Ann was upset to find Andy still awake when she woke up. “You need to sleep too,” she whispered. “I will now that you’re awake,” was his response. “You can’t keep staying up.” “I won’t. It was just for tonight.” He kissed her and closed his eyes. She founds some clothing and changed in the bathroom and then went down to the living room where she studied magic for a while to help replenish what she had used to transport them there. When it was getting light enough to see, she walked to a nearby grocery store and bought some heat and serve breakfast food. She knew Andy would be happy to cook for everyone, but he needed to get some rest. Everyone was still asleep when she returned, so she went back to reading in the living room. “Tyler?” Joanne’s voice called from the hall. “Oh, Ann, hi. I thought you were Tyler. He’s renting Andy’s room and has been in and out at all hours. What are you doing here? I’ve got a go. There’s an emergency at work. We’ll talk later. Won’t be gone long.” She blurted all that out before Ann could even say hi. Then she was heading for the door. “Decaf, Jo, decaf,” Ann called after her. She heard Jo laugh. Sapphire was the first to come down but was followed shortly by all the others, except Andy. She figured it would be a while yet before he got up. Nim asked where Joanne’s room was and was disappointed to learn she was gone. “You’re cooking?” Shunati asked. “Didn’t we get enough culinary torture yesterday?” “Ha, ha. And here I was nice to you.” She pointed out a bottle of vinegar on the counter. Shunati smiled and helped himself to a glass. “Most was pre-made. I’m just making bacon.” “Pork?” Pt’this protested. “What about those?” He pointed to the sausages Sapphire was taking from the microwave. “Pork too,” Ann said. “Apparently, pork is the only meat these people eat at breakfast,” Nim said. “What kind of crazy place is this?” Pt’this cried. “If you look in there, I got you and Nim each a steak. But those were on special, don’t expect that for every meal.” Pt’this opened the refrigerator and pulled out the steaks and unwrapped them. Ann reached for the meat. “How do you want that done?” Pt’this pulled away from her. “You’re not ruining this.” He put the raw steak on a plate and started eating it. There was much protest. “Dragons have no trouble with raw meat.” “Nim?” Ann turned to him. “I’ll cook mine, thanks.” His idea of cooked was just searing it on both sides. Ann handed out bacon, sausage, and pancakes to the others. *** Nim saw Joanne walk in and look around. Ann asked if she wanted some breakfast. She agreed. As she waited for a plate, she slipped her shoes off and shrunk the width of Nim’s hand. He hadn’t realized she was almