Begin!

Universe*

~Normal POV

The six of them climbed down the ladder that led them into the submarine. On the wall they could see another set of the gold letters that spelled out the ship's name as they stood at the ladder's base unsure of what to do or where to go now. They were in a narrow hallway with a dim bulb as the only source of light. At the end of the hall was a closed door.

"Wasn't somebody going to meet us," Violet asked as she picked up Sunny.

"This place is kind of big, perhaps they're just not here yet," Klaus replied as the six of them looked around curiously.

Suddenly, the door opened and a middle-aged man in a sailor captain's uniform stepped into the hall pointing a spyglass at them. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously before he spoke.

"When you drive away in secret you'll be a volunteer-" He left the poem hanging as an invitation to gain their trust.

Isadora finished it for him, "So don't scream when we take you, the world is quiet here."

The man grinned and lowered his spyglass, "Aye! The Baudelaires and the Quagmires at last! It's been ages since I've seen any of you!"

He beckoned them to follow him deeper into his ship. They walked through the halls of the submarine until they reached an open area that appeared to be the main deck. There was a massive window that showed the bright ocean waters that was situated over a large control panel that was meant for driving the submersible. To the side were a couple couches, and a table with many chairs. On the control console, with a chair in front of it, were several maps and an ocean guidebook, which Quigley's eyes were immediately drawn to. On the wall was a calendar, next to some detailed sea charts. The man was still grinning as he turned to them once more.

"I'm Captain Widdershins, and welcome aboard the Queequeg! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you kids!"

"It's very nice to meet you, Captain," Violet said shaking his hand, "Kit said you were going to help us."

"Aye, and help you I will, Violet. Yes I know your names. I haven't seen you since you were a little girl. Just as lovely as you mum too; you look just like her. Oh, let's see the last time I saw Bertrand and Beatrice was oh, just after Klaus was born I think. About 13 years ago, right?"

"That's right, sir," Klaus said politely shaking the man's hand.

"Aye, it's good to see you so grown up, son. You've probably heard this a million times, but you're the spitting image of Bertrand! Right down to the glasses; except the eyes of course."

Klaus blushed a bit, "Yeah my mother's eyes; I get that a lot."

"And it's good to meet you for the first time little Sunny," The captain said, shaking her small hand, "I didn't know they had another baby until just recently."

"Hello," Sunny said, which meant, "I'm happy to meet your acquaintance."

"She's still learning to talk," Violet said as she set her sister down on a chair.

Captain Widdershins waved his hand dismissively, "Aye that's alright, she'll get there eventually given how big she's gotten."

He went to shake the Quagmires' hands, "The Quagmire triplets, I never thought I'd see you again. And together no less! I was there when you were born. Hell, when Karen told her husband they were having triplets the poor bastard fainted right into Bertrand's arms! Everybody was there; we all saw it. And Karen, tough as nails that woman was, the only time I ever saw her cry was when she had you three. Quinten said he was head over heels for her the second he watched her walk out of a blazing building with a smile on her face after she saved a bunch of civilians. He leaned over to Bertrand Baudelaire and he said, 'I'm gonna marry that woman someday.' Now let's see if I can get your names right."

He pointed to each of them carefully, "Duncan, Quigley, and Isadora, have I got it right or did I mix you up?"

Duncan laughed, "You got it right, sir."

"It's easier to tell now," Isadora said.

"Don't feel bad," Quigley smirked, "Our own father couldn't tell us apart until we were five; had to keep us from wearing the same colored clothes just to be safe."

"Aye I knew your families well," The captain looked down solemnly for a moment, "Broke my heart to see them gone. They were good people. But we mustn't dwell on the past, time moves forward whether we like it or not. Feel free to explore and look around. The Queequeg is your home until we reach our Vigorously Fixed Destination."

The children set their bags down, took off their jackets, and walked around the room examining their surroundings curiously as Captain Widdershins went to the helm and started the ship. Quigley looked over the maps on the console with intrigue, he was used to land maps and these attracted his cartographer instincts. Klaus and Isadora took a seat on one of the couches, the researcher relaxing as he put his arm around the poet with a smile. Duncan stood with Violet as she watched the captain use the control console.

