"That was really unnecessary!" said Charlie, addressing the newly gathered crowd, now including Niffty. "How're we supposed to plan the opening ceremony without our facilities manager?"

"We'll pen him an old-timey letter, I'm sure he'd enjoy that," said Vaggie, clearly still feeling aggressive.

"Vaggie…" Charlie began, "Alastor is a part of our team, we need him."

"I don't recall him being much of a team-player when we were rebuilding this hotel!"

"Well, we don't know what happened to him! He could've been hurt, or–"

"Or nothing! That creepy deer has never believed in this from the start, he's making a mockery of everything you do here!"

The rest of the hotel watched the pair go back and forth. Too uncomfortable to leave, but too interested not to stay.

"He's already done so much for us. He might not believe redemption can be done, but he's still here and–"

"He should've stayed gone," said Vaggie.

"I want him here, Vaggie!" Charlie huffed, her cheeks red with exertion.

Vaggie's single eye widened at the admission but quickly schooled herself. She crossed her arms. "Fine," was all she said.

"Fine? Okay great, let me go get him–"

"So you can have another panic attack?" Vaggie mumbled.

Charlie scowled at her girlfriend, not enjoying being seen as so weak. Sure she had a little bit of an overreaction but it wasn't something she could control in the moment. And now everyone knew about her dream concerning the Radio Demon. Charlie's reaction wasn't normal and yet she thought of his own feelings. If she could have seen it properly through her haze of fear, was he hurt by her?

She suddenly felt like she ought to explain herself.

Charlie clapped her hands, grabbing everyones' attention again.

"I'll be right back," she announced, "and while I'm gone, please start brainstorming outreach ideas for the grand re-opening ceremony as well as decoration suggestions!"

"Bugs!" shouted Niffty, without elaborating further.

"A great start!" Charlie grinned, always encouraging. She made for the staircase but was stopped once more by her girlfriend.

Vaggie's single eye was tweaked up in worry. "Let me come with you."

Charlie placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please let me do this alone. I owe him an apology."

Vaggie held back whatever she was about to say next and just nodded in defeat.

"Now go help the others!"

On the landing to his bedroom, Charlie hesitated. It felt just like her dream. She took a deep breath and gathered all the strength she had to approach his door like normal.

Already things were different, as she heard the quiet hum of a radio tune in the distance. She placed her hand on the wood and knocked.

"Al? It's me, Charlie. May I come in?"

The door opened this time, unlike the dream, and Charlie released a breath, feeling some relief wash over her.

Inside, there was no stumbling doppelganger, no mass of flesh and pain. No Alastor screaming from his bed.

In fact, the Radio Demon was sitting idly on his couch, reading a book and sipping his mug of coffee.

"Not afraid of me anymore? That was fast," he asked, clearly as a jest, but even Charlie could sense the mild irritation in his voice.

"I'm soooo sorry about that, Al, I don't know what came over me," Charlie began, looking down at her fingers.

"If my presence is too much of a burden for you, let me know quickly. I do not enjoy…" he paused, watching her fiddle with the hem of her jacket. "Can't you look at me still, my dear?"

She looked up then, caught, and looked at a spot over his shoulder. "Of course I can! It's just–"

He teleported in front of her and she immediately turned her gaze away. He gripped her chin with a gentle clawed hand and lifted her head until she faced him. If Alastor would frown, he might've, his burgundy eyes screwing up in thought.

Charlie's cheeks blazed in both embarrassment and shame over her actions. She was being controlled all over a silly dream!

He dropped her head and she resumed staring at the floor. "I didn't realize how frightening this face of mine truly was!" He laughed, lacking humor.

"It's not like that!" Charlie yelled. Beads of sweat gathered on her forehead, her limbs shook with effort, as she slowly tilted her head up, eyes closed. Her fists clenched. Once they were at eye-level, she fluttered her red eyes open…

And was met with the curious, smiling gaze of her business partner.

She exhaled in relief and laughed it all away, smacking Alastor on the shoulder, who shuddered at the touch. "Whew! See? All better," she grinned.

Alastor looked nonplussed, still completely in the dark over what strangeness had befallen her.

"Care to explain?" he asked after she was done laughing to herself.

She moved to sit on his couch, finally relaxed after a tense night and morning. She patted the seat next to her, hoping her companion would join.

After a minute of hesitation, he sat, conjuring himself up another mug of coffee and one for her as well.

"Thanks," she said, hugging the warm glass to herself. "Well…"

"Well?"

