HOPEFULLY THIS ANSWERS A FEW QUESTIONS. THANKS FOR THAT, IF THINGS AREN'T CLEAR, ASK QUESTIONS. IT HELPS. SOMETIMES I FORGET TO ADD SMALL DETAILS OR SOMETIMES IT COMES LATER IN THE STORY, SO IT'S INTENTIONALLY NOT A DETAIL YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT. ASK ANYWAY, AND ENJOY THIS SHORT CHAPTER.

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With the kids down from their pancake-enduced and candy-enduced sugar highs, passed out in their beds, the three adults were in the kitchen talking. It had been hours since Audrey and Alden had arrived.

Hours of catching up.

Hours of story-telling.

Hours of Nathan not knowing the story behind this Alden guy.

He seemed harmless enough. Of course, they always do.

"I didn't realize when Alden suggested that we go visit Ruby, that I'd be visiting you as well, Nathan." Audrey stated, taking a sip of her water. Ruby had insisted on something more...flavourful, but Audrey declined, needing a nice normal liquid. Normal was not part of her life lately.

"Didn't exactly have time to set-up anything, did we?" he asked, almost a bitter tone to his voice, "You were rushed off to the airport and then I drove down here alone."

Alden interrupted, "Sorry about that, man. General Mahoney and I needed to consult Sergeant Parker about some...classified details during the flight."

"About ceremonies?"

Nathan raised his eyebrow at the Lt. Colonol and eyed Audrey.

"Yeah...about ceremonies." Alden muttered.

Nathan was about the speak again when Audrey beat him to it, "Not the quiet evening I had in mind for my first night here in DC."

The other three adults looked at her. Nathan looked suspicious, Alden had a blank expression and Ruby...well she was her usual cheery self.

Audrey continued, "I had expected to spend the night unpacking, maybe reading for a bit, before retiring early because...I guarantee that we'll be up at sunrise or earlier tomorrow."

"So now that you know where to find me, what are the plans for these next few weeks?" Nathan asked, almost afraid of the answer if, when she knew she'd have free time, she hadn't intentionally planned to spend it with him.

"I don't know. I had originally planned to call your cell tomorrow during some free time and make plans that way. You know, find out your great-aunt's address, figure out when I have a decent amount of free time, that sort of thing."

He just nodded.

"But I really appreciate your company." She smiled at him, a cutsey-innocent-please-don't-hate-me smile.

He nodded again, fighting back his own smile.

Damn Audrey.

Damn her and her cute smile and...stuff.

"Will you be back this weekend?" Ruby asked, yawning, "it's getting late. This old bag can't stay up as late as she used to."

She gave a chuckle, hustling over to the staircase.

Audrey smiled, "Of course, Ruby. And you don't look a day over thirty."

Ruby stopped and turned around, "Dearie, I know you know better than that. The state didn't raise you to be a liar. Though I appreciate the effort."

Nathan stifled laughter.

Audrey punched him in the arm.

Alden sat there awkwardly.

Ruby went to bed.

All was at peace, for now.