At Portsmith’s office:

Portsmith *picks up the phone*  Haffner, have you found out where Ava DeMarco is?  What?  Frolicking with Godley, how disgusting!  At his house?  Don't people have any morals at all nowadays.  Get her to my office immediately.

At Godley’s house:

Godley *frowns, the hand holding the coffee cup stops in midair - someone is forcefully banging the door*  Blimey!  I'll best go and open before the door is in splinters.  *with a heavy sigh and a displeased look he rises with an effort and goes to the door*  Will you stop that!

Helga Haffner:  Why did it take so long!  She pushes lightly Godley aside with her wrestler's arm, they are about equal size and height but Helga is sheer muscle and would surely put fright in the heart of a sumo wrestler*  Ava DeMarco?  Where is she?  Aha ... *she marches to kitchen and points at Ava*  You!  The Commander wants to see you now.

Ava *looks at Godley* But what have I done all I have been doing is eating some delightful food that Godley cooked. What if I don't want to go *Godley frowns a little* I suppose you would just drag me there and a woman in my condition shouldn't be drag because you'll harm the child... *Ava stands up* Good night Godley it has been a pleasure *she kisses him on the cheek* thanks for the great food *she follows Portsmith stooge* Bye Godley.

Godley *to Helga*  You can't just burst in in a private house like this.  Portsmith will hear about your conduct.  *he takes his jacket*  I don't trust you a bit.  I am coming with you to see that you don't mistreat her.  If you dare even to touch her, I'll ...

Haffner:  You what, fat man?  Okay, come along then.  *she shrugs, then turns to Ava*  I didn't say you have done anything wrong.  The Commander just wanted to see you.  Sort it yourself.  *she pushes Ava into the waiting car where her sister Hilda is at the steering wheel*  You'll go with Hilda, Sergeant Godley, I'll watch the pri... er Mrs DeMarco.  Drive on Hilda!  *and she slams the door shut*

Ava:  Hang on you were going to say prisoner weren't you *looks away* if I haven’t done any thing why must you call me that and why would she want me. *shakes her head* there is only one reason she wants to see me and that’s money for that statue of hers.

Helga *snaps*  I did not say anything like that.  And I do not question her orders, it's the same to me why she wants to have a talk with you.

Outside the Security office:

Mary *trying to keep pace with her husband*  Mort, slow down!  You are walking too fast!

Mort *swings around with a look of fury on his face*  I would like to know what that was all about!?

Mary *stunned*  What do you mean?

Mort:  You were flirting with Charlie!  Of all people, Charlie!  *throws his hands up in the air*

Mary *indignant and looking crushed*  I most certainly was not!  Mort what has gotten into you?  We were here to see about Martin?  Why didn't you go see this Donnie and ask him to see Martin?!

Mort *relaxes a bit and pouts*  I don't know.  When I see you smile at other men it drives me crazy.  And you did smile!

Mary *laughs*  I smile at everybody Mort.  *touches his cheek*  Don't you know luv, you are the only man who matters to me?  You should know that by now.  *kisses him*  Do you want to go back in and try to see Martin?

Mort:  No, I'm not up for dealing with Martin tonight.  I think I'll give it a few days.  *pulls her to him and hugs her*  Forgive me Mary, I'll try not to be so jealous in the future.

Mary *hugs him back feeling a little worried.*  Come luv, lets go get our car.  

At From Hell Court:

Wilmot *left the Sharks Tooth just to get away from Spencer. He walked over to the Whales Tale. He was angry about Spencer’s words. He didn’t appreciate Spencer’s apparent amusement at his expense.  Soon, one of the local “women of the night” comes to the bar to great him*

Rose:   Hello, Johnny, I be waiting for ye to show up * runs her hands up his chest*

Wilmot: You’ll have to wait longer I’m afraid *takes her hands away and smirks*, now be gone. I have no interest of your affections this night. *he tosses her a coin*

Rose:  *raises her hand to slap him*, why ye…

Wilmot:  *grabs her by the wrist* Do not make that mistake Madam or you will regret it!

Rose:  *puffs her chest up with as much dignity as she can muster* I’ll be remembering that when ye come around and be needin it again.

