Timothy (to Hiiri): So, I did what you asked me to... Are you going to keep your end of the deal?
Hiiri (to Timothy): Yes, when your dear ex-boyfriend is in my sights, the money will be transferred to your account & then, you can live the life you always wanted to in New York City.
Timothy (to Hiiri): You still never told me what you wanted with Nate.
Hiiri (to Timothy): Oh... I didn't? Well, silly me... (to Starling) Please, keep our little friend company while we wait for Mister Jones.
Starling (to Hiiri): Yes, ma'am. (to Timothy) Come on, Tim... I have something to show you. It's a game.
Timothy (to Starling): ... Oh okay.
Onboard the Maltese Falcon:
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor, should that alarm be going off?
Victor (to Yukiko): Shit! That's the proximity alarm.
Yukiko (to Victor): What do you need me to do?
Victor (to Yukiko): Watch the monitor. I've radically changed course. Are they still tailing us?
Yukiko (to Victor): It looks like they're not following us, but they have stopped... I wonder why?
Victor (to Yukiko): Do you hear... Yoyo! Grab my hand! QUICK!
Yukiko (to Victor): Right!
A moment later:
Victor (to Yukiko): Are you alright? Where the FUCK did they get one of those?
Yukiko (to Victor): I'm fine... Who do you think they were? Oh god, Victor... Your dad's ship.
Victor (to Yukiko): I don't know. Shit... We're dead in the air. I hoist a sail and get us back down if we can find a safe place to dock her. We may want to wait. Hopefully, whoever that was thinks we're dead. That was a lightning bomb.
Yukiko (to Victor): Well then we wait... I'll look at the maps and see if I can find us a safe place to set down.
Victor (to Yukiko): We can't wait too long. I'm guessing whoever bombed us called a vulture crew and "tipped" them off to the disabled airship spotted in our vicinity. Shit. The radio's fried. Man... My dad is going to be so, SO fucking unhappy...
Yukiko (to Victor): Don't get all mopey... I worked as a mechanic on an airship for the last few months. I'll get to work right now. I should be able to get the radio & possibly basic propulsion back at least.
Victor (to Yukiko): Do you ever get tired of hearing me tell you that you're amazing? What can I do to help?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... It's one of my favorite things to hear. Just lead me to the tools & I'll do the rest. You just focus on making sure we don't get boarded for salvage.
Victor (to Yukiko): Aye aye. The tools are in the cabinet under the stairs, right before the engine room. I'll see what I can get working up here
Yukiko (to Victor): Good... Here's a kiss for luck.
Victor (to Yukiko): Here's one for you too. Shout if you need help.
Yukiko (to Victor): You too.
A short time later, at Renfield's, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Hey. Sorry, I'm a little late. I kinda slept through my alarm this morning. I tried to call, but I couldn't get through.
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Nate! We didn't think you'd be coming in today, because of the posters.
Nathaniel (to Oliver): Because of the what? What are you talking about?
Oliver (to Nathaniel): Oh. The flyer that's been posted around town. About you. You haven't seen it, have you?
Nathaniel (to Oliver): What the fuck are you talking about? (to River) What?
River (to Nathaniel & Oliver): Here. I grabbed one off the wall.
Nathaniel (to River): Oh for fucking fist-fucks's sake... Jesus. And he put the our fucking number on here. Nice! God... How mad is Emma?
River (to Nathaniel): About like you'd expect... She's been on the phone yelling at people for the last three hours.
Nathaniel (to River): Dammit. I should have known he would pull something like this.
River (to Nathaniel): Who? What the fuck is going on, Nate?
Nathaniel (to River): Tim. I told him yesterday that I didn't wanna get back together with him. I thought he took it a little too fucking well. I guess the more time he had to think about it, the more pissed off he got.
River (to Nathaniel): So, as revenge he posted this up? Seems kind of juvenile if you ask me.
Nathaniel (to River): Yeah. Well, welcome to Tim. He's not that bad a guy. Uh, most of the time, but he can be a fucking queen if he wants to. Some chick got first chair over him in the orchestra at his school, and he cut the horsehair on her bow the next day.
