Chris had enjoyed his day on St Michael's and always enjoyed the dragon rides home so when he and Leroy arrived just before dinner, Chris was grinning and chortling and talking up a storm of mostly unintelligible quasi-English to anyone who would stand still long enough to pretend an interest.

Leroy unbundled Christopher and sent him toddling off toward whoever and ran up to his room to clean up and get ready for dinner himself. He also called Robyna and gave her the go for helping out with keeping an eye on Friday and his university offices and his home.  He asked her to come by before she headed off to St Michael's as Marc had asked him to.

They were all sitting down to dinner when Robyna arrived, ready for her turn on St Michael's.  "Hi," she said.  "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Pull up a chair," Marc invited, "unless being around food bothers you.  Christopher and I wanted to talk to you before you scoot off to St Michael's."

"Christopher, huh?" Robyna said.  "What's up?"

Leroy eyed Christopher and Marc a bit dubiously.

Marc ignored him. "Well, Christopher has this talent," Marc began. "He kind of looks at people's minds and, for lack of a better word, fixes them. I was wondering if you'd let Chris and me take a look at yours. It won't hurt. And it won't take very long."

Robyna wrinkled her brow and frowned.  "You sound like a doctor when you say it won't hurt.  But yeah, I guess so.  Go ahead."

"Chris?" Marc said as he sent his consciousness into Robyna.  Christopher giggled and went into her mind as well and began exploring, obviously fascinated by the vampyric differences in Robyna's mind.

"Different, Chris," Marc said to the child. Comparing Robyna's mind to Carmine's was apples and oranges. Perhaps that was partly his age compared to hers, and perhaps it was partly her pedigree as compared to his. "Maybe there..." Marc said aloud frowning, pointing Chris mentally to one minuscule part of her mind.

Christopher grinned and looked.  Then he chortled with glee and went bounding off to a different part of Robyna's mind.  "See!" he said to Marc.  "Not same.  You fix."

"We ask first," Marc said, no room for Chris to mistake him.

"Fix what," Robyna asked, looking a little stunned.  "What's broken?"

Marc grabbed Christopher's consciousness and brought them both out of Robyna. "Well, see... Christopher got, uhm, carried away the other day. You know how he fixed Leroy, making him an Awakened. Well, Chris saw something in another vampire's mind too... and .. and I think we can fix it so the sunrise won't automatically knock you out cold. You'll probably still be hurt by sunshine so you'd have to take care with that, but... well, if you want to change how you .. what happens to you when the sun comes up.. I'm thinking we can  'fix' that."

Christopher pounded on Marc's chest.  "No, not same, can be same.  Fix too."

Robyna looked at Christopher and then  Marc.  "Are you sure you two are communicating?"

"What?" Marc asked Chris.

"See," Christopher said frowning, tugging on Marc's mind.  "Show you," he said and dove back into Robyna's mind, taking Marc back to where he'd been before.  "See," he said again, pointing mentally.  "Doesn't work, fix and we share!"  Then he tugged on Marc again and led him to a different place and pointed again.  "Broken.  Fix too."

Marc hauled Christopher back out of Robyna's mind and then set a mental screen to keep him out. "Okay," he said, to a slightly alarmed looking Robyna. "Here's what we found. I found the place that will let you stay awake and I can fix it. Christopher also found the structures that would make you an Awakened. If you hadn't been turned first, I'm thinking you would have awakened instead. But, since at Grand Isle we saw that the vampires who were also Awakened were .. to put it kindly.. nuts, I'm not willing to mess with that. Maybe us doing the change would cause it all to work differently, but it's, well, it would destroy you if we were wrong."

"Jeezus, don't do it!" Leroy yelped. He'd been following the conversation carefully. "Way way too dangerous, Robyna."

Robyna nodded and bit her lip.  "Let's just do the sleep thing.  It'd be nice to see the sun again.  I can live without being Awakened."

Fix!" Christopher said.  "You share," he pleaded.

"No Chris," Marc replied. "Dangerous."

"No, be okay.  Fix!" Christopher said.  "Please," he added turning huge brown eyes on Robyna while his lower lip trembled.  "Not be sad anymore."

"Sad?" Leroy asked.

Christopher nodded vehemently while Robyna blushed and and protested she was fine.  Christopher held his arms out to her and she took him automatically.  He patted her face gently and smiled.  "Share, then not sad, not cry."

Robyna flushed and shook her head.  "I'm fine honey, really.  But thanks," she said, smiling at him and then handing him back to Marc.

Marc eyed Christopher. "I think maybe we should do it after he goes to bed.  I'm not sure he won't go rushing in there and fix you whether you want it or not."

Christopher gave him a toothy, winsome smile and patted his face.  "Make better," he said, infinite trust animating his face.  "She's nice, you make better."

"Yes, I'll make better. Later," Marc replied.  He glanced over at Stephen and gave him a roll of the eyes.

Doni laughed and stood up.  "I'll put him to bed," she said taking him from Marc.  "Say good night Christopher."

Christopher grinned and waved at everyone.  "Night night."

"Night, night, Chris. See you tomorrow," Leroy said as everyone else joined in saying good night.  The more silent Drianna, silent since she'd fallen asleep in Stephen's arms, was sent off to bed too.

"So, like she's got a mind like mine. Ours," Leroy asked Marc and then Stephen.

"Apparently," Stephen said.

Robyna frowned.  "Let's just forget it, okay?  I mean it's no big deal, right?"

"Well, it give you some abilities, like being able to zap around. But as I said, considering the other vampires on Grand Isle who were Awakened were crazy as loons... well.. probably better not go there. But I can do the light thing without messing with the other," Marc added.

"That's fine," she said.

Marc dropped the shield around her mind, went in and tweaked the change. He got back out quickly and then smiled at her. "I'm told you won't feel any differently,  Just that when the dawn comes you don't go comatose."

She grinned.  "That'll be a nice change.  Thanks.  Now I really gotta go, I don't want to be late.  And thanks for letting me use Jelly."

"Hey, wait, let me walk you out," Leroy said, getting up and grabbing his coat. "I want to brief you about a couple of guys I spotted this afternoon."

They went out together and Leroy pulled out his cellphone and showed Robyna the pictures. "These guys. The human is the guy I'm pretty sure who coshed Abner on the head, so keep an eye out for him. Don't know the demon. I'm going to ask the others if they know either of these guys though."

She nodded.  "Thanks.  I'll be watching for him.  Anything I should know about this guy Friday or the folks we're working for?"

"Abner's kinda cute in a dingbat sort of way, so don't expect him to show a drop of sense. Langton and Azira are good people. Here's the address. Lang will be there and brief you on what's up.  Make sure Lang knows to relieve you early enough before sunrise so you can get back here before... well, just in case, you know?"

"Oh yeah, trust me on that one.  And thanks for suggesting me, I really appreciate it Leroy, you know."

"Hey, not a problem. You be careful though, okay?" Leroy said, meeting her eyes.

"Of course," she said.  "I've had enough of the other to last a long time."

Leroy kissed her and stood there watching as she and Jelly leapt up into the sky then he let himself back into the house. Dinner was over now and most of the denizens of the commune had gathered in the great room.

"I wanted to show you all some pictures to see if any of you knew these guys," Leroy said when he walked back in to join them.  Leroy brought up the picture on his cell phone and passed it around.

Dinah's eyes opened wide when she saw it, a whispered, "I'll be damned," escaping her.  She looked up, a slightly stunned expression on her face.  "That's Dino."

"Dino?  Which one?" Leroy asked. "Tell me what you know about him, please."

Dinah looked up from the photograph.  "The demon, his name's Dino...well that's what he goes by, his name is actually Drinioc.  He handles the Hellions ball every year at my hotel.  I've been doing business with him for years.  What's this about?"

"Well, the guy he's with is, I'm pretty sure, the guy who tried to steal plans to some sort of experimental psi bit of hardware from the University.  I just happened to see the guy in the pub and kept an eye on him. He met with your pal Dino over lunch. I couldn't get close enough to hear much."

