Val was relaxed as she sat across from Meg for their weekly meeting. One month down, only five to go before she could return to Hell and begin her employment as a designer. Odd that a few weeks ago she was itching to get back as quickly as possible but now the image had lost its sparkle.

She wondered if all apprentices went through this, or if she was the odd one out. She would have to ask her siblings when she saw them tomorrow. She only retained a few fuzzy memories from her early years on Earth but she did not remember finding it so magical or enchanting.

"Do you have anything you wish to report?" Meg asked her.

They were sitting in the comfy chairs she had tucked in the corner by the windows instead of by the desk this time. Val took that as a good sign that Meg was less worried about her conduct now. Val had been nervous about the events in Alexander's office coming into this meeting until she found the disk of bubble gum still in the pocket of her jacket.

"Have you ever had bubble gum?" Val asked Meg.

"No, I can't say that I have," Meg said.

She was looking at Val with a bemused expression over the lid of her Black Flag coffee cup. Val smiled as she pulled out the pink canister and offered it to Meg. Calm enveloped her as she remembered Zack's laughing face at her excitement of finally blowing a bubble.

He did not deride her for her ignorance but instead took joy in her experiencing things he found commonplace. She had always thought her education in Hell had been well rounded but each day on Earth exposed her to something new. She found herself wanting to share these small joys Zack was giving her with others.

Meg took the gum from her and rotated it around in front of her to inspect it.

"Is it candy?" Meg asked.

"Kind of, you chew it, but you don't eat it. You just spit it into the garbage when you are done," Val told her.

Meg let out a little grunt as she brought it to her nose for a sniff. She pulled the container away and looked at it again. She put down her coffee and clicked it open to pull some out and put it in her mouth.

She was thoughtful as she slowly chewed the gum. Val watched as the first shock, then interest crossed her features before a small smile of pleasure finally appeared. She was nodding her head as she looked at Val.

"Why is it called bubble gum?" Meg asked.

Val's smile widened as she took back the container and tore off some for herself. She chewed vigorously before forming the gum as Zack had shown her and blowing a perfect bubble. Meg jumped in surprise as the bubble popped and then leaned forward excitedly.

"How do I do that?" Meg demanded.

Val walked her through the same set of instructions Zack had given her and clapped when Meg succeeded.

"Lammia! Lammia, come in here," Meg shouted.

Lammia opened the door and poked her head in.

"Yes ma'am," she asked in her nasal tone.

"Come Lammia, Val has just introduced me to the most wonderful thing. Watch," Meg instructed Lammia before blowing a perfect bubble herself.

Intrigued, Lammia's heels clicked on the floor as she approached them and took the pink can Val offered her. She looked at the little container curiously and inspected it in much the same fashion as Meg.

"What is it?" Lammia asked Val.

"Bubble gum," Meg told her. "You must try it. Val, teach her like you did me."

Val repeated her instructions with Lammia and before long all three were giggling like children as they popped the gum together. Val enjoyed watching the harsh lines of Lammia's face relax as she took a moment to enjoy herself. It was amazing how a little bit of a chewy substance could be such a transformative moment for all three of them. What else was out there that they had missed out on?

"Be careful not to get it in your hair though," Val warned. "I taught the kids how to blow the bubbles yesterday and AJ popped his on Lily's hair. I thought I was going to have to cut it out."

"Oh my, yes the kids," Lammia exclaimed as she rushed back to the lobby.

Meg flicked a finger to close the door quietly behind her. Blowing another bubble, she grabbed her coffee and sat back again.

"How did you discover this creation?" Meg asked her.

"I was on a date and when he found out I didn't know what bubble gum was, he was determined to show me," Val told her.

Meg's eyes immediately turned hawkish as she peered at Val.

"A date you say," Meg said warningly.

Val accidentally swallowed her gum under Meg's scrutiny. Blast, Zack said not to swallow it. She would have to ask him what happened if you did later.

"Yes, I met a man named Zack at the gym. He teaches the kids for the class I enrolled them in," Val explained.

Meg relaxed immediately and sat back.

"That's good. Is he good looking?" Meg asked innocently.

Val smiled at the prodding. Pulling out her phone, she pulled up her gallery to find a picture from the other night. It was a picture of Zack sitting on one of the carousel horses with his arms stretched wide as he leaned back and smiled at her. She handed the phone to Meg who looked at the picture and tutted her approval.

"Very nice, I might have to look at that one when you are done," Meg commented.

A swift wave of anger washed across Val at the thought of Meg's hands on Zack. Val would not allow his innocence to be tainted by the likes of someone like Meg. Val came up short at the thought. She had no claim on Zack and Meg corrupting him was rather like the pot calling the kettle black.

"Interesting," Meg said as she cocked a brow at Val. "Is this boy going to be a problem when it comes time to return home?"

"No," Val stated emphatically.

Inside, she was not so sure. The more time she spent with him, talked to him, the more she did not like to think about what would happen in five months. It was just a bit of fun, she reminded herself, she would not let a bit of fun derail her from her goals.

"So, no more issues with uncondoned behavior with Alexnder then?" Meg asked.

Val felt another rush of possessiveness at the way Meg drew out his name. This was ridiculous, absolutely, and utterly ridiculous. She had no claim to either one of them but especially to Alexander.

"There was a minor incident a couple of days ago where I had to again remind Mr. Smith of proper etiquette between nanny and client," Val told Meg firmly.

