Just inside the entryway, Mason sat on an armchair, waiting for Meredith to show up. Hopefully, she got his note. The aroma of baked chicken filled the house. That was his surprise. He was secretly an excellent chef.

As he waited, he stood up and walked over to the fireplace mantle. He opened his mother's old jewelry box and picked up the sparkling diamond ring that used to be hers. It was the ring that his father gave Mason's mother when they first got engaged. And Mason hoped to someday give it to the woman he would someday marry...

Now, where was Meredith?

Meredith apparated on the spot from her house to the address on the note Mason had sent her. She held both arms out as she appeared in front of a quaint house. Half the time she stumbled while arriving. Apparating wasn't one of her most favorite things to do in the world. She started up to the house on the sidewalk, careful to avoid the mud from the recent rain. It was autumn already, yet raining. Snow would replace that before too soon.

Upon reaching the front door, she fixed her skirt and rang the doorbell. She was looking forward to this little dinner that was in store...

Holding the sparkling diamond ring in his hand, Mason soon got lost in a train of thought. He wondered if he would ever get married. He was trying his hardest to make his relationship with Meredith smoother. Things had been rocky at the beginning with the Medea incident. But now that Mason really knew that she had moved on and loved someone else... He needed to move on to. That's why he had Meredith. And although Mason admitted to himself that Meredith was just a distraction from his thoughts of Medea, he was determined to leave those thoughts behind. Meredith was beautiful. Mason was lucky to have her.

Somewhere in the back of Mason's mind, he heard the doorbell ring. Mechanically, he headed towards the front door, his mother's engagement ring still in hand. Mason opened the door and saw Meredith standing there. Suddenly jerked back to reality, Mason realized the engagement ring was still in his hand between the two of them. He glanced between the ring and Meredith before quickly shoving it into his trouser pocket. A smile spread on his lips and he reached forward and grabbed Meredith's waist."Good evening, my lady." Kicking the door shut, Mason's lips soon met hers in a welcome kiss.

scene cancelled

Stumbling his tired legs up the stairs to his front door, Mason yawned. Another long day at work completed. And nothing made it better than fanning off the sweaty Lord Borr. -_______- Mason shuddered. That was just disgusting.

After shutting the door, he flipped the lights on and dumped his shoulder bag on a chair in the entryway. He found his way to the fridge to look for some food items that could possibly make a somewhat suitable dinner. Deciding on some leftover Chinese takeout, he grabbed some chopsticks and shoved a bite of noodles in his mouth. He set the half eaten food on the counter. Next stop was to the alcohol cupboard. A long day deserved a strong drink, right?

Mason had dumped every bottle of firewhiskey he owned after the night at the Leaky. He'd puked his guts out all over Medea and Noah after an unbelievable fight and too much drinking on Mason's part. He still couldn't believe the things that Medea had said. Called him obsessive, like he was stalking her. Just a man from work. Mason shook his head.

He saw an unfamiliar bottle on the top shelf and grabbed it, cocking one eyebrow. Where had this come from? It didn't necessarily look familiar, but then again he hadn't opened his liquor cabinet in some time. Mason shrugged and opened the bottle, taking a long swig. Hmm, didn't taste to bad either. Until...

Suddenly, Mason was having diffculty breathing. He coughed and choked and tried to clear his airway, but it was shut tight. He couldn't breathe.

The dark bottle dropped from his hand and smashed onto the floor. The liquid splashed everywhere; once it hit the surface it turned black and bubbled, leaving a horrid stench. Mason gripped his throat with one hand and used the other to pound his fist on the counter, squeezing his eyes shut tight.

He needed to do something, but his mind was panicked. He needed his wand to send a patronus to... To who? Anyone! Medea was the first person that came to his mind. She would have to do. Trying to see past the spots that were filling his sight, Mason stumbled toward his shoulder bag by the front door where his wand was. Before he could make it though, the poison took a stronger grip on his life.

Mason collapsed to the floor.