River (to Nathaniel): Well, Oliver & I can go tear down the posters, but you're going to have to talk to Emma... There shouldn't be any permanent damage. Besides, Emma being irritated, that is.
Nathaniel (to River): Yeah. I know. Thanks. For offering to tear them down, I mean.
River (to Nathaniel): No problem... Hey, there's an address on here that's not the cafe... That's weird.
Nathaniel (to River): It's not my uncle's address is it? He'd be fucking... Oh. No. Where the hell is that?
River (to Nathaniel): ... Well, according to this map, I think that's the old abandoned inn on the edge of town. Why would your ex put that on there? ... Seems like something out of Nancy Drew novel if you ask me.
Nathaniel (to River): Fucked if I know. At least no one's gonna show up to the coffeehouse looking for some kinda reward. Christ speaking of which, lemme go talk to Emma.
A few moments later:
Mouse (to Nathaniel): There you are! First off, are you okay? Secondly, what the hell is this stupid poster all about? Is this some kind of joke? Thirdly, are you trying to make me crazy? Is that what this is? Am I horrible boss? Do you hate your job? Sorry. Sorry. I'm just a little stressed. I've been dealing with the police and newspapers all morning.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Oh my god... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry! I had nothing to do with this! I swear! I think it was Tim, my ex. He showed up yesterday looking for me. I had no idea he would pull something like this. It's not... I mean, my parents know where I am. I'm pretty sure my aunt told them. Um, Aunt Mary, not Poppy. There's no reward out there for me or anything... No one is looking for me. I really just thing it's Tim being a dick.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): I'm sure but it doesn't really help business when a poster pops up with our phone number… There was a lovely turn of phrase on there... I can't recall but it was nice. Remind me to use it for our next ad.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I--I don't know what to say.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): It's okay, Nate. It's not your fault. I'm just frustrated. This isn't the first time I've dealt with something like this. Should I be expecting more things like this in the future or is your ex a one trick pony? And now that he's been disruptive he'll go away?
Nathaniel (to Mouse): I don't know. I think so. I mean, I think he's only pissed right now because I turned him down yesterday. Once he gets to school he should have more important shit to worry about, you know? I hope. Jesus... Yesterday, he's telling me he loves me, and giving me his address in case I "changed my mind". Today he's trying to get me fired and trying to get people to go to an abandoned building to get a reward for finding me. Jesus!
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Well, people do crazy stupid things when they're hurt... Wait... What's this about an abandoned building?
Nathaniel (to Mouse): I dunno. The address he put on the flyer. It isn't the address here. River said it's for some building on the edge of town.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): ... It's not the address for the Old Piedmont, is it?
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Um, I'm not sure. He said it was for an abandoned inn, I think.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Goddamn it! ... Nate, how well do you know this ex of yours? That abandoned inn is the location of a natural occurring portal entrance... No random teenager from Mississippi would just happen to stumble on that building... Someone had to tell him about it or take him there.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): But... I--I don't understand. Why would someone show Tim where the portal was?
Mouse (to Nathaniel): I'm not sure... but it seems like a strange coincidence. I am so not getting involved with this crazy shit, again. Nate, go home. Tell Vincent about the poster & the address. He'll figure out what it means... It could be nothing. But I doubt it.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Oh. Yes, ma'am. sorry. Um, I am really sorry. And I didn't hate my job.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Nate, you're not fired... I just need a day to cool off & I'm worried that there's more going on than we know.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Oh thank the sweet baby Jesus! Um, sorry. I wouldn't have blamed you, you know. For firing me. I'm sorry. Again. I'm, um, I'm... I'm just gonna go home.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Come here, Nate. It's okay. This is a family, we watch out for each other. Tomorrow everything will be back to normal.
Nathaniel (to Mouse): Yeah... Thank you, Emma. I'll see you later.
Mouse (to Nathaniel): Bye, Nate.
A few hours later, at the Old Piedmont Inn, West Piedmont:
Starling (to Hiiri): Miss Hiiri, ma'am?
Hiiri (to Starling): Yes, Miss Starling?
Starling (to Hiiri): I seem to have broken Tim... I'm very sorry.