"Um, Captain Widdershins," Violet started, "Are you the only person operating this vessel? I'm rather good with mechanical engineering and I couldn't help noticing your ship is a bit... out of shape."

The captain smiled, "Not to worry, Violet. Bertrand said the same thing once. This ship is older than me if you believe it. And no I'm not the only one. There are only two other people on here, our cook Phil he's down in the kitchen, and my navigator and chief engineer Fiona."

He looked around suddenly, noticing the previously mentioned person wasn't present, "God damn, where has that girl gone?"

He picked up a radio looking device and called into it, "Fiona?"

There was a brief pause before a female voice replied, "Yes stepfather?"

"Get on up here girl! We don't want to be hesitating now! The Baudelaires and the Quagmire triplets are here an' they want to meet you! He who hesitates is lost."

There was a laugh over the communicator before the girl responded with, "Or she, stepfather! I'll be right up."

He put down the communicator, "Fiona is my navigator and she's my stepdaughter. Smart as a whip, but she tends to wander sometimes; just turned 16 earlier this year."

They heard the sound of someone running up a set of stairs and a young slightly darker skinned girl entered the room. She had shoulder-length raven hair and light blue eyes. She wore a white lab coat over a dark blue blouse and a black knee-length skirt. She wore black-rimmed triangle-shaped glasses. She smiled brightly, and walked over to introduce herself.

"Hello, I'm Fiona," She shook Violet's hand, "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Same here, I'm Violet. This is my boyfriend Duncan," The inventor gestured to the journalist as Fiona shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you," Duncan said.

Fiona shook Sunny's hand as the small girl introduced herself in her undeveloped English. Which Fiona seemed to understand somehow. She turned to Klaus and Isadora.

"I'm Isadora Quagmire, this is my boyfriend Klaus."

"So good to meet all of you," Fiona said, "I've heard a lot about your families from my stepfather."

Klaus nodded, "Your stepfather said you were the ship's engineer, but you're wearing a lab coat. Any particular reason why?"

"I do a lot on this ship, engineer and navigator are my jobs, but personally I'm a scientist. I was just working on an experiment in my lab downstairs," Fiona waved her hand dismissively, and turned to see Quigley still reading the maps, "Whoa, hey those are mine. I'd appreciate it if you asked permission first."

She walked over to him and took the map out of his hands setting it back on the console. Quigley stared at her for a few moments before smirking.

"I'm sorry I will most definitely ask for permission next time," The cartographer said, "I don't believe we've been introduced. Quigley Quagmire."

He held his hand out for a handshake, his smirk not fading as she smiled and shook his hand.

"I'm Fiona Widdershins; it's nice to meet you."

Quigley's smirk grew as he replied, "It's always nice to meet someone as beautiful as you," He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand.

Duncan and Isadora rolled their eyes at their brother's behavior. Violet and Klaus raised a brow in mild amusement. Fiona's eyes widened at the gesture and her face instantly turned cherry red.

"Oh... I... um, thank you for the compliment."

"You're welcome," Quigley replied, his eyes softening at her.

"He certainly got over Violet fast," Klaus commented softly to Isadora.

"That's just how Quigley is. He has a weakness for pretty girls."

Isadora walked over to them and grabbed her brother's arm, "Quigley, wipe that drool off your chin. You just met the poor girl! I'm terribly sorry if my brother upset you at all. He's an idiot."

Fiona started fussing with the hem of her skirt and smiled shyly, her cheeks still very red, "Oh, it's quite alright Isadora, I don't mind. I, ahem, don't usually meet men so bold."

Captain Widdershins took this moment to call their attention. Everyone sat down around the table as he began to speak.

"Kit told me over the phone that the six of you are headed for Briny Beach, correct?"

The Baudelaires looked down slightly, remembering why they were apprehensive about returning to that place, before Violet replied, "That's right, sir."

"Briny Beach," Fiona looked her maps over, "That's going to take at least 2 days. You're lucky you got here on time."

"Aye that they are! No hesitating on my ship now. Around we have a mantra, 'he who hesitates is lost.'"

