Marianna sat in her study at home, a room she didn't normally use unless something was seriously wrong. It was done completely in dark, rich tones. The walls were paneled with stained oak where they were not lined with bookshelves. The bookshelves contained heavy tomes, all at least half a century old. The door was of the same heavy oak as the paneling, as were the desk and chair. The only light came from an artificial flame in the fireplace and a green-shaded lamp. Mari got up and paced the room, her footfalls muffled by the deep pile, hunter green carpeting and the plush oriental rug set up on it. A pile of papers on the desk stared at her as she walked in circles.

Finally, she settled down again, at least physically, and started rifling through the papers again. Most were of the yellow legal pad sort, but there were also fax sheets and a few pieces of fine stationery. On this desk sat everything bad that had happened in the past month-- starting with the disappearance of ten Layla:)ns, including her younger sister.

Disappearing people wouldn't be such a problem if Ellie and Pandora's presences hadn't been required in Layla:) this week. An interesting conflict had arisen shortly after town elections, concerning Dava and his criminal past. Marianna held, even after learning the truth, that Dava did not have a criminal past, but unfortunately the FBI disagreed.

After the complication of Pez's murder, Daniela's trial, and the odd situation surrounding Alan (that is, charges against him were suddenly and mysteriously dropped), Marianna didn't want to have anything to do with the FBI. Then, it seemed, Pollythene, Dava, and Inda had discovered a dropped comm. badge from one of the Infinity crew. Polly and Inda were lucky, and the Feds never found out their connection. Marianna only knew about it because Polly had cried her eyes out one night confessing... guilt over Dava's plight, Mari guessed.

Dava had managed to escape the FBI, with assistance from Detective Emma English (a nice girl, though she resembled Baby Spice), and had managed to donate $200,000 to UPChuck's charity and get elected to City Council before the FBI tracked him down again. Emma was now serving as an intern for Dava, and they had negotiated a delay in his trial until Ellie Zabul could be found. It wasn't hard to get a delay-- the judge not only liked the Wizard, who had practiced law in his court numerous times, he liked Emma... lovely, buxom, blonde Emma... Mari glared randomly while thinking about the judge.

Ellie, it seemed, could save Dava from jail. So could Daniela, but the third point (Ellie) was desperately needed. It had something to do with the meeting they had sometime before the Frogwar. The only reason Marianna remembered it was... it was just so odd! That group was not a normal combination. And the night they met was the night Ivory Goldstein beat up Karina Brono. The point was, Marianna was now responsible for finding Ellie.

Alan had objected, of course. He didn't want Marianna doing anything except sitting around and growing babies. He was even more protective now that she had taken his last name, Osric. Technically, it was a triple hyphenation (DeSka-Trench-Osric), although professionally she would simply be DeSka, and in society she would only use Osric. So Alan was worried about his wife, and Marianna was becoming increasingly irritated by her husband. It wasn't like she'd wanted to find Ellie anyway. Well, she did, but she didn't want to have sole responsibility!

And then there was the problem requiring Pandora. Her twenty-fourth birthday was coming up next month, and her betrothed was getting anxious. His name eluded Mari at the moment, but she remembered meeting him when they were children. He was a year younger than she, dark wavy hair and frighteningly pale skin, thin to the point of gauntness... overall, a very scary character. What bothered Mari most of all was that he belonged to the same church as Tianne and Marlboro. Marianna wanted to kill the old matchmaker gypsy woman who insisted on pairing perfectly normal females with demented men. But that was not the problem at hand.

The problem at hand was tracking down a group of missing persons. And she had no idea where to start.

Ellie had to admit, spending three weeks in Frogman's palatial home had been nice. Rather, it would have been nice, had she not been spending those three weeks attempting to untangle a web of lies and half-truths that got weirder with every tiny bit of progress she made.