Hiiri (to Starling): Miss Starling, what have we told you about playing so rough with your toys?
Starling (to Hiiri): I can try to put him back together, if you'd like...
Hiiri (to Starling): No matter. I wasn't really planning on keeping him around much longer & it looks like his little ploy was a wash, anyway... Clearly, our little Nathaniel was no longer under the sway of Mister Miller. Too bad, really. I've always taken a personal interest in the entire Jones family... They're like my pet project.
Starling (to Hiiri): Like an ant farm? ... I like destroying the tunnels.
Hiiri (to Starling): I'm sure you do. I am going to return to the airship. Stay here & let me know as soon as anything interesting happens.
Starling (to Hiiri): Yes, ma'am.
A short time later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Zoe: Dad! Nate! I'm home from school early. My last class got cancelled due to a sudden lack of teacher. Hello? Anyone home?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Hey. You're home early. You cutting class or some shit?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Nothing like that. Mrs. Emerson went home early with a case of food poisoning, so my last class was cancelled. So, here I am. What are you doing home? I thought you were working today.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I got sent home cause of this. Tim's parting gift.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh... What an asshole!
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Emma thinks there's something fishy about it. Guess the address on the flyer has some kinda big, stable portal.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Really? What the fuck does the douchebag ex know about portals?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Nothing as far as I know. I mean, *I* didn't know anything about them & I'm the freak. She thought someone might have shown it to him. Or it could have just been a fucking coincidence. Who the fuck knows?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Hmmm... I think I'm going to check it out. I don't believe in coincidences when it comes to the portals. Wanna come with me?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): I dunno. Shouldn't we wait for your dad or something? Emma seemed pretty unnerved by the whole thing...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah well, that's because she doesn't have our awesomely cool abilities... And she had a bad experience over there. If you don't want to go, I'll just hop over there by myself, check it out & then come right back. No sense in bugging Dad if it's nothing.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well, you're not going by yourself! Your goddamn nosiness is gonna get us fucking killed. You know that, right?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Quite possibly.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Well, as long as we've got a plan. What? What are you staring at?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Ummm, do you really have a homemade tattoo that says 'broken'?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Jesus... Figures you'd be the only one to notice that fucking detail.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, well... Do you? What does Aiden think of that?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): God... Yes, alright? It's as shitty looking as you would expect.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee... We should get you a better one to cover that shit up.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. Yeah. And Aiden doesn't give a shit. It's not like he doesn't have any of his own.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh my god! Really? Stuffy Aiden has tattoos!?! You are fucking pulling my leg.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yes, really. He got most of them during some mission.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee... Alright, I'll make you a deal, we'll stay here IF you promise to show me Aiden's tattoos, at some point.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You are a fucking pervert, you know that? ...Fine. I'll see what I can do.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heehee... I'll make us some dinner, then since we won't be off investigating.
A few minutes later:
Vincent (to Nathaniel): Nate! Oh thank God you're here! Where is Zoe? Tell me she's here...
Nathaniel (to Vincent): Uh. Yeah. She's here. She's making dinner. What's going on?
Zoe (to Vincent): Hi dad... (to Vincent & Nathaniel) how do you both feel about Thai food? I was thinking of making a green curry.
Vincent (to Zoe): That sounds delicious, sweetie. (to Nathaniel & Zoe) Listen, I need you both to stay away from the old Piedmont Inn, OK?
Zoe (to Vincent): Oh okay... Does this have something to do with that stupid poster?
Vincent (to Zoe): That's it in one, hun. (to Nathaniel) Do you REALLY have a prison tat, Nate? Let me see!
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): So something IS going on!
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): HAHAHA! (to Nathaniel) See, I'm not the only one who noticed that tiny detail.
Nathaniel (to Zoe & Vincent): What the hell is everybody's obsession with that!?!
Zoe (to Vincent): Dad, as much as I love tormenting Nate about his tattoo. What's going on?
Vincent (to Zoe & Nathaniel): I'm not sure, hun. But, someone wanted Nate near that portal, and that makes me nervous. I need you two need to be extra careful, alright?
