At the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Zoe: Gah! Okay, little brother, you better stop squirming and cooperate. Changing your diaper is hard enough without all the wiggling.
Vincent (to Zoe): Hee hee. Would you like some help, Monster?
Zoe (to Vincent): Yes, please. Lucas is being difficult.
Vincent (to Zoe): Hee hee. Let me have at him. Don't listen to her, Lucas. Everyone says the same thing about me… There we are: one clean, wiggling baby. Hee hee. I think we'd better get him someplace he can crawl, hadn't we?
Zoe (to Vincent): Yeah, I think you're right. He is a wiggly thing today.
Vincent (to Zoe): That he is. He's probably getting pent up being in the Bunker all the time. Do you feel up to a walk, hun? Your mom is still nervous about us traipsing about New London. How about we go to West Piedmont and get a cup of coffee?
Zoe (to Vincent): Oh my god, I would love that! I would kill for one of Emma's mochas.
Vincent (to Zoe): Hee hee. I thought I might be able to convince you. :-p Let's go tell your mother where we're going.
Zoe (to Vincent): Okay.
A few minutes later:
Poppy (to Vincent & Zoe): What on earth are you two grinning at? ... What's going on, sweeties?
Vincent (to Poppy): Lover? Zoe and I were going to take Lucas for a walk in West Piedmont. Would you like us to fetch you a vanilla cappuccino?
Poppy (to Vincent): Yes. Yes, I would, lover. I should be back from my errand by the time you get back.
Zoe (to Poppy & Vincent): Mom, you have that look on your face..,
Vincent (to Poppy): Then a cappuccino you shall have. Do you need us to do anything else for you, gorgeous?
Poppy (to Vincent & Poppy): No, lover, I think the coffee will do just nicely. And, Zoe, I do not have a look.
Zoe (to Poppy & Vincent): ... Um, if you say so, Mom. :-p
Vincent (to Poppy): How you look is gorgeous. Give your husband and your littlest one a kiss. We'll be back in a few hours.
Poppy (to Vincent & Zoe): Have fun!
A little while later:
Zoe (to Vincent): Dad, is Mom up to something?
Vincent (to Zoe): Of course! Mind you, she's *usually* up to something. :-p
Zoe (to Vincent): Heh. That's true... You know, I can't remember the last time you & I spent the day together.
Vincent (to Zoe): That is true. I think that means we're long overdue, don't you? Hee hee. Current drooling sidekick included, of course.
Zoe (to Vincent): Heehee. Of course, Drooly McGee over here is included… There's no show without Punch. Isn't that right, Lucas? Heehee.
Vincent (to Zoe): How about you skip us to the apartment? We can get some lunch, and head back with coffees and parties in tow.
Zoe (to Vincent): Of course. Take my hand… One. Two. Three.
A moment later, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment; West Piedmont:
Zoe (to Vincent): Oof… Gosh, this place needs a good dusting.
Vincent (to Zoe): Oh lord... Look at all those cobwebs. Forget the dusting. Let's get a flamethrower. Hee hee hee. (to Lucas) Would you like that, Lucas? Want to help Daddy set the apartment on fire?
Zoe (to Vincent): Heehee… Maybe, you guys need to sublet the apartment or hire a cleaning service?
Vincent (to Zoe): That's not a bad idea, hun. Though who on earth could we sublet to? We might show up unannounced and bloody. :-p
Zoe (to Vincent): I don't know… Maybe, Mars?
Vincent (to Zoe): Hmmm... That's not a bad idea. I know her mom said she's been having trouble finding a roommate.
Zoe (to Vincent): … I wouldn't mind staying over here a bit. I mean, I love being with you guys but I kind of miss this side now that I'm not here all the time. I wouldn't mind being Mars' roommate if she wanted to stay here. I'd like to maybe get a job & wander back and forth like Nate… If that's okay?
Vincent (to Zoe): Hmmm... That's not a bad idea. I know her mom said she's been having trouble finding a roommate. This might be easier on her pocket, that's for sure. We can make the suggestion, at the least. We'll have to talk to your mother, of course, but I don't see why that would be a problem, sweetie. Awww, our baby birds are starting to leave the nest.
Zoe (to Vincent): … Dad, I'll be living in our house. It's hardly leaving the nest.
Vincent (to Zoe): Shhh. Let me have my delusions. :-p
Zoe (to Vincent): Heehee… Fine, crazy man.
