It had been several days since Rochelle's last stunt and Magica had reluctantly been working with her sisters to research the talisman but so far, they hadn't found any leads and she was beginning to feel like they would never figure out the origin of the talisman.

"Another failed lead," Magica sighed, pushing aside the stack of books she'd been pouring over for the last few hours. "Have you found anything Poe?" she turned to her brother who had been spending the day helping her with the research.

Poe shook his head. "Nothing to help identify the talisman I'm afraid,"

Magica groaned in frustration. "We're never gonna find it,"

"Maybe we should take a break from all this research for a while," he suggested, stretching out his arms and leaning back in his chair.

Magica shook her head. "We can't Poe, we don't know when or how Rochelle will strike next but if we figure out anything about that talisman it may be the best chance we'll have to stop her,"

"But exhausting ourselves won't help us at all, we absolutely should take a break from all of this and get some rest," Poe said, standing up and taking the spell book he was reading from the table. "I'm just going to go get some fresh air and I'll give granny a ring on the crystal ball to see if she's found anything; you go take a nap or spend some time with Scrooge,"

Magica eyed her brother suspiciously, "Poe… why are you taking that spell book with you?"

"To keep you from continuing the research without me, yes, that's it, now go get some rest or cuddle with your husband for a while, we'll continue tomorrow," Poe said, using his magic to quickly disappear from the room in a puff of dark blue smoke.

"What in the world did he find in the book?" Magica pondered to herself as she opened the window to air out her lab and saw Poe outside, running away from the mansion and clutching the spell book tightly to his chest.

"Any luck yet?"

Magica turned to the door when she heard Scrooge's voice and if she hadn't been so concerned about her brother, she would have been happier to see the tray of sandwiches he had brought.

"No, I don't think so… Poe seems to have found something though, he was acting very strangely and just up and left, with the spell book he was reading," Magica explained, absently taking a sandwich and nibbling on it.

"Granny, I need your help, desperately; can you tell me where I can find these ingredients?" Poe asked, holding up a list he'd quickly scrawled out to the crystal ball as he spoke to his grandmother.

Caraldina looked concerned as she read the list, "Bambino, those are ingredients for a pretty serious spell, do you want to tell me what kind of spell you're trying to cast?"

Poe shook his head, "No, just please tell me where I can find the things I need for it, please," he pleaded.

Caraldina sighed and nodded, she was no fool, she knew just by looking at that list what Poe wanted to do and she couldn't fault him at all. "Okay… several of those things like the mandrake root powder and bramble thorns should already be available to you in your sister's lab; the wisp essence I can give you but, I'm afraid the Roc's tears will be incredibly hard to find… I'm sorry Bambino but I don't think you'll be able to cast that spell,"

"No, I will find Roc's tears and cast that spell, I have to find any way, any means, to make it happen," Poe said, determination and desperation in his voice.

"But you only have three days before the window of opportunity is lost forever…"

"I will find a way to make it happen, just please tell me how to find the Roc's tears,"

Caraldina couldn't refuse him, the desperation in his voice and the tears threating to fall from his eyes just broke her heart, so she told him what she could and when he hung up, she sighed again, fearing that he would fail in his plan, and that she might see him suffering for it.

Magica had tried to talk to Poe but for two days he was rushing like a mad man from place to place and refusing to stop even for a moment, he had already been lacking sleep from their late nights of research but now it seemed he may have actually been going without sleep entirely and it was really worrying her, and it was worrying Lena too.

Magica tried her best to continue the research on her own, and had checked in with her sisters but Poe hadn't spoken with any of them nor had they found anything yet.

She and Scrooge were sitting in her lab having a quick lunch break while he had been trying to help her with the research but it was obvious that the situation with Poe was weighing heavily on her mind.

"I'm really worried about Poe, have you seen the dark circles under his eyes?" Magica asked as she picked at her lunch.

"Something has him all worked up and, in a frenzy," Scrooge said, giving his wife a concerned look.

Magica sighed, "I just wish I knew what,"

Suddenly there was a chiming sound in the room and Magica turned to see her crystal ball softly glowing with the chime, someone was calling her and she ran to answer it, waving her hand over the ball and seeing her grandmother's face.

