Chapter One Hundred and Twenty One: The Attempt

 “What is going on at the hospital?!” Belle whined under her breath as she filled out the forms that Judith should have been filling out. “I wish they'd tell me something other than 'WE DON'T KNOW WILL YOU STOP TEXTING' already!”

You see, in order to stop Demon from putting a asterisk next to Judith Jofrey's counsellorship, Belle was doing her best to do both her own job and Judiths. This meant that she couldn't be at the hospital with her friends, which (along with being extremely overworked) meant she was rather testy.

“I see your friend is trying to get a Chamber of Commerce together.” She heard a slimy voice behind her.

“You might be my boss but if you don't sod off and let me not only do my job but everyone elses job I will end you right here and now!” Belle snapped. Demon Jones wisely backed off. Angry Belle was not a pretty sight!

She carefully finished off the form she was filling out, stamped it with Judiths seal, and put it in the official envelope. She then put it carefully in the correct tray (all trays were stacked sky high) so that it would be ready to be picked up with the mail run the next morning. Suddenly her phone buzzed.

She bolted from Judiths office, leapt over Merediths desk, slid under Theodores desk, rolled past Hamish, pushed Undines chair out of the way and just got to her phone as the message notification sound finished playing.

“Having casserole for dinner tonight, Bill is bringing this weeks girlfriend over.” Was the text from her father.

The wail of agony could be heard several blocks away.

—

Sammy lifted up his head as Daniel walked out of the hospital room. As much as he wanted to swarm his hero and find out if Judith was okay, he didn't. Something had changed since Sir Lionheart had rejoined the Knights of the Last Order.

And it didn't escape his notice that Charlie didn't swarm Daniel either.

“What's going on? Is Judith okay? Is the baby okay?” Tammy asked.

“Judith and the baby are fine for now. They think it was a false labour or something like that. 'Tuney is looking after her now.” Daniel sat down next to Sammy. The pair shared a grin. Maybe things hadn't changed as much as he thought…

“Petunia's got this. She's the best nurse in this city. Judith will be fine with her.” TJ grinned.

“I wouldn't trust anyone else with my baby.” Daniel grinned back.

“I hope Belle is okay, she's trying to do Judiths job for her so Demon can't cause too much grief.” Charlie told them as he checked his phone.

“We're grateful. Really.” Daniel said. “Judiths job means a lot to her.”

Suddenly Mobster Marion burst in.

“Is my sister okay?!” She barked at the group, who were stunned. “I heard the baby was in danger!”

“Uh…yeah…sure…everything is stable for now….she's being well looked after…she'll want to see you…” Daniel got up. “I'll take you in.”

“You're the father, aren't you?” Marion glared at him.

“Yeah…” Daniel swallowed. Oh boy…

“Thank you. For caring for my sister.” Marions face softened just slightly. “Now I want to see Judith!”

“Right this way!” Daniel took Marion in to see Judith.

“Imagine having THAT for a sister-in-law.” Tammy said after the pair had headed back into Judiths room.

—

Belle carefully put the last of the forms into its spot on Judiths desk. Everything was FINALLY done, and Belle could head the hospital for a bit before crashing into bed. It had been a hard, frantic sort of day and poor Belle-Belle was exhausted.

“So, are you still busy Miss Masters?”

“Please don't Arnold.” Belle groaned as Demon approached. “I am exhausted, my arms are sore, I want to see my friend and make sure she's okay. Just let me go home.”

“Oh, of course. You can go. After you've sat in my office and had a chat about your friend, Mr. Begly.” Demon tried to coral Belle into the office.

“No. I'm going home.” Belle tried to walk past him, but she was blocked. “Please, I'm exhausted. We can talk about this tomorrow.”

“Why put off 'til tomorrow what can be done today?” Demon smiled. “My office, Miss Masters.”

“Fine, what about Charlie?” Belle groaned, trying not to yawn.

“About his little plan for a Chamber of Commerce. I do hope he knows he has the full support of the Council on this matter.” Demon ushered her into his office.

“Oh he does, does he?” Belle wasn't too tired to be suspicious of this declaration.

“Why wouldn't we want to tighten control over the businesses of Pleasantville?” Demon asked.

“Should've guessed.” Belle grumbled.

Suddenly they heard something smash outside.

“What was that?” Demon and Belle shared a look before rushing out to find what looked to be a masked March Hill Crusader heading straight for Judiths office!

“NO!” Belle screamed. “Don't knock over my…WORK!”

The masked Crusader kicked open the office door and began firing their shotgun, destroying all the work Belle had done that day. Once he'd finished firing, he looked around. He shook his head, then made his escape through the shot-out window.

“Well then. I guess you have some cleaning up to do.” Demon grinned as Belle sank to her knees in defeat.

—

“Wait, a Crusader broke into Judiths office and shot it up?” Charlie asked into the phone. “Yes, I GOT the bit about your work being ruined and how you can't be here because you had to spend an extra three hours fixing everything back up again, you can stop whinging about that now…I AM sympathetic! I just think we need to look a little more into why the Crusaders want Judith dead.”

“WHAT?!” Everyone in the waiting room cried.

“Yeah, everyone says hi and to not overwork yourself…look, just go to bed Belle, you're exhausted and you know you can't think straight when you're tired.” Charlie sighed. “Yeah, I'll pass on the message. Take care of yourself mate, okay? I worry about you.”

He got up to finish the conversation outside the waiting room, which IMMEDIATELY got the Gossips of the Last Order talking!

“I wish I could hear what they're saying!” Tammy groaned.

“Why don't you use your introversion to find out?” Sunny asked.

“Doesn't work on you guys for some reason.” Tammy told her.

“It's because we love ya!” TJ hugged his friend tightly and kissed her cheek.

“Thanks Teej.” Tammy smiled.

“So, Belle witnessed a masked Crusader breaking into City Hall and shooting up Judiths office. A Crusader who didn't want to be identified.” Charlie walked back in. “I think there might be some problems in the March Hill Crusaders.”

“Because the Crusader wore a mask?” Sammy asked.

“Exactly. They didn't want anyone knowing who they were, which doesn't make sense because we already know they're a Crusader and where to find them. No, if they're wearing a mask, it's because they don't want Roger finding out what they're up to.” Charlie told them. “Which means Judith could be in danger.”

“Do we tell Dan?” TJ asked.

“Got no choice. He'll be able to manage it from here.” Charlie told them.

“What are we telling Daniel?”

The group froze as Marion walked back out of Judiths hospital room