"All That Glitters" comes to an end with this chapter, but I don't think it is "The End." Consider it a first part, if you will. I have a feeling Dusty will be back, and Flint and Lady Jaye, and even Destro and the Baroness. There is a mystery here. I hope to explore it further in the future.

As always, thank you for reading and reviewing.

3/5/21 - this chapter just wasn't sitting well with me so I revised it. Hope it reads truer to what I intended.


Dash and I sat before a blazing fire. "Dinnéar" was over and we were sipping the good, hot tea Maggie had just served. It was our last evening in the old estate.

A worn diary lay on my lap as I stared at the flickering flames. Daddy's diary. It had only been discovered this very day. He had left it for me, in my own desk, in my purple room. Actually, it was Dash who found it. I guess daddy had hidden it there, knowing that I'd find it when the time was right. In it, he had explained many things about our family, and this estate. He had answered many of my questions—though admittedly, more remained, and new ones had formed to take their place.

In my thoughts, I could hear daddy's voice so clearly. Dreams and memories passed through my mind, old stories and tales he had told. Like this place, daddy was my past. But he hadn't left me. He was still with me, still a part of me. Even now.

Chewing my lip, my eyes turned toward Dash, sitting quietly beside me. Dash, the man who had become as close to me as my own heart.

This was my present, I realized. And my future.

Dash's eyes were staring into the flames. His chin was resting in his hand. As I read the flickers dancing across his face, new words began to form in my thoughts, old words from another time, another history. An understanding. And an acceptance.

Softly, I began to quote:

"Often have you heard that told:

Many a man his life hath sold—" Then, meeting Dash's eyes, I said pointedly. "—Or given away, unknowing."

"All that glistens is not gold?" Dash asked quietly. "The estate?

I nodded and smiled. It was a testament to how intelligent Dash was—how close we were. That he could understand my meaning with those few words—that not everything that looks precious or true turns out to be so.

"I'm sorry," he said simply. He took my hand and waited as I sorted through the perplexity of my thoughts.

I had grown up in the states knowing very little of my Scottish side. That my dad had a Scottish estate was a given fact. But, I'd only come as a young child—and my memories of those times, though vivid, were few. The last time was the summer after I'd finished the third grade. I was only nine. Soon after that visit, my dad had died and the estate was passed on to me. I'd always wanted to come back and spend more time here, to explore my family's past and discover where I'd come from—but I'd never had the time. Something had always seemed to interfere.

Until now.

I looked at Dash and squeezed his hand. "I think I finally understand why my dad took me away from here, from all of this," I began softly. "Why he raised me in the states. I don't think even my mother knew. My dad wanted to give me a chance to choose my own path, just as he had chosen his. Maybe Destro understood this, too, to some degree. Maybe that's why he wanted this estate—and the legacy—because his path was already made. But, my dad's desire for me was different. He wanted to free me from the bonds of the past, to truly give me the right to choose—so I could be me—taking the best of both my worlds." I paused, choosing my next words carefully. "I think giving Destro this place is a actually good thing. In taking it, he's given me a gift, more precious than he realizes. He's given me choice—just like my dad wanted—and for that, I will be forever indebted to him, and grateful. I am free in a way that Destro is not—nor can he ever be."

"So, what exactly is your family legacy? And this place?" Dash swept his gaze over the room.

Gathering my thoughts, I ran my finger over the name inscribed on the diary's cover—my daddy's name. "To be honest, I don't fully know," I said softly. "Many of daddy's explanations were vague, and he hinted about some dark secrets." I chewed my lip thoughtfully. "I think Destro knows, and somehow we are related in this. Perhaps even more closely than what he admitted during the castle incident. That may be why he had such interest in the place."

"So, you'll come back?"

"Yes, and again and again." I smiled. "As often as I can during the next year. I'm determined, Dash. I want to have as many memories of this place as I can. For him." I clasped the diary tightly.

"Your dad?"

"Yes."

Dash smiled. "And the research when we get back—to find out?" he asked softly.

"That's the million dollar question, isn't it?" My voice fell silent. I looked out the window. Like a beacon, I saw the Swan, her stars gracing the heavens in her flight. It was the same Swan I had seen outside the helicopter, after my latest mission with Dusty. When it had appeared as a warning. But this time the feeling was different somehow. Lighter. This time there was no burden, or fear. I turned my gaze back to Dash.

"I may, Dash. Later." I said slowly. "But for this moment, I think I am going to content myself with the fairy tale. That's the legacy daddy left me. That's the one I want to keep. I'm afraid the truth may tarnish that vision—and I'm not willing, yet, to let it go."

Dash stared at me. "But what about this place? Isn't this a part of that vision, a part of you—and your dad? Can you really, truly, just let it go—like that?"

I nodded. "It's just a place, Dash, and I'm just playing a part," I said quietly. "Nothing more."

"Shakespeare?" He gazed at me.

I quoted softly. "All the world is a stage."

He shook his head and smiled. "You're pretty special, you know that? I'm not sure if I could willingly give as much, were our positions reversed."

"It's not that much. Besides, what's really important is still inside me—what I take with me—my memories, who I am, all that makes me, well, me."

"Allison and Lady Jaye?" He asked.

I nodded. "Something like that."

I fingered the hard lump in my pocket and my thoughts turned to the Joes. In the few years I had been working and serving alongside them, they had become friends—and more than friends. They had become my family. I thought of Scarlett, Duke and Snake Eyes—the memories we shared. Then, I thought of Roadblock, Lifeline and Cover Girl. I thought of all the Joes who I lived and worked with every day. And then I thought of Dusty—the reason why I was here, today, in this place. Thinking of Dusty—his smile, his special friendship with me, his precious gift—I smiled. I knew in my heart that the trade had been worth it. I had gained more.

And I told Dash so.

Dash slowly raised an eyebrow. "Are friends and family all that you've gained?" he asked.

"Well, you could say there has been a little more." I smiled coyly.

"What kind of more?" He prodded, a faint smile teasing his lips.

I drew a lazy circle on the back of his hand. "Oh, well—" I looked up and smiled. "You may not glitter, Dash, but to me you are gold."

"More Shakespeare." He chuckled and pulled me onto his lap, close to his heart. "You're amazing, you know."

I felt my face heating and tried to hide it by turning toward the flames.

"Not this time," he murmured. "Allie, you are mine. You and Lady Jaye—each and every last bit that makes you, you." Capturing my chin, he pulled me down and kissed me gently. Then, meeting my shocked stare, he smiled. "And just in case you didn't know, the feelings are mutual."

Fire popped and sizzled in the grate behind us. Sparks were sent flying up the chimney. Just outside the window, I caught sight of a white feather circling and then drifting past the window. My heart began to beat a little faster.

I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck and gazed deeply into his eyes. They were clear and open and full of love. Like mine. I smiled happily. This was the present, and the present was exactly where I wanted to be. Slowly and tenderly, I bent and returned the kiss.