"I want to hear about what happened to you first," she said, smiling innocently, like a kid asking for candy.

He turned away, disinterested. "No thank you, I'm not the one who nearly fainted at the sight of me. You first, sweetheart."

"If I tell you… you have to tell me what happened to you, no skimping on the details!"

His grin widened. "It's a deal," he hummed.

The demoness turned in her seat, already bashful before her story had even begun. "I had a dream last night," she started.

"This is something I've gathered," he said, sipping his mug.

"Right, right," she rolled her eyes. "Well I don't know when real life ended and my dream began, that was the strange part–"

"You asked earlier if you knocked on my door last night. Perhaps start there. I would have remembered had you visited me."

"Okay, well you wouldn't open the door after I knocked but we spoke, but you didn't sound like you, not exactly–"

He interrupted again, "And what was said?"

Against her will, color heated her cheeks at the memory. "Nothing important," she said.

"Ah, ah, no skimping on the details!" Alastor sang, tut-tutting with his gloved finger.

"Fine! I asked how you were, you said to leave you alone, then I insisted 'cause you sounded so weird, then I told you how I missed you– how WE all missed you, and then the door opened a bit–"

"You said you missed me, hmm?" he teased.

"In the dream, Alastor…" his companion sighed, knowing she walked right into that one.

He nodded at her to continue, a wider grin than before on his face.

Charlie dived into it, describing the demonic voice (if his voice can even become more demonic than it already was), how she burst through the door (he was impressed at her heroic instincts), and the sight of what she saw.

She hesitated to describe it, stumbling to find the words. When she tried to paint the picture of Alastor in bed, screaming in pain, her throat tightened. It was an awful sight then, visually, but mentally, the thought of her companion in such pain hurt her all the more.

She spoke quickly, skipping over the more unpleasant images. Alastor didn't encourage her to describe them.

When she reached the end, she explained the bright light bursting from his chest and ended it there. During this part of the story, the deer demon shifted in his chair and a gloved hand pulled at his necktie.

Charlie looked up when she was finished talking and tried again to look into his face. She was met with mixed emotions, if she could even attempt to read the smiling demon's face. He met her eyes and tried to look pleasant.

"Why I can see how that would be upsetting but nothing more gruesome than what you are used to in Hell, my dear!"

"I know, I know, and that's why it's so hard to explain. It's not so much how it looked but… how it felt. And what happened to you at the end, I never thought I'd see it in a dream–"

This caught his attention. "What do you mean, you never thought you'd see me dying? I should hope not!" he chuckled, but it seemed forced.

"No, no, do you– do you really not know about this?" Charlie asked, genuinely confused. She'd been around for centuries but the Radio Demon always seemed so wise beyond his years. She knew something he didn't?

"Clearly I do not," he huffed, sensing her line of thought.

"You just seemed so well-read! Or versed in Hellish passages and mythology!" She grew in her excitement, sitting up on her knees and getting in his face.

"And I'd be overjoyed to learn more right now!" he bit back. "You recall that I wasn't born in Hell, do you dear?"

"You took so naturally to being here, I never would've guessed you were a sinner demon at first."

"I had plenty of years on Earth to perfect being in Hell," he said without patience. "So you were saying?"

"Okay sorry." She settled back in her seat. "I didn't just dream you died. Your soul was being… scourged."

Alastor raised an eyebrow. "Please elaborate."

"So you know how when you die, as a human, you either go to Heaven and Hell? And when you die in Hell, you eventually respawn? And when you're killed by holy weaponry, your soul is destroyed?"

His expression urged her forward.

"A scourged soul is different. It doesn't get sent to the void, the soul is taken and gets sent to…" she gestured to the room.

"It gets sent to…?" he asked.

"That's just it, it gets sent to…" she gestured to the room again, this time more erratically.

"I'm not following," Alastor said.

"I can't explain it, there's no words for it in the Hellish language. It cannot be spoken of, that's probably why you've never heard of it."

"That's convenient," the Radio Demon rolled his eyes but was sated nonetheless.

Charlie waved his comment away, still eager in her knowledge sharing. "A scourged soul is a cursed soul, basically. But there's no way it can actually happen. It's practically a legend! No one in the last several centuries has even witnessed such a thing, as far as I know," she continued. "And it was just a dream! So I don't know why it got to me so badly."

"And what, might I ask, causes one to be scourged?" The deer demon leaned in closer, suddenly far more interested.