At Maladori's residence; New London, Britannia:
Professor Maladori (to Luc): Enough of your whining, Luc. I have plans for you in a few hours, and I need to know exactly where you will be.
Luc (to Professor Maladori): Fine. I was going to be at the Hanging Man for a bit. I owe Amunet a drink & a gentleman there owes me some money.
Professor Maladori (to Luc): Very good. Do try not to be drunk. It will complicate the... It will complicate your assignment.
Luc (to Professor Maladori): Yes, ma'am.
Amunet (to Luc): Are you ready, se-- Luc?
Luc (to Amunet & Professor Amunet): Heh. Yes, sweetness. Professor Maladori was just letting me know that she will need me later.
Professor Maladori (to Luc & Amunet): I will never understand your insistence on SOCIALIZING...
Luc (to Professor Maladori & Amunet): It's a human condition. You wouldn't understand.
Amunet (to Luc): ... Quick, handsome, let's go before she gets the joke.
Professor Maladori (to Luc & Amunet): Thank god! I weep for the knowledge lost due to things those unwashed plebeians would dub "human." As if basic biological function is some lofty goal! Never mind. Never mind. Go! See that you're back on time.
Luc (to Professor Maladori): Bye, Professor!
Amunet (to Professor Maladori): Yes, of course... (to Luc) Stop saying that sort of thing to her. Have you lost your mind?
Luc (to Amunet): Perhaps, I have... I've been having these terrible headaches. I think it's from the fact that there is & isn't 3 versions of me. It's playing havoc on me... How have you been dealing with it?
Amunet (to Luc): I've been fine. The me from this year is safely ensconced in a stasis chamber according to the professor.
Luc (to Amunet): … I don't think that's true, sweetness. I'm very sorry that I got you involved in all of this... I thought by jumping back & stopping the kidnapping would make things better but I didn't realize that there were other changes already in effect.
Amunet (to Luc): Forget it. That's in the past... Or future. C'mon, let's go get that drink you owe me.
A couple hours later, at ISS headquarters; New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Roland): Good day, Director Wilkes. I hope I'm not disturbing you, honey.
Roland (to Poppy): Ms Meriwether... This is an --unexpected-- visit. What may I do for you?
Poppy (to Roland): Professor Maladori has decided to rise up the food chain, honey. I don't know what her game is but she has two young people working for her that I would very much like to see safely out of it. In a few hours, I'd like you to announce that you have arrested them. Here are their names & likenesses. You can be as loud about it as you like. Can you do that for me, honey?
Roland (to Poppy): Well, that would explain why we found Fitzroy, the former director of CLANNG, in the state we did. You do realize that it's most *unusual* for an agent to make this kind or request of her superior, don't you? But considering how instrumental you've been these last few months... I'll make the announcement in two hour's time.
Poppy (to Roland): Heehee. Thank you, honey... And, I won't bother correcting you about my status as an agent. Toodles!
Roland (to Poppy): What do you... Oh, bloody hell. How *does* she manage that?
A few minutes later, at the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Poppy (to Fiona): Fiona, I could use your assistance. Are you up for a little strong-arming?
Fiona (to Poppy): That is music to my ears, missus. With distinct and unfettered glee. Who are we strong-arming?
Poppy (to Fiona): Two of Maladori's minions. They're not to be killed or seriously injured. We just need to get them here & put in the brig.
Fiona (to Poppy): Aye, ma'am. Am I going all by my wee self? Thank the stars! It'll be old times!
Poppy (to Fiona): Yes, all by your lonesome. It hardly seems fair, honey. I'd prefer to come with you but they'd recognize me.
Fiona (to Poppy): 'Tisn't fair at all! I'll try not to damage the poor little lambs too badly. Haha! See you in a few, missus.
Poppy (to Fiona): Heh. See you soon, honey.
An hour or so later, in the brig, at the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Fiona (to Luc): Quit your bellyaching, pretty boy! You aren't that hurt. (to Amunet) You just keep your eyes forward wee one, and keep moving or I'll throw you in the sack too.
Luc: You great... ... cow... woman... stab... Where's... knife?
Amunet (to Fiona): I'd very much prefer to stay out of the sack, ma'am. It smells of fish.
Fiona (to Luc): Like I'd leave you with a knife... (to Amunet) What on earth are you trying to do?
Amunet (to Fiona): Who me? I'm not doing anything at all. Simply walking like you told me to, ma'am.
