Author's Note: Hello, everyone! Welcome to another fic! And thanks for clicking on and reading this one. And I know I say that on all of my fics (Or at least I hope I do, but like, I really mean it this time. I've got no illusions about this fic. I'm pretty sure this one's not going to get a ton of views. And that's fine with me. So if you happen to be interested in this fic, even if you don't like or review, that alone would blow my mind.

If you came here from either my Inkheart or Evil Genius fic, know that this one isn't intended to replace either of them. This is something I've been sporodically working on in between those fics and I'll probably only update a few times. Certainly not semi-monthly like my main fics. Just something I thought you should know; this is more of a side project.

Also, typically I crosspost all my work on Ao3, but I'm not doing it for this fic (at least, not right now) because I'm already nervous enough about putting this fic on here. I don't know if I'd be able to handle leaving something so personal on a site where crossovers don't occupy their own little section in fandoms where I'd be staying on the front page for months (I'd feel too exposed). But I did really want to write this. Yeah, it's a weird crossover and an even weirder ship, but if you think about it, it does sort of make sense. Two crime lords in dapper suits? What could be better!? And I'm sure Capricorn and Prosper would be able to appreciate each other, in their own evil way.

Anyway, I know these two series are sort of obscure (especially The Genius Trilogy) so if you do end up really liking this fic on top of clicking it in the first place I'd highly recommend you check out the one you haven't read. The first installments of each, while long, can be read as stand alones so if you're nervous about making a commitment to a whole book trilogy, well, you don't have to. Alternatively, if you do like the first installment there's two more amazing books in each!

Anyway, I've been rambling for ages now, and I need to stop before I seriously bloat the word count. But I hope you all enjoy! Please like and review and concrit is welcome!

1. Bored in the Safehouse, in the Safehouse Bored

Prosper English was a man with a lot of patience.

He was no stranger to playing the long game. His plan to seize power from Phineas Darkkon and control his criminal empire had been a large and long one, taking several decades to complete. Throughout those years he had patiently climbed the ladder of crime until he was Darkkon's right hand man. Then he patiently waited for his chance to strike, having Darkkon arrested so he himself could take control of the Empire. Even when he was arrested, it took him months to escape prison but when he did, he was able to do so simply by walking out of the penitentiary. Then he escaped to the United States where he hadn't been found since.

Prosper had accomplished all this over the course of several years but it all ended up amounting to very little. With nowhere else to go Prosper was forced to hide in Rex Austin's safehouse, a very cramped and uninteresting looking space.

And it was due to this situation that Prosper's patience was wearing thin at long last.

Prosper tapped his finger impatiently as he waited for his video call to begin. Since going underground, he had been having short and infrequent video calls with Dr. Vee. A man who could possibly be the closest thing Prosper had to a right-hand man of his own. Dr. Vee was a computer programmer who specialized in hacking and all sorts of virtual destruction. Being a computer-whiz, it had been no problem for Vee to create a secure way for the two to connect remotely. However, the process had to be done through unconventional means, meaning it took longer than it would through a simple zoom call.

Eventually though, static began to fill the screen of Rex Austin's five year out of date safe computer.

"Vee!" Prosper exclaimed, jumping to attention.

"Prosper English. Do you read me?" Dr. Vee said, his voice rough and low from the low quality of the video.

"There's a lot of static." Prosper commented.

"Hm." Dr. Vee hummed. "Let's see then." Gradually, the static lessened until Prosper had a clear view of Dr. Vee, warts, and all. "Can you see me now?"

"Yes, that's much better." Prosper said. Dr. Vee was a rather strange man. His most prominent quirk was that he always seemed to be ill. No matter that season you could be sure Vee's nose would be running and that he'd be sneezing dramatically into his handkerchief at regular intervals.

"What are we to discuss today, Mr. English?" Vee asked, sounding congested. He was holding a handkerchief in his hand. Today it was a red one with white polka dots.

"I have an idea. But I'll need your computer expertise for it." Prosper said, getting straight to the point. "You know how just about every intelligence agency is on the hunt for me?"

"Of course." Vee answered dryly. "Don't forget, they're hunting for me too."

"Well, it seems that when it comes to the issue of being found I'm in the clear for now. But I'll need a plan for if they ever get warmer if you know what I mean." Prosper reached into the mini fridge and pulled out a tall bottle of red wine. He knew it wasn't really the most professional thing to do but months on the run from the law, trapped within Rex Austin's oppressive safe house had driven professionalism lower on his list of priorities. Besides, Vee didn't care if he drank in front of him.

Vee didn't care about much other than money or survival.

Just like Prosper!

"I had this idea." Prosper began, as he unscrewed the cork of his bottle. "What could be a better way of getting the police to look away from California by giving them proof that I was somewhere, in, say South Africa?" Prosper picked up a wineglass. It still had droplets of wine from earlier but Prosper didn't even bother to wash it out. He simply poured the new wine into the old glass.

"There's this technology that's been making the rounds." Prosper made a circular motion with his wine glass. "It allows you to insert yourself into security footage, if you've got the right tools."

"You want me to put you in some security footage?" Vee asked.

"Yes, that's right." Prosper bristled slightly at being interrupted but he didn't let it bother him. Just downed his glass of wine and continued. "Can you do it?"

"Hm, Well I don't know." Dr. Vee began, wiping his snotty nose on his handkerchief. "Like you said it's revolutionary technology. It's bound to be expensive. And It wouldn't surprise me if such a thing had been patented, by now."

"Dr. Vee," Prosper said as he poured himself another glass of wine. "May I remind you that we're currently hiding from the law at the moment. What does it matter to us if this random programmer has patented the technology? All I need is for you to replicate it."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, sir." Vee said.