"Granny! Did you find anything about the talisman?"

"No, not yet; how is Poe?" Caraldina asked.

"I'm worried about him, I don't think he's slept and he's been absolutely frantic, do you know what's wrong with him? I can't get him to stop and talk to me,"

Caraldina sighed and shook her head. "He's looking for Roc's tears,"

Magica looked confused, "What for?"

"For a certain spell he found in that book, he is desperate to make it work while the window of opportunity is still open,"

Magica was silent for moment as she thought about it, then a look of understanding crossed her face. "I see, but he doesn't have much time left, I wish he would've told me, I would have helped him,"

"He didn't want you to be distracted from the research but I think you should help him however you can Bambina, I'm afraid of how he'll be if he can't successfully cast the spell,"

"I'll see what I can do," Magica said, ending the call, leaning back in her chair and sighing deeply.

"What exactly is Poe trying to accomplish?" Scrooge asked.

"I believe he's trying to bring his wife back from the dead," she answered, a look of intense worry on her face.

Scrooge was confused, "But I thought that wasn't possible, you told me yourself that there is no magic that can do that,"

Magica nodded. "Typically, yes, it isn't possible, but there are some exceptions to the rule-"

"Let me guess, forbidden magic?" Scrooge interrupted, making a logical assumption.

Magica rolled her eyes, "Well yes, there are forbidden spells that are rumored to break or circumvent the established laws of magic and nature but that's not the only exception you know,"

"So, Poe isn't trying to use forbidden magic?" Scrooge raised an eyebrow and gave her a look of skeptical curiosity.

Magica smiled, finding her husband's expression rather adorable, "No, he's not,"

"Well, then how he is trying to bring his late wife back?"

"With a specific spell that can only work once every thousand years, when the alignment between certain planets and stars is such that boundary between this world and the next is not just thinned, but very blurred, allowing for a passed-on soul to return… for only twenty-four hours," Magica explained.

"He does know the twenty-four-hour part, doesn't he?" Scrooge asked, sharing a concerned look with Magica.

"I'm fairly certain he does… I hope he does, no I'm sure he does; he's never been interested in bringing her back; yes, he was desperate to find a way to cure her when she got sick but, hard as it was, he accepted her passing… I don't know why he's suddenly so intent on bringing her back,"

"Well, I think we should go talk to him about it," Scrooge said, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"I will, but you don't have to, I know magic isn't necessarily your cup of tea-" Magica started but Scrooge interrupted her,

"Actually, I may be able to help him; if this whole venture isn't going to be, well, disastrous," He smiled sheepishly.

Magica smiled back and kissed him, "I love you Scroogie,"

Poe was frustrated, yet another failure to acquire the Roc's tears he so desperately needed, he had visited every merchant he knew of that sold rare ingredients for spells and potions and none of them had what he needed.

He was running out of time and feeling that his grandmother was right, he might not be able to cast the spell, he didn't even know where to find a living Roc, as no one had seen one in the last several hundred years, meaning they were likely extinct now.

He sat in his own magical lab, dozens of books and papers strewn about the table and the floor, all of his research for Magica and his own for the spell to allow his beloved Lenore to return, the ingredients had gathered carefully placed in a locked glass cabinet for safe keeping, the only bit of order to the room at the moment.

He looked longingly at the photo of her he kept on his desk, hot tears welling up in his eyes, the feeling of failure growing in the pit of his stomach, his heart aching at the thought that he might miss this once in a lifetime chance to make things just a little right…

Then Poe was ripped from his thoughts by a knocking at the door and his sister's voice.

"Poe, please open the door, I know what you've been trying to do… Granny told me," Magica gently pleaded with her brother.

Poe wiped his face and opened the door. "Magica, you needn't be here, you should be focusing on the talisman," He said, then noticed Scrooge behind her, "I'm sorry she dragged you here, I know you both have more important things to do right now,"

"The most important thing is to be here with you right now Poe," Magica said, carefully pushing past Poe into the room and was horrified to see the state of it, "Poe! What's happened? Normally you're tidier than me!" Magica said, picking up some of the papers and books from the floor.