"I know the other one," Anja said. "His first name is Aedan. He's a member of a House. They do industrial spying, so it would make sense that it was him."

Leroy's eyebrow shot up. "They have a House that openly admits to spying?"

"Well," Dinah said, "They are an offshoot, so I'm told, of a House of star fighters, Troddon'Ster.  The name of the offshoot is Scryl'Ster and the family name is MacQuene.  Basically they gather information by a variety of means, somewhat like my network or Laz's.  They contract with people who want to know about something and like that.  They grew out of Troddon's need for intel and I'd guess in a way they're still spying.  But I don't think they call it that."

"So like, if we caught him will they do anything to him?" Leroy asked, frowning at Dinah. "Or, because he's a member of a House, does that mean he's gonna get away with it?"

"Would depend," Dinah said, "On what he's doing and why.  "If these guys take a contract for actual spying its supposed to be accredited  and registered, one that the ministry is overseeing.  For those, no there's nothing you could do as long as they're playing by the rules.  It's like the assassins guild.  If they take a contract they register it with the ministry and the ministry notifies the target.  After that it's legal."  Dinah shrugged.  "It's crazy, I know but it seems to work.  And because of the notification, these guys are really, really good.  But there's things they can't do, like none of 'em are allowed to accept a contract involving a citizen of a protected planet like this one nor can they legally do work without a contract, so if there isn't one for this psi thing, then there's lots you can do."

"Okay, so at least we got some hope. Man, these folks are crazy," Leroy muttered unhappily.

Dinah laughed.  "Oh yeah.  But what's Dino got to do with this guy?  I didn't know Dino was even allowed on St. Michael's.  You should tell him I said hi."

"Not allowed? He's like, uhm... why not?"

"He's not, so far as I know, a fallen demon and he's for sure got a record."

"So, like what's a fallen demon as opposed to a regular one?" Leroy asked, wide eyed.

Dinah laughed.  "Well the demonic counterpart to a fallen angel.  See, the thing about St. Michael's is it's Mikey's home world.  And Mikey, no matter how hardy he parties is an archangel...he drinks but stays out of real trouble, doesn't sleep around and so on.  Plus he's the head of the host, God's army in the fight against evil, the one who will cast down Lucifer into the bottomless pit forever and like that.  Basically, his real job is fighting evil.  That means that he's against demons, but God's got this rep for wanting folks to repent, and so He gives everyone a chance.  Even demons, though like with angels...well they're fallen angels after all...they have an infused intellect....and no, I'm not explaining that, but basically it means they aren't given to waffling or changing their minds.  Still, it can happen and so demons who haven't got a record or a rep are allowed on St. Michael's and throughout the worlds just like everyone else until they screw up and after that...well there's a whole legal system for that.  Demons who cut it in on St. Michael's or one of the other worlds and stay outta trouble are called fallen demons, and assumed to be turning towards the light.  It's kind of like the avant garde of tolerance and inclusiveness, defaulting to the positive."

Leroy frowned. "So, uhm, if you got a record you can't be rehabilitated?  I mean, maybe this Dino isn't so bad, if you know him, I mean. He never did nothing bad to you, right?"

"Oh yeah, here's a whole correctional system there, part of the GGD judiciary.  It just depends on the crime.  There's demons in the prison who'll never get out, there's some who get out and are banned forever and some who are exiled for a specific period and others who after they serve their time are free to stay or whatever.  As for Dino...well, the Hellion's Ball is a unique case.  It started when Madame Olga's familiar, Pyewacket, sent out a broadcast e-mail to all the denizen's of hell about my hotel being Olga's new place of business and I got inundated with every sort of demon and spirit you can imagine.  I was broke and about to go under so I made them help me throw a Halloween Ball in recompense and sold tickets to the squids and all.  Since then they've done it every year for a charity I pick so they can use the ball to have a sort of pissing contest with Mikey and the host.

"Dino's always played it straight with me, but he knows if he doesn't his ass is toast.  Actually I kind of like him.  You met him Marc, what did you think?"

"Well, he seemed okay to me," Marc replied. "A decent sort of fellow for the most part. But who am I to judge?"

Dinah snorted.  "Yeah, right.  Anyway Leroy, you should ask Mikey and Az about him if you want to know for sure.  Mikey keeps track of these guys, it's his job.  And I wouldn't be surprised if he and Az party with 'em more often than just on Halloween.  Az for sure...I mean Az...well, just ask them," she said.

"Az... uhm, how do I get hold of either of 'em? Michael or Azael I mean?"

Dinah grinned, a huge earsplitting grin.  "Most folks say a prayer.  Me, I call him on his cellphone.  Give him a ring, if he's free he'll drop by.  He likes us."

Leroy took down the number grinning. "I'll do that. Thanks."

Not long after Mikey and Az arrived.  Mikey kissed Dinah and rubbed her belly.  "How's the cooking comin'?" he asked.

Dinah growled at him.  "Don't push your luck, pal.  I can have Mabel here in an instant."

Mikey laughed.  "No need.  I can take a hint.  So what's up?" he asked, helping himself to a drink.

Az just nodded a hello.  "Who's Leroy?"

"That'd be me," Leroy replied. "Leroy Saunders. Used to be a cop. Got fired. Now I'm kinda hanging out around here, but lately been helping out the university of St Michael's.  I don't think I'm a fallen anything, but I wouldn't know for sure."

"Well that's good to know," Mikey said.  "I'll make a note.  So uhm, how can we help?"

Leroy showed both angels the photos on his cell phone. "Took it in the Pub.  Trying to ID them and Dinah said maybe the blue guy ain't supposed to be on St Michael's."

"So Dino's on St. Michael''s huh?" Mikey said.  "Now that is interesting.  Who's the other guy?"

"Aedan MacQuene," Dinah said.

Azael frowned. "They're not exactly the sort I'd picture together as drinking buddies."

"Nope, me either," said Mikey.  "So, uhm, wanna tell me what's up?"

Leroy gave them the run-down on the attempted theft of the psi gizmo and how he subsequently spotted Aedan quite accidentally in the Pub.

"St Michael's is a fairly small community. Everyone shows up at either Hash Brothers or the Pub quite often," Azael supplied. "You know, Mikey, you might wanna give Aedan there some rope. As far as Dino goes, well, he's between a rock and his Boss. If he were really intent on doing something bad on St Michael's why would he show himself out in public. He's certainly aware you'd recognize him."

Mikey nodded.  "You keeping an eye on Aedan, Leroy?"

Leroy nodded. "I will now that I know who he is. We've got no proof it was him that tried to lift the device, though, so we can't go to the authorities. They got no fingerprints and no DNA from the scene and I got only a glimpse, so I'm not eager to go forward and say this is him without them having something other than just my word for it."

"A psi gadget wouldn't interest Dino or his boss," Mikey said.  "Not directly anyway.  Look, you got my number, if you find out anything, or something comes up, let me know, would you?  And if Aedan's smart...but when are they ever?" Mikey muttered.  He looked at Azael.   "You think maybe Dino wants to be spotted?"

"Maybe," Azael replied. "He's smart. It seems a pretty stupid sort of thing to do if he wanted to be sure no one knew he was on your world."

Mikey raised an eyebrow.  "I'll buy ya an ale."

"Always glad to visit a nice quiet Pub," Azael replied.

Mikey grinned.  "Thought so.  Ain't had fish and chips in a while either."  Mikey turned back to Leroy.  "You of a mind to expand your horizons?  Keeping in mind this won't be a friendly chat, most likely.  It's not like Dino and I are chums."

"Oh yeah, wouldn't miss it for the world," Leroy replied.

Mikey finished his scotch and took the glass to the kitchen.  Then he waved at everyone and kissed Dinah again, giving her stomach a parting rub.  "Be good, darlin'.  Holler if you need anything heavenly."

She slapped at his hand.  "My belly is not public property just because I'm pregnant."

Mikey laughed.  "Darlin' did I say it was?" he asked.  "I was just copping a feel, and dropping a blessing."

"Well, considering they're half mine they need all those blessings. But I'm still naming them Hell and Spawn."  Marc was grinning though.  Dinah elbowed him.