Nothing could ruin this evening. The big bright moon was shining, the stars were bright as ever, and oddly enough it wasn’t that chilly out. It was November but on this balmy night you wouldn’t know it. It felt incredible. The woman took a deep breath and strolled along the lane, shoving her hand in her jeans pocket she felt something rough. The woman felt it but couldn’t immediately identify it, so she pulled it out of her pocket and stopped in the middle of the street to examine it. Medea spoke aloud to herself, ”OH! A bezoar. How in the…?” She thought for a moment trying to recall how it got in her pocket. Turning the stone over in her hand she looked aimlessly down the road.

Lost in thought her eyes met a light in the distance. It was a gorgeous country cottage style home and there were just a few lights on. The woman shoved the stone back in her pocket and walked toward the house. She imagined a lovely family living there; it was certainly big enough for a family of at least 5. Something pulled her to the house; she walked towards it without hesitation. As if she were needed.

She arrived at the front of the house without realizing it. The woman looked in the window on the right of the door and saw no one. Then she leaned to the left and saw a man grasping his throat and stumbling, then falling motionless to the floor. She didn’t panic; in fact a strange calm was over her. It must have been the Felix Fleicis, it was certainly in control.

The dark haired woman unholstered her wand, ”Alohomora!” The door flung open.

Before she knew it she was on her knees at his side. Medea put her hand on his back, he wasn’t breathing. Then as if she ran into a wall the stench hit her nose, she couldn’t identify the poison but she knew it was one of some sort. The woman was smooth, calm, cool and collected. With one swift movement she flipped him on to his back.

….use the bezoar….

Suddenly she had an idea. The woman dug her hand deep into her pocket and retrieved the stone. With her free hand she forced his mouth open and shoved the bezoar into the man’s throat.

As she waited for the reaction she looked closer at the man’s face. Until this moment it didn’t matter his identy, just saving him. Her eyes got wide, ”Leo? My Leo?” Her voice quivered slightly.

Mason was only very vaguely aware of what was happening. His breathing had completely stopped, his body was losing oxygen, and his body was shutting down quickly. But he still managed to hear the door slam open and before he knew it, a force had flipped him over.

He tried to open his eyes, to see who this person was, but no matter how hard he tried, his eyelids would not open. Possibly it was someone to come and finish him off. Please, do it quickly. He begged in his rattled subconscious. He could feel himself slipping away, farther into blackness.

I am a dead man.

Even the pressure on his throat now, he could barely feel that someone was shoving an object down his throat. The poison was too strong; it would kill him, surely.

But then... Something. Something clicked in his mind.

.....Leo? ...My Leo?

The soft voice echoed through his blackened mind. It was a familiar voice. A voice he loved. It was her. She had come to save him! Hearing her voice pulled him back. He wanted to fight. He needed to fight.

He needed Cora.

Suddenly, Mason was able to breathe again and he sucked in a huge gust of breath. He coughed and wheezed, rolling on to his side to stabilize himself. He inhaled and released more big, unsteady breaths until he rolled over onto his back again. He tried to look at his savior, but everything was blurry. His eyes were wet.

Then a strained noise came from his throat. "Cora."

He was completely limp, maybe she arrived too late. Wasn’t the potion suppose to make her lucky? This certainly wasn’t lucky, he was still motionless. Worse.Day.Ever. The seconds seemed as if they were days, she stroked his face softly. Her eyes filled with tears and her stomach was heavy with guilt, fear and regret. Yes, regret. A feeling she had never experienced before. The dark haired woman regretted upsetting him, and letting him go.

Please live, please don’t leave me.

His body stirred, her attention was brought back to face. The woman watched him take a deep breath in. Then he moved, he moved as if he had gained control of himself again. The woman watched him cough, gag and relax back on to his back. Tears fell from her eyes as she once again stroked his face.

He called her Cora, her heart melted.

”I’m here.” Cora’s here. And she loves you.

”How are you feeling?”