Wilmot:  Barkeep * he bellows*, bring me my drink * stares at her a minute and then turns his back to the bar. Rose stalks away to sit with her friends.*

Jasmine:  *incredulous* Why, I don’t believe it Rose. Out of all us, he favors you the best. What’s gotten into him do you think?

Rose:  Humph!   A lady no doubt. Well, good luck to er, she’ll be needin it. *she pockets the coin.*

Wilmot:  *Empties his glass and throws money on the bar. He doesn’t feel like drinking. He leaves the bar and mounts his horse to head home.* who would have thought I would turn it down * he mutters* I’ve got to get Mary Rainey out of my mind. Sending the horse to a gallop he starts writing her sonnet in his head.*

At Arwen:

*Hanson, Donnie and Grace are all sitting in the living-room. A map is spread out on the coffee table and Grace sits on her knees on the floor holding a necklace in one hand and a crystal in a string in the other hand. Opposite on the couch sit Donnie and Hanson both looking intently at Grace as she concentrates and with a soft movement of her hand and wrist makes the crystal move in circles above the map.  A few hours earlier Hanson received a call from Donnie asking him if he’d had any luck in locating Isabella, but all Hanson could tell him was that she was most likely not in From Hell Court anymore. After searching for her by himself for a few hours, he’d come to the conclusion that he simply didn’t know the Court well enough to do a thorough search of the area. Following that conclusion he had – despite a wounded pride – knocked on Sands’ door to ask him for help:*

Sands: *opens the door and looks at Hanson in surprise and contempt* What are you doing here?

Hanson: *pushes past Sands and enters the apartment*

Sands: *Sarcastically* Come in, why don’t you?

Hanson: * runs a hand through his hair and answers with great concern in his voice* Isabella has disappeared and I honestly don’t know where to look. You know the Court and the people here, you have to help me.

Sands: *smiles slightly* Look, Isabella is a big girl. She can take care of herself…besides… *with a hint of malice in his voice* she’s been known to take off at a sudden whim. I know she hasn’t been writing for a while now, but maybe she got a good lead on a story and took off.

Hanson: *glares at Sands – the underlying message is not lost on him* She wouldn’t do that…she has a steady job…she’s settled down in Deppville. She…she wouldn’t just leave without telling me.

Sands: *shrugs* Maybe not…but I doubt you know that girl as well as you think. She’s very good at keeping secrets and…

Hanson: *cuts him off*…and exceptionally good at ending up in bad situations. I know all that. *Ads with an air of superiority* She told me her secrets…*sighs and turns serious* Let’s not turn this into a competition about who knows her best or who she’s closer to. Fact is that she’s missing…and I found her cell-phone on the street by her apartment-building.

Sands: *frowns* Why the Hell didn’t you say that at the beginning? *A terrifying thought hits him; looks at Hanson* Has she told you about The Order?

Hanson: *realizes that he was a little too soon to claim that she’s told him her secrets; shakes his head* No…

Sands: Well, I’ll give you the short version…secret organization, bad people…and they don’t like her very much, because she came close to exposing them and their way of handling problems. If they got to her then…*hesitates*… then she’s…well, she may be…*he can’t get himself to finish the sentence*

Hanson: *nods* I get it…

*Hanson and Sands looked for Isabella all over From Hell Court, asked a lot of questions to a lot of people, but still came up with nothing. Either no one knew anything or no one was talking. Hanson told Donnie as much when they talked on the phone. Donnie then asked Hanson to meet him at Arwen and told him to bring something of Isabella’s, because Grace might have a way of locating her*

Grace: *looks at the crystal going round and round in circles over the map, but nothing is happening and Grace can’t sense anything. She takes a deep breath and straightens up a little, closes her eyes and tries to focus as much as she can before she brings the crystal in movement again.*

Hanson: *wonders why nothing is happened…Grace did explain scrying to him, but he’s not clear on how quickly the crystal is supposed to connect to the map. But it is taking a long time and his concern grows with every minute, but he doesn’t dare to disturb Grace by asking if it’s even working*

Grace *opens her eyes and stops the crystal; she looks at Hanson apologetically* I’m sorry, mate, but I don’t reckon it’s workin’…*Hesitates* I can’t sense her at all…

Hanson *her hesitation causes him to think that she’s hiding something* What does that mean?