"I feel left out," Doni said.

"No need," Mikey said, rubbing hers as he went by.  A few minutes later he and Az and Leroy were in the Pub.  "Hey, Millie," he said to the bartender, "You seen this guy?" he asked, showing her Leroy's picture.

"He ain't been in tonight yet," she said, looking at the clock.  "He usually comes in around, oh, about half an hour from now, meets some chick from the university named Bitsy."

Mikey grinned.  "Thanks honey.  Can you send three pints over to the table.  And some menu's?"

"Only for you, toots," she said, reaching for glasses.

"So, like, does she know who you are?" Leroy asked, his eyes wide with shock.

"Sure," Mikey laughed.  "Everyone around here does, practically.  I usually hang at Josie's but still...Why wouldn't they?"

"Well, they treat you like, uhm, a normal being," Leroy stammered.

Azael was laughing aloud, as he took his beer and handed Leroy his. "What you think angels oughta be unclothed and have wings?"

"We can do that," Mikey said seriously.  "But the public decency ordinances here draw the line at total nudity.  No nipples or crotches showing for women, no crotches for men.  I had nothing to do with it, though," he said.

Azael grinned. "Okay, I did. What can I say. I'm the Fallen Angel.  God keeps hoping though."

"I'm so confused..." Leroy moaned.

Mikey laughed.  "You were cute, though, wearing those wings.  I can see why the women are always after you."

"Yeah," Az blew on his nails and polished them against his sweater. That was when Dino came sauntering into the Pub. He took one look at the Angels and did a u-turn.

Mikey grinned.  "Yo Dino, no need to run away pal, we're just having a friendly drink.  Come join us."  As he spoke the bolts on the door to the outside slid shut with an audible clink.

"Michael," came the warning from the bar.

"No worries love," Mikey said.  "You got my word."

Dino turned around again and looked at the angels. Then he shrugged and walked over to take a seat. "I'll have an ale, thanks, Millie."  His voice was quiet.

"On me Millie," Mikey said as he slid over so Dino could sit down and angled himself so he could see his face.  "So dude, ain't seen you since the ball, unless my memory's at fault.  How's it hanging?"

"Oh, it's okay. Not much going on this time of year. Everyone's being real good, you know?"

"Oh yeah, I know.  I get the reports, just like you do."  Mikey paused long enough to order some fish and chips and then smiled at Dino.  "So, surprise seeing you here, Dino.  What's the reason for this unexpected pleasure?"

"Well, I'm seeing this chick," Dino replied, using his ale glass to make wet rings on the table top.

"Are you really?" Az asked. "How interesting."

Mikey grinned.  "The advantages of being a demon.  But uhm Dino, last I checked, they asked you not to come back to see us here, at least not for a while...what was it...twenty five years?  Refresh my memory if you would, cause I'm thinking you wouldn't wanna risk getting caught here for just a chick.  Of course I ain't met the chick yet, but still."

"Yeah, well, you know. The Boss said I needed to come and mend some fences here, and I, uhm, I don't have much of a choice, Michael. Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to be."

Mikey studied him for a moment.  "I see.  And which fences are getting mended?  If you don't mind me asking.  I don't want to pry or nothing."

"Now you know I can't tell you much," Dino whined. "It's my freedom if I piss the Princes of Hell off. You know that."

"And uhm, you think you're free now?" Mikey shook his head.  "I'm listening Dino, and I got the GGD on speed dial, so well...you know the rest of the speech."

Dino fiddled with his drink. "I wish I could tell you, Mikey. I really do.  Maybe you just better call the GGD and get it over with."

Mikey looked at him for a while and then shook his head.  "Nope.  I'm thinking I'm gonna wait.  'Cause I'm thinking whatever it is you aren't happy about it at all.  And if that's true then..."  Mikey thanked the server for his plate and sprinkled malt vinegar on everything.  "You know, Dino," he said tentatively, munching a chip, "If Az can survive being a fallen angel which is really a fallen demon from the other direction, you could survive being a fallen demon.  Want a chip?"

Dino looked over at Az who just smiled at him and took his hamburger from Millie with a grin.

"Yeah, sure. No problem." Dino took a fry.

Mikey fished a card out of his pocket and handed it to Dino.  "Just in case you need me.  Cellphone's a secure line, unlike some prayers.  Ready for another ale?"

Leroy, who'd ordered a BLT just looked at the demon with a speculative gaze. "So, uhm, you can yell for me too. I'm not an angel, though. But then I'm a bit less obvious than one too."

Dino turned to look at Leroy for the first time. "So what are you?"

"An unemployed guy from Little Rock. Of no particular importance." Leroy grinned, and handed Dino an ale.

"So," Mikey asked, "When do we get to meet the chick?"

"Dunno. Is she locked out?" Dino asked, his bottom lip sticking out a bit.

"Oh man, I forgot," Mikey said and shot the bolts open.  "Sorry about that."

Within a few minutes Bitsy came flouncing into the Pub, looking around for Dino. Dino sank down into his chair, so Leroy waved at her. "Over here, honey. Come join us."

Bitsy looked at the group and came over slowly.  "Hi Dino."

Mikey grinned.  "I'm Mikey, and that's Azael and Leroy.  We're friends of Dino's."

Leroy scooted over so Bitsy could sit with Dino. "Hi Bitsy," Dino said, keeping his eyes on his beer.

"Don't mind him, Bitsy,"  Mikey said.  "He's a little worried about what you might think of the company he's keeping.  Want a drink?"

Bitsy gave Dino a look and then shrugged.  "Sure.  An ale's good."

Mikey ordered it for her and then nudged Dino.  "She's gonna start thinking you don't like her all of a sudden, there dude."

Dino looked up and met Bitsy's eyes. "We know one another from Earth. Long story."

"Oh, don't be so modest, Dino.  He showed up the Host at the last Halloween Ball. Although the dragons won by total points," Azael explained, grinning at Bitsy. "So, what do you do here?"

"Student at the college." Bitsy said, rubbing a comforting foot against Dino's leg.  "Working on my doctorate.  How about you?"

"I'm a friend of Mikey's. Just slumming here tonight. Leroy here is from Earth. He's been ferrying a kiddo from Earth back and forth so we invited him along tonight," Azael replied easily.

"Ah," she said helping herself to one of Az's fries.  "And in between your good deeds you're tormenting Dino?"

"I don't do good deeds," Azael replied looking offended. "I'm a fallen Angel. I was actually commiserating with him. You think we're torturing him?"

"He doesn't look like he's been singing hymns," she said.

Mikey looked.  "Ya know, she's right."

"Well, he does look rather worried. I guess maybe we should send him and Bitsy here off for their date," Azael agreed.

Mikey nodded.  "Have fun guys.  And if you can't be good, be safe."

"Yeah," Bitsy said doubtfully as she stood up with Dino.  "Sure."

"Thanks guys," Dino said. "See you."

Azael saluted Dino as he and Bitsy walked off.  "Now that," he commented, "was very interesting."

"Wasn't it just," Mikey said thoughtfully.  "Something's going on and our Dino doesn't like it one little bit."

"How can you tell?" Leroy asked.

"Because, first he was way too cordial, way too subdued and second he didn't tell me to fuck off.  Instead he said go ahead and call and he really hoped I would," Mikey explained.  "See our Dino, he's got a problem.  He's straddling the fence and at the moment it's crushing the hell outta his balls, if you see what I mean.  Don't you think Az?"

"Yeah, I totally agree. Otherwise he'd be a smart ass. He's scared about something, and it isn't just that his bosses will be mad at him; that's nothing new. No, he's not liking what he's been tasked to do at all. So... we could call and have him tossed in quod which would get him out of his fix. But then we won't know what is supposed to be going on."

"I don't think it has anything to do with my psi thingie," Leroy said thoughtfully.

"Nope, not at all.  But," Mikey said, "now he knows we know something's going on, it'll be interesting to see what he does next.  Somebody needs to keep an eye on our Dino."

"Sic the Host on him," Azael suggested with a grin.

