A Shadow Visit

"There's something I need to tell you"

"That's a rude way to greet your friends whom you've seen for a long time" Daniel poured the rest of the whiskey into the glass, sipping as Xavier took off his coat.

"We're listening" with the scent of the cigar still lingering in the air, Francis leaned on the couch for Xavier to continue.

"By long time, do you mean last week? I know exactly where you both are, I just didn't think you'll appreciate my interruption"

Seeing as they both nodded in agreement, he continued, "Desmond killed his father"

"What!"

"I knew he was not whom he want people to think he is!"

"How did you know? Who told you?" Daniel emptied the rest of the glass, setting it aside to concentrate.

"On the night of the coronation, Seraphine, Annaliese and I did a little snooping around. We came across some things which showed that he's also as obsessed as his father in locating the Eyes" he continued after a short pause, "his obsession may be a little stronger than that of his father's"

A scowl appeared on Daniel's face before muttering under his breath, "that damn witch, she knew and didn't tell me"

"Did you see the evidence to show that he killed his father?"

"Actually Seraphine did. She was the one who told us Desmond murdered his father"

"By us, I assume you mean Annaliese and you" Francis asked.

Xavier nodded.

"Damn you, Annaliese " Daniel muttered once again.

"Would you stop muttering and allow me digest this in peace?" Francis snapped while Xavier gave Daniel a knowing look.

"So, now that we know the bastard is looking for the eyes, then it's safe to say he can go to any length to get it"

"We have to be more vigilant to keep the identity of the bearer only amongst us"

Xavier knew he had to come clean with his friends to protect Seraphine wholeheartedly. It's high time they knew his usual unavailability during the night. He sure as hell knew that someone like Desmond would look for any means possible to find Seraphine and someone needs to be available to protect her if he wasn't there.

"There's something else you should know, it would be convenient if Diane was here as well, to avoid repeating myself"

Francis exhaled loudly, anticipating the news.

"Call into me and I shall appear before you?" Diane's voice was heard, waving a cheerful hand as she pranced in. She went straight to the mini-bar, "hello gentlemen!"

She settled on the couch before facing his brother, "long time no see, where have you been hiding? Not that I miss you that much"

"I could say the same for you"

"Please, postpone your enquiry till you get home" Francis spoke, not looking at any of them.

"Xavier dear, what would you like to tell us?"

"It's about my usual disappearance during the night" he held their gaze one at a time, watching as they put on their serious expression and waited for him to continue.

The sun had gone down before he finished narrating his reasons, with enough details as possible, he explained the whole matter. He was glad his friends were understanding enough to not show their pity face. He witnessed their shocked and angry faces, impressed that the pity expression was well hidden, even Diane who was known for her self-expression gestures kept it well hidden.

"Where do we search for the cure?" Francis with his quick intuition and calculative mind asked.

"Annaliese believed that Seraphine may be able to help"

"Of course, she knew about it" Daniel muttered

"Does Seraphine know?"

"Yes, she does and I know she's been trying hard to look for a way to lift it"

Each with his thoughts as they all sat in silence until Diane spoke, "I know I'm not supposed to say this but I will anyway" facing Xavier squarely, "I'm a little upset that you didn't tell us this sooner. We're your friends and could have kept it as secret. You shouldn't have been looking for the cure alone, we would've helped you"

Xavier looked at the other two, he sighed when he saw their gentle nods, agreeing to Diane's statements.

"You're right, I should've told you" 

Daniel narrowed his eyes, trying to read Xavier, "why wait till now before telling us then"

Francis spoke before Xavier could respond " because now he has something to live for, now he has seen something in someone and wish to rid himself of his predicament to spend more time with the woman he loves"

"So the master's heart has thawed by the power of love" Diane teased.

"Get your wet snout off my business" Xavier threw an object at Francis,  a little uncomfortable that the bastard was right about his reason. Now with Seraphine in his life, he needed his friend's help as much as they can offer. He needed to get rid of the cure to be able to protect Seraphine wholeheartedly.

***********

Seraphine raised her head as the sound of Future's steps bounced down the stairs.

"You know, I sometimes wonder if your feet is made of spring, 'cause you hardly walk"

"Duhhh! I always wonder if you still live here 'cause you're hardly ever been home" Future stuck her tongue out.

"Your smart mouth will get you in trouble some day young lady"

"So, when am I going to meet your future husband? Till the wedding day?" She rested her chin on her palm, as she placed her elbow on the counter.

Seraphine paused to really study Future, " I think you've been spending too much time with Felicity and the old man. You used to be calm and quiet before"

"Well, I only know three people, and one of them has been scarce recently, you can't blame me" for emphasis sake, she raised her shoulder so high in a shrug.

"Uhmmmm, you're right"

"Let's not deviate from the question, when am I meeting the beautiful vampire?"

"You really are stubborn, aren't you"

"Well, he's my future brother-in-law, he needs to be checked out"

Seraphine paused again from balancing the account book to look at the girl again. She was impressed that Future had found a niche for herself inspire of the environment she found herself in. How the young girl was comfortable despite being far away from home, she felt a little pang of guilt that she hadn't found or seen a way to help her.

She had combed the back room, looking for clue, read books related to time travel in the library but nothing could tell her how to do it. The only thing she was relying on was the unclaimed book.

"Don't worry, you'll meet him soon"

"Dope! Now that's what I'm talking about! You know you could teach me how you do all these so when you get married, you'll be rest assured that someone is managing the shop"

"Really? Aren't you thinking about going back home?"

With a long sigh, she replied.

"I do. In fact, I miss home and I'm always wondering how my family is handling my disappearance but I don't want to think about it that much. I don't want to raise my hope high too much to avoid disappointment"

"I understand" she squeezed her hand gently with a tight smile, "we will keep looking"

To brightened the girls mood, Seraphine picked the invitation card on the counter, ever since Xavier declared his feeling, she had been receiving invites. She knew many of them were just curious to know her and too prideful to visit the pawn shop to avoid rumour that they might be pawning their things for financial aid, which was why they have been inviting her to their event instead.

She had ignored all of them except the one from the Manchesters, who were celebrating their parents' anniversary "how about you accompany me to this party, I'll introduce you to my friends. Diane has been wanting meet you."

"Excellent! I'll inform Felicity not to expect me tomorrow then"

It's been a while they had all been together, all of them had been busy with one thing or the other.

"She's also going, by the way"

"Nice! I'll get to see your man and if I'm lucky, I would meet a sexy vampire or a hunky werewolf for myself" she jumped with excitement, "I better hurry before Felicity start screaming my name"

Silence rented the air once again as Future left, Seraphine let out a loud sigh of relief as she finally finished balancing the account and recording the items.

She took the book she had rented from the library to concentrate on, she had extended her search from looking at time travel and a book on curses to reading about anything concerning the past. Who knows what one could stumble upon in those books?

The bell jingled once again, thinking it was a customer, she raised her head but saw nothing. She turned when she she heard a book fell without seeing anyone.

As she picked it, she felt a presence but couldn't see who it was, briskly putting on the close sign on the board, Seraphine took off her spectacle and contact lenses.

Her heart almost gave way, with her mouth wide open, she stared at the shadowy figure standing beside the door way of the kitchenette.