Charlie shrugged. "They'd have to be…chosen in some way. Marked."

The Radio Demon steepled his hands in front of his face and lowered his brow. He hmm'd in contemplation before standing up from the couch and walking to his bed. He raised his hand and opened his mouth as if to speak, and then closed it again. He took another little walk to the other side of the room.

Charlie watched all of this in silence.

Once he paced back and forth a third time, the blonde demoness spoke, "Something on your mind, Al?"

"I'm going to show you something, if you promise you won't have one of your little episodes," he waggled his fingers at her.

She shook her head vehemently. "I would never! I'm just happy to see you finally opening up about something!"

"That right there," Alastor pointed, "is what I'm talking about."

Charlie made a show of zipping her lips and throwing away the key.

The Radio Demon did one last lap across his room before he shook his head and sighed.

"Actually, I've changed my mind. This is none of your concern."

"Awww, come on Al! I was soooo excited!"

"Which is exactly the problem. Come now," he reached out a gloved hand to her, "shall we return to the others or will you have another heart attack?"

Charlie checked herself, and gave a few cursory glances at Alastor, blinked her eyes several times at him, and even stared a bit. "I think I'm okay, I'm not seeing it anymore." She took his hand and he brought her to her feet.

"Do I want to know what 'it' is?"

"Probably not. Just something from my dream."

"This appalling dream of yours… I hope something like it doesn't happen again. I can't have you screaming at me to 'go away' everytime we discuss the hotel."

"But I do that anyway," she winked.

With a sensible chuckle, he guided her to the doorway, hands still clasped. He didn't seem to notice as he led the way.

He held the door open for her, as any gentleman would do and she nodded gratefully.

"Thanks for listening Al, and sorry again. I promise it's not you."

"I've never heard that one before!"

As they made their way into the hallway, Charlie turned suddenly. "Ah! You forgot to tell me about what happened to you!"

"Nothing of note, dear. I was somewhere else and then I came back. And that's all you need to know."

She stopped in her tracks and pouted. She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "Unacceptable. The terms were for no skimping on the details!"

He continued walking ahead of her, hands gathered behind his back. "Then I suppose there's something else I can share." He hummed for a moment, enjoying her impatient staring, and then stepped further down the hall. With a quick turn of his head, he smiled at her, "I missed you too."

Then he disappeared. Leaving behind a red-faced Charlie who will now have to walk the rest of the way.

By the time Charlie reached the lobby, Alastor was already addressing the troops.

"Good of you to join us," warbled Alastor, reaching a palm out for their fearless leader as she descended the rest of the steps. She grabbed him again, lightly fuming.

"Well I would have been there sooner if you didn't abandon me, especially saying stuff like that!"

"I have no idea what you mean," he smiled devilishly.

Her entrance didn't go unnoticed as Vaggie immediately zeroed in on their close proximity. She marched over to the pair.

"Seems like you two had a productive talk," she sneered.

Ignoring her anger, Charlie released her hold on Alastor and grasped Vaggie's hands. "It went well! I'm feeling a lot better. How're things down here?"

Eyeing the deer demon, Vaggie dragged the blonde in the opposite direction. "He came down and started calling the shots."

"That's good! What are his ideas?"

"No, hon, that's not good. He's been gone for weeks and now he can just tell us what we're doing?"

"Well he is my partner!"

"Charlie, I'm your partner."

"My business partner, Vaggie!" Charlie exhaled in exasperation. She squared up her shoulders and took a deep breath. "I know you don't trust Alastor–"

"Who could?"

"But I need you to trust me, who trusts him."

The gray angel put her head in her hand, knowing she lost this one. Charlie was too much in her own little world of believing in everyone that came into her circle, no matter what reputation preceded them.

"I understand but–"

Charlie placed a gentle hand on her girlfriend's cheek. "Please," she pleaded, "I need this to work. We can't fight about Alastor every time he tries to do anything."

"I didn't know we were fighting," Vaggie said sullenly.

"You know what I mean!" Charlie spoke, nearly losing her cool.

Vaggie took a tentative step back but did not drop it. "Fine, but I'm just looking out for you. You can't fault me for that."

"And I don't! I am very grateful for you–"

"Are you two finished with your foreplay? We got work t' do!" Angel yelled from across the room.

Charlie shook her head and re-centered herself with a smile. "Let's just focus on the hotel for now. We'll talk later!" She sprinted off, leaving a sour Vaggie in her wake.