"I haven't been terribly concerned with tidiness as of late, I'm sorry," Poe said, feeling somewhat embarrassed about his sister seeing the state of his lab. "Now why are you both here?"

"I told you," Magica said, placing the books and papers she'd picked up on a table, "Granny told me what you're trying to do,"

Poe sighed, "Please, please don't try to talk me out of it or stop me in anyway Magica, I have to do this, whatever the cost,"

Magica took her brother's hands. "Poe, I know you miss her… but would one day really be enough? Or would it just cause you to become even more desperate to have her back?" she asked, her worried eyes looking into his tired, teary ones.

"It is a matter of fact, that if there were a way to fully restore her life, I would move heaven and earth, even travel to hell and back, if necessary, to make it happen," Poe said, determination in his eyes, "But, I know that is not and never will be the case, and I have accepted that,"

"So then why are you so desperate to do this?"

"Because, if there is even the slightest chance that I can undo just a little bit of life's cruelty… that I can make it right, even just a little…" Poe's voice cracked a little bit as his emotions choked him.

Magica was confused, "What do you mean Poe?"

He took a deep breath to compose himself and then looked her in the eye, tears trickling down from his own eyes. "I mean that it wasn't fair!" He forced out. "It wasn't fair that Lena was too young to even have any memory of her!" He fought back his emotions as they threatened to overcome him, "If I can cast this spell then Lena can at least have a little time with her, she can have memories of her mother too…"

He couldn't hold back anymore; the tears fell freely as Magica hugged him and he quietly sobbed into her shoulder.

Magica gently rubbed his back as he wept, "Oh, Poe…"

After a few moments Poe was able to compose himself again and pulled away from his sister. "I'm sorry… I know I should be helping you-"

Magica cut him off, "Don't apologize Poe, It's okay. We can take a break to help you with this, it's just as important," She smiled and he smiled back.

"Thank you… but I fear Granny was right, I can't find Roc's tears so I won't be able to cast the spell…" he said sadly, sitting down in a chair at the table Magica had placed the books on. "I'm sorry, I've wasted so much time on this fool's errand…"

"Not necessarily," Scrooge said, finally feeling comfortable speak.

Poe looked at his brother-in-law curiously, "What do you mean by that?"

Scrooge smiled knowingly, "I think I know how you can get the Roc's Tears, rather quickly I might add,"

With a teleportation spell from Magica the three returned to McDuck manor and Scrooge led them to his "other" bin, the secret underground storage area beneath the mansion where he kept all of the supernatural and magical artifacts he'd collected and beings he'd had to imprison over the years, he knew he had something in here that could help Poe in his quest.

"Wow, this is impressive Scrooge," Poe marveled at how vast the place was and all the different magical auras he could feel behind many of the large, reinforced, metal doors.

Scrooge couldn't help laughing as they walked.

"What's so funny Scroogie?" Magica asked, wondering what tickled his funny bone.

"I was just thinking how funny life is, once upon a time I would have never allowed either you in this place, I would actually have been downright terrified of you being in here to be honest, and yet now here I am guiding the both of you through here," he explained, laughing again as he took Magica's hand and kissed the knuckles.

Magica chuckled too; he was right, life had funny ways of working out and surprising you. She squeezed his hand as they walked.

Watching them made Poe happy, but he had to admit it made his heart ache a little too, it reminded him of the happy days he'd spent with Lenore and although he knew that season of his life was over, he still longed for her, longed to see her beautiful smile, to hold her hand, to kiss her, just to be with her again.

Soon they stopped at a door and Scrooge pulled out a key and unlocked it. "It's in here," he said, opening the door and entering the room, the DeSpell twins behind him.

The room was no bigger than a bathroom or modest walk-in closet and, in the center, sat a pedestal with a shining star-shaped crystal on it. The crystal was natural, un-cut and sparkled brilliantly in the light, almost glowing softly.

"A wishing star gem!" Magica gasped, "I've read about those but I've never actually seen one! How long have you had this?"

