Rosemary reached out to touch Jack's cheek tenderly, telling them both warmly.  "I wasn't sure you two would come. But I'm so glad you did".  Jack blushed, turning away to let her hand fall away as he bit his lip.  Mark cleared his throat and moved closer to Rosemary, asking curiously.  "I've been trying to get ahold of you for months. Why didn't you get ahold of me before? How did you know where we would be"?  Rosemary raised her hands in surrender, giggling out with a smile.  "Relax, Mark. I know you've been trying. I'm sorry. This hasn't been the best year for civil talk. With the solar eclipse, the blue moon, and other events... I've been busy. The point is that I'm here now. So, come. Enjoy yourself".  Rosemary started to turn, but Mark grabbed her arm to stop her. 

Rosemary glanced at his hand on her arm, then told him in a calm voice as she stared into his eyes.  "I see. You're worried about something. Very well. Let's go somewhere quiet to talk".  Mark released her, feeling a little bad.  He hadn't meant to react like that, but he was afraid that she'd vanish.  He had tried to call her, but couldn't find her number anywhere.  He had left too many letters at her door to keep count.  He desperately needed answers.  Rosemary walked around her noisy house and into the dark quiet woods.  When they had gone in a ways, Rosemary turned to face them.  Jack shifted around nervously, while Mark kept his focus on her.  With a smile, she asked him sweetly.  "Alright. What is troubling you"?  Mark took a deep breath, trying to plan his words out carefully.  Then told her gently.  "Please be honest with me about everything that has happened. Tell me that you didn't set this all up". 

Rosemary's eyes flicked over to Jack as she asked him nicely.  "Jack? Could you be a sweetheart and get us something to drink from the house? I fear this might take a bit to explain".  Jack licked his lips nervously, but nodded.  Patting Mark on the arm as he left.  When Jack was out of sight, Rosemary told Mark gently.  "You didn't believe in magic and now that you see it exists, you're afraid. I understand. But I'm not out to hurt you. I gave you what you wanted".  Mark moved closer, answering a little shaky.  "That's what I mean! I'm afraid that his love for me is fake. That you made it happen! That you set me up to use those potions as a way to... punish Jack".  Rosemary's eyes went wide in surprise as she replied.  "What? Why on earth would you think that"?  Mark shrugged, weakly telling her.  "I don't know. That story you told me about how 'Rosemary' wanted to use the love potion on Jack. I put it together when I saw you walk out of the church". 

Rosemary raised an curious eyebrow at him and he continued on.  "Don't play stupid with me. I put it all together later. You were conveniently there to switch glasses with Jack. You came to my house, when you knew the potion would end. Jack couldn't remember if he gave you my address. But I had been watching him that night. He never gave you anything. You knew where I lived. You knew exactly what church he was being held in. You knew I had drugged the bottle and smashed it. Then it dawned on me as you were leaving the church... I never asked you your name. When I came back here to leave a letter for you, I saw your mail. I don't know how you changed your look, but it was you. So, that is my motive. You tricked me because of something to do with Jack". 

Rosemary smirked, but shook her head as she answered casually.  "You're observant and you're right. But only about who I am. I like Jack. I won't lie about that. However, I would NEVER do anything like that to hurt either one of you. It goes against the Rede".  Mark blinked confused and she added in.  "It's the law of witchcraft. Karma? Anything you send out comes back at three times the power on the person who made the spell. No witch in her right mind would willing expose themselves to that kind of risk. Certainly, not me. I'm trying to help people. Same as the both of you. Just in my own way".  Mark rubbed his arm anxiously, telling her.  "So... The potion"?  Rosemary sighed lightly, before walking closer to him.  Placing a hand on his shoulder, she told him sweetly.  "I lied. I never gave you number 9. I used number 8 on Jack. I gave you colored water to give to him. The spell wore off in the church. He had forgotten everything. I told him that he had helped me with a secret project and sent him out to see you". 

Mark stared into her eyes feeling like the world had tilted.  Rosemary chuckled, saying sweetly.  "Feel better? I tricked you, yes. But cut me some slack. Potion number 9 is dangerous. I don't trust anyone with that".  Mark huffed loudly and sat down on a fallen tree.  Rosemary kneeled in front of him, cupping his face as she told him comfortingly.  "Jack already loved you. I just helped you see him".  Mark chuckled feeling so relieved.  Rosemary lowered her hands and stood up saying.  "Shall we return to the party? I think you need to rescue Jack"?  Mark glanced up at her really worried and she smiled back at him saying lightly.  "I'm afraid most of the people at this charity are single. And I'm afraid that is why it is taking Jack so long to come back. His Irish charm has probably captivated my guests". 

Mark climbed to his feet, asking hesitantly.  "Are any of them... dangerous"?  Rosemary waved a dismissive hand, teasing out playfully.  "Their just horny women. How bad could they be"?  Mark shot her terrified look and bolted toward the house as she laughed aloud and followed after him.  Rosemary wasn't kidding.  Their were a lot of women dancing and chatting all around the house.  As Mark tried to make his way through, one or two women touched his arms and flashed him lustful smiles.  Mark tried his best to be nice, but the farther in he went the more they seemed to back him into a corner.  Mark swallowed nervously and jerked back as a woman started to slide a hand up the inside of his leg.  Grabbing her wrist, he pleaded out nicely to them.  "Hey now. Don't do that. Ladies, please. I'm hear with someone".  They pouted at him and snuggled closer, until Rosemary whistled loudly and told them all with a smile.  "Sorry, ladies! But this guy is spoken for. Come on. You're scaring the poor man". 

The women all whined, pleading with Rosemary that they were only playing with him.  Mark nodded to her, moving through the crowd as he yelled out over the music.  "JACK"?!  He couldn't hear any response over the music, but he kept trying.  Mark was soon standing in the center of the house, under the warm lights of the chandelier.  He was beginning to get really worried.  What if the girls had Jack gagged up somewhere?  What if he was being kidnapped or in trouble?  Mark glanced around the crowd quickly, calling out Jack's name as loud as he could.  When a voice behind him yelled back playfully over the music.  "MARK?! WHAT"?!  Mark quickly turned around to see Jack shrugging at him with a smile.  Mark wrapped his arms around Jack's neck, pulling him closer. 

Jack kissed Mark's neck, before having to yell into Mark's ear.  "Are you alright? What's going on"?  Mark kept Jack pressed against him as he yelled out.  "I was worried that you got trapped in a mob"!  Jack chuckled, telling Mark loudly.  "I did, but I was able to slip away"!  Mark didn't want to stop hugging him.  It just felt so good to know that Jack was his.  Not by some spell, but truly his.  When the song ended, Rosemary drew everyone's attention to the stairs.  She had an announcement to make and the only high spot for her to see the crowd was on the staircase.  Mark reluctantly let go of Jack to look, but felt Jack's hand slide into his.  Intertwining their fingers, Mark smiled.  To Be Continued...