Grace *glances shortly at Donnie; she really doesn’t want to be the one to tell Hanson that his girlfriend has in all likelihood left this world. Smiles slightly* Maybe it doesn’t mean anythin’…

Hanson: But…

Grace: *searches for the words* The crystal locates the essence o’ a person…the soul if ye will an’…the crystal bein’ unable to locate her essence or soul means that…

Hanson: *his voice shaking* Are you trying to tell me that she’s…*in disbelief* that she’s dead?

Grace: *quietly* I’m sorry…

Hanson: *refusing to believe what he’s hearing rises from the couch* No! Isabella is not gone! Your little magic trick just didn’t work! That’s all!

Donnie: *quietly* Tom…

Hanson: *looks at Donnie desperately* But she can’t be…*tears fill his eyes* I love her…

At Wilmot’s castle:

Wilmot *reaches his stable and finds Alcock sweeping the stalls.*

Alcock: *takes the reins* There, there boy. Come on Lightening; let us get you calmed down. *distracted* Wilmot steps down and leaves him to his task.*

Wilmot: * going straight to his desk, he starts writing, never stopping until it is finished.*  Alcock * he bellows.

Alcock:  *he appears, it seems out of nowhere*   Sir?

Wilmot: *hands over the paper* what say you about this sonnet?

Alcock: *reads it then hands it back* I say she must be a very special woman but quite a challenge to be sure.

Wilmot:  *feeling very restless* Yes, but it will be a challenge I shall win. Saddle up Lightening again. I’m going for a ride on the beach. I need to clear my head. *mutters to himself*   this is giving me issues I’m not familiar with. 

Mary’s Sonnet

by John Wilmot

Wasted, without purpose

So blind I could not see

Until a beautiful woman

Sat across the room from me

Her hair fell past her shoulders

The colour dark as night

Pretty eyes of liquid brown

Were sparkling in the light

Carefree laughter carried

Across the room to me

Watching without worry

I watched her be so free

So free to enjoy just being

So free to show her love

Soon she will leave without me

With the man she holds above

Wasted, without purpose

So blind but now I see

she is only just a vision

A vision not for me

I raise my cup to toast her

Although she cannot see

Someday that beautiful woman

Will give her heart to me

Until that day I’ll carry

My secret deep inside

For she will come most freely

Her love she will not hide

At Pirate’s Cove:

Raven *searching high and low for Kat, suddenly sees her hiding behind a tree; he approaches her quietly, speaks softly*  Mother?  Mother, where have you been, I’ve been lookin’ all over for you.  I've brought Chiana to Father, just like you wanted me to.  Come back to the house, we'll all be together.

Kat:  Raven luv.  Ye best go back and tell Abby I got word 'e's off the hook for that killing and when darkness falls lead 'im secretly back te town.  Don't go forgettin' that blindfold, eh?  I gotta stay 'ere for a time, it seems Portsmith be tryin' te 'ang me for it.  No sense all of us bein' outcasts.  Go on now there's naught else ye can do 'sides take care of Abby and Chiana for me, sweet.

Raven *listens to her gravely, but when she mentions Portsmith’s intention, he frowns, his anger flaring*  B-but … she can’t do that!  You didn’t do nothin’!  *for a split second, he feels almost the same fury he felt when he first saw Abberline being held captive by Nate, when he rescued him by shifting into a wolf.  He feels himself drawn to shift, then he stops himself, as if he fears he’ll be out of control if he goes with the feeling.  The suppression exhausts him, and he slumps a little for a moment, his breathing labored, his face flushed.  After he recovers, he looks at Kat, very serious, determined*  You won’t have to hide for long, Mother, I’ll do everything I can to fix this, an’ Father will, too.  Don’t worry.  *he flings his arms around her, kisses her cheek, then quickly turns and dashes away, to run back to tell Abberline*

At the Security office:

Hilda *stops the car in front of the door of the Security and ushers Ava out*  Faster, she is expecting you!