Fiona (to Amunet): Ha! Save your lies for someone stupid enough to believe them. I'll have that, thank you. Well, well... That looks nasty, doesn't it? You realize, of course, that it wouldn't take effect until well after we got where we were going, don'cha? Which is here... In you go! Make yourselves at home.
Amunet (to Fiona): Bloody hell! (to Luc) Luc? Are you alright?
Luc (to Amunet): Just my pride, mostly... And, both my hands, my right eye & possibly a rib. Ouch... Stop touching my face, sweetness!
Amunet (to Luc): Sorry.
A few minutes later:
Poppy (to Fiona): I see you've returned, Fiona. Any luck?
Fiona (to Poppy): They're both in the brig, as requested. The pretty lad is a little worse for wear. I'm afraid he didn't quite believe a member of the "fairer sex" could best both of them in a fight. Heh. Afraid he learned otherwise the hard way. The wee one tried to jab me with this. I was going to bring them some whiskey and a bit of ice. They'll be wanting both, I'd wager.
Poppy (to Fiona): Heh. Yes, I suppose they will, honey... I was planning on letting them stew for the night before I question them. That should help nicely. Thank you for once again doing an exemplary job, sweetie. I don't care what Margaux said about you, you're tops!
Fiona (to Poppy): Oh? Has she moved on from insulting my physique and started slandering my skills instead? Ha ha ha! That old shrew!
Poppy (to Fiona): Heehee. She only says that sort of thing about those she likes. You should have heard the things she called me. ;-p
Fiona (to Poppy): I assume so. I imagine she shoots people she dislikes. Ha! I'll get them food, drink, medicine and see they're tucked in for the night nice and tight.
Poppy (to Fiona): Thank you, honey.
An hour or so later, in the brig:
Fiona (to Amunet & Luc): Heh. Save yourselves the time. You're here for the night. Here: whiskey, a bit of chicken and bread, and some ice and ointment for the poor, ickle lad's busted bits.
Luc (to Fiona): Thanks.
Amunet (to Luc): Don't move, Luc. I'll get it... Why on earth are we here?
Luc (to Amunet): I have no idea.
Fiona (to Amunet & Luc): Couldn't say. When the boss says "fetch," I fetch. Heh heh. You can stop your act, lad. You aren't that hurt.
Luc (to Fiona): Hush you. I'm enjoying having a beautiful girl play nurse to me... I was enjoying it. Ow.
Amunet (to Luc): You can bloody well do your own nursing, you giant idiot! (to Fiona) If he's dead in the morning, he completely deserved it.
Luc (to Amunet): Oh? Ow! Don't smack me! (to Fiona) Could I please have my own cell? I fear this isn't going to end well... For me.
Fiona (to Luc & Amunet): Heh heh. Sorry, no. You made your own hostile cell, you'll have to lie in it. ...The whiskey isn't poisoned.
Luc (to Amunet): You won't stay mad a-- Okay, okay. Maybe, you will. I'm going to sit right here.
Fiona (to Amunet): There are more interesting ways to make a man regret his bad decisions than death, lovey. Behave and I may teach you a few.
Amunet (to Fiona): ... Oh? That might be handy.
Luc: Just great! My girlfriend is going to learn new ways to torture me.
Fiona (to Luc): Torture? You should be so lucky. (to Winchester) Come to watch the show, lovely?
Winchester (to Fiona): Is there going to be a show, firebug? I do love a good bit of theater. But, honestly I was coming to find you.
Fiona (to Winchester): Oh? Heh. Is boredom curing you in a way rest and medicine cannot?
Winchester (to Fiona): I just received a clean bill of health & I was hoping we could break a bed or three... Interested?
Fiona (to Winchester): I'd love to wreck havoc on the magpie's collection of beds, but I'm on guard duty.
Winchester (to Fiona): Oh really? These two look harmless enough... Well, mostly harmless. But, if you insist on being a stick in the mud. I shall go and occupy myself with something.
Fiona (to Winchester): Heh heh. Come off it. You know the harmless ones are the ones who need the most watching.
Winchester (to Fiona): Heh. Suit yourself, firebug.
Fiona (to Winchester): Look me up after I'm done, lovely, and I'll make the wait worth your while.
Winchester (to Fiona): I might... Or perhaps, I'll make YOU wait. We'll just have to see which way the wind blows, won't we?
Fiona (to Winchester): Ha ha ha! Well, well... I suppose we shall.
An hour later, at Maladori's residence; New London, Britannia:
Professor Maladori: ... Where the bloody hell is that boy?!?