Zoe (to Nathaniel & Vincent): Okay.
Vincent (to Zoe): Thank you. (to Nathaniel) Now, Nate, show me your horrible kitchen tattoo.
Zoe (to Vincent): Dad, wouldn't you much rather see Aiden's tattoos?
Vincent (to Zoe): Hee hee. I've seen some of them already. But, I suppose you two find them more intriguing than I do. :-p
Zoe (to Vincent & Nathaniel): Oh... How did you get to see them? I bet that's an interesting story... Dinner's ready by the by.
Vincent (to Zoe): I fear not as interesting as you might be hoping. Thank you, sweetie. It smells delicious.
Zoe (to Vincent): Well, that's a shame.
Meanwhile, onboard the Maltese Falcon:
Yukiko (to Victor): I think I've finally got the engine back online, Victor. See, if she'll turns over.
Victor (to Yukiko): Fingers crossed... Oh my god! YES! You are beautiful, Yoyo!
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... You're just saying that because I fixed the airship... Just don't get too crazy with her. I've still got work to do. There's a compression coil & a catalyzer that needs to be replaced & couple fuses blew when we got hit.
Victor (to Yukiko): We're up and moving. After a lightning bomb. And I'm saying you're beautiful because you are amazingly beautiful. Heh. And damn fucking sexy covered in grease. I got the radio working. Amal Birdie is going to let us dock near his home. The navigation system is still down, but I know about where we were when we were hit. I was able to chart a course.
Yukiko (to Victor): Good... How long do you think he'll let us dock? Long enough that I can get her fully repaired? I'd hate to give the ship back to your father all busted up.
Victor (to Yukiko): I think he'll let us stay for long enough to make repairs. Especially, since I have no doubt that they some ship or another that will need repairs. They'll be thrilled to have us there. Heh. And my dad won't mind if there are a few things that need sorting. He LOVES tinkering with the ship. Wait until he finds out you've been making repairs. He'll never leave you alone.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. Well, it's nice to be useful in a way that doesn't involve killing a man with 2 fingers... That was a joke. I've never killed a man with two fingers... both hands, yes... I'm sorry. I think I need to take a break. I'm getting weird from being in that cramped, stuffy engine room. Brain is turning to mush.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. You can go lie down if you want. I can wake you up when we get to Amal's.
Yukiko (to Victor): If I lie down now, I'll be dead to the world for too long. Is it alright if I sit up here with you & keep you company?
Victor (to Yukiko): Hee hee. You know I don't mind in the slightest. I like spending time with you.
Yukiko (to Victor): I bet you say that to all the girls... who fix your airship. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Well, maybe one or two, but none of them were as interesting and lovely as you.
Yukiko (to Victor): What's your game, Victor? You have been throwing compliments at me all day. It's very sweet but it's making me nervous. Is there something you're not telling me? Are you dying? Am I dying?
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh heh. Sometimes I think you know me entirely too well. I'm sorry. I'm twitchy. Aiden and I kept getting tailed all week, and now this lightning bomb. Who would waste that kind of fire power on the Falcon? And why?
Yukiko (to Victor): Sounds like someone with a grudge against your dad.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah... Which is part of what worries me.
Yukiko (to Victor): Well, maybe we should get a ship of our own to do runs with, if this continues to happen… I meant to say, you should get a ship of your own.
Victor (to Yukiko): I didn't mind the "we."
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh... I didn't want to presume.
Victor (to Yukiko): Why not? Unless you're planning on dumping me, I'm not headed anywhere anytime soon. You're... You're not, are you?
Yukiko (to Victor): Of course not, you big silly, I love you... It's just getting an airship together would be a big step & a huge commitment.
Victor (to Yukiko): I know. I still have to figure out if I want to go to school first or not, and there's the blacklisting bullshit to sort. But I don't mind thinking about a future with you. I don't mind it at all.
Yukiko (to Victor): Speaking of that… I made a big decision. I think I'm going to leave school & stay on this side. I can't risk Mars or anyone else I know getting hurt. And I have to face facts that this side is where I belong. But, I'd like it if you decided to have a future with me, too. But I know that you've got a life over there. So I understand if you can't.