Alastor's plan for the grand re-opening ceremony was nothing short of impressive. He was a showman first and foremost and if there was anything he understood, it was how to put on a dazzling show.

A ribbon cutting, a ball, fireworks, fine food and drink, performers! Where would they even get performers, Charlie wondered. But she was too ecstatic to care. If anyone could make it happen, it would be him.

She bounced on the balls of her hooves as she twirled around the lobby, pointing out where the stage should go, or where to hang some lights or garland or what food they should get. Her excitement poured out of her like lava and it was hard not to be affected by it.

Even Angel chimed in with some suggestions for invitees, knowing some "sexy incubi who wouldn't hesitate to charm some guests into these empty rooms." ("This isn't a brothel, Angel!")

Niffty got immediately to work, straightening up the lobby and gathering decor. Husk set up his bar, and Vaggie looked into getting the word out without involving the Vees. As much as they wanted to put out a commercial, that didn't work out so well the first time for them.

The silver-lining of the hotel's destruction was that it brought several new eyes in their direction. They'd had visitors, inquiries, and passer-bys that came through to examine what exactly had gathered the ire of Heaven and what it could possibly mean to them. Some were just curious, others with a mild interest. And Charlie welcomed them all, promising them an invitation once the hotel had finally been rebuilt.

As for Alastor, besides planning and directing the others, he conjured up what little he could. He summoned bouquets of flowers, a large theatrical stage, and shadow minions to act as the maitre d and staff.

After the team got to work and parted ways, Alastor snuck off as he often did when there was nothing currently entertaining him.

Only this time, he slinked off to his room and collapsed into his bed. He gasped, pulling off his coat and necktie, throwing them to the floor as if he couldn't breathe. The exertions from his mild use of power knocked the wind out of him. Tearing through his buttons he examined the black stain that was threatening to peak over his collarbone. He wouldn't be able to hide it from anyone soon enough. Especially Charlie who would do anything to barge into his business and nose her way into his life.

He had considered telling her about it earlier, the second she had described scourged souls to him. The Radio Demon didn't know if that's what was happening to him, but if anyone could know, it might be the centuries-year-old demoness of Hell.

Alastor mulled over his business partner for a moment. She was a frightful beast, able to worm her way into his good graces without so much as a flinch against him. She spoke so easily with him, her passion for her project infectious despite how much he enjoyed watching it fail spectacularly. But he couldn't let her fail, and didn't want to see that day come no matter how entertaining it might be. He'll get enough amusement for the time being. After they re-open, there will be numerous opportunities to watch the scrabbling masses of demons try and fail to be redeemed.

But he could barely focus on that for now, as he contemplated the agonizing pit he felt scorching its way through his skin.

Charlie's nightmare concerned him immensely. Was it an omen? A message? A coincidence? And not only did it strike a blackened fear in the brightest star at this hotel, but it had turned her away from him. She never feared him, even at his most fearsome! So seeing her crawling away from him on the ground was a sight he thought he'd never behold.

The red demon never wanted to make her feel that way again. He had way more fun watching her scramble to do her best, always with a smile. His own smile grew at the thought of her flusteredness. He knew the effect he had on her and enjoyed pushing her to her limit.

It wasn't a lie when he told her he missed her. The weeks spent gathering his strength in the darkness of his ruined radio tower proved nearly fruitless but also endlessly boring. His only company being the shadows of his employ and even they weren't happy with the current developments. Everytime he tried to engage his abilities, he was met with an inner resistance that sought to punish him every single time he tried.

But he was too stubborn to let anything stop him or anyone help him.

His smile became a grimace as his twin shadow appeared, complete with a deep frown.

'It's grown,' said the shadow in its soundless tongue.

"Thank you for the stunning observation," said Alastor.

'You need to consult the texts,' his shadow continued, sweeping across the floor towards his prone partner.

"All in good time my incorporeal compatriot!" Alastor pushed himself up and contemplated leaving his coat and waistcoat off. The extra fabric only worked to chafe his aching wound and constrict his breathing. He needed all the strength he could get in the coming weeks. If he even had weeks left to solve this mystery…

Shrugging, he left it behind, re-buttoning his red dress shirt and donning a smile. He wasn't fully dressed without it, of course (though minus 2/3rds of his usual outfit.)

Hopefully no one would comment.


AN: The plot thickens... Thank you to everyone who read and commented! So excited to get to the JUICE. I love writing Charlie and Alastor's interactions! Also, Happy Charlastor Week!