As Mason came around, he felt soft hands stroke his face as he coughed. He felt a part of him feel whole again. Mason blinked several times to get the the left over wateries out of his eyes. And he could finally see Cora's face. Her beautiful face.

Mason's heart broke when he saw her tears fall from her eyes and drip onto his shirt. I'm here. This made him smile. He was in the arms of his Cora. "Never been better." He whispered, looking up at her eyes. Mason sat up and then a few realizations came back to his memory. The night at the Leaky. And how did she find his house at the most convenient time?

Mason's smile faded. "I... I don't understand." He said quietly. And that's all he could say. He didn't know what else to say and he figured Cora would know what he was talking about.

A small smirk flashed as he said ’never been better’. Medea had a deep appreciate for sarcasm. Then the tone changed, he was confused, concerned and possibly a little scared? Of course he wanted an explanation, and she owed him the truth.

She sat back on her knees, giving him the room to sit up if he so choose. Where to begin?

”I had some luck tonight.” She moved her hair behind her ear, ”Mason,” She actually didn’t have permission to call him Leo again, so Mason it was. ”We’re meant to be together. I know we are.” The mid-30’s woman knew this man was the love of her life, there was no doubting it. ”And a while back I took out a sort of insurance policy to ensure we’d be together. I had to be with you.” At this point the woman was leaking from her eyes profusely.

The woman was ready to change the subject, although she wasn’t sure he’d allow it she had to try. ”What happen?” She of course was referring to him being poisoned. Whoever did this to him would pay dearly. ”Who did this?”

Mason sat up to get a better, more comfortable look at Medea. He wanted an explanation for everything. Everything since day one. He'd been waiting month, after month to understand this woman. The woman he was in love with. But every time he thought he had an answer, she ripped it from under his feet again.

She had luck tonight? "If anyone had luck tonight it was me." He interrupted, mumbling. Medea's next words caught him off guard. Yet, they shouldn't have. They were what he had wanted to hear for the last nine months. They were meant to be together. Did Medea really believe that? Then what was all the crap she put him through? What happened at the Cafe? At the restaurant? At the Leaky Cauldron?

And what did she mean by an insurance policy? Mason had a confused look on his face. He reached a hand out and swept the tears off of her cheek, brushing a loose lock of hair behind her ear. "I don't understand..." He repeated quietly. Medea wasn't making any sense and she was crying so much, it hurt Mason.

Even though Mason had been nearly dead not a minute ago, he ignored her attempt at changing the subject. "Medea?" He pleaded. "Please, tell me what you're talking about."

The confused look on his face pained her. She wasn’t sure how he’d react to what she was about to tell him, but she did have the Felix Felicis in her right?! That would ensure everything went smoothly…. Right?! Not immediately responding she leaned towards him, brought her hand to his face and stroked his cheek with her thumb.

She had wasted 9 months of her life, 9 months she could have been with him. She needed him in her life. Without him she was not complete.

”I owe you an explanation, and I need to start at the beginning.” She removed her hand from his face and stood up. The woman turned and walked a few feet from him. ”It all started at Hogwarts..” The woman paced the floor as she spilled the story of her first love, miserable heartbreak, Grandmother’s death, the prophecy, her fear of commitment, meeting him and being so scared, telling him off to protect her heart, dating Noah to make him jealous (emphasizing that she wasn’t aware they were friends), starting to have feelings for Noah, but knowing she could never give herself fully to him and that she couldn’t obsessing over Mason.

The only part she left out so far was the potion. ”After it became clear I couldn’t stop myself from ruining everything I began the process of making Felix Felicis. And it was ready about a week ago.” The woman ran her fingers through her hair and looked him in the eye. ”I took the potion a few hours ago, it just felt like the right time. I left my house and just started walking; the potion brought me here to save you.” Tears were streaming down her face, Medea felt so vulnerable, so unguarded.

”Mason, I love you.”

The touch of Medea's hand on his face somehow comforted him and he lifted his own hand up to hold it there. The pain in her eyes hurt him too and he wanted nothing more than to take the pain away. But he had to listen. She said she owed an explanation, which he did.