Victor (to Yukiko): I'm a skipper, Yoyo. I belong a little bit of everywhere. Heh. Or maybe a little bit of nowhere. I'm not sure what's going to happen, or what the future holds, but I want it to include you. Would you wait for me if I wanted to try going to school? It's not as though I couldn't visit with regularity. :-P
Yukiko (to Victor): Of course I'd wait for you to finish school. I don't have any plans that don't include you. And you'd better visit me. I'm not sure if you've noticed this, but I happen to be very deeply in love with you.
Victor (to Yukiko): I've noticed. I happen to be madly in love with you as well. And you just try to keep me from visiting you. I, uh... I am more than a bit disappointed that we're not going to be living together. I will admit. And Mars is going to be PISSED.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... Move in with me here, then. Not here, here... But, New London. And, I have it on good authority that Mars has her hands full with a boy.
Victor (to Yukiko): Mars is dating someone?! What? No way! Who? WHEN?
Yukiko (to Victor): Aiden told me that Mars' ex, River, returned from wherever the hell he went & they seem to be circling each other... again. Apparently he got his old job back & has been working with Nate. I was there for the tail end of them dating & the aftermath. I hope she knows what she's doing. If he hurts her again, I will kill him.
Victor (to Yukiko): How messy was it?
Yukiko (to Victor): Well, he took off without a goodbye after a serious discussion about their relationship. Mars' was super depressed for awhile there & then she started hanging out with a slightly older girl from the cafe... That got messy fast. That's when she decided to not date & just focus on school. The sad part was that I actually liked River. I thought they were good together. She wasn't so grumpy all the time. She didn't smoke as much. I even saw her smile.
Victor (to Yukiko): Poor Mars... If that jackass hurts her again, I'll help you hide the body. Why don't we know people who date like normal human beings? I'm still trying to wrap my head around Nate and Aiden. ... Oh. Right. Because everyone we know is from an an alternate reality, or a spy, or a clone, or a suspicious surly bastard, or some combination thereof.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh... I didn't think you liked the girls you dated in the "normal" way all that much... Though, the stories I heard were hardly commonplace. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): I wasn't talking about ME. I'm *completely* normal. Why? What have you heard?
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh, the last time I saw Persephone, she regaled me with stories of your past dating adventures filled with late night strolls around ponds, causing a horse to throw a shoe, then there's my favorite, buying out a whole flower cart. Very subtle.
Victor (to Yukiko): Oh my god... I'm going to have to kill Seph. Her parents will be so sad. Believe me, I would have done all manner of ridiculous, STUPID things to get your attention, if you hadn't so succinctly, and expertly I might add, decimated every attempt I made to be smooth and charming around you.
Yukiko (to Victor): Don't kill Seph. She's your best friend... I have to admit that hearing all of that made me a little jealous. But, I liked getting to know the real you, not that guy.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. You want to know the truth? The more boring the girl, the more interesting I tried to make the date. In case you hadn't noticed, Potters tend to be slightly theatrical in nature.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heehee, I do believe I noticed that trait once or twice... So does a dangerous escape from pirates constitute a boring girl? Or is it a run of the mill date & you think I'm exciting sitting here all covered in grease?
Victor (to Yukiko): Good god, NO! You are the most amazing person I've ever met. Honestly. And I wasn't kidding when I said you were sexy covered in grease. if you want, after CLANNG and the British government aren't trying to murder us, I will take you out on the most RIDICULOUS of dates. We'll have people following us taking notes.
Yukiko (to Victor): That is a deal... And, I shall endeavor to wear some very strategically placed grease stains for the occasion... Speaking of which, I should really finish that work on the catalyzer & compression coil. I think I can have it done in an hour or so. And then, a shower.
Victor (to Yukiko): You're making it very difficult for me to concentrate on navigating, you know... We should be at Amal's in about 45 minutes. Would you like company after we land?
Yukiko (to Victor): I thought you'd never ask... And the answer is yes. I do believe I will need some help getting those hard to reach spots. Let me get back to work & leave you to your steering.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Please do, before I steer us into a mountain. I'll see you soon.
