Lost In Time

Guilty Surprises

"Oh come on Rosa please!!" I begged shamelessly, on my hands and knees, begging the impassive woman with a scowl on the other side of the desk.

"Eliana, the answer is still no, until you tell me who you want to give AIDS to!" Groaning, I wanted to bang my head against the wall. We had been at this for thirty minutes, an hour, I didn't even know anymore.

"Rosa! I don't want to give anyone AIDS, but I can't tell you why I need that button, and since you're the last Keeper who signed off on its stay here in the Vault, you're the only one who can sign off on my taking it! I promise I don't want to give anyone AIDS!" She frowned, leaning back and crossing her arms. Swallowing, I stood and sat back down in the chair I had just evacuated.

"...Now why don't I believe you? You haven't been that happy recently honey." I knew she added that honey on in an attempt to hide the fact she was trying to change the subject, but it was true. I had been unhappy. Pop had disappeared, saying he would be back soon, but he couldn't tell me where. I was afraid he was gone for a mission again, despite the conversation I had overhead between him and Simon. Dim...no, Dimitri. He wasn't my Dim anymore, he had changed. More drinking, listening to rock music, ditching school, and no more good morning/good night texts, or little flowers. I had cried when his last one had wilted away a week ago. Thankfully no one had heard me as I blubbered to myself, petting my griffin egg. That would have been weird. The coven and I were still at a standstill. I openly avoided Caroline and her family now, any of the adults actually. If I had anywhere to go, I would be sleeping there. I had to keep talking myself out of breaking into Pop's condo and taking the guest bedroom every day. The only good thing that seemed to have come out of the month of November was that I had the broach now, safe and sound in the Vault. It had been two weeks since 'a wild magpie attacked Prof. Parris' and she was still furious. I was also slightly afraid that she suspected I had something to do with it, but thankfully she wasn't aware of Claire's involvement. Just yesterday I had found her and my Traveler's Program instructor, Zoe Lund, whispering, but they both immediately stopped as soon as I walked in to take a seat, eyeing me intently. Definitely suspicious. But I wasn't about to let Rosa change the subject.

"This isn't about that Rosa." I paused, fidgeting. I couldn't tell her I made a deal with Dracula himself, or about that Trip at all. She would flip out and give me a huge lecture and I would never get that button. I was at a standstill, when someone spoke up from the doorway behind me.

"Oh come on Rosalinda, since when has Eli ever done anything wrong?" I froze, eyes wide in shock at that voice. I knew that voice. It couldn't be...but looking at Rosa's disgruntled face, eyes twinkling suggesting her happiness, I knew it was true. Suddenly I squealed and jumped up and down, turning to the doorway and throwing my arms around the person.

"EILEEEN!? SINCE WHEN ARE YOU BACK! WHY WASN'T I TOLD!!!!!" I screamed loudly into her ear, hugging her fiercely, tears stinging my eyes. My most favorite godmother, aunt, sister, and best friend was back. Rosa laughed behind us, her chair creaking a little as she stood.

Eileen pulled away and smiled sheepishly at me, her eyes on Rosa behind me. "Well, considering Rosa's facial expression...you weren't supposed to know till tonight's party?" Narrowing my eyes, I turned to look at Rosa, who now had a sheepish expression on her face.

"...About that button? Yeah, never mind...you can have it Eli." Quick as a hatter, she signed the papers I needed and promptly pushed the both of us out of her office, slamming the door behind us as we heard her muttering about blown plans and spoiler Eileen, she couldn't wait...Both of us burst into helpless laughter, and she threw her arm around my shoulder as we made our way to the Vault.

"So...tell me everything darling!" We laughed again as I poked her in the ribs.

"That was the WORST British accent I have ever heard!"