"Naw, I can't.  Too obvious.  They don't have the first clue what discreet means.  No, needs somebody who'll fit in where he hangs."  Mikey chewed thoughtfully for a while.  Then he looked at Az, a grin showing.  "Julian's kid...what's his name, bouncer at Hoolihan's.  You remember, last time we were there for the wake, and the paint ball joust on the unicycles.  He walked off with all three of the Jos right under our noses."

"Oh, yeah. Cute guy. Looks innocent as hell. Lis. Lisandro. That's his name," Az replied.

"Yeah," Mikey said dialing his cellphone.  When it answered he said, "Julian, how's it going?  Oh yeah, man, I bet she is.  Look, I need to get a hold of your kid, Lisandro.  Got a number you can give me?  Yeah, yeah, I know, but it's business.  Yeah, okay, I'll tell him.  Sure thing, thanks, and smack Nimmy on the ass for me.  Yeah I'll bet she would.  Bye"  Mikey hung up.  "He's working tonight  We can catch him at Hoolihan's."

"Hoolihan's?" Leroy asked.

"Oh, have you got a treat coming," Azael said, as he, Mikey and Leroy popped out, only a bunch of cash left on the table to mark their having been there.

Hoolihan's. Out of Time. Out of Location. At a sort of unimensional, universal, crossroads, where everyone, everything, and every time meet. Hoolihan himself was, as usual, behind the bar. You couldn't ever really see him. He was a sort of amorphous blob back there, mixing drinks that fizzed and were pink and green and could knock anything other than a vampire flat in a minute. The penguins were busy busing tables, and the crowd was, as usual, eclectic. A reptilian couple making eyes at one another in one booth, a bunch of mouthy Russians arguing in another.  The crew of Firefly were in another booth, acting their usual cool selves. A large green thing spread ichor across the floor as it slithered past Leroy's feet.

"What the hell," Leroy commented.

"No, not Hell," Azael replied. "Just Hoolihan's.   What, no Klingons tonight? How odd."

"Maybe they're all home for the holiday's" Mikey suggested.  "Naw, forget that.  They don't celebrate the holidays.  Ah Leroy, take it from me, go easy on pastel drinks."  Mikey looked around.  "Don't see him.  He's be along in a minute or two though.  Let's sit down so Leroy can gape discreetly."

They grabbed a booth and watched a purple people eater slurp up something that was wriggling on his plate.  Well, Leroy watched, mouth hanging open.

A tall, slender blond wearing jeans and a white and sky blue sweatshirt that read "Los Gauchos" came sauntering in from the back area of the building.  He ran an eye across the room and then went up to the bar to talk to Hoolihan.

Mikey grinned.  "That's him."  Mikey put his fingers in his mouth and gave a whistle.  "Yo, Lis, over here," he called in the sudden silence.

Lis looked round and then smiled. He got himself a beer and came over to the booth. "Hey guys. Mikey, right? Azael?  I don't know you," he finished holding out his hand to Leroy.

"Leroy Saunders."

"Lisandro Patricio. Nice to meet you. So," Lis continued, looking up after shaking Leroy's hand. "what brings you guys here tonight?"

"Looking for you," Mikey said with a smile.  "Julian said you were working tonight.  I'm supposed to tell you hello.  Is he really gonna get married?"

"Ah. Thanks. You guys probably see more of him than I do. Yeah, I think Nims is crazy to marry him, but she's in love."  Lis rolled his eyes.

"So you're Julian's son?" Leroy goggled.

"Yeah. Surprised the hell out of both of us, let me tell you. So what can I do for you three?"

"Well, I got a job I need some help with and you'd be perfect for it," Mikey said.  "I totally understand if you say no, but really, it's important and you'd be perfect.  It's keeping an eye on demon on St. Michael's so we can figure out what he's up to."

Lisandro frowned. "I got a job. And besides, what makes me perfect for this?"

"You'll fit in in the kind of places he likes to hang out in.  And I can't believe you're planning on retiring from here, not that it isn't a great place, but still..."

Lis shrugged. "I like it here. What kind of places does he hang out at?  And why do you need someone to keep an eye on him?"

"He likes to party.  And I need someone to keep an eye on him because some thing's going on that doesn't have the hallmarks of being made in heaven if you follow me.  And nobody's saying you gotta quit here completely.  You'd get to travel, meet women, and earn some money, plus expenses."

Lisandro pondered this for a minute or two. "Travel?" he asked.

"Yep," Mikey said.  "Starting with St. Michael's and where ever he goes after that until the job's done.  On an expense account."

"And what am I expected to do other than just keep an eye on him?"

"Call in to report frequently.  Other than that nothing, unless you want to."

And this would start, what, tomorrow? I'm working tonight. Do I get some relief? Or is this 24/7 or what?"

Mikey looked at Leroy for a moment.  "Yeah, tomorrow.  And if you need help we'll get it for you."

"Okay, give me what you got and tell me where I can find him tomorrow."

Leroy showed him the pictures, including one of Bitsy he'd taken.  They talked about the Pub and Mikey promised to have someone try to figure out where Dino was living.

"I'm thinking it won't be too hard to find," Azael commented. "Dino is stuck in something he doesn't want to do, so I think he'll make it fairly easy for us, well, not so easy the Princes of Hell will guess what he's doing though."

"And do we care if he gets found out?" Lis asked.

"Yeah," Mikey said, his voice flat.  "We do."

"Okay. Call me with details in the morning. Oh shit, here come the Klingons.  'Scuse me. I'm gonna have to go talk to Warf."

"Later dude and thanks," Mikey said, grinning.  "Now we can have some fun.  This working stuff..."  He waved for a server.  "What are ya having Leroy?"

"Some of that pink and green stuff," Leroy replied watching someone struggle to walk upright.

"One Special," Az ordered. "Me I'm sticking to scotch."

"Me too.  But don't worry, Leroy, we'll see you get home safely."

Leroy grinned and sipped his Special.

Aedan was whistling a happy tune as he left his apartment the next day.  It was early, not quite seven o'clock and while he wasn't normally a morning person he'd gotten up early today to start his campaign to befriend the Reverend who, he'd discovered, was saying the early mass at the cathedral.  After mass he was hearing confessions and Aedan figured that in the confessional would be the best place to start, suitably penitent and in need of spiritual help.

And sure enough, The Reverend said mass, in Latin, and then after removing his vestments he entered the confessional and turned the green light on, the signal to the line of of folks waiting for absolution that he was ready.  Aedan had sat through mass from a seat in the back and had skipped communion, an omission that, at a weekday mass, had some folks looking at him sideways.  He ignored them and made like he was depressed and praying for help.  He waited for the end of the line and then entered the confessional,  and picked the behind the screen option.  It wouldn't do to appear too eager.  And it would do to appear old fashioned about these things.

He knelt at the prie dieu and went through the ritual he'd looked up on line.  "Bless me father for I have sinned.  It's been," and he hesitated for a moment and then said, "a long time since my last confession."   He stopped again, this time long enough for the Reverend to prompt him and then offer a few words of reassurance.  Aedan finally sighed and said, "Well, I've been doing all these things I know I shouldn't have, like sex and gambling and drinking.  And I've been away from the church for years.  And lately it's like, like, I dunno..." he trailed off.

"Well," the Reverend said, clearly unshocked by his revelations, "God's grace has no time limit on it.  He is always there, waiting for us to return to Him."

"Well, that's just the thing, father," Aedan said.  "I'm not sure I'm ready and just the thought...well...when I left I was pretty sure...it seemed like, but I wasn't sure I could, what with the celibacy thing."

"A vocation?" the Reverend prompted.

"Yeah," Aedan said miserably.  "And I sortta ran away.  Now I don't know what to do.  And my family, well they hate the idea and there's no one I can talk to about it.  I'm not even sure I want to talk about it, but this feeling, it won't go away, you know."

"Yes, I know," the Reverend said thoughtfully.  "If you'd like to talk about it," he said, "I'd be happy to listen."

"Would you?" Aedan said, putting a blend of hopefulness and deprecation in his voice.   "I mean I'm sure you're busy and all and I don't want to be a bother."

