Seasons of Sadness, Seasons of Joy

Disclaimer: I do not Own Corpse Bride

Mrs. Plum felt a surge of joy. It appeared as if things were going agreeably for the happy pair. As the pair stopped before her, she noticed Victor glance at Emily. Emily squeezed Victor's hand and turned to Mrs. Plum. Clearing his throat, he asked, "Mrs. Plum, I'd like to ask you something. Do you have any positions open?"

Mrs. Plum couldn't help but smile. Here she was, worrying about business and a wonderful opportunity arose. She could get the help she needed and help out her favorite couple. It was perfect! Looking at Victor she replied, "Of course I do, dearies! I actually need another waiter. Paul does his best, but he can only do so much. So, Victor. You interested?" Smiling at the older woman, Victor replied, "Of course I am! When do I start, Mrs. Plum?"

"Right now," replied the kindly woman. Emily pushed Victor towards Mrs. Plum as he sputtered. He had wanted a job, but he didn't want to start right now! He had wanted to spend more time with Emily! As Mrs. Plum led Victor away, Emily moved towards the piano. If Victor had to work, well than she would as well. As she sat at the piano, she saw Charlie by the bar. Grinning, she saw him sidle up to a woman who was in very good condition and who had probably died from either illness or poison. She decided to help him by playing a romantic piece. As she began to tease the music from the keys, she lost herself in the music; and in thoughts of Victor.

Victor bustled about the pub, giving people their orders and taking new orders to Mrs. Plum. It was in this dash back and forth that he heard the beginning notes to his and Emily's song. He paused, and listened to the music. He began to be overtaken with memories. The fear he first felt when he met her. The love that was, at first, barely existent but that would eventually grow into the full-fledged feeling he felt now. He also remembered the pain of his so-called marriage. He knew that it had been a mistake. He had felt that when Emily had disappeared into the night like a beautiful phantasm. He held onto the feeling of joy at their reunion. But as the song closed, he remembered the pain of his death.

-Begin Flashback—

Victor noticed that his commanding officer was still in the trench. "Sir? Sir is something wron-" Victor's voice cut off as the pistol in his C.O.'s hand went off. Victor looked down and saw the spreading crimson stain on his chest. He looked at the other man in shock. As he fell to his knees, Victor saw his murderer smile a cruel smile. Victor fell over on to his side. The officer mounted the trench wall and vaulted over, joining his men. Victor summoned the strength to lift his head. Where was Charlie? They had sworn to look out for each other in boot camp. Had Charlie known what was going to happen? No, surely not. Victor groaned. His chest burned! It was like someone had lit his body on fire! Victor groaned again. It hurt so badly! Summoning what was left of his strength, Victor rolled onto his back. He looked at the grey sky. It seemed almost as if it were mourning his passing. Victor felt so tired. He heard the sounds of artillery, gunfire, and screaming men, almost like some twisted song. As Victor was falling into his final rest, being sung a dark lullaby by those around, his eyes closed. And as his soul passed from this world, he said one word: "Emily."

-End Flashback—

Victor shook the vestiges from his memory from his head. He rushed back to work. He didn't want to remember that. He didn't want to remember that ever again. He also didn't want Emily to know what had happened. Turning around to re-enter the kitchen, he heard a voice shout for him. He spun and saw Paul, yelling for him. Shaking his head, Victor knew that the rest of the day would be a long one.

Victor was right. It had been a long day. The day was drawing to a close and it was only a few minutes until Mrs. Plum said she would give the "last call". As Victor collected glasses from the tables he looked at Emily. She had stayed at her piano the whole evening, taking only a few minutes rest to eat and stretch. It was odd, but he felt that she had done it so that he wouldn't feel alone. As he smiled at her, a few of the patrons that remained looked at her as well. One raised his voice and called to her, "Hey, gorgeous! Feel like keepin' me and me boyos company? We could have a good time!" Victor felt his hackles rise. Looking back at Emily, he was glad to see that she was ignoring the fool. Looking back at the man, he had a bad feeling. The man looked angry at the silent rejection. Standing, he stumbled over to the piano. "Hey! You daft, woman? I'm talkin' to ya," the obviously drunk man slurred. Still, Emily ignored him. Enraged by this second denial, the man pulled back a fist. Before he could let the punch fly, something grabbed his arm. Looking back over his shoulder, the man didn't even have the time to think before a fist connected with his face. As he fell back, Victor looked around himself. He spared a glance at Emily to see if she was all right. She looked that way. As he relaxed, he saw her eyes widen. 'Oh bugger,' he thought. Snapping an elbow backwards, he caught one of his assailants in the nose. Victor spun and saw the other men from the drunks table. Victor brought his fists up into a guard and waded in.

After a few minutes, all of the drunks were down but one. This one had struck Victor several times and Victor was starting to feel a little dizzy. This surprised him. He had thought, being dead and all… Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought. He had more important things to think about. Side stepping, he barely avoided the man as he rushed at him. Swiftly growing tired of the man's antics, Victor picked up a chair. As the man rushed at Victor again, Victor again side stepped. Only this time, just as the man passed him, he quickly brought the chair down on the man's head. As the chair broke, the man dropped and didn't move. Victor dropped the remnants of the chair and looked at Emily. She…looked frightened. Of what though? He had taken out the threat. It hit him then. She was afraid of him! Of course! She had never seen him fight before. Slowly, tentatively, he held his arms out as if to embrace her. Slowly, ever so slowly, she walked forward until she was embracing him. Victor slowly wrapped his arms around her. And all felt right again.

Later that Evening:

Victor was walking to Bonejangles for the night. Sighing, he recalled the previous hour. Mrs. Plum had rushed in with a few of the pubs larger patrons. Seeing the situation handled, they had thrown the knocked out drunks into the broom closet so that they could sleep off their hangover.

Emily…Emily had excused herself not long after, claiming to be tired. Victor had a feeling that he had frightened her. But he had been unable to stop himself! That man had been about to hurt her! And on top of that, his training and experiences had taught him that if a threat presented itself, you take it down and you take it down hard. As he reached Bonejangles house, he knocked. He was surprised when the door opened immediately. "Hey, Victor! Welcome to my humble abode," said Bonejangles. Giving his friend a tired smile, Victor entered. Bonejangles showed him around his home. Pausing outside of a room, Bonejangles informed him that it was Victor's for as long as he needed it. Wishing his guest a pleasant night's sleep, Bonejangles turned and went to his own room to sleep.

Back at the Ball and Socket:

Emily was sitting at the table in the kitchen as Mrs. Plum finished cleaning the dishes. "What do you think, Mrs. Plum? That was an…interesting experience," said Emily. Mrs. Plum sighed. The sight had been frightening. The fact that Victor, who had always been so timid, could that ferocious…it was terrifying, though it was to be expected, what with everything that he had been through. She said this to Emily. Emily nodded. "I know you're right. The training, the fighting, and seeing death like that…I would be frightened if he hadn't changed. I only hope that he hasn't changed for the worse," Emily . Plum gave Emily a soft smile. "It'll all work out for the best, dearie. You two were destined," she said softly. And Emily knew she was right. Everything would work out, she just knew it.

Next Morning:

Victor walked to the Ball and Socket by himself. Bonejangles informed him that he had business with Elder Gutknect and that Victor had better get to work. Arriving at his destination, Victor Quickly looked around. Spotting Emily, he walked over to her. Smiling at him, she said, "Morning, Love."

A/N: Hey all, sorry for the wait. I just want to thank everyone who wrote and said they wanted more, you guys know who you are. Next chapter should be up fairly soon. Later!