Disclaimers: as before

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'It couldn't have gone any better,' grinned Sydney, one arm wrapped around her new husband, the other hand clasping a glass of champagne.

'Nope,' agreed Nigel, downing the last of his drink and beginning to feel particularly relaxed. 'It was perfect! If you hadn't arrived late with the wedding rings of Tristan and Iseult, then Preston would have looked even more of an idiot for leaving our ones in the bedroom … not that I have a problem with Preston looking a fool, but I'm kind of glad we use the ones we did.'

'Maybe he's got another purpose in mind for the Aztec gold bands.' Sydney nodded playfully in the direction of Preston and Claudia, who were nibbling canapés together in a plant-filled, adjoining conservatory. Claudia had changed out of her pink puffball bridesmaid dress. She was now wearing a particularly revealing cream, lace number; the gauze in all but the most important places was as thin and finely spun as a spider's web. Both of them were laughing unnecessarily loudly.

'I'd still rather not think about that,' started Nigel, glancing over and then balking at the incriminating proximity of his brother to Claudia's near naked flesh. Sydney's arched eyebrow caused him to relent a little: 'Well, maybe I'll get used to it.'

'I think you might.' With a wide, laughing smile, she flicked back a strand of Nigel's hair, which was wandering carelessly down his forehead towards his eyes, having escaped from his perfectly groomed coiffure. 'You look gorgeous, you know that?'

'Isn't that what I'm supposed to say?' asked Nigel, returning the favour by smudging away the lingering traces of centuries-old dirt from her cheekbone. 'Because you do. You look fantastic – an absolute dream!'

Sydney exploded into a giggle: 'I'm not so sure. Sorry if I disappointed you a bit. I guess you want to see me come down the aisle in whi…'

'I meant what I said,' interrupted Nigel adamantly. 'I would have been disappointed if you'd bowed to pressure and put on some silly gown that wasn't 'you'! I wanted to marry Sydney Fox, and that's who I married. Seeing you run into the chapel, sword in hand was one of the most wonderful moments in all my life…well, I had a brief flashback about the first time we met and, for a second, I thought you were going to hurl Tristan's sword at my ear - impale the priest or something - but that passed. You were fabulous!' He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. 'And now I just can't wait to have you all to myself…'

'I can't wait to get you out of those lovely clothes,' teased Sydney in reply, warm breath on his neck making him tingle with excitement. 'It's almost a shame we invited so many people…'

'You asked most of them!' retorted Nigel. 'When I proposed, I didn't think we were going to last the night, remember, let alone have to organise this bloody thing!'

Sydney shrugged, coiffing the last of her champagne. 'I love my friends. I guess I wanted to share this moment with them all, even if I don't want to share you…hey, there's Angie! I've still got so much catching up to do with her.'

'You'd better go, then, my beautiful wife.' Nigel hugged her tight before reluctantly unravelling his arm from her waist. 'Just promise me that we won't be as late to bed tonight as we were yesterday…'

'Oh, I promise,' purred Sydney, peeping seductively over her shoulder as she went. 'I hope you're not still feeling any of the after-effects of yesterday's, uh, accidents.'

'Nothing another fill-up at the finger buffet we won't fix… then I'll be ready for anything. Even another hunt!'

'Don't worry Nigel, I've got something even more exciting planned…'

He watched her go, weaving between the well-wishers, smiling and dropping quick, witty one-liners, and wondering if he should run after her to remove a persistent cobweb that he spotted hanging from her lycra-clad behind.

'You're a lucky man, Nigel!'

Nigel jumped at his brother's voice, booming behind his shoulder; he hadn't even seen Preston leave the conservatory, or Claudia's side.

'I certainly am,' answered Nigel, offering a hurried, half smile. 'I'm just off to the finger buffet. Doesn't Claudia need, err, a top-up of sparkling or something? The drinks are on the other side of the room…'

'Yes, I'm sure she'll refilling in a few minutes but she's popped out to change her dress. She bought seven bridesmaid dresses for the occasion and at least a dozen reserves. So far she is only on her fourth change…'

'I hope you know what you're taking on!' interjected Nigel. 'Claudia is, well…Claudia! She's into fashion, trendy music, boys with fast cars. You wear tweeds, listen to Tchaikovsky and drive a Volvo! I can hardly see you being dragged along to see the Pussycat Dolls, or her getting excited when there's an all-day performance of Wagner's Ring cycle at the London Opera house!'