Daniel sighed.  "It's what I'm here for actually.  All the rest is just filler, as it were.  Too many priests have forgotten that, but never mind that."  The Reverend paused and the said, "Why don't you finish your confession and then we can talk?"

"Uhm sure, father," Aedan said.  He finished the formula and was given absolution and his penance and he exited the confessional, promising to wait in the nave for the Reverend to finish.  He knelt down in an empty pew and made like a penitent, pleased with how well it had gone.  The Reverend eventually left the confession, too, and headed for the sacristy.  He was back again in a few minutes looking around the cathedral.  Then he met Aedan's eyes and nodded.  Aedan nodded back and rose to meet him.  "Uhm, I'm hungry.  Can we talk over breakfast?"

"Good idea," Daniel said.  And followed Aedan out and over to Josie's where they got a booth.

A nondescript young man sauntered in not much later and took a booth not too far away.  Leroy had been following Aedan since he'd left his house, barely getting there early enough to do so, given he had to drop Christopher off. Still, it had worked out. Now he ordered coffee and a donut and kept his eye on the odd couple in the booth. He well knew who the Reverend was (who didn't).  The question was, what the hell would a guy who was a spy want with the Reverend?

Aedan and the Reverend ordered and then the Reverend crossed himself and said a prayer.  Aedan followed the motions, hoping no one he knew was looking.  "My name is Daniel," the Reverend said when he finished.  Daniel Dudley Day, Knight of Christ.

"Uhm, nice to meet ya," Aedan said and introduced himself.  "And uhm, thanks for taking the time.  I just don't know what to do..."

"As I said, it's fine," Daniel told him, adding some cream to his coffee.  "I don't have class until later, so it's no trouble at all."

"Oh, Aedan said.  "You're a student here?"

"A frown crossed Daniel's face.  "Yes.  God has asked me to study here."

Aedan blinked.  "Oh."

"Don't worry, my boy.  I'll be fine.  I simply offer it up and focus as He's asked on becoming more tolerant.  Though how one can be tolerant of demons, well I just don't know."

Aedan nodded.  "I know."

'I know?' Leroy thought. This the guy who had a beer with one the night before?

"I just don't understand how come people think a demon can reform," Aedan said, shaking his head.

Daniel sighed and agreed.  "Theology teaches that the decisions of the angels at the time of the fall were permanent.  But St. Michael assures me that with God anything is possible."

"You know St. Michael?" Aedan breathed, as though awed.  "God's warrior against the demons?  Our heavenly protector against evil?"

The Reverend nodded.  "Yes.  It has been given to me to be privileged to be able to call on him in the battle against evil.  My vocation," he said, his voice becoming reverent, "is to hunt down and destroy demons and when I need him, I call on St. Michael and the host and they cast the spawn of the evil one into the fires of hell.  The order I am founding, the Knights of Christ, that is their charism, that and the fight against the paganisation of the world."

"Oh wow," Aedan breathed again, having no need this time to feign his dumbfoundedness.

"Paganisation," Leroy muttered under his breath, in awe.

"It sounds like, well such wonderful work," Aedan said, his eyes huge.  "You must be greatly loved by our Lord, to be entrusted such a task."

"I am only an instrument, as we all are.  His servant in all things, that is my goal," the Reverend said.  "As it should be yours of course.  If he has given you the special grace of a vocation, that is something not given to many, and a sign of signal favor."

Aedan hung his head and played with his spoon.  "It just doesn't seem...well you know...I like women," he said.  "I don't think..."

"We give up these lesser things," Daniel told him comfortingly, "because they mean so little when considered next to eternity.  Sex is a good in its proper place of course, but compared to the love of God and the joy of doing His will, it is as nothing."

Leroy sucked up his coffee. Yeah, sex was great. He glanced around and saw he wasn't the only one hanging on every word of the conversation. One guy across the aisle winked at Leroy and they both fought back a grin.

The Reverend, oblivious to his audience, continued on with his theme, leaving Aedan astounded and the rest of the place spellbound.  He wrapped up twenty minutes later as he wiped up the last of the egg yoke with a last bite of toast.  "So take comfort, young man.  It's not like you can do it 24/7.  But you can pray always.  Now just trust Him to lead you where He wants you and I suggest fasting three days a week, to over come temptation.  Develop the will, overcome the flesh.  That's the ticket and then with His help we can do anything He asks of us."

Aedan nodded like he understood what he was hearing.  "Fasting, yeah.  Well, I suppose.  And now that Dulcie and I are broken up, it's not like I'm...what I mean is it'll be easier to try."

"Indeed my boy.  Also I'd suggest daily mass and an hour a day in prayer, preferably in from of the Blessed Sacrament where you can be still and listen for His voice.  Then just ask Him what he wants and listen as He speaks to your heart.  I know a nice seminary," he went on, on Earth of course, but in Rome and close to the Holy Father's heart.  It would suit you, I'd think, a man of your intelligence."

"Yeah, well, maybe," Aedan said.  "So uhm what about you?  You're going to school here?  For what?"

"Advanced degree in exorcisms and demonology.  There is so much work to be done, Aedan, I can't tell you how much work.  And so few who are willing to fight the good fight.  But the rewards are great, and the love of God compensates for all things, no matter what they are."

Marc asked Anja to take Christopher to School that day, He'd taken one look at Leroy and ordered him to get some sleep, although since Robyna was there Marc wasn't entirely sure that was going to work out. Still.  He watched Leroy trying to eat as he was falling asleep between bites, Robyna sitting near him.  "How'd the night shift go?" Marc asked Robyna.

She shrugged.  "Quiet.  Aedan went home and some chick came over.  She was still there when Azria took over."

"You know," Leroy said after a prodigous yawn, "I totally don't get why Aeden is sweet-talking the Rev. I mean, what is that about?"

"Come again," Stephen said.  "Our Reverend?  And Aedan?"

'Yeah. Aedan McQuean, the guy who is trying to steal the psi gizmo from the University. Oh, sorry, alleged. We got no evidence except my own two eyes. Anyway, he went to church, hit the confessional and then met the Rev for breakfast, and put on this whole song and dance about how God's given him a calling, or whatever you Catholics call it. I'm not real clear on that whole thing, sorry.  Anyway, talk about chattin' up someone who totally wanted to rant on for awhile. The Rev ate it up."

"Vocation," Stephen said absently.

"Huh?" Leroy said.

"That's what they call it, a vocation.  Why not just ask him, the Reverend I mean?" Stephen suggested.

"Ask him what?  From what I overheard, there wasn't much going on except Aedan flattering the hell out of the Rev."

"About him and Aedan," Stephen said.  "He may be loopy but he's not dumb.  See what he says."

"Okay, I'll try to do that next time I'm on St Michael's. When I'm not following Aedan."

Stephen grinned.  "Get some sleep first."

"Yeah. Right. I'll talk to you later," Leroy said as he stood up and held out his hand to Robyna.

She raised an eyebrow and then took it, following him upstairs.  "You need to sleep," she said.

"I'll sleep better if we do the dirty first. Or don't you want to?" he asked looking at her seriously.

"Do the dirty?" she repeated, stunned.  She shook her head.  "I can't believe men."  She followed him into his room, ignoring the dirty laundry on the floor.

"It's just a saying. Hey, so what do you think of being awake during the day? You're gonna have to figure out how to rest too, now. I wonder if it'll be hard for you like it is for us sometimes?" Leroy asked as he began to strip.

"It's been a long time," she said, looking out the window.  "You think you remember but you don't.  Now I'll just have to remember to stay out of the sun."  She smiled at him and moved closer.  "You're very efficient," she said as he pulled off the last of his clothes.

"I'm glad you're not because I like taking yours off you," he said as he began undoing buttons, one hand slipping into her blouse and caressing her skin. "And here I used to think vampires were cold with no hearts, and no emotions, and well.. Hmmm.  Keep that up."

"That's your job," she murmured, nuzzling his neck.  "All I can do is provide incentive."

They found the bed and collapsed onto it. "Why lookee there. It's up."

Leroy's alarm woke them hours later.  Robyna, grumbling, leaned over him to switch it off.  "You shower first," she said.

