.

.

.

.

You know, if I weren't so angry right now, I'd admit that he has nice eyes.

But, she won't; because the butler bastard was currently dragging her through the Phantomhive properly like she was some kind of criminal. This conclusion came about because, obviously, her pajama shorts are too short, her shirt too big (does it look like I'm concealing weapons?) and her manner certainly not befitting a lady. Thus, the conclusion was: she was a spy.

A foreign spy meant to distract and garner information on the Earl, and his business.

It made perfect sense. Not.

All in all, it probably didn't help that she didn't tell him the truth— but, somehow saying, 'I'm from another parallel universe!' or some shit didn't really seem like a good idea. At least, not yet. Being thrown into some kind of insane asylum wasn't exactly on her to-do list.

Worst case scenario, this is a hyper-realistic dream and I'll wake up at home. No need to explain how or why I got here, because I don't know, and no need to freak out over the fact that this place isn't suppose to exist.

Keeping her sanity was a lot more important than playing girl from the future and being bombarded with questions. And, if Ciel Phantomhive was as cunning as he was portrayed, she doubted he would take 'I don't think I can tell you that', as a sufficient answer.

A sharp tug on her hands brought Mia back to reality, and she glared daggers into the back of his head. "I told you this isn't necessary. I'm going to bolt out of here."

It's not like she had anywhere to go, after all. That was if he didn't catch her; which, judging by the orange-red eyes he had, he would. Not even her four years of track would be helpful in this. How to Outrun a Demon wasn't, unfortunately, an exercise they touched on.

"While that may be so," Somehow he did not sound too convinced of it, even if she wasn't lying, "…you still must explain your case before my Master. Then, he will decide what to do with you."

Oh, great.

xxx

That definitely did not sound very promising. People who irritated, or otherwise made trouble for the Earl never seemed to get away unscathed. That is, if they got away at all.

Being escorted (read: forced) in the study was a pretty nerve-wracking experience, even if the place was stupidly gorgeous.

The only saving grace was that the butler had a lot of work to do, apparently, thus leaving Mia alone with the Earl, who looked exactly like the futuristic depictions. Short, a young man with somewhat feminine features, and a look that was far more grownup than he actually was. But, then again, maybe having everything you've ever known be taken away, and summoning a demon added on more than a few years.

"Why were you wandering on my property? Half dressed, as a matter of fact. You do realize how very odd it looks; particularly with my competitors trying to be more sneaky."

Resisting the urge to mess with the end of her nightshirt, she offered a wry smile.

"It's kind of…complicated. I wasn't trying to be there, and I'm definitely not a spy. I don't have a stealthy bone in my body, and, well— it's not really up my alley."

"What is your name?" His fingers folded together as he leaned forward slightly, gaze faintly narrowed, as if he were attempting to take her apart then and there. "And how, pray tell, did you wind up so close to my home, then? Or, do you plan to avoid that question as well?"

Yikes.

"Er, it's Mia— Mia Gordon; and, actually, I'd be happy to tell you," No I won't. "….but I'm not sure how to begin doing that. I wasn't exaggerating when I said it was complicated, and I'm not even sure I understand what happened. If I could, maybe, have some time to decipher it more on my own first, I'll you everything I know with the condition that it's taken seriously."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because even I think it's crazy."

For a moment, she was sure he was going to have her hauled off, or otherwise incarcerated; much to her surprise, he didn't. At least, not yet. "I'll consider it. For the time being, you will be under strict house arrest while I decide. Should you attempt to leave on your own, or jeopardize the household, there will be dire consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

Relief flooded her system and she nodded, rubbing right eye slightly as the entire situation rattled around in her head. "Yes, thank you- seriously. I promise I won't destroy anything while I'm here."

"I should hope not," The barest hint of a smirk fluttered across his face as he stood, "Then you would have to work to pay it off, which would take quite a while. Now, Sebastian will show you to where you will be staying. Do take a bath, and dress properly. God-forbid someone important visits and sees you like that."

"Pardon me if I didn't have time to primp and gussy myself up."

The door behind her opened, revealing the butler, back ramrod straight, and with his eyes firmly fixed upon Ciel, clearly awaiting orders. Not even a glance was spared, which was a shame, because he was missing a rather (in her humble opinion) impressive glare.

Which only intensified with the order he received. "Sebastian, take her to the west wing. And don't let her touch anything along the way. Understood?"

"Of course, my Lord."

xxx

There were a million different ways to get her to not touch things. Like, for example, just asking her not to. That was pretty reasonable, and considering she knew her tendency to accidentally break things now and again, she would probably listen.

But this, this was embarrassing.

"You know, there are easier routes you could take if you want me to hate you, butler. Treating me like some invalid prisoner doesn't have to be one of them."

Currently, the damn steward was carrying her under his arm in a tight grip. She might have been impressed at his strength and control if she didn't feel like a sack of potatoes under intense scrutiny.

"And yet, that is what you are, more or less, until decided otherwise. Perhaps if you were not so secretive, and thus suspicious, you would not be treated as such. "

Which, she hated to admit, was true; but how the hell does one open a conversation with something that involves time travel? And until she figured out of it was just the past, babbling incoherently about that didn't seem like it would put in her a better position than keeping her mouth shut.

"Yeah, I know, my silence is a real inconvenience for everyone. Seriously, though, do I look dangerous to you?"

Arriving at her quarters (or, rather, glorified cell), the butler opened the door, and set her on her feet once again. He quickly mentioned the bathroom, that it was already stocked with everything she would need, and that they were currently acquiring a change of clothes.

"By the time you finish bathing, they will be here. Afterward, to keep you out of trouble, you will be put to work. Consider it an incentive for you to explain your situation clearly to my Master, sooner rather than later."

Offering a well-practiced smile, his fingers curled around the doorknob, prepping to leave. Just before it closed, however, his burning eyes bore into her, as sharp as a knife. "To answer your earlier query: no. In fact, you seem all around unremarkable."

Eyebrow twitching, she knew her face burned red-hot with anger, mouth slightly agape at his audacity.

Were it not for the suddenness of the door closing, as if anticipating her attack, the hall would have been filled with a colorful set of curses.

A/N: I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter honestly; it's necessary to establish how some of the relationships are going to be. As you can probably tell, Mia's relationship with Sebastian is going to be pretty rocky, for a couple of reasons. Strictly canonically speaking, he wouldn't ever fall in love with someone, so to have it happen in the wonderful world of fan fiction, there has to be some resistance! Ah, well, it'll make the payoff more enjoyable.