First off, it seemed that Frogman was pretty well settled in this town. He'd built most of it himself, and he and his children comprised half the population. The other seventeen members of the community were a grocer, a doctor, a dentist, two maids, two chefs, three teachers, a priest and two nuns, and four carpenters.

Obviously, none of these were Mac Trench. He was still in Brasilia, as far as Frogman knew. At least, that's what he'd told Ellie, and she felt that the ex-prince was actually telling her the truth. "Odd, I know," she'd said to Zachariah late one night in their shared bedroom, "but I swear he's being honest. He has no idea what Mac is up to. And that worries me." Something was nagging at the back of her mind about Mac, but she wasn't sure what it was. And she was still worried about Marianna, although her dreams lately had been of the fluffy cloud sort-- nice, but barely remembered in the morning.

Trying to relax her mind, which usually worked for remembering odd facts that were desperately needed, Ellie thought about what had been going on in Nueva Brasilia-- the name Frogman had given the town so he would have a technicality to defend himself on if he were challenged. This was Brasilia; his exile order had not specified the capital of Brazil as his destination. Ellie forced her mind off of that topic. Instead, she thought about Suki, who had stayed with the Amazons. She thought about Pandora and George, who were driving to the real Brasilia with Marlboro, Tianne, Otto, and Brian. 'Dora thought it would be best for her to fly back to Layla:) from Brasilia, bringing the missionaries whether they wanted to go or not. Otto still had a film to produce, and Brian still had a job as his assistant. George... well, George had decided to follow Pandora wherever she went. Then Ellie thought about the cruise she and Zachariah planned on taking back to Layla:). They'd decided that they'd had enough with flying, and would be well-advised to find a new method of transportation. Sure, they would be spending a few months on a boat, but they would be visiting exotic, romantic islands... Suddenly, Ellie was reminded of Marina Nett, who was on a cruise of sorts at that moment. Perhaps they would meet on an island somewhere. Marina might like seeing someone from home. Ellie smiled. She couldn't wait to get out of this jungle.

A commotion in the hallway outside Ellie's room shattered her reverie. It's probably the kids, fighting over some toy, she thought. Still, she got up and peeked out the door. Sure enough, there were two of the frog children, but they weren't fighting each other. One had attached himself to Neil's right leg, and his sister was dangling from the man's left arm. Ellie recognized Tad and Lily, the eleven-year-old twins.

"Yahh, ugly man!" Tad shouted, attempting to sink his teeth into Neil's leg. Lily was digging her perfectly manicured fingernails into Neil's arm. Shaking them off wouldn't have been a problem if Neil wasn't still weak from multiple surgeries. The town's doctor had been working on reconstructing Neil's face the whole time they'd been there. Between surgeries, there was recovery time at the resort-like manor house.

Ellie walked down to where the scuffle was occuring, and grabbed the back of Tad's neck. It distracted him long enough that she could pull him off of Neil. Then, she did the same to Lily.

"Hey, you can't do that to us! This is Father's house! He won't stand for it!" Lily protested. Tad just attempted to bite Ellie.

"Oh, please. You two are old enough to know better than to attack a man for his appearance. In normal society, you would be freaks. So hush up and leave the poor guy alone. As for your father, he has taken Neil in as a guest and is paying for him to have reconstructive surgery. I highly doubt he would accept your behavior toward Neil."

Lily glared, and Tad continued his attempt at biting Ellie. Finally, she managed to stare the two down, and they slunk away, presumably to the pool behind the house.

"Neil, you okay?" she asked.

"Yeah," he said, his voice hoarse from disuse. "I guess I shouldn't go for walks... these kids know I was dating their mother, and they don't much like me."

"I can imagine. Hey, do you want to talk for a while? You've been through more shit this month than anyone else."

"Ellie, you're a wonderful woman, you know that? Just what I need, a good chat." He cleared his throat. "But I might need a glass of water. My poor voice hardly ever gets used anymore. Hard to believe I used to sing for a living."

"I'll get the water, you just sit down in my room, and tell me everything... and maybe when you're finished, I'll share my latest puzzle." Ellie led the way into her room, and motioned to Neil to sit on the bed.

"A mystery, eh?" he asked as he sat down. "Well, El, I'll do what I can to help."

"Just talk to me for now."

"Well, first there's this whole thing with Doreen. We were going to get married, and now she's got herself tied to Frogman again..."

Something had been bothering Marianna the entire time she'd been in the study. And, finally, she put her finger on it-- literally. As she picked up a court document, she was suddenly reminded of Daniela's trial, and the charges against Alan levied and dropped shortly after. How could Mac be the head of the Homicide department if he was in Brasilia watching Frogman?

Worried that her memory might be a little fuzzy, she flew out of the study, down the stairs, and into the computer room. Alan looked up from his PC as she switched on her aging iMac. She jumped around impatiently waiting for the computer to warm up, then clicked on a folder she knew contained the information she needed. She was glad she kept such detailed diaries. Now, to find the right day...

A quick scroll found the middle of August, and she started reading from there. Yes, there it was: "Mac could definitely be behind this. New head of homicide, still shows an interest in me and Polly, on occasion. It's Mac. I should be angry, but, hey. It's good luck. Why knock it?" She'd written it herself. But... how? How could Mac be here... and there?

"Mari... are you okay?" Alan asked. She glanced back at him and made a face that was half-laughing, half-frustrated. He walked over to her and placed his left hand on her shoulder. "You shouldn't be working so hard."

She reached up and placed her hand over his. Their wedding rings chimed softly as she rubbed her hand on his, reminding her of who she now was... "I just don't understand how Mac could be head of homicide."

"Neither do I," said Alan, disgust crossing his face, "but he did get me off the hook for Pez. As you're always saying, it's a blessing and one oughtn't question such blessings."

"No, I mean... Mac is supposed to be in Brasilia guarding Frogman!"

Alan paused. This was confusing indeed. He dropped to his knees beside Marianna and took her face in his hands. "Whatever's wrong here, we'll figure it out together."

"No, someone has to be at the Club..."

"Marianna, we can work from the Club. You've got a better Internet connection there than we've got here, anyway, and you know how much people talk there. Being a bartender is the best way to find things out." Alan looked at her pleadingly. She could be stubborn, he knew, when it came to doing things on her own. But he didn't think she really wanted to do this alone. He was right.

"Okay, I'll move my base to the Club. But promise me I won't end up polishing glasses just because I'm seven months preggers." Marianna put that look on her face... the one Alan had learned not to mess with.

"Gotcha, babe. Pack up your papers and email yourself anything you'll need. I'll start up my car."

"Your car!? I can't fit into that!" Mari laughed. "I don't know why men have to buy those little red sports cars anyway. Utterly impractical!"

"And your Beetle is ever so much bigger," Alan said, starting out of the room.

"Enough room for my stomach." She followed him.

"The Volvo?"

"It's ugly. Let's take the Explorer." Mari gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. She knew it was his second favorite car of the six they now owned.

"I'm still driving."

"Sure thing, sexy."

"If you keep that up, we might not make it to the Club tonight."

"Cripes, I'm already pregnant!"

Neil was sprawled across Ellie's bed, sound asleep, when Zachariah came in to tell Ellie dinner was ready. With any other couple, another man's presence would have been a problem. Zachariah didn't even bat an eye.

"He was attacked by Tad and Lily," Ellie explained quietly. "I invited him in for a chat."

"Looks exhausted. Maybe we should leave him. Dinner's ready, by the way, that's why I came by."

"Is that the only reason?" she asked.

"Yes, it is," Zachariah grinned before kissing her. "Let's go to dinner, let Neil sleep. We can kick him out later, or we can take over his room." After that, they walked silently down the cool corridor to the dining room. It was five minutes before six, five minutes before dinner would be served. Tardiness to meals was allowed for guests only, but Ellie didn't like to tempt fate where Frogman was concerned.