Meg put her coffee down and spit out her gum. She lobbed the projectile across the room to land squarely in the waste basket next to her desk. She leaned back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap nonchalantly.

"The incident was unsolicited by you?" Meg asked her.

"Correct ma'am," Val confirmed. "I was dropping off the kids at his office when he asked to speak to me privately. I was worried at the time he was going to try to fire me but then had to put him in his place after he made it clear his thoughts were...elsewhere."

"You're sure you didn't dazzle him?" Meg asked.

"I have not," Val said with a firm nod.

"Not even by accident?" Meg asked her.

"Not even by accident, wait, can you dazzle someone by accident?" Val questioned.

Meg smiled gently at Val.

"Yes dear, but you would know if you had done. You can still feel the shimmer through your body as the spell reaches out to your target," Meg told her.

Val thought about her interactions with Alexander in detail. While she could remember an electric charge, she did not remember the feeling she had experienced during seduction classes. No, she was convinced she had never dazzled Alexander.

A soft knock on the door preceded its opening and Val felt the air leave the room as Alexander walked in. He looked at Meg briefly before his eyes found Val and stayed fixed as he walked over. She felt the irrevocable pull and fought to maintain her calm posture as he came and sat in the chair next to her.

She had no idea that he would be present at today's meeting and did not know what to make of it. She finally managed to tear her eyes away from Alexander and look at Meg in question.

"Thank you for joining us today Mr. Smith," Meg greeted him.

Val watched in horror as Meg's eyes began to glow and she watched the air around her begin to shimmer and reach out to Alexander. Val clutched the arms of her chair as she restrained herself, her nails digging into the soft fabric. Val stared at him dumbfounded as she watched the shimmer float around but was unable to latch on.

"Are you satisfied with your service?" Meg asked him with a seductive tone.

Alexander looked at her oddly before answering, "Of course. Ms. Star has performed her duties admirably regarding my children."

Meg hesitated before intensifying her dazzle attempt. Val cocked her head to the side as she watched a bead of sweat form on her temple. Alexander looked at her with some consternation.

"Are you wearing contacts, Meg? Your eyes look like they are glowing," Alexander pointed out.

Meg pulled back in alarm and shot a glance at Val. Val was not sure what her supervisor was trying to accomplish but she was failing at it grandly. Her agitation became more apparent as she again focused her attention on Alexander. She flashed a tight smile at him before responding.

"No Alex, it must just be the light reflecting. Has Val been conducting herself in accordance with the rules and expectations outlined in the contract?" Meg asked.

"Her commitment to adhere to the rules is unquestionable, as she has reminded me as needed," Alexander admitted as he readjusted his tie.

"What would you say are Val's best qualities?" Meg asked him.

Alexander looked at Val as he spoke.

"She is both efficient and creative. I didn't appreciate all the doodles on my windows at first or the locks she put on my cabinets, but I've seen the necessity since. She has engaged my children in learning as well as exposing them to new ideas and concepts. They have become interested in the world around them, which I must admit I failed at. Her strict adherence to her work schedule has forced me to become more involved with my children and is something I will never be able to thank her enough for. I see my children thinking about their actions and choices now because she has challenged them to do such. She has been nothing but a blessing to us since she arrived, especially in regard to showing Lily what a confident and competent woman looks like."

Meg snapped her finger and Alexander froze in place; eyes still locked on Val. Meg stood and walked around the pair of them while Val followed her with her eyes. Meg came back and sat down as she steepled her fingers and tapped her lips in thought.

"Dazzle him, Val," Meg instructed.

"You're joking," Val scoffed.

"I am not," Meg said with a penetrating look. "I can compel you to do it if I have to. I'm testing a theory."

"Fine," Val agreed reluctantly.

Val closed her eyes and tried to concentrate. She knew the basics of how to perform a dazzle but she had never needed it outside of a classroom environment. All her partners had been more than willing in the past and it took her a minute to call up the skill.

Finally feeling the warm vibration in her body, she opened her eyes to embrace the sensation. Her eyes locked onto Alexander and the air between them began to shimmer. Meg snapped her fingers and Alexander blinked just as the shimmer engulfed him.

His eyes dilated as he looked at Val and his look instantly turned from blandly respectful to voracious as overwhelming desire filled him.

"Do you want her?" Meg asked him.

Alexander nodded his agreement but did not move an inch otherwise.

"Why do you not go to her?" Meg asked. "You could kiss her right now, claim her body if you desire."

"No," Alexander said firmly.

Val could feel him fighting the spell, she had trouble keeping her hold on him. She did not like this, she did not like seeing him like this.

"Why not?" Meg coaxed.

"She doesn't want me," Alexander gritted out.

It pained Val to see him being subjected in this way but she did not know how to make it stop. She did not understand Meg's objective.

"Meg, stop this," Val begged.

Val felt the instant Alexander stopped fighting her and he launched himself out of his chair. He yanked her up and pulled her flush against his body as he leaned down to kiss her. Val dodged his lips and pushed on him to try to create space.

She did not like this at all, she was taking away his control, his choice in the matter. This was not how it should be, he should come to her willingly, not from the allure of a spell. She tried to pull back the dazzle but now he fought her differently, unable to relinquish his end as he kissed her neck to her ear.

"I love you, Val," Alexander whispered.