Ava: Hey I am not a piece of meat you can’t just demand me in there ... any ways I cant walk that fast with my swollen ankles. *pauses* And how does one introduce oneself to Portsmith these days her ladyship *she makes her way up the stairs and mutters to herself*

At Elliott’s house:

Emina *has now spent two days living with Elliot and Dawn, she couldn’t be happier. Today she got up at six am to start unpacking everything for them whilst they slept. She wouldn’t do it while they were awake she wants it to be a surprise for them. Emina silently slinks down the stairs and she starts with the kitchen unpacking every thing from their boxes it’s not long before she has finished it and she moves into the living room. The living shouldn’t take too long but she does want to make it perfect for them. The room is moved about to make it more homely not like it wasn’t all ready but it just needed that woman’s touch.  Emina smiles as she looks at the finished article the house now looks like a home, she straightens a picture up and heads back into the kitchen. There is no food in the cupboards or fridge and she can’t understand why because Elliot has cooked such good food for the last two days. The trash is only filled with cartons with leftovers in them Emina dashes up stairs to take a quick shower before she bravely takes her first outing outside by herself. However she has a map that Elliot drew for her to the shops and from the shops back. After her shower she grabs her purse and heads towards Grapes Groceries where she stocks up on food and paint for her room. The bags are pretty heavy but she manages she wants to do it by herself so Elliot could be proud of her. The house is still silent as Emina enters the house again, she makes her way to the kitchen and she puts the radio on.*

Emina: *starts to sing a long to Fleetwood Macs Coming home* we are the hungry ones. On a campground that's been and gone. Where are all the faces that I knew. All the heroes in the bright burning truth. Makes you feel real, real good in your bones. When the hunger stops, and the truth is known. My life, my light is coming home.Yeah, coming home.

Emina *sings softly not to wake any one. The grocery bags are slowly put away in the cupboards and frigde. She fills the fruit bowl with fresh fruit, she saves some fruit for breakfast a fruit salad with fresh youghurt poured on top. Although she wanted to make pancakes she thought it was best not as she didn’t want to send Dawn on a sugar high. Smiling to herself she cuts up the fruit and places it in two bowls on for Elliot and one for Dawn, she knows they’ll be up very soon. She pours over the yoghurt and she places the bowls on the table. She leaves them a little note with the word Surprise on the table for them. Emina disappears upstairs to paint her room.*

At Luc’s stables:

Luc *at the kitchen table in the morning with his nephew CJ, drinking coffee, leisurely flipping through the paper, stops as he turns the page in the Society section and sees the colorful notice*  Ah, c’est bon!

CJ *looks up*  What is it?

Luc *passes the paper to him*  You remember Mrs. Blake, who you helped at the shop?  They’ve sent out the invitation for their ceremony.  *he watches CJ read it*  You’ll go, won’t you?

CJ *lowers paper*  I … I guess so.  *runs a hand through his hair*  I don’t know, I mean … I won’t know anyone there except you.

Luc *arches a brow*  And how do you expect to ever get to know anyone else with that approach?  *CJ shrugs*  It’s a perfect opportunity.  There should be a good turnout, it won’t be formal, it’ll be great fun.  Chez Roux is catering *smiles proudly* and Celeste is providing the champagne, which I helped select.  *sternly*  Your parents would want you to do this, I won’t take no for an answer.  I’m responsible for you while you’re here.

CJ:  Okay, okay, I’ll go.  *grins*  But only ‘cause Manouche said there’ll be pretty girls there.

Luc *nods*  Only the prettiest in the region!  *finishes his coffee*  We’ll see about getting a suit for you this afternoon.  You didn’t bring one, did you?  *CJ looks a little uncomfortable, shakes his head*  I thought not.  No problem, we will take care of it.

CJ *holds a hand up*  But it’s gotta be comfortable, I won’t wear a damn monkey-suit.

Luc *smiles*  I give you my word, you’ll be at ease.  *stands up*  Come, let’s see to the horses.  *CJ rises from the table, joins him at the back door; Luc pats him on the shoulder, opens the door, they head out to the stable*

Manouche Roussel Blake and William Blake

Invite you to join them

in the celebration of their marriage

as they renew their vows

Rartigillichal

Saturday, 6 October, 2007

3:00 p.m.

Champagne buffet reception will follow