When she removed her hand and stood up, Mason, quite wobbly from almost dying, stood up too. He leaned his weak body against the wall as he watched the love of his life pace the floor. She spilled her story about her heartbreak in her school years. She told of her grandmother's death and the prophecy she gave... Then she told Mason about Noah and that she had dated him to make him jealous. And it sure as hell did, including the fact that Noah was Mason's closest friend. Until then, of course. When she talked about this, Mason had to look away, his jaw was tight and his fists were clenched.

Mason had to remind himself that it took a hell of a lot of courage for Medea to come there (even though he still didn't know how she got there) and confess everything she had done in the last nine months. He blinked hard and released his anger, looking back at Medea.

Felix Felicis? Their eyes met. She took the potion a few hours ago. Mason couldn't believe it. But... he wasn't upset that she took it. It's not like it was some love potion. Medea had wanted, needed to be with him so bad that she had taken the time and energy and money to make a potion for luck. For him.

His eyes softened as the tears still flowed down her soft skin. Then, she said it.

Mason, I love you.

The words echoed through his mind. He stood there, gazing at her, yet no emotion showed on his face. Medea loved Mason. Cora loved Leo. She loves me... Cora loves me. He thought to himself. But he still felt frozen, as if her words had paralyzed him.

Slowly breaking away from the wall, Mason walked quietly and slowly over to Cora. When he reached her, he looked down into her deep green eyes and used his thumbs to wipe her tears, as his own eyes began to water. He wanted nothing more than to sweep her off her feet at that moment and get married, but things couldn't be rushed. There was heartbreak that needed time to recover. And all they had was time. Mason moved his hands to her shoulders and then to her arms, never breaking eye contact. They were just inches away when Mason rested his forehead on hers, feeling her breath on his face. He closed his eyes and, with a whisper, said,

"I love you too... Cora."

Mason closed the gap between them with a passionate kiss. His whole body suddenly felt stronger, his mind was cleared and he knew at that moment that Cora was the one for him. There was no doubt in his mind.

He had never felt this way before, but at this moment, Leo knew that this was forever. He was never letting Cora go again and he would never do anything to let that happen. This was true love and no one, and nothing could take it away from them.

Medea didn’t notice his jaw tighten or his fist clench, all she could think about was getting this story off her chest. Coming clean, being honest and being in love with him. This was her goal so she kept going, only stopping to take a quick breath between sentences.

Once she reached the end and said those three words she held her breath, waiting for his response. He stood there, emotionless. No, no, no! Her stomach churned, she thought she might vomit. She just knew he was in love with that blond floozy! Medea wanted to die. This is it…. My life is over. The woman looked to the floor as she considered running out the door.

Wait… was that a footstep? She looked up and when she did he was in front of her. The woman felt his eyes boring into hers and then the warmth of his hands on her face. Her eyes searched his for an answer. Why is he crying!? Is it because he loves Meredith and feels sorry for Medea, or he loves Medea and is happy?! Please let it be the second option.

And then, he said it. HE LOVES ME! The weight of the world was lifted, life was wonderful. The perfect moment was consummated with a kiss that was so powerful she thought she might fall to the floor. She wrapped her arms around him and deepened the kiss.

This was the best moment in her entire life. Nothing had ever felt this perfect.

After a few very intense moments she pulled from the kiss, ”Leo, I love you. I….” She bit her tongue, unknowingly she had the same spontaneous thought he did. Let’s get married NOW! She knew he was he one, she knew he was the only one. But she also knew they needed time to get to know each other because in reality they knew very little of each other. She continued speaking, ”I’m yours, forever.”

When Cora wrapped her arms around Mason, he couldn't help but smiling as they kissed. He closed his eyes tighter as she kissed him deeper. This was probably the best moment he'd ever had. Kissing the woman he loved, and would love forever.