Prosper scoffed. "Why not?"

"It's not as simple as just programming the program. In order for that you need the right tools."

"Why can't you just get the right tools, then?"

Dr. Vee sighed, as if Prosper was the one being exasperating. He began a long explanation of how computer programs worked which, Prosper, as intelligent as he was could not follow. For one, he was beginning to get very annoyed with Vee who seemed to be acting rather unreasonable. Why couldn't he just do the service he was paid for?

Second, Prosper English was beginning his later years and was therefore not very well versed in the field of computers. This meant that a lot of Vee's technological mumbo jumbo went right over his head.

"Okay, okay, okay." Prosper said, putting his hands up to stop Vee's ramblings. "You can't make me the technology, that's fine." It wasn't fine but Prosper was willing to let it go for now. "Is there any other way for me to get it?"

"Of course. If you're able to track the original programmer down. And pay for it. Chances are he's paying a lot for his services."

There was a long silence as Prosper mulled this over. He downed another glass of wine. Dr. Vee sneezed, loudly and violently. Prosper could hear the sounds of him sniffling and wiping his nose as he pondered his predicament.

Finally Prosper said. "Alright. Fine. See what you can find about this mysterious programmer, who's supposedly the only one who can get me what I need. I want to know all about him by Tuesday, is that clear."

"You've got it, Prosper." Vee said. He cut the connection and Prosper sat back with a long, suffering sigh.

He poured himself another glass of wine as the despair crept into his heart. He never could have predicted it would come to this. Stuck in this cramped safe house, hiding from the police and just about every intelligence agency on the planet. Every day his funds were dwindling, and his assets were being stolen and destroyed. And he had to stay here, otherwise he risked being sent back to jail. He was trapped in a hopeless situation.

Prosper downed another glass of wine.

He hated it here. Absolutely hated it. Seeing as it was a safehouse, designed primarily for hiding in, it hadn't exactly been the most lovingly furnished. Everything from the bed to the dining room table was the most sterile, blinding white version of it.

It was at times like these that he longed for the old house he'd lived in on Australia's East coast. It was the ocean view he would think of the most. How bright and vast it had been. It would have been nice to sail a boat out there. If only he had had the time…

Prosper let his wineglass slip from his hands and drop to the floor where It shattered into a million pieces. His lip quivered, just a little. His eyes stung just a bit.

Then he thought, What are you doing? Crying already when the battle isn't even over? Prosper couldn't give up. Couldn't give into the despair. Couldn't be weak. Just because it seemed like he was utterly trapped now didn't mean there was no way out for him.

Things always worked out the way he wanted them to. This situation wouldn't be any different.

Right?

I need to get out of here, Prosper decided. That's what I need. How long had he remained skulking in this single sterile bedroom? A week? Two weeks? A month? It was more than anyone should be spending in one room, that was for sure.

The only problem with Prosper's solution was that it was far too dangerous for him to go out. Even a short jaunt out into the yard could put him in danger of being caught by the CIA or FBI. The only place he could go out would be the place right outside of Rex Austin's safe house.

Rex Austin's regular house.

Prosper opened the door to the panic room with great caution. Even if chances were low that there would be a cop standing right outside the door, he still didn't want to take any chances.

The safe room opened out into an empty hall. It was dark due to it being the middle of the night, but the hardwood floors and the sound of the ocean outside were already beginning to make Prosper feel better. Prosper sighed a sigh of satisfaction. He could already feel some of his sanity returning.

Prosper's footsteps echoed loudly as he walked through the empty halls of Rex Austin's old mansion. He didn't dare turn any of the lights on for fear it would attract attention. You never knew when the neighbors might be looking out. Luckily the moonlight was just bright enough to prevent Prosper from running into any walls or anything.

The moonlight shone exceptionally bright through one door in particular. Peeking inside, Prosper saw that it opened into a large library lined wall to wall with dusty old paperbacks and shiny new hardcovers. Several desks were placed strategically around the room. A full moon hovered over a bright blue sea on the other side of the tall windows.

Prosper stepped inside cautiously. There was nothing more immersive and engaging than a book, Prosper knew and being a rather intelligent person, he was quite fond of them. Maybe a good book was just what he needed to get his mind back on track.

Prosper scanned the selection looking for something to read but it seemed that Rex Austin had had a wildly different taste in books than him. He began to second guess himself. Maybe it wouldn't be a good idea to take a book after all. A missing book could be counted as evidence. Evidence that could be used to find him.

Prosper was just about to return, reluctantly to the dark hallway when a thin green hardcover caught his eye. There, sitting on one of the wooden desks, illuminated by the moonlight was a well-loved, first edition copy of Inkheart.

Well, well, well, he thought. I haven't seen this book in ages.

Gingerly, Prosper picked up the book which was covered in dust. This had been a classic when he was growing up in Britain. Every single child had read it, even him. Despite this, Prosper had no recollection of the events of the book. In fact, no one seemed to remember the book at all, as hardly anyone spoke of it.

Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to read this one. It was thin and it was just a childrens' story. It couldn't possibly distract him that much from his work. And he so desperately wanted to escape into another world in a way that only books allowed him. To forget about where he was and his awful situation, even if it was only just for a moment-

Bang!

Suddenly a sound so loud and sudden erupted in the quiet library that it made Prosper yelp. His eyes darted around the darkroom until he saw a burst of color through the window.

Oh, only fireworks.

Of course. It was Summer. Independence day was fast approaching in the United States. And Californians were especially gung-ho about their fireworks.

Prosper rolled his eyes but still, he was spooked.

Quickly and silently Prosper English slunk back into the panic room, the copy of Inkheart in his hands.