Scrooge couldn't help being amused at his wife's reaction. "I was given this several years ago by a grateful princess in Howdoyoustan,"

Magica's face fell instantly into a scowl. "A 'grateful princess' huh?"

Scrooge laughed. "Yes, I helped her pull her kingdom out debt with a few wise investment tips, I also may have helped fend off an invasion as well,"

"Really? That's very fascinating, can we just get on with how this will help Poe?" Magica said, clearly not interested in hearing about the princess.

Poe couldn't help snickering a bit. "I think someone's jealous,"

"Shut up Poe! Do you want the stupid rock or not?" Magica snapped, all too aware that her face was reddening.

"Relax dearest, as I said that was a long, long time ago and it's you who wearing my ring now after all," Scrooge took Magica's hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze, and kissed her cheek to soothe her.

"Alright you two, now what about this wishing star stone?" Poe asked, drawing their attention back to the matter at hand.

"Well, I thought you could use it to wish for the Roc's tears," Scrooge answered.

"I thank you for that, but I'm curious, if you've had this why didn't you use it bring your niece back?" Poe asked.

Magica nodded, "That is a good question, you could have used the stone for that,"

"I thought about it, but as you told me, magic can't bring someone back from the dead, I had read that somewhere before, and not knowing what might happen if I'd wished time reversed or any other possible way to undo what happened… Well, it was a risk I didn't want to take," He explained.

They both nodded.

"That makes sense," Poe said, looking at the shimmering, sparkling stone.

He carefully took the stone from the pedestal and held it in his hand, the points of the star were surprisingly smooth and the stone felt pleasantly cool. He rubbed in his hands nervously as focused and made his wish.

"Wishing stone grant me this simple wish, a bottle of tears from a Roc is all I ask," he said softly, then the stone glowed brightly for a moment and in Poe's hand was now a small bottle filled with a clear, somewhat iridescent liquid.

Poe felt his eyes begin to water again, this time tears of joy, as he looked at the small bottle. "Thank you, Scrooge, thank you so much… you've no idea what this means…" he said, clutching the bottle tightly.

"You're very welcome, Poe," Scrooge smiled at his brother-in-law. He understood in some way what Poe felt and his reasoning for doing what he was doing.

It had weighed so heavily on his own heart that Huey, Dewey and Louie were not only growing up without Della, but that none them had the chance to know her before she was lost, of course, now that she was home again the boys were getting to know their mother and day by day those wounds were healing but for Lena it was different, she wouldn't be able to get her mother back, though now she would, just for a little while.

Poe quickly gathered all of the other ingredients for the spell from Magica's lab and Caraldina sent him the Wisp essence after a quick crystal ball call, then he quickly made his way home to gather the rest of the ingredients and Lena.

He took everything out to the back garden and got everything arranged as needed, then began combining the ingredients together as instructed in the spell book, and when the mixture was ready, he chanted the spell over it.

He held his breath as the magic worked, the brew glowing softly and the aura gradually grew in size until it was slightly larger than him, then it seemed to open like a gate and there was a sudden, bright flash of light, so bright Poe and Lena had to cover their eyes.

When the light faded Poe could hardly believe his eyes; where the brew once sat, now stood his lost love, Lenore. The spell had worked, she was back.

She stood, wearing a simple but beautiful flowing white dress, her long golden-brown hair falling about her shoulders in soft waves and face wearing a look of confusion until her eyes fell on Poe.

"Poe… what did you do?" She asked cautiously, slowly realizing she returned to living flesh somehow.

Poe couldn't help himself; he rushed to her and took her in his arms, holding her close to him, tears again forming in his eyes. "Lenore, oh Lenore, how I've missed you," he said softly, burying his beak in her hair and breathing in her sweet floral scent for the first time in over a decade.

Lenore hugged him back, also breathing in his scent of herbs and incense, just, breathing again. She was thrilled to be in his arms again but she still wanted to know how it was possible so she forced herself free of his embrace and looked him in the eye, gently cupping his face.

"Poe, how did you do this? What did you do? Please tell me you didn't do something stupid," she pleaded, fearful he'd done something terrible to bring her back.