"Or she, stepfather," Fiona corrected, "A mantra is a phrase or code that one lives by to guide them through life. My stepfather believes that if you hesitate you'll get lost and I was raised by those words."

"We know what mantra means," Klaus said, "I've heard the saying before, but I've never met someone who lived by it."

Quigley spoke up from his seat next to Fiona, "Personally, I believe that well-read people are less likely to be evil. That's my mantra."

Fiona smiled at him, "I agree with that sentiment."

"Quigley, you've never said mantra before in your life," Duncan said.

Quigley rolled his eyes, "Does that matter?"

"Anyway, as I was saying, we'll get you where you need to go. In the meantime, the Queequeg is your home as much as it is ours. Violet, Isadora, and Sunny will sleep in Fiona's room and Duncan, Klaus, and Quigley can sleep in the spare room across the hall. We might have a small crew but we've got plenty of room," Captain Widdershins explained, seemingly oblivious to the conversation, "Are there any questions, comments, concerns?"

"If it's alright with you, Captain," Violet spoke up, "I'd be more than happy to help with any mechanical issues the ship might face."

Captain Widdershins grinned, "I'd be honored to let you help out! I'd heard you inherited Bertrand's talent for fixing things."

"And I'd be more than happy to have the help," Fiona noted, "Everyone grab your things. I'll show them where they'll be staying, stepfather."

"Good girl. I'll get back to driving the ship. Phil should have lunch ready around noon."

Quigley walked beside Fiona as she led them out of the main deck and down to the sleeping quarters. The cartographer hadn't taken his eyes off the new girl since he saw her. Duncan and Isadora smirked as they watched their brother continue to make pleasant conversation with her. They had apparently seen him do this a lot. It wasn't hard to tell when Quigley Quagmire was interested in a girl. Duncan was a lot more shy about girls; despite his happy relationship with Violet it had still taken a lot to get him to admit his feelings for her. Violet knew that Klaus was always shy about girls as they were the one thing he could never figure out using his reading skills, but he and Isadora had found each other and were very happy together. It had taken some coaxing to get the two to admit it though.

Fiona stopped between two doors that were across from each other. She opened the one on the right and told the other girls to leave their things inside while the boys dropped off their stuff in the opposite room. Once finished, Violet walked off to examine the ship's engine, with Duncan wanting to join her. Klaus and Isadora left to explore the ship, and Sunny wanted to check out the kitchen, possibly to help make lunch. This left Quigley and Fiona alone. The cartographer felt himself redden slightly. It had been a while since he had been alone with a girl he was interested in. Spending so long in hiding had been the cause of that. Fiona was quite a pretty girl, and she was very nice. He was eager to get to know her better while they spent such a short time here.

"So, what kind of scientist are you," Quigley asked.

"You're gonna think it's gross."

"Try me."

"I'm a mycologist."

Quigley paused, "I'm not familiar with that word."

"I study fungi," Fiona explained, "It's ok you're allowed to be grossed out."

"Well, I suppose there are weirder things to study," Quigley replied, casually.

Fiona looked surprised at him, "You're not freaked out? Usually everyone is."

Quigley smiled, "If it's what you're passionate about then who cares what everyone else thinks?"

Fiona smiled and blushed, "I suppose you're right. Thank you. What are passionate about?"

"I'm a cartographer, that's why I was so interested in your maps."

"That's fascinating, I should have guessed. Hey, do you want to come see my lab?"

Quigley grinned, "I'd love to, Miss Fiona."

She grabbed his hand leading him down the opposite hall. She turned a corner and opened a door, which had a caution sign on it, and pulled him in. Inside the room was a large cabinet built into the wall filled with what appeared to be spore samples for her work. In the back of the room was a table filled with chemistry equipment, tools, a desk lamp, and several pairs of protective gloves along with a few sets of goggles to protect one's eyes, and a surgical mask. On the side wall that wasn't occupied by the sample cabinet was a small bookshelf filled with plenty of books. There was a window above the shelf that let in the sunlight streaming through the ocean surface.

"It's not much, but I make do with what I have," Fiona said, sitting in a chair by her table.

Quigley sat down beside her, "It's nice. Is this your library?"