"We could shower together." he suggested hopefully.

"It would sortta give new meaning to doin' the dirty," she said with a grin.

Awhile later, after doing the dirty in the shower the two of them made their way downstairs. Robyna threw up a hand over her eyes and Leroy handed her a pair of sunglasses. "Here, darlin', thought you might need these. Sun glints off the snow too."

"Thanks," she said slipping them on.  "Now I just have to figure out how to ride a dragon and not get sunburned."

"Dress like my great grandma. The big floppy hat and a veil, long sleeves, and a skirt down to your ankles. You'd make it look sexy."

She snickered.  "I'll go shopping.  You can come with me.  You eating here or getting something there?"

"Let's... er, I'll grab something there.  How about you?"

"I grabbed a bite last night before work.  I'm fine," she said.  "So I'll just watch you eat and make remarks about your nutritional deficiencies."

"You'll have to meet my sister the health food nut. She despairs of me. Thank God."

Jelly ferried them to St Michaels where they headed to the Pub in hopes of spotting the Reverend. If not there, they'd hit his rooms a little later.  Then they'd check in with Lis who was watching Dino and Langton who was... well, wherever he was.  Leroy chose a table to the back, of course, where he could watch the door and Robyna could see the restrooms and the door into the kitchen.  Millie didn't wait to be asked, she just brought him some coffee and a couple of donuts.  The Reverend was no where to be seen.  Nor was Aedan or Dino.

Robyna watched him drink the coffee.  "God, if Christopher could find a way to fix that too," she said.  She sniffed appreciatively.

"Yeah," Leroy commented. "Must be tough in a lot of ways, but now it's a little easier, I hope.  Let's call everyone and see if we all can't compare notes.  Leroy dug out his cellphone and made some calls and they all agreed to meet in Langton's office, which meant Lang's office over at the College.  Peony, on the lookout for them, gave Leroy a look and Robyna a nod pointed them towards the right door.  She gave Lis a much longer look and a huge smile that made Vargas frown and Carter look puzzled, and escorted him to the office.

"I'm Peony, Peony Jones," she said as they walked.  "One of Dr. Constidine's grad students."

"Hey," Leroy said with a grin.

"Hullo," Lis said with a crooked smile aimed at Peony and a raised eyebrow aimed at Vargas and Carter.

"Vargas Betelgeuse and Carter Douglas, also grad students," Peony explained.  Here ya go," she said, stopping at a door.  "He said to just go right in."

Lang was sitting at his desk, Azria in his lap and the phone to his ear when they opened the door.  He waved them to chairs and continued with his phone call, a discussion with some judge's clerk about his calendar.

Leroy took a seat and patted his lap hopefully but Robyna ignored him and took her own seat. Lis grinned and sank into a chair to slouch down comfortably.

Azria grinned at them.  "He'll be done in just a minute.  I'm Azria Tallis, you must be Lisandro, right?"

"Yup," Lis said getting halfway up and offering her his hand. "Nice to meet you. Heard about Grand Isle. Good job."

"Thanks," she said.  "We aim to please.  Mikey called early this morning and brought us up to date on Dino.  He's gonna be busy for the next few days so he's handed it off to us."  Behind her Lang finished his conversation and hung up.  "Sorry, calendar conflicts.  And the judge always wins.  So, I'm Lang Constidine and with me in here is Langton who actually runs the Ghost Detective Agency as Azria insists on calling it."

"Well, that's pretty specist, isn't it?" Leroy grumped.

Azria laughed.  "Maybe.  It started as a joke.  I tell him the G in GDA really stands for Ghosts and a Guy, but he doesn't believe me.  Can you imagine that?"  She shook her head and floated off Lang's lap.  "Now that we're getting to business..." she said at his look.

"So, uhm, do we have any idea why Aedan MacQuene is trying to get all buddy buddy with the Reverend?"  Leroy believed in getting down to business.

"I had Aedan this morning," Langton said, "and he essentially went to mass and then had breakfast with Father Day. Afterwards they came over here where the good father started showing Aedan around, giving him a highly detailed description and hands on tour of his day and activities.  Right down to the data entry work he's doing as part of his work-study agreement.  He's assigned to Theo, Dr. Atheniatkos for the semester as one of his grad students and teaching assistants given his truly impeccable credentials in ancient languages and demonology as it relates to the judeo-christian mythos.  Theo maintains a portion of the registry."

"The registry?" Leroy asked. "What's that?'

"The registry," Azria said, "is what we call the GGD database of every known and posited supernatural being....ghosts, ghouls, demons, zombies, angels, succubi, whatever.  It includes, if we have it, their DNA, they're criminal record if any and their status.  It's tied into the GGD court system and it's also used to keep track of who's allowed on any of the worlds and who isn't, particularly here on St. Michael's.  Supernatural beings who lose their privileges to be here have their DNA altered and if they try to enter the scanning system which is tied to the registry is supposed to sound the alarm.  Theo maintains the portion of registry that is mainly used for research...theoretical beings and such that are named or mentioned in the ancient literature of a religion."

"So, uhm, how did Dino get on St Michael's if he's a bad guy?" Lis asked.

"We don't know and we'd like to find out," Lang said.  "Dino is a demon we keep an eye on because he's one of the ones the princes of hell assign jobs to that are important to them and their short and long term strategy for the war.  Most demons here are just run of the mill demons.  They're trying hard to fit in and stay here, they don't want to get sent back to hell.  But Dino's a mid level player."

"And we know he's meeting with Aedan and we know Aedan is meeting with the Rev. Could Dino be trying to, I dunno, screw up the Registry?" Leroy asked.

"Dino is staying in a cottage just outside of town," Lis offered. "There are a few other folks there, but they're sort of, I dunno, nothing special? One looks like maybe a bookish sort. Like maybe a gamer too. You know, tries to be cool but just ain't."

Langton asked.  "Did you get a picture of him?"

Lis pulled out his cellphone but the picture wasn't good. Taken through a window and with limited lighting. "You got software that can enhance that?" Lis asked.

"Yeah," Lang said, and called Carter.  After Carter left he looked at the others.  "They've tried to access the registry before and the technology behind how we alter their DNA.  It maybe that that's what this is about, but if so why is Dino so unhappy about it?  That's just really business as usual for them."

"Yeah, if that's the case then there's something going on in addition to this that we're missing," Leroy agreed.

"What else can the registry be used for?" Robyna asked.  "Anything?"

Lang looked at Azria.  "Well it's tied into the penitentiary network because it's shares data on sentences and length of banishment, stuff like that."

"Does it control the cells? I mean, if they blew the registry would everyone get out?" Lis asked.

"If they blew the pen network," Lang explained, "then there'd be less than a minute before the back-up systems took over and the place was locked down.  Oh maybe fifteen or twenty seconds at the most, so unless you knew it was coming the prisoners wouldn't have time to react to the loss of the containment system.  But if you did..."

"If you did... chaos," Leroy finished. "You could lose everyone. I'm betting the real bad guys could zap outta there easy in that short a time."

"Well yeah," Lang said slowly.  "Except the maximum security wing has it's own additional security system.  Theoretically if you hacked both it could be done, but in practice it's supposed to be impossible to do.  You'd have to hack the registry, the prison and then the max system, and bring all three down at once without getting caught."  Lang looked up as Carter came back, holding out a picture.

"Where'd you get a picture of the Bishop.  I thought he was dead...died of too much sugar or something," Carter said as he turned to leave.

"Wait. Who's the Bishop?" Leroy asked.

"Guy who hacked the CIA, DoD and somewhere else, I forget where, before he was eighteen.  Legend in the hacking world," Carter said, admiration and respect evident in his voice.

"I think maybe you guys are in trouble," Leroy said.

"Yeah," Lang said.  "I'm thinking the same."

"Lang, you need to call Gumpton and warn him," Azria said.  Lang nodded but didn't reach for the phone.  He appeared to be having an internal conversation separate from the one the others were hearing.  Azria sighed.  "He and Langton are arguing about something, god knows what.  Want some more coffee?"