Poe just gently placed his hands on hers, enjoying the warmth of her touch and smiled reassuringly. "No, my love, I didn't do anything stupid, I found a safe spell that allowed me to bring you back for only the next twenty-four hours, it's not much, but it's enough," he explained.

She looked deeply into his eyes and smiled back, laughing lightly. "You're not fooling me at all Poe DeSpell, of course it's not enough for you, but it has to be," she said, then leaned in to kiss him but was surprised when he pulled back. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you've gone and found someone else and just brought me back to get my blessing," she laughed.

Poe laughed with her and cupped her face now, "Never, my heart belongs to only you, forevermore my love," he said, leaning his forehead against hers.

"Then what is it?" She asked, running her fingers through his hair.

"I didn't do this for myself, I did it for our daughter, for Lena," he said, releasing her and stepping away so the she could see Lena.

Lenore's eyes fell on Lena and she gasped, tears forming in her eyes as she took her in. "Oh, Lena, my baby, how much you've grown," she said, stepping closer to her, "I have been gone a long time haven't I? You're already almost grown and just look at that pink hair," she laughed, "You know, I like it,"

Lena was silent, not sure what to say at first, but then she found herself hugging her mother. "Mom…" she said, choking back tears of happiness, "You're even prettier than your pictures,"

Lenore hugged her daughter tightly, sad to have missed so much of her life but happy to get to hold her once more.

Poe smiled and placed a hand lovingly on Lenore's shoulder, gently squeezing it. "Spend the short time you have here with her, don't worry about me, we had plenty of time together before, this is time for you and Lena now," he said lovingly.

Lenore nodded, "Thank you Poe, my wonderful fool,"

The three went inside and Lena showed her mother around the house while Poe returned to his lab, cleaning it up and allowing his wife and daughter their bonding time.

The day flew by, almost too fast, but soon night fell and the later it got the more Lenore's time was growing short.

"Mom, I'm so happy I got to spend some time with you, I wish you could stay longer," Lena said sadly taking note of the time.

Lenore nodded, gently placing a hand on Lena's cheek. "I know, but I can't stay, my life has already come to an end and that's just unfortunately how it is. Believe me I wish I could stay too but I'm glad we were able spend this time together, that I was able to see how much you've grown, how beautiful you've become, how well your father… and sort of your aunt… have done taking care of you in my absence,"

Secretly Lenore thought Magica should consider herself lucky that her return to the mortal coil was only temporary, else she would have a few words with her about Lena being trapped in the shadow realm and a few other things. Yes, Lenore wasn't a sorceress or anything of the sort but that didn't mean that wouldn't have given Magica a piece of her mind or even a good slap to the face after Lena told her what had happened. However, Lenore didn't have time to waste being angry at, or smacking her sister-in-law stupid, so instead she kept her thoughts to herself and just enjoyed the time with her daughter, getting to know her, but now, time was almost up.

"Mom, I know you still have an hour or so left but…" Lena started hesitantly.

"What?"

"I think I should say my goodbyes now," Lena said quickly as she hugged her tightly.

Lenore was confused, but hugged Lena back. "Why do you want to say goodbye now?"

Lena took a deep breath, clinging to her mother for just a moment longer before letting go. "Because, I think you should spend some time with dad too, he really has missed you,"

She hugged Lena again, "You're a lot like your father you know that? I'm so proud of you Lena," she beamed at her daughter, she also couldn't deny that she wanted just a little time with her husband.

"I love you mom… I'll miss you… goodbye," Lena said, fighting back her tears.

"I love you too my little duckling, so very much," Lenore was also fighting back tears, then she stood from the sofa they were sitting on, "Are you too old to be tucked in?" she asked.

Lena just laughed. "Yeah, I am, but I'll make an exception for you,"

Lenore laughed with Lena and the two went upstairs to Lena's room and Lenore tucked her in for the night.

"Goodnight, goodnight, my dear, sleep well and sleep tight, with only sweet dreams all through the night," Lenore said softly, kissing Lena on the forehead and gently stroking her cheek.