Too soon, she pulled away. But then again, it was nice to breathe. Even though she had said it before, he still couldn't believe he was hearing her Cora tell him that she loved him. He smiled a lopsided grin. "You think it took you long enough to tell me? That potion must have really worked 'cause I love you too." He teased. "More than anything." He said honestly, gazing into her beautiful eyes. It was all worth it in the end, though. All the trouble, heartache and confusion, it really was worth this. Cora, in his arms. Telling him that she loved him.

"Forever is a long time." Mason whispered, pulling her close. "And I'm ready to spend it with you." He leaned his head down again to kiss her softly. He could have easily asked her to marry him right there, but they still needed time. There was much, much to talk about. And they kind of didn't really know each other all that well. History, there was that too.

And Mason was looking forward to every moment.

She felt him smile and it felt good, possibly better than the kiss. A kiss could mean everything and nothing at the same time, but his smile meant so much more. The dark haired woman knew how little a kiss could mean, she had given far too many meaningless kisses. This however was not one of them. This kiss, if put into words, would simply be never ending love. Even with that said, the smile was more important. That was something that wasn’t easily faked. He was happy, so was she.

”I’m sorry.” She looked into his eyes, ”Love is a very difficult emotion for me. It’s such a vulnerable feeling. I had to realize some things about myself before I could love you. 9 months ago I wasn’t ready for this – I wasn’t ready for you.” What she didn’t tell him was being with Noah helped her realize how companionship was necessary, love was needed, and that she needed Mason’s companionship.

Hearing him echo her feelings made her feel safe. Being in his arms was like being home, warm, comfortable and protected. He kissed her forehead and talked about forever, their forever. She placed her head on his chest. This was it.

She closed her eyes and felt her body relax, that was of course until she got a whiff of the poison still lingering in the room. Cora pulled her head off his chest and furrowed her brow, ”So what happen?” Looking into the next room she could see a liquid on the floor, and glass shattered everywhere. What in the world was going on?! What caused his brush with death?

Mason still held her close as she looked him in the eyes. He listened to what she had to say and he still heard the pain in her voice. She wasn't ready for him? He didn't understand why not, but he didn't ask. He just knew that they were both ready right now. And they always would be. But he couldn't stand to see her hurt anymore as she spoke.

"Hey, it's okay. You don't have to apologize." He whispered and pulled her closer, resting his chin on the top of her head and closing his eyes. Words weren't necessary anymore. She saved his life. She was here for him. He knew know that she was always going to be with him and no one else and that's al that mattered.

Almost as simultaneously as her, Mason smelled the stench of the poison waft through the air. He felt Medea pull herself away and he followed her gaze to the kitchen. He saw the shattered bottle on the kitchen floor, with the black, bubbling liquid surrounding it. And now that his attention was on it, the smell was quite terrible.

What had happened? "I... I have no idea." Just minutes ago, Mason had been lying on the floor, almost dead. And they had no idea why. "I went to the liquor cabinet to get a drink, and I don't drink much, I just thought it was some rum I forgot about." Mason shook his head. "I have no idea where it came from." He said quietly, almost a whisper. If it weren't for Medea and her Felix Felicis, Mason would be dead.

Even though he assured her she didn’t have to apologize she felt she needed to. Cora couldn’t imagine what she put him through. Her heart hurt at the thought. The woman knew she’d never be able to convey how truly sorry she was, but she’d try and make up for it in undying love.

With her head on his chest and his head on hers it felt as if they were one. One whole heart, she now knew what people meant when they say ‘two become one’. There were no pieces missing, everything was perfectly perfect. Perfect… The dark haired woman had never thought she’d ever describe her love life as perfect.

Cora furrowed her brow as he told the story. ”So, you weren’t familiar with the bottle?” Oh no, no, no. That is something Medea never would have done. Then again with the life she has lived she has many enemies and is suspicious of everyone’s intentions. She broke from the embrace to inspect the mess; being versed in potions she thought she might be able to identify it. Cora knelt by the spill, being careful not to touch it. The smell wasn’t something she could place (well except that it was discusting), the color didn’t really give much indication as to what it was, and plenty of poisons were thick and black. ”Mmmm.”

