How It Should Have Been

Chapter 19: The Meeting

Begin!

Universe*

~Kit's POV

"Today's the day," I said.

"Indeed it is," Dewey replied, "Do you have it?"

I pulled a suitcase out of the closet and opened it up to reveal the surprise we had planned for the meeting. Dewey nodded as he looked inside the case.

"I wish we could do this a different way," I said, quietly, "Olaf was once a good friend of mine."

"We don't have a choice. He won't turn himself in, and if we lock him up he'll only find a way to escape just like all the other times."

"I understand, darling, but that won't make this any easier."

Dewey put his hands on my shoulders and stared into my eyes, "Nothing we do is easy, my dear. If this were easy then we wouldn't be volunteers. Do you think I'm proud of what we're about to do? I'm not. Ernest is our target today too, and he's my brother for god's sake. I'll handle him, but I trust that you will accomplish your mission at the meeting."

I smiled, "And once this is over the world will be quiet again?"

Dewey kissed my forehead, "Of course, because today is the day we defeat our enemies."

I hugged him, "I'll need your help hiding my surprise."

He smiled, "I'll help you."

He pulled two objects out of the suitcase and helped me hide mine under my dress, as I had trouble bending down due to my pregnancy. He hid his inside his suit jacket. We were set and ready for the meeting. Part of me wished I could inform the Baudelaires and the Quagmires about our final plan, but there was no way I could risk it. Not while everything had been going so smoothly. They would have to find out after the fact.

I pulled out my communicator, "Jacqueline, are you in position?"

"Affirmative, Larry and I have the conference room secure."

"Frank, are you in position," Dewey asked into his communicator.

"Roger that, Ernest is on his way there with Olaf and Fernald as we speak."

"Excellent work, brother, I will see you there."

We put away our communicators and turned to each other.

"Are you ready," Dewey asked.

"No; but a very brave and noble friend of mine once told me that if you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life."

"Then let's honor that friend by avenging her death, my dear."

~...

Dewey and I entered the conference room to find the other volunteers had arrived as scheduled. Captain Widdershins had apparently followed my orders and not brought Fiona. Our noble numbers have dwindled in the past few years, and I'd hate to risk a young recruit so easily. Frank met us at our seats by the podium. Jacqueline and Larry were covering the exits. Fernald would be arriving with Olaf and Ernest in a few minutes. I had two other volunteers set to guard the front doors once they entered. I looked around at the other volunteers that had showed up. So many people in this room had been wronged by Count Olaf at some point, myself included.

After waiting several tense moments the doors opened, Olaf entered with Ernest at his side. Fernald saw me and nodded just barely so he wouldn't look suspicious to his comrade before walking in beside them. I carefully reached down from my position and grabbed the object I had and placed it gently on my lap. I looked over at Dewey, who sitting on Frank's other side, and saw him do the same thing.