Or should I say GeRitt? That's what Doreen prefers to call him, although on Earth he still legally is Frogman Cortez. Ellie sighed inwardly. What a mess the world had become! Had it been this way just a year ago? Hadn't the status quo been good enough then? Odd... it seems that ever since Marianna reopened the Club after that hurricane, things have been crazy. I wonder if there's a connection.

They finally arrived at the dining room, a long room with huge windows. Breakfast and dinner were taken by everyone in this room, what Frogman called the 'formal meals.' Gauzy curtains diffused the light from the windows-- the room was situated with the long walls facing east and west, to maximize natural light during meals. Frogman couldn't stand artificial light.

A heavy wooden table dominated the room, covered with a pristine white cloth, blue placemats, green napkins, and a huge bouquet of 'wild flowers,' mostly orchids. The chairs were made of the same heavy wood, and were intricately carved with what Ellie interpreted as folklore symbols from Amphibian history. The north and south walls of the room were painted with similar symbols and scenes.

At the north end of the table, the largest, most ornate chair denoted Frogman's seat. To his right, the male frog children, to his left, Doreen and the female children. Past them, guests were seated. No one sat at the south end of the table. Frogman insisted that no one was worthy of such a seat. "Perhaps, someday," he smiled to Tad, "you may sit in that seat. But not until you give me a good reason!" So Tad wracked his measly brains, attempting to find the answer that would please his father.

Ellie and Zachariah sat down to dinner as she meditated on this. Frogman entered the room precisely at six, the assembled company rose, and as he sat, were seated again. "Neil is missing," he said in an easy, almost friendly tone. Ellie decided it would be safe enough to speak.

"He is asleep. He had a tiring day." Best not to implicate the children. No matter what she had told them, she still feared his reaction.

"Yes, I was made aware of his... difficulties--" He glanced sharply at Tad and Lily as Senorita Carrera placed a plate in front of him. "--this afternoon, and I was disappointed to hear of the cause. Proper disciplinary action has been taken." Tad and Lily squirmed. Whatever this punishment was, Ellie sure as hell didn't want to know.

"I was curious," Ellie began tentatively, "as to whether there is a way for me to contact Marianna." Frogman raised an eyebrow, or what would have been an eyebrow had he had facial hair. "I'm concerned for her-- were you not aware she is with child?"

"I was not aware," said Frogman. "Not by Mac?"

"No... I believe you knew him as Oskar. He now goes by Alan."

"Alan. By any chance would that be Alan Osric?"

"You know him?" It was Ellie's turn to be surprised.

"I know everyone with that much money. It behooves me. I was not aware that he was one and the same as Oskar, that sloth... fascinating." Frogman thought about this for a moment, let a sip of wine roll around his mouth for a moment while he mulled over this new information. He could probably rule out Osric as an investor, now.

Ellie tried to figure out what Frogman was thinking by watching his face, but not a hair or scale betrayed his thoughts. What could she expect? Even Dream had never been able to derive Frogman's true self through her psychic abilities. She would just have to wait, to see what played out.

"To answer your original question, Ellie, you may use my web browser to send email to Marianna if you wish."

Ellie was slightly startled, but responded calmly. "Thank you."

"I'll have one of the children show you to the computer room after dinner."

She nodded. This was good. She didn't want to jeopardize her good luck by speaking.

Marianna was playing around with a spreadsheet when the email came in. When she saw the return address, she nearly fell over. Daniela was sitting at the bar at the time, and glanced over alarmedly when Mari gripped the edge of the bar.

"You alright? Hey, girl, what's wrong?"

Alan heard Daniela and rushed over, putting an arm around Marianna to support her. He was a little late, though, for Mari had already regained her balance. "Look! It's an email from Ellie!" she cried. Alan smiled and hugged her.

"Just the break we needed. Read it!"

Mari opened the email, and turned the computer screen so that Dani could read it as well. It was easier than letting Daniela drape herself over the bar.