Well, identifying the potion wasn’t going to happen tonight. This was for two reasons, one she’d have to do research and two she had other plans to fill the evening with. On the holster she kept her wand in was a small pouch that she kept vials in. (What?! She loved potions and never knew when she’d need a vial.) With her wand she collected some of the poison into the vial and carefully corked it. ”I’ll do some research and let you know what I find out. I can tell you this though.” The woman stood and face him, ”Someone wants you dead.” OOOHHH! She totally felt like one of those cool detectives on the Muggle tv shows... that she doesn't watch.

Mason shook his head. "No, not that I can remember." He didn't remember where the bottle had come from. Well there was his first mistake. He probably shouldn't drink anything that he didn't recognize. Common knowledge that he apparently didn't have. Mason watched Medea walk over to the mess in the kitchen. When she knelt by the spill, her shirt lifted slightly in the back and he caught a glimpse of her black widow tattoo. This time, he didn't scream. He just laughed silently to himself.

Then Medea caught him off guard as she pulled a vial out of, seemingly, nowhere and collected a bit of potion. Huh. She was really a potions junkie, wasn't she? And the next sentences definitely made her sound like a professional. Mason smiled at his beautiful woman, despite the fact that someone really did want to kill him. "You're brilliant." He said.

Maybe he was tired. Maybe he was just a little loopy from the fact that he had almost died about twenty minutes ago. But his death didn't really bother him right now. Mason walked over Medea and grabbed the corked vial from her hand. After glancing at it briefly, he set it on the kitchen counter and put his hands on her waist. Not taking his eyes off her, he slipped her wand from her holster and pointed it in the general direction of the mess. "Scourgify" He mumbled before slipping her wand back.

Putting his hands back on her waist, he slowly guided her away from the kitchen and towards the hallway. His bedroom was just around the corner. A smile crept onto his lips and he leaned his forehead on hers again. He found a wall and leaned up against it with her. "Stay the night with me." He whispered in her ear. That way she can identify anymore objects in his house that may be tainted with dark magic.

And he just wanted her to be with him.

”I’m not brilliant.” She said modestly. ”I mean it’s obvious, isn’t it?” This whole thing really concerned her. Someone was trying to kill her boyfriend. That she took every personal. Even though it happen actually before they were dating, that wasn’t the point.

As he walked nearer she placed her hands on her hips in thought. Who would want to kill him? He seems so sweet, who would have a beef with Leo? Cora was lost in thought, then she felt the vial get snatched out of her hand. A shocked expression flashed across her face as he inspected it and put it on the counter. He certainly had her attention as he snaked his arm around her and THEN TOOK HER WAND?! Whaaa!? This man had better watch himself. He cleaned up the mess and she gave him a very shocked but playful expression. ”Sir Leo you’re lucky I like you so much, otherwise you’d find yourself back on the floor.”

She felt him lead her down a hallway and then leaned her up against the wall. She felt her heart pounding in her chest; looking in to his eyes she couldn’t find her voice. The dark haired woman brought her hands to his face and kissed him. Surely he’d understand that to be a ‘yes’.


~+~+~+~+END SCENE~+~+~+~+

- - - - - - - NEW SCENE - - - - - - -

"Come on, Noodles! You're finally home!"

The chocolate lab barked happily and bounded his way through the front yard and up the steps to Mason's house. Mason flicked his wand at the door and it opened just in time for Noodles to run in, his ears flapping behind him. Mason grinned, happy to have his big not so puppy back home.

Jogging inside the house, he crouched down and Noodles ran to him and jumped on his chest, knocking him over onto his back. He laughed as the happy dog licked Mason's face. Mmm, doggy slobber.

A shrill hoot jarred Mason from his gleeful reunion with his dog. Noodles' ears perked up and he jumped off his owner as a grey owl flew in through the open front door and landed on the kitchen counter. Noodles barked at it, but Mason nudged him away and took the scrolled parchment from the owl's beak. Before Mason could find it a treat, it flew back out the door and Noodles chased it into the front yard.