"Is there," Robyna asked, "Anyone in prison they'd especially want to get out?"

Lang, apparently listening to them still said, "Yeah, a couple of guys."

"Well, for-warned and all that," Lis commented. "I'd love some coffee."

"Me too," Leroy piped up. "So, uhm, why settle for a couple of guys when you can release all of them, and maybe make the big guys escape that much easier?"

Azria poked her head out the door and asked Vargas to bring coffee while Lang finished his argument with Langton.  "If they could, they'd go for getting them all out," he said.  "Langton thinks we should play along and see what happens, see if this Bishop guy can actually get in."

Leroy shrugged. "How far do you let him go?"

"Dangerous," Lis commented. "Genie. Bottle."

"Well, Langton thinks that they could bring the back up system on line without alerting anyone, so they could let him get as far as he could," Lang said.  "I think it's a bit risky, but I'm a lawyer."

"I'd think it would require a pretty high pay grade to call this one," Leroy commented. "But.. Mikey said he wanted to let Dino... you know, maybe see the light or whatever it is you guys do when you supposedly change sides."

"He mentioned that.  But Mikey wouldn't be making the decision; still it's possible he could bring orders from on high as it were...though he's never done that before.  No, the decision would be made by the governor in consultation with the university and the GGD judiciary and prison.  The sort of conversation," Lang said, "where I would imagine a lot of scotch will be consumed."

"Well," Leroy said stretching, "Let us know what you want us to do. I give it, oh, three days before you get an answer."

"Until then we stay on Dino and Aedan," Langton said, rejoining the conversation.  "And I think we have a chat with the Reverend while Lang and Azria talk to Gumpton."'

"Hey, Lis, when's the last time someone threw holy water at you?" Leroy asked.

Lis grinned. "He didn't even notice me at Hoolihan's. I'm such an innocuous lookin' guy."

"I must be missing something," Robyna said.  "Holy water doesn't work, at least not on us."

"Well, don't tell the Reverend that. He tried it on Julian too," Lis said with a laugh.

"Man I wish I'd seen that," Leroy commented, as they all trooped out to find the Reverend.

The Reverend, unaware of his growing popularity, or perhaps notoriety, was entering the Pub, this being Tuesday and one of the nights he ate there rather than somewhere else.  He was a man who believed in  routine since it freed  his attention and energy for the important things.  He took a seat at the bar and propped his book up against a bottle he'd borrowed from Millie, and settled in to study the demons of the Graminian pantheon while he waited for his food.  He was deep into it when Leroy sat down beside him, oblivious in fact until Leroy called his name a bit loudly.  "Huh?" he said looking around.  "What?"

"Hey dude," Leroy said, grabbing up the Reverend's book. "Come join us.  Over here."  He got up and walked across the room to a booth without looking back, instead flipping through the pages of the book. "Wow. Cool puppies."

Daniel frowned and followed him.  "Be careful with that, it's a a library book.  What do you want?"

"We just wanna talk. You know everyone here? This is Robyna and Lisandro Patricio. That's Langton. I'm Leroy,"

"Hello," he said automatically.  "What is this all about?" he demanded.

"We noticed your new disciple. We'd like to know what he's up to," Lis said, handing round drinks and putting an ale in front of the Reverend.

"Disciple?" Daniel repeated.  "What disciple?"

"Aedan MacQuene," Langton said.

"Aedan?  He's not a disciple.  He's a...well I'm sorry but I can't discuss him."

"Why not?" Leroy asked. "We don't wanna know what he lied about in confession. Just what he's doing and asking you."

"I'm sorry, the conversations between a person and a priest on spiritual matters are confidential.  I see no reason to violate his trust simply to satisfy your curiosity," Daniel said, retrieving his book and leaving the ale.  "Now if you'll excuse me, my dinner is getting cold."

Leroy looked at Langton. "Well?"

Langton watched him walk back to the bar.  "Well short of getting Turpin to haul him in..."

"He's a religious order priest," Robyna pointed out.

"I'm sorry?  What?"  Langton said.

"Well, you could try explaining why you want to know, or since he's an order priest you could try convincing his superior to order him, under obedience, to talk to you," she said.  "You might prefer telling his superior what this is about than telling him; I would."

"So who'd know who's his superior?" Lis asked. "Lucky he's not a pagan. No authority figures."

"Stephen and Marc would, I'd guess," Leroy replied.

"So we go ask 'em," Robyna said.  "They like company."

"Sure. You been to the Refuge Langton?" Leroy asked. "Come on. We'll have Jelly call up a couple of extra dragons. They'll love it."

Stephen answered the door and saw the crowd on the steps.  "Doesn't your key work?" he asked Leroy.  "Oh wait, we never lock the doors."

"Yeah, well, we wanted to warn you. How much scotch have you got?"

Stephen looked them all.  "Enough, but one of these days we're gonna start charging.  Come on in, it's cold out there."  And with that he headed back to the great room, where Doni and Marc and Dinah were.  He waved at the bar as he went by saying with a grin, "We got company and they're after the booze.  I'm thinking we start leaving the cheap stuff sitting out and see if that has an impact on our popularity."

"Y'all know Lis right?  This is Langton. Langton, you know everyone?" Leroy was pouring. "We wanted to know if you could help us get the Reverend to help us. Something about obedience or something like that."

Stephen raised an eyebrow and looked at Marc.  "I see.  Why don't you start at the top?  And bring me up to date."

Leroy and Langton explained what they'd guessed and what they knew.  Lis finished up with, "We talked to the Rev to ask him what things Aedan was interested in but he blew us off saying he wasn't authorized to talk to us about their discussions."

"Non-confessional stuff, right?" Stephen said.  When Leroy nodded, Stephen sighed.  "Tonight?"  When Langton allowed as how it might be better Stephen sighed again and then grinned and looked at Marc.  "It'll be quite a show, I'm gonna have to get him outta bed.  Wanna come watch?"

"Oh yeah," Marc replied.  All of them, including Robyna, zapped off to the gate at the monastery.  Stephen rang the bell and grinned again.  "Clem's never gonna forgive me for foisting Daniel on him.  Rome likes how well he handles him and made it permanent he told me the other day.  Did you bring the scotch?"

Marc held up the bottle and waved it as Brother Dominic came to answer their bell.  He blinked at the crowd and focused on Stephen.  "Is there trouble?"

"Not yet, Brother," Stephen laughed.  "But there will be as soon as I tell Father Abbot why I'm here.  May we wait inside while you let him know I'm here?"

"Certainly," Dominic said, letting them in.  He showed them to one of the larger parlors and toddled off to wake Clem, who appeared a few minutes later looking disgruntled.

Clem gave his visitors a jaundiced look, spotted the scotch bottle in Marc's hand and frowned.  "The last time you brought scotch with you," he said.

Stephen laughed.  "Yeah, well you're gonna need it.  Show us to the glasses and I'll explain."  He glanced at Clem's feet.  "And send someone for your going out in the snow clothes."

Clem scowled.  "Unless it's a case of danger of immediate death I'm not going anywhere," he said firmly, leading the way to his office.  He flipped on the lights and then pulled out some glasses.  "Okay, why do I need a drink?"

"Because Daniel isn't playing nice and getting along with others," Stephen said, taking a seat and crossing his legs.  "But first let me introduce you to everyone.  "That's Leroy Saunders, that's Langton Constidine and the other gentleman is Lisandro Patricio and the lovely lady is Robyna..."

"Robyna Elisa Santiago de Certaz," Leroy supplied, dead pan.

"Yeah, that's her," Stephen agreed.  "And this is his eminence, the Archabbot of Our Lady of Refuge of the Blue Ridge Abbey, Archbishop Ignatius Peter Cardinal Clement.  We call him Clem.  He gets to tell Daniel what to do."

Clem glared and swallowed some scotch.

"So, listen. We think there's gonna be a jail break on St Michael's and somehow or another the Reverend is the key, so we want to know what this guy Aedan MacQuene is trying to worm out of the Reverend, but he won't say, claims executive privilege or something. So we need your help to stop it, " Leroy summed it all up.