'Au contraire - Claudia knows every word to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and she just told me that she adores European classical music. And I rather admire those Pussycat Dolls…'

'Yes, no doubt you do!' replied Nigel, smiling sardonically. 'But she only knows Romeo and Juliet because she had a crush on Leonardo DiCaprio - and by European classical music she means Abba!'

'Uh, yes, well - those Swedish songsters had very fine tunes and harmonies. Comparable to Mozart, some might say.'

Nigel rolled his eyes. 'Well, don't say I didn't warn you! I'm off to the buffet… I'll see you later.'

To Nigel's consternation, Preston followed him. 'I still don't see why it shouldn't work between Claudia and I,' continued the older brother, 'just like you and Sydney.'

'Yes, but we've got our love of history and many other interests in common… besides, we always had this 'thing' between us…this feeling…'

'You mean you fancied her from the moment you laid eyes on her? I don't blame you, so did I! But with Claudia it was different. It felt like meeting my destiny, my fate. There was a strike of lightening through my heart!'

'Please don't mention lightning,' grimaced Nigel, piling his plate high with quiche and vegetable samosas. 'And what's this rubbish about fate and destiny? You're starting to sound like her...'

'Well, there you go!' beamed Preston, triumphantly. 'I think I could develop quite an academic interest in the history of the occult and astrology – we've something in common after all! But I didn't come over here to talk about my love-life. I wanted to say something to you, Nigel.'

Nigel stopped dead, his hand quivering inches above an enticing plate of sausage rolls. The notion of Preston wanting to 'say something' stimulated a frisson of dread. He could not think of one incident in his life when such an announcement didn't mean something bad was about to happen, or already had happened, or that Preston had made a decision that effected him which he absolutely hated. Despite its absurdity, he vaguely wondered if Preston had signed him up for three more years back at that despised school.

He swallowed hard: 'What is it, Preston?'

'I…uh, I wanted to say thank you.'

Nigel nearly dropped his plate and turned abruptly to his brother, highly flustered. 'What did you just say?'

He could now see how hard Preston was finding it to spit out the words. The elder brother had gone rather pink in the face: 'I…um, wanted to thank you for asking me to be your Best Man. I know we've had our differences, but… it means a lot to me. It was a stupendous gesture on your part and I hope maybe we can…um, put things behind us a little…and move on?'

Nigel gawped at him for a moment. What was that supposed to be? Some sort of apology? It certainly didn't actually contain the word apology. Nevertheless, he couldn't quite blot out Karen's words – Preston simply couldn't say sorry, she'd said, so he had to be the strong one. Barely repressing a scowl, he gazed down at his pile of food.

Then Preston offered Nigel his hand. Startled, Nigel looked up and their eyes met for the first time.

'Uh, okay then…' Nigel mumbled words poured from his mouth even as he mutely cursed both Claudia and Karen for bewitching his conscience. Somehow, though, the limp handshake felt right.

'Good, good!' jollied Preston, puffing out his cheeks in a relieved manner as Nigel pulled away. 'I just wanted you to know that I appreciate it, that's all. Maybe I can return the favour someday, eh? If Claudia and I, you know, tie the knot?'

Nigel smiled clownishly and stuffed a sausage roll in his mouth. 'You might want to rethink that when you've seen her shoes,' he suggested between his chews. 'She's got more pairs than Imelda Marcos. You're going to need a bigger house…'

…………………..

'Hey, Claudia!'

Syd was leaning forward into a large, gilded mirror in the plush, ladies washroom, touching up her lip-gloss, when her blonde friend entered. Claudia was now wearing a champagne-coloured minidress, adorned with a single bow that jutted out jauntily to the right of her tiny waist.

'Hey, Syd!' bubbled Claudia. Bustling over, she peered in, examining Sydney's handiwork. 'That plum shade is so you - but I still can't believe you didn't wear any of those gorgeous dresses. I mean, I'm sure you're only going to do this once - and you'd have looked totally amazing!'

'Yeah, but I'd never have made it back with the relic in time wearing all those ridiculous skirts.' Sydney paused, smoothing her lips together and wincing slightly as she imagined the horrific scene that might have ensued had she got petticoats stuck in one of those flying blades. Then she added: 'Besides, I think you and Karen do the 'pretty in pink' thing well enough without me. Is that, err, another change of dress?'

'Yea!' Claudia did a twirl. 'The bow is just to die for!'

'It looks great,' smiled Sydney. 'So, what does Preston think of your outfits?'

Claudia scrunched her nose, visibly shimmering with happiness. 'He says he adores them, like he adores me! Isn't he just the most perfect guy ever? I mean, Nigel is a hottie and everything, but I can't believe you never told me what a total gentleman his brother was. I'm through with bad boys, and fast cars, and all that garbage. From now on, I'm going to be the perfect little housewife for Preston Bail…'

'Woah!' butted in Sydney. 'This is all a bit too fast! I mean, I'm happy for you, I hope it works out, but you to again have some serious 'getting to know each other' business to do before you decide to become a housewife!'

'London housewives shop, right? I'm kind of bored of Paris, and I'm thinking Bond Street, Harrods, Harvey Nichols…'

'Yeah, Claudia, I'm sure London housewives shop! But there's a little bit more to it than that. Besides, Preston is a very charming guy, but he can be unreliable and even vindictive. You should talk to Nigel about him…err, actually, maybe that isn't such a good idea!'

'Don't you want me to be happy?' pouted Claudia.

'Yes!' countered Sydney, forcefully seizing both of her friend's hands. 'That is exactly what I want. You've had three failed marriages in the last three years - I don't want this to be the fourth! Just…take care, that's all. It's healthy to have doubts - believe me, I still have them, although I know in my heart that Nigel is only guy for me. '

The pout relented slightly. Sydney experienced a pang of guilt about the mournful quality she'd introduced into those sparkling, blue eyes, then instantly felt better as two slender arms pulled her in for a hug. 'Okay, I'll take this one slowly. But it just feels so different to the others. I can't help getting excited - he's going to make me happy, Syd. I know it…'

'Your friend is wise!'

Claudia squeaked and even Sydney turned, startled, as the oddly-accented voice emanated from the other side of the toilet cubicles.

'Braingain?' ventured Sydney.

'Oh, hey!' greeted Claudia cheerily, as the quaintly dressed old woman stepped into their sightline at the other end of the room. 'You so need to get some of those cute shoes with kitten heels I was telling you about. On these wooden floors, people will hear you coming then you won't freak them out like you do when you're creeping about in those ugly, old slipper things.'

Brangrain nodded respectfully at the fashion guru-ess. 'I will have a look online, as you suggest, my child. Now, you must listen to the great huntress. Even fate needs wise handling.'

'Yeah, I know she's right,' admitted Claudia. 'I'll be cautious, even with Preston. So, when can we go try out your Ouija board? I just can't wait to see those amazing tarot cards you told me about!'

'You're welcome back at my cottage whenever you like, my dear…'

'Hold on a moment,' interjected Sydney, raising one hand in a halting motion. 'Let me get this straight. You're not a ghost?'

'Brangain? Oh, no way, Syd! I can't believe you fell for it.' Claudia turned to Brangrain, visibly impressed. 'You're good! Nobody usually puts one over Sydney!'

'So you're a guide after all?' asked Sydney.

Brangain looked a little guilty. 'No, great huntress, I'm afraid I'm not…'

'She's the tea-lady!' tittered Claudia. 'I mean, really a tea-lady. She makes the tea for the castle staff! However, she's also the best psychic I've ever met. I sensed that as soon as I met her - and I've tried quite a few!'

'I can also proudly say that I know more about this place, and its history, then any of those charlatan guides,' added the elder lady. 'And my name really is Braingain – my family have been connected with the castle for generations. Maybe that's why the originalBraingain spoke to me through my Ouija board one day asking me to find the relics of Tristan and Iseult and puts the evil Morholt to rest once and for all. I knew that was beyond me… so when I heard the great Sydney Fox was coming, I thought it was time that I took up a little guiding. I lied about my job, I admit, but I never said I was a ghost!'

Sydney shook her head as she laughed. 'Okay, Claudia. I admit defeat. I might have a sixth sense for relic hunting, but when it comes to certain aspects of the supernatural I bow to the superior powers of both of you!'

'I apologise if I unduly alarmed anybody,' said Brangrain humbly.

'Oh, don't worry. I think your friend Morlholt was more to blame in that department. Look - now I know you're, uh, alive, it would be great if you could join us for our wedding breakfast. Nigel would be fascinated in anything more you know about the legend… although he might find it a bit difficult to cite your Ouija board in a

conference paper!'

…………………………….

'I don't trust that old dear,' whispered Nigel in Sydney's ear, as he took his place next to Sydney at the top table. 'Okay, so bit of psychic power might explain a lot of the things she knows - and I'm not uninterested - but how do we know she didn't summon up that poltergeist deliberately for malicious purposes? And what about that scream, the one that lured Preston and I into the dungeon? It wasn't Claudia, so what was it?'

'I don't know,' admitted Sydney. 'It could have been fate, Morholt – or maybe the real Braingain. But my instincts told me from the start that our unofficial guide was a force for good. I'm happy to leave it at that.'

Nigel scowled at her, unconvinced. 'I hope she doesn't start summoning up evil spirits halfway through the wedding breakfast…'

'Hey, why so cranky?' asked Sydney, squeezing his knee under the able. 'We found several relics, we've had a great wedding, and we've still got a lot of fun to come tonight…'

'I don't quite know,' confessed Nigel. 'But I have this huge sense of foreboding…'

'I'll keep my eye open for any more plummeting candelabras or axe wielding poltergeist's,' promised Sydney, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 'Believe me, I want you in working order. But, anyway, how did it go with Preston? Claudia said he popped over to have a word…'

'Oh, not bad. Quite well, I guess. I suppose he's making an effort, but I don't think I'll ever quite trust him.' Hurriedly changing the subject, he queried: 'Err, were Karen and Derek originally together on the seating plan?'

Sydney cast her eyes across the room, to where the government agent and her secretary were getting very friendly. 'I think Karen might have done some tweaking for her own purposes. Still, if they get any closer they're not going to need more than one seat, anyway…'

Sydney trailed off as Randall, seated on his daughter's side, wrapped the table authoritatively with his knuckles, rose to his feet and began to welcome the guests to the meal.

'Oh God,' hissed Nigel. 'Its time for the speeches! What with everything, I haven't even thought about it since before the ceremony!'

'Don't worry. All you have to do is thank everyone. We'll do it together.' Sydney murmured as quietly as she could, so as not to upstage her dad.

'It's not me I'm concerned about. It's Preston!'

'But he's had no time to prepare. Karen said you weren't worried.'

'I am now!'

'And first,' announced Randall. 'I'd very much like to introduce you to the Best Man, brother of the groom, and now brother-in-law of my beautiful daughter: Preston Bailey!'

There was a round of applause and Claudia cheered loudly as Preston stood up confidently, thanking Randall for his introduction. Nigel squeezed Sydney's hand so tight she began to fear for the circulation of blood in her fingers.

As calmly as a seasoned professional, Preston pulled a thick wodge of folded, A4 paper out of the inner pocket of his jacket, covered with neat, eminently legible handwriting.

'How…how…how?' blustered Nigel, glowering angrily at his brother. 'I only asked you to be Best Man two hours ago! How the hell did you have time to write all that?'

'You never were a very good boy scout, little brother,' replied Preston, from behind his hand. 'Fortunately, I was and I wrote this last month. Always be prepared!'

He then turned to the audience and announced loudly: 'It will be a great pleasure to share with you some amusing anecdotes about the man I affectionately know as Podge…'

'I'm going to kill him,' muttered Nigel, as the whole room roared - particularly the 'exes' - expectant of a marvellous entertainment.

'It'll be fine,' replied Sydney. 'We're more of a team than ever now. Whatever we do, we do it together. And we can start with a little act of murder…'

THE END

… at least for now! I could probably have kept this little saga on for longer - and I'm sure Preston deserves his comeuppance - but I've wound it up because there are other stories I want to get on with, including my alternative universe challenge fic.

I hope you've enjoyed it, and please review. There might just be more one-day :)

As always, thanks to absolutely everybody who stayed with the story right to the bitter end, reviewers, alerters and readers ;)