Untying the scroll of parchment, Mason wondered who it could be. He had been writing his father and his friend, James. But none of them ever rolled their letters up all fancy-like. He unrolled it and read the letter.

Suddenly, the noise of his dog barking faded away. The kitchen around him seemed to fade away. It was just Mason and the letter, with the unfamiliar swirly handwriting. But it was that unfamiliar handwriting that formed the lump in his throat.

Cora was in a good mood, mostly. All the meetings with the Department Heads were starting to wear on her. It seemed more and more that they were resisting. Soon she’d have no choice but to speak to Mr. Greingoth. The dark haired woman tried to push these thoughts out of her head as she walked down the lane toward Leo’s house. Typically she’d just apparate to her location but with everything on her mind she was sure she’d get spliced. Wrapped in her red coat she arrived at the sidewalk that led to his door.

Being here felt great; she couldn’t wait to be in his arms. Cora had made it a mere six steps when it happen. Swamped in her thoughts her guard was down and the beast attacked her. Before she could react she was on her back, and the beast was standing half on her and half over her. ”YOU MANGY ANIMAL! GET OFF ME!” She struggled to get her wand unholstered. Cora kept one hand at her face shielding it from the animal’s large wet tongue.

She was unaware of any dog that lived with Leo; surely he would have mentioned it. This had to be some sort of stray. The woman tried to get out from under him but he moved as quickly as she did, ”YOU FILTHY ANIMAL!” Cora considered herself a dog person, but a well mannered dog person.

Finally her hand wrapped around the wand, pulling it up and pointing it at him she was able to sit up. She was now face to snout with him. If he didn’t back up soon he’d learn what it means to ‘go towards the light’.

It... It couldn't be. No, this couldn't be real. It had to be some sort of prank or something. A joke, surely. Mason must have read the letter at least five times, before it really set in. It was signed, Ellie Johanson. James' sister. It was real.

James was dead.

Mason lifted his hands and buried his face, letting the letter drop to the floor. He wanted to cry. Scratch that. He was going to cry. He could feel the tears coming no matter how manly he was.

But suddenly, the loud barks of his dog, jerked him back to his kitchen. He almost had forgotten where he was. He sniffed and walked a few steps to look out the front door only to see Noodles attacking a red blob. What was that red blob, anyway? Wait, it was a person... Hey, that wasn't just a person, it was:

"Cora!" Mason exclaimed. Oh, it probably would have been a good idea to warn her about Noodles. He was really a nice dog, he just got excited really easy. Especially with strangers. Mason jogged out of his house just as Cora pointed her wand to the dog's nose.

"Hey, he just wants to play." He said with a little laugh. He whistled for the dog, and Noodles' ears perked up as he ran back to Mason. He walked over to the love of his life Cora and extended his arm out to help her up. "How's the weather down there?" He asked with a smirk.

But that smirk soon faded because of the letter that still lingered in his mind. And the sting in his eyes returned, as he tried to push those thoughts away.

Finally she heard his voice, her savior. Leo would get this mangy dog off her and banish him from the property forever. Surely after seeing what this mongrel has done to his love he’ll reprimand the stray harshly. The dog was called off and…

….Wait.What?! He knew this dog? Didn’t scold the dog? He just wants to play?!Medea was not impressed. Not even a small bit. And to make matters worse Leo didn’t offer an apology – or beat the dog properly.

Death glare from the ground is what he got. ”You OWN that animal?!” Oh it was on. She didn’t accept his assistance, standing under her own power she attempted to dust her brand new beautiful red coat off. ”I’m surprised you allow it to act in this manner. Have you not heard of training?” Oh she was on a roll now. The dark haired woman was completely unaware of her boyfriend’s state.

She continued, ”Mason,” she only called him this when she was in a disapproving mood, ”You will get that dog trained if you intend for me to continue to visit.”

Well, there goes her mood. The death glare was now on the beautiful Labrador.