Begin!

Universe*

~Normal POV

It was just past 8 the next morning when the Queequeg finally arrived at its Vigorously Fixed Destination. They parked at a dock and the Baudelaires and Quagmires gathered their belongings, ensuring they didn't leave anything behind, and said good bye to Captain Widdershins and Phil. Fiona wished to come see them off and followed the others up the ladder and out of the ship. The Baudelaires looked around the area with mixed emotions in their faces.

"We made it to Briny Beach, just like we were told," Violet said, her voice shaking a bit.

Duncan wrapped his arm around her as she reached down to hold Sunny's hand. Klaus and Isadora held each other as the poet could feel her love's sorrow from being in this miserable location. Quigley stood by Fiona as they watched the others' solemn reactions. His own eyes were downcast as he couldn't stop thinking about the fact that he had to say good bye so soon.

"Where's Kit," Isadora asked looking around nervously.

"Her taxi is parked on the curb," Klaus replied looking through his spyglass, "She's waiting for us."

"Then you should get going," Fiona said.

They all smiled at her and thanked her for helping them. The others started to walk a little ahead, but Quigley didn't move. He grabbed Fiona's hand and looked into her eyes.

"Before I go, I just wanted to say I'll miss you," He said quietly.

She gave him a sad smile, "I'll miss you too, Quigley. It's been a pleasure to know you."

He sighed and blurted out a question that he hadn't actually meant to ask, "Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

She laughed lightly and put a hand on his cheek, he leaned into her soft touch, "I can't. My place is with my stepfather. And your place is with your siblings. Family is the most important thing in the world. I wouldn't dare ask you to leave your family; please don't ask me to leave mine. Besides my stepfather says we're going to the meeting on Friday too so this isn't good bye forever."

"It sure feels like it is."

"I hope you have a safe journey from here, Quigley. I... care about you a lot..."

She moved her glasses to wipe away the tears that threatened to spill over. He felt his heart warm from her sweet words.

In a swift move that he had done often before he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, his eyes never leaving hers, as he spoke, "I'll be fine. And just in case we don't see each other again, here's something to remember me by."

He kissed her deeply. Her eyes widened with shock before she felt her knees weaken. Fiona had never had a boyfriend, and she had surely never been kissed before, but this was better than she could have imagined. She wrapped her arms around his neck as her insides fluttered. The two didn't care one bit that the rest of the group was watching them. When the couple pulled away Fiona's face was now very red as she adjusted her glasses.

"Wow," She breathed, her brain was now rather dizzy with delight at his romantic gesture.

He smirked, "Yeah I know. I've been told I'm a good kisser. And I'll make sure we see each other again soon; promise."

"You mean that?"

"Absolutely; I have to go now," He reluctantly let go of her, "Good bye, Doll."

Fiona grinned, "Good bye Quigley, I'll hold you to that promise."

She turned and entered her submarine once again as the six of them hurried over to the taxi. Kit greeted them with a smile and commanded them inside as she started the car. Violet and Klaus got into the front once again with Sunny in their arms as the triplets took the back seat. Kit examined the area with her spyglass before deciding it was safe and they drove away.

"I'm happy to see you made it on time," She said, "Things got scary after we lost Olivia."

"We followed your instructions as best as we could," Violet replied.

"We even found the survivor of the fire," Duncan said; the triplets held each other's hands with pride.

Kit looked at them through her rear view mirror, "It's nice to see the Quagmire triplets whole again. Jacqueline told me what happened at Headquarters. I'm sorry for not checking on it myself beforehand, but there wasn't time."

"We understand," Quigley responded, "It wasn't something you needed to see."

"How's your baby," Isadora asked.

"Perfectly fine, thank you. I had a check-up, and the doctor said it could happen any day now," She patted her stomach affectionately.

"Are we going to Hotel Denouement now? We found a Verbal Fridge Dialogue message addressed to Jacques in the Headquarters and we know about the meeting," Klaus asked.

The woman sighed, "I'm glad you managed to find that message even if it didn't reach the correct person. However, I never said we were going to Hotel Denouement. I said I would explain the plan when we met again and here we are."

"What are you talking about? Aren't you taking us to the meeting with the other volunteers," Quigley asked worriedly.

"Meeting," Sunny said quizzically, which meant, "I thought we would be going to the last safe place?"

"That was part of the original plan. But once we lost Olivia, Jacqueline, Larry, and I altered our course. Olaf knows about the meeting and he's on his way there now as we speak. We have a double agent feeding us his plans. The best part is: Olaf doesn't know where you are. Our inside man says they've focused efforts on finding the sugar bowl. You are completely off the radar meaning we can't possibly allow you to go to Hotel Denouement. Noble volunteers will be swarming the building and we'll be working round the clock to bring him to justice; by any means necessary."

"You have a double agent in Count Olaf's troupe," Violet's eyes widened with shock, "Who?"

Kit smiled, "His name is Fernald. Though you might know him better as the hook-handed man."

"Fernald?! Fiona Widdershins' brother is the hook-handed man in Olaf's troupe," Quigley shouted in disbelief.

"That's correct. Olaf didn't reach the water in time to follow the Queequeg; he chose instead to go to the meeting. Jacqueline received a coded telegram from Fernald telling us that he would risk everything and work as an inside man. He says he loves his sister too much to see Olaf potentially hurt her. After this is over, he swears on his life he will turn himself in in exchange for his sister's protection."

Quigley felt his insides burn with rage, "But Fiona is going to that meeting with her stepfather! Olaf will find her there and he will surely find out about this!"