"Goodnight mom," she yawned, curled up in her bed and fell asleep faster than she'd thought she would.

Lenore sat with her for just a few minutes, watching her sleep peacefully, before quietly leaving the room and heading to Poe's lab.

Poe had fallen asleep at his desk, the lack of sleep of the last two days having finally caught up with him now his task had been completed. When she saw him slumped over the desk, lightly snoring, Lenore was tempted to leave him be, but she wanted to spend the last of her time with him, she didn't want to be alone when her time was up.

"Poe, wake up my love," she gently nudged him awake.

He was startled, but immediately relaxed when he realized she was the one trying to wake him. "Lenore… I thought you were with Lena, please, spend as much time with her as possible," He pleaded, standing up.

She smiled and crossed her arms. "Stop being ridiculous Poe, Lena insisted I spend my last hour with you, and furthermore she's gone to bed now, I tucked her in," she wrapped her arms around him, "Please, I want at least a little time with you too, and… I want you with me when my time is up… I don't know what will happen and… I'm scared Poe," she clung to him tightly. "I know I can't stay but… I don't want to leave you again,"

Poe held her close and gently rubbed her back. "Shh… It's alright my love, I know, I wish you could stay, gods I wish you could stay, but I'm happy you and Lena had time, that she was able to know you a little and that she was able to truly say goodbye,"

"Poe, can we go back out to the garden, I want to dance with you in the moonlight again… like we used to," she asked quietly.

"Of course, whatever you wish, I will grant," he replied, stroking her cheek and taking her by the hand, leading her back out to the garden, out into the light of the full moon.

In the garden the two danced, a waltz among the blue and white roses Poe and Lena had planted, gently spinning and swaying, Poe holding her in his arms, looking deeply into her eyes, time seeming to be frozen as she returned his gaze, then she wrapped her arms around him, and whispered in his ear.

"Sing to me Poe, I want to hear your wonderful voice just one more time,"

He nodded, "Of course, anything you want," he said, raising her hands to his lips and gently kissing them before singing to her.

"The years, they come and go, And change will come I know, You won't be there… My heart and soul,"

He gently spun her around,

"With every time and place, But time cannot erase, The smile that lines your face, As you gaze in mine, you will always shine,"

His voice was full of love and sadness as he sang, eyes locked on hers whilst he swayed with her,

"And you would always be, An angel making sure I care, The memory, that's always there, Your dreams won't die, the live inside of me, You know you will always be, My heart and soul,"

He pulled her close, holding her tightly,

"The years roll on and on, I looked and you weren't there, I miss you so, my heart and soul,"

She held him tightly as well, nuzzling his neck, their dancing becoming a slow sway as they clung to each other.

"The years can make you wise, Now I finally realize, That if I just close my eyes, I can see you there, and the love we share; And you will always be a dream so real, that cannot die; A trusting faith that lets me fly; A love so strong that it just belongs to me,"

He loosened his hold her so he could spin her one more time as he finished the song,

"You know you will always be my heart and soul; Oh, an angel making sure I care, The memory that's always there… You'll always be… my heart… and soul,"

He finished and pulled her into a deep, loving kiss, holding her tightly again as if his very life depended on it and she again clung tightly to him, returning his love.

"Oh Poe, that was beautiful," she said when they finally parted, then realized she couldn't hold him anymore, she was fading and no longer able to touch him. "Poe! Poe, my time is up," she cried, tears forming in her eyes.

Poe too, had tears in his eyes as he could no longer touch her, forced to let her go again. "I know, Il mio amore, I know, it's alright," he said, attempting to stroke her cheek only for his hand to pass through her.

"Goodbye Poe, my love," She whispered as her form slowly faded.

"Goodbye Lenore, my heart and soul, I love you forevermore," Poe whispered back, the tears falling as she faded away completely into the moonlight.

When she was gone, he fell to his knees and let the tears fall, he knew it would hurt, losing her again, but it was a pain was willing to endure so that Lena would have at least a day of the time, and the memories, that Lenore's illness had denied her.

(The song Poe sings is My Heart And Soul by Stephen Bishop)