"If it is something told to him under the seal of the confessional he can not tell you," Clem said.

"I am assured it isn't," Stephen said.  "Unless that now extends to breakfast table conversations."

Clem frowned.  "So what do you want from me?" he asked, pouring himself some more scotch.

"Just tell him to help us figure out what Aedan is after and to help us stop him from doing it," Lis suggested.

"Okay, how do I reach him," Clem said with a sigh, picking up his phone.

"Uhm," Stephen said gently, "As I recall he disdains cellphones.  Not in keeping with his vow of poverty, he says."

"Oh no," Clem said.  "I am not going out..."

"You'll get to ride a dragon," Stephen said, looking at his scotch.  He refilled Clem's glass and then his own before passing the bottle.  "And see St. Michael's."

"It's almost midnight!"  Clem said.  "Matins starts in less than an hour.  This can't wait until tomorrow?"

"Well, if you're not worried about demons and such breaking out of jail, sure, it can wait," Leroy replied easily. "I'm bushed."

Clem glared at him.  "Don't try that with me young man.  I do not take well to attempts to manipulate me emotionally."  He downed his scotch and was about to push his buzzer for Brother Gerald when he remembered Gerald was in bed."  "I'm going to kill him," Clem said with conviction as he stood up.  "Kill him and then confine him to his cell on bread and water for a year.  The rule allows me to beat him and I'm going to do that too," he finished as he left the room.

"Man, I'm glad I'm not Catholic," Leroy commented.

Stephen laughed.  "You should wake up the dragons," he said to Marc.  "You going to see the finish?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world. I already alerted Cola. You going?"

"Oh yeah.  Somebody's got to keep him from murdering the man.  I'll let Doni know so she and Dinah don't wait up."  He was still for a minute and then grinned at Marc.  "Don't thank me," he said.  "But make up sex is in your future."

Marc grinned and waggled his eyebrows. Leroy laughed out loud.  Langton snorted.  Robyna shook her head.

The dragons were waiting for them when they stepped out into the cold clear night.  Clem brightened considerably.  Marc swung up onto Cola and patted her affectionately. Lis, not yet used to dragon flights let alone fights at midnight, looked excited about the whole thing.  The gaggle of dragons and humans took off; the dragons opened a portal and shot through it, then opened its twin over St Michael's and spiralled downward to the landing field, er, the green. beside the college.  Clem, not in the lead since this was his first visit to St Michael's was doing a good imitation of having a rubber neck, followed along, as Langton led the way.

Daniel had forgotten all about Leroy and his request for help.  He'd eaten his dinner, and gone back to his rooms off the High Street.  He was chanting Matins when a peremptory pounding sounded on his door.  He finished the verse and then answered the door, his jaw dropping at the sight of Clem backed up by the others standing there.  "Father Abbot," he said, bowing.

"I am most displeased, Father Daniel" Clem said coldly, pushing past him and entering the room.  "I have been roused from bed and dragged out into the night because of you.  I am told," he went on, enunciating every word clearly, "That these people asked your assistance and you refused."

"Father Abbot, I am very sorry you were inconvenienced," Daniel protested, "But it is a confidential matter of spiritual direction.  Surely you understand that without a compelling reason I could not..."

"Yes," Clem said, holding up his hand, stemming the flow.  "Be that as it may, you will tell these people what they want to know.  You will tell them everything unless it is was told to you under seal of the confessional.  And in the future," he said nastily, "you will not be so quick to dismiss requests for help.  It's what priests do!"

Stephen, watching from the door bit his lip to keep from laughing.

"But Father Abbot, what is so important that I must violate this young man's confidence?"

Clem lost it.  "I am ordering you," he yelled, "and that's all you need to know.  I don't suppose," he went on, looking around, "that your pursuit of the ascetical life allows you to keep a drink around this place.  Christ, it's a bloody icebox in here!"

Daniel looked offended.  "Of course Father," he said with dignity and pulled out a bottle of decent scotch and a glass.

Clem gave him a look that would have stripped paint.  "A guest," he said pointedly, "is to be welcomed as Christ among us.  And turn up the heat!"

Daniel flushed and got more glasses.  "My apologies," he said and adjusted the thermostat as well.

"Don't worry," Marc said, fighting a grin, "I brought the good stuff." He poured for everyone.

"So, what's Aedan so interested in?" Leroy asked, as he sipped his drink.

"He feels that perhaps he is called to be a priest," Daniel said.  "So we have been discussing his vocation and what the life of a priest is and what my life is like."

"No, not what I meant. What did he want you to show him?" Leroy tried again.

"Show him?" Daniel asked, perplexed.  "I don't understand."

"It might help to tell you," Langton said, "That the MacQuene family isn't Catholic.  I'm told that Aedan, up until two days ago, had never in his life set foot in a church, much less a Catholic one."

Daniel goggled.  "But he went to confession, he received communion.  That...that's sacrilege!..it's blasphemous!  He lied to me?"

"If he said he was Catholic," Langton replied.  "Our guess is that he's pumping you for information about the registry and posing as a man wanting to be a priest...Well, it's a good angle, I'd say.  And he's very chummy with a few demons," he added casually.

Daniel was speechless.

"And he tried to steal a psi gizmo which is how he came to my attention," Leroy added. "He hit the prof on the noggin when he tried to steal it.  So, I don't see as how you owe him much in the way of, uhm, loyalty."

Daniel flushed and turned to look out the window.  A few moments later he looked around again, his face impassive.  "This morning after breakfast he asked if he could spend the morning watching what I do.  Since on Tuesday mornings I work at the college editing the registry he accompanied me.  He asked me a number of questions about the registry which I couldn't answer.  Then he asked if he could help.  So I checked with my supervisor and he said he didn't see why not since I was doing simple things like field checking and gave him a guest logon."

"Oh shit. They've already got access then," Lis commented.

Leroy nodded. "Yeah, once a hacker can get just a fingertip in, he's gonna be able to get everywhere he wants to. Probably already is."

Langton was dialing his cellphone.  "Thank you father.  I appreciate your help and I'm sorry.  I know this is painful for you."  He put the phone to his ear and excused himself.

Clem looked at Daniel and poured him a drink.  "Here Father, drink this.  I think you need it."

Daniel started to refuse and then took the glass.  "Thank you," he said quietly.  He swallowed some and then said, "Is there anything else?  I'm supposed to meet him in the morning, after mass, though  I guess now..."

"Your job is to find the good in people, Father," Marc said quietly. "Don't beat yourself up over this. Thanks for helping us now."

"I appreciate it," Daniel told him.  "But, there are other standards as well that come into play.  Such as humility."

"I've got to meet the dean over at the GGD," Langton said, pocketing his phone.  "They're trying to back track through the system now to see."  He met Daniel's eyes.  "I doubt if he shows up tomorrow, but it would be good if you could be there in case and if he does, act like everything is fine."

Daniel nodded.  "Certainly," he said.

"I'll be there watching over you," Leroy said. "Try not to worry, Just be yourself. You'll be fine. He doesn't have any reason to hurt you or even to suspect you."

"No, why would he?" Daniel said, bitterness breaking through.  "I've been monumentally stupid and gullible, not to mention arrogant and complacent."

Clem set his glass down and rested his hand on Daniel's shoulder.  "You couldn't have known, Daniel.  But you can learn.  Now I think we'll leave you.  We've trespassed long enough on your time."  Clem squeezed his shoulder.  "Come see me when you're free, why don't you?" he suggested.

Daniel nodded.  "Thank you."

"Night, Padre," Lisandro called as they began to leave. "Keep an eye out for Dino. If you see him, you'll probably see me too."

Daniel nodded and then when they'd all left he shut the door softly and went and stood by the window looking out over the snow covered roofs for a long time.

Stephen looked up at the window where Daniel could be seen and shook his head.  "Wonder if it'll last," he said.

"Until he gets another wild hair up his ass," Marc commented, then laughed at Clem's look. "Come on, Padre, let's go to bed. But not together. I've got a pregnant woman to make up with."

Clem blessed him.  "Better you than me," he said fervently.

Marc just laughed.