"Hey, she'll be alright," Duncan said, trying to calm his brother down.

"Quigley, if her brother is doing this for her then he won't let anyone hurt her," Isadora said.

"I have to be at that meeting, Kit! I'm not going to let Fiona be in danger!"

"Quiet," Kit commanded sternly, her normally calm, professional tone changing to that of a strict parent, "Quigley, I understand you care for Miss Widdershins, but we must stick to the plan. I am taking you all to a safe house. Jacqueline set it up for you in her name."

"We'll have to thank her for it later," Klaus said.

Kit nodded, "Miss Scieszka is an incredibly resourceful agent, isn't she? It's a shame she had to work undercover for Mr. Poe for so many years. I never could stand that blasted banker; I don't know how Bertrand and Beatrice put up with him. Now about Fiona, Quigley, if it will ease your mind I swear to you I will protect your friend. I will be meeting her there. Fernald too. I will join you all at the safe house once everything has been taken care of. You have my word as a volunteer."

Giving someone your word that you will do something most often means you will do whatever it takes to accomplish that task. Kit had kept her promises to the orphans so far, but she hadn't sworn something so fiercely until now. Her eyes were filled with warmth and sincerity as she drove them out of the city. And they knew they were safe with her. She had done so much for them; they would be fools to relinquish their faith in her now. And as much as Quigley hated to admit it, she was right. They had managed to escape Olaf for this long and going to Hotel Denouement would practically be suicide.

Quigley looked down for a moment, "I'm sorry for getting upset Kit... if you say Fiona will be safe at that meeting then I trust you."

"Good, now relax, we have a long drive ahead of us."

She didn't have to tell them twice. They were all breathing easier from being with their friend. Duncan and Isadora had taught the Baudelaires what true friends were for; even if they ended up being far more than that they all felt it ring true with Kit Snicket. She was a true friend to them, and true friendship was hard to come by in a world filled with so many wicked people. Kit was a noble person, one of the most noble any of them had met in a long while. A loud ringing interrupted their drive, and Kit reached down to answer her phone; making sure to keep her eyes on the road.

"Hello... Yes Dewey, I have them right here," Kit then switched to the speaker phone so everyone could hear the conversation.

"Greetings, children," The voice of Dewey Denouement rang over the speaker, "My wife has told me a lot about you. I'm happy to know the Baudelaires and the Quagmires are safe thanks to our efforts. Everyone is thrilled to see the lines finally merge in the future."

The comment caused Duncan and Violet to smile softly; while Klaus and Isadora blushed a bit.

"We're on our way to the safe house, darling. We just left the city and we'll end up there by sometime this afternoon."

"I couldn't be happier, my dear. Everything is going well on my end. Olaf just arrived at the Hotel and Ernest checked him in. My brother Frank is on the fire-fighting side of the schism; Ernest is on the fire-starting side, unfortunately. Mr. Fernald is set to meet me in a secluded location once he's able to be alone. He wishes to greet Miss Widdershins in secret when she arrives via port and I will be bringing him there."

"Dewey, I promised Quigley Quagmire that Miss Widdershins would be safe at this meeting. Keep an eye on her until I get there."

"I will; Mr. Fernald's loyalty to his sister is admirable. He will not allow Olaf to harm her, Mr. Quagmire."

"Thank you for your support, sir," Quigley spoke up so he could be heard from the back seat.

Kit nodded, "A good brother will love you no matter what, believe me I know."

"Our mother used to say that," Violet said, "She taught it to me after Klaus was born."

"Beatrice did say that," Kit noted, "Her brother Ike Anwhistle was a good man."

"Jacqueline and Larry arrived on schedule. Everyone else should be here by lunch time. How are you Kit? Is the baby alright?"

"We're both fine, darling. By the way, Dewey, would you like to know what we're having?"

"You know what it is? Please, dear, tell me!"

Kit smiled, "We're having a girl."

There was a long pause before Dewey responded, his voice cracking, "A girl... A beautiful little girl!"

"That's wonderful," Violet said, "We're all very happy for you two."

"I appreciate that," Dewey said, "I look forward to meeting you all in person once the mission is complete. Drive safely, Kit."

"I always do," Kit replied her smile widening, "I shall see you soon. Before you go, is there any sign of Lemony yet? I would be delighted to have him be there when his niece is born."

"I'm afraid not. You're the only one who's heard from him since-"

"I know," Kit interrupted, her smile quickly faded, "Since the fire... I do hope he shows up."

"There's always a chance he might," Dewey replied, "Good bye, my dear."

"Good bye, darling," Kit hung up the phone.

"What happened to your brother Lemony," Duncan asked, "You said you were working closely with him and Jacques on this case."

Kit kept her eyes on the road, but her saddened face showed that she wasn't very pleased with the question.

"We still are. Olivia may have assigned me this mission, but Lemony is the one who convinced me to take it. Lemony Snicket was very close to Beatrice back in the day. So close in fact that he even proposed to her. At first she accepted, but then she returned the ring and sent him a 200 page letter explaining why she could not marry him. In short, she fell for Bertrand Baudelaire. My brother was heart-broken, but his loyalty to her did not waver. He wanted Beatrice to be happy, even if it wasn't with him. He even gave Bertrand the very same engagement ring to propose to her with and she gladly accepted. About a year later they had you, Violet. My brother was completely destroyed after your house fire. He begged me to do whatever it took to protect you Baudelaires, and I will honor that. I gave him my word, and I never go back on my word."

~End of Chapter