"Yep, they're mostly science books. You're welcome to read any of them if you're ever interested."

He smiled, "I might do that if I get bored."

The two stared at each other without talking for several moments. Fiona blushed and broke the eye contact first. Quigley blushed as well, running his hand through his messy black hair. She turned to her cabinet.

"You're welcome to come down here whenever you like, but be warned my sample cabinet is off limits. Fungi can be very dangerous if they're not handled properly. And I wouldn't want you or the others to get hurt."

"So, you like to live dangerously," Quigley joked.

She giggled, "I suppose that's one way of putting it. I am a trained professional."

He felt a bit of satisfaction from making her laugh. He had never felt this way about a girl before. Quigley was used to being suave and cool around girls, but Fiona was different. With her, he felt nervous; even a bit shy. He inwardly wondered if this was how Duncan felt around Violet when they first met. He couldn't dare let his brother know how timid he had suddenly become just because of a lovely girl with triangle-shaped glasses and a beautiful smile. He'd be mocked and teased to the end of the century.

~...

Isadora couldn't ignore a nagging thought in the back of her head as she and Klaus explored the submarine. It wasn't a pleasant thought. It wasn't even one she felt she should be considering. But she had to voice it. There was no other way around the subject. She wanted an answer to a simple question. She and Klaus found a secluded hallway and she proceeded to grab his hand to get his attention.

"Klaus, can we talk for a minute?"

"Sure, what's up?"

Isadora bit her lip nervously as she tried to find a way to phrase her question, "What do you think of Fiona?"

Klaus raised a brow at her in confusion, "She seems nice enough. I mean we did just meet her so I can't really say anything else about her."

She avoided his gaze and started fidgeting a bit with her fingers, "Do you think... she's pretty?"

The researcher blinked in surprise. The question caught him completely off guard. He smirked a little.

"Eh, Quigley certainly seems to think so," His smirk grew as he observed her behavior and realized exactly what she had meant, "You're not jealous, are you, Izzie?"

Isadora blushed, "No! And you wipe that cocky smirk off your face before I do it for you!"

Klaus chuckled, "You're a terrible liar."

Her face reddened even more as she frowned, "I'm sorry. I trust you completely, it's just I have this weird sense that maybe you should be with someone like her..."

Klaus hated seeing Isadora upset. Especially if she was upset over something so silly as this. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close lifting her chin up to look her in the eye.

He smiled lovingly at her, "Remember when I wanted to say something to you while we were on the boat? Well here it is: Isadora you bring light into my life, and I hope someday you will be my wife."

He kissed her, and this wasn't like their previous kisses as a couple. No, this one was far more intimate. Isadora felt herself melt into his kiss as she wrapped her arms around his neck. In a bold move, which he absolutely did not learn from a romance novel, he gently pressed her back against the wall, causing her to pull him as close as she could. He licked her lips, asking for entrance which she shyly gave; their tongues meeting for the first time. Any previous doubts and worries she had were gone. Klaus had never kissed her like this before, and she liked it a lot. She inwardly prayed that she would get more of these heated kisses from her lovable bookworm in the future. Unfortunately, the need for oxygen forced them pull apart. His glasses were foggy and a bit crooked, his cheeks were red, and his messy dark hair was now even more mussed from her running her hands through it. Her own face had turned scarlet, and her knees felt weak, as she took a few heavy breaths.

"I love you, Isadora," He said softly, his eyes locked with hers, "I hope that couplet was enough to put your mind at ease."

"I love you too, Klaus," She breathed, he had successfully short-circuited her brain, "And I really liked that couplet. I... Where on earth did you learn to kiss like that?"

He adjusted his glasses with a sly smirk, "Why? Did you like it?"

She grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer once more with a grin, "Yes, now do it again."

He chuckled, "As you wish."

He crashed his lips into hers once more. The researcher and the poet had planned to use their alone time wisely. This was the perfect way to do it. And this time nobody was around to interrupt them.

~End of Chapter

I don't care how OOC that last bit was. I just couldn't resist the opportunity. Don't worry, they were just kissing, I promise.

Hope you caught the book references I slipped into this chapter; there are 2 so keep an eye open for them!