, a roar of applause rippled through the plane. A pair of brown eyes opened slowly and Mey-rin lifted her arms to stretch her tight limbs, she had fallen asleep on the plane and had the most wonderful dream. In her dream she had crafted the perfect hideaway.

A smile curved her lips as she got up and pulled her bag from the over head, she loved flying first class, there was so much room compared to flying economy. In moments she was swinging her bag over her shoulder and ran her hand through her hair in an attempt to tame it. She heard a grunt after she swung her bag and looked over at a young man who was rubbing his arm. "Sorry, I didn't see you," she said sheepishly and looked up into a pair of brown eyes; he had short brown hair and was smiling brightly. He was wearing a custom made suit and a pair of leather oxfords, he had a large divers watch and smelt of spices and sandalwood. He flashed his best smile and she was about to say something when she noticed a tan line from a wedding band. She smirked and crossed her arms, "Oh it's alright, first time in the colonies?" he asked, mocking a British accent.

Mey-rin mentally rolled her eyes and replied simply, "No, this is my 56th time state side, and no I won't sleep with you, and I advise you to spend more time looking after your wife than chasing my ass," she commented as she looked at a blonde smiling at him, she was clearly out of it because she didn't even noticed him flirting. The man gaped like a fish before Mey-rin chuckled and replied, "Besides you can't handle a real Londoner." After a moment she was exiting the plane and walking through customs, it was a breeze; then again she was a frequent flyer and loved the private lounge.

With ease she glided through LaGuardia and was making her way to the pick up center. Sitting at the ready was a familiar driver, "Andre!" she chirped as she skipped over to him and asked, "Ready to have some fun?" she asked. The driver shrugged and looked at her, he was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans, converses and a faded rocker tee, he looked nothing like the fancy chauffeurs Vincent preferred. Then again he was more of an assistant than he was a driver. Fun for him usually meant a ton of traffic, large loads, and a rather large check for his trouble. "Why not?" he asked with a grin, as he walked her out to his sleek black Volvo, clearly he knew she wanted to check out the location and noticed the tool boxes in the back as well as her favorite pair of shoes. Mey-rin slipped into the passenger seat and smiled as she opened her tablet and looked at the file, she had scanned it and was eyeing her drawings intently.

"What's that?" asked Andre once he was in the Volvo, obviously he hadn't taken a look at the address before hand. Mey-rin grinned and replied, "A special project." He looked at her in confusion and she chuckled before looking up into a pair of confused hazel eyes. "Don't worry just drive to the address I emailed you, I want to see it before I really start getting to work," she commented. Andre sighed and ran his fingers through his short black hair and started the car. It had been a few weeks since she had been in city again, she loved New York as much as she did London, which was a great deal. She loved prowling the streets at night and the challenge of creating the perfect atmosphere. Andre wove through traffic, his tan hands gripped the wheel and he was quick to make a turn down a familiar street.

She was tingling with excitement; in all honesty it had been a while since she had been given such a challenge and prompt. Usually she was working with celebrities or a certain enigmatic nobleman. The car slowed and she hummed as she slipped out of it, standing before her was a shop. It was dirty and the windows were so dirty that it was impossible to see through them, the awning was ripped and the paint on the door was pealing. Mey-rin hummed as she reached into her pocket and pulled out the keys to the building.

In moments she was slipping the key into the brass lock and gave it a twist. The door opened with a loud squeak to reveal a trashed inside, walls had been stripped of their drywall, the wallpaper was peeling in long strips, it smelled musty and she could tell there were plumbing problems. The floor was trashed and the fireplace was covered in a thick layer of black soot. Mey-rin slowly looked up and noticed that not only had the lamps been torn out, leaving the wires exposed but water spots on the ceiling. She put her hands on her hips and hummed as she looked at the counter and door, which lead to the back. Mey-rin shuttered at the thought of the mess that was waiting back there, she had a feeling it was worse than the front.

Andre entered the room and his jaw dropped, "You've got to be kidding," he commented. Mey-rin's heel clicked as she tapped her toe and smirked, "It has potential," she commented as a large chunk of the ceiling fell down and landed before her. Andre's eyes widened as he looked from her to the massive chunk of the ceiling that was now on the floor. "You've got to be joking, there's now way you can resuscitate this place. You should slap a DNR on it and run," he stated. Mey-rin hummed as she walked out of the shop and opened the tailgate of the Volvo. Her mind was teaming, she had heard it was a disaster however, wasn't expecting this. It only excited her, after all it had been a while since she was offered such a high price for renovations and was told just who it was for. She sat on the edge of the tailgate and slipped off her shoes, "Perhaps but you know I love a challenge," she stated before putting her heels in the back and grabbing her favorite pair of shoes, a pair of chunky black combat boots.

Andre crossed his arms and shook his head, "You're nuts," he stated. Mey-rin giggled as she tied her boots and stood up, her fingers danced over the tools in the back. She wrapped her hands around a pair of safety glasses; she smiled as she took her glasses off and slipped these into place. "Probably," she replied with a shrug as she grabbed a large yellow handled sledge hammer, "Then again that was probably why I was hired," she commented as she marched into the shop. Andre was hot on her heels, he had put on a pair of glasses, she smirked, honestly even though Andre was going to try and talk her out of it, he was just as likely to help. Out of the corner of her eyes she caught her reflection, the yellow hammer against her short blue dress with combat boots was an interesting combo, but then again, a sledgehammer was her favorite accessory.

Without hesitation she lined the sledgehammer up with the already crumbling wall, she had gotten her hands on the blueprints and knew the wall wasn't supporting any of the load. It was just simply there. The hammer may have been heavy but it was more than enjoyable to feel it collide with the irritating wall and listening to it slam into the drywall, causing the sheet to crumble and fall. Andre hummed and stated, "I'm going to call Jay, and see how soon he can get his ass here." Mey-rin nodded before swinging the hammer again, it was time to flip this place and she just couldn't wait to sink her teeth into the untapped potential of it.

Andre was walking out when he called, "Have fun!"

"OH I AM!" she shouted before swinging the hammer once again.

Review Replies:

Courtey: Thank you for taking the time to review, I know it was a shock but I think you guys will like this little twist. Don't worry Claude will remember eventually.

Glasses: Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad that you like the fact that the are back. Just wait I have some other people to bring in too who showed up in the beginning but haven't been back.

Audrey: Thank you for reviewing, I hope I wasn't too predictable, I know I'm mean but the ending is going to be an amazing one. I wanted to have one more chance at really tearing at your heart strings, to be honest I cried when I wrote those lines. I hope you like Sebastian's reaction. As for the cliff hanger, well it would have been a super long chapter if I didn't break it up. That just seemed like the perfect place to break it.

Victoria: Are you alright? You are really upset about this. Thank you for your review, I had a feeling that I would get a reaction but nothing of this magnitude. I hope you like Chaper 50 and that I didn't make you cry too much.

Guest: Hang in there! You'll just have to wait and see what I have in store. Thanks for reviewing though.

Anonymous: Thank you for taking the time to review, I hope you still like reading, I had a feeling I would make some people cry but not this many. I can't help but play with your emotions, honestly you have no idea how happy I am to get powerful reactions from my readers.

Guest: Don't worry, it will get better.

Alison: Thank you for reviewing, and I'm glad you liked the chapter. I know the ending was cruel, but hat seems to be the way Sebasitan's life is. Bitter before sweet. You'll see what's going on soon, I had to break the original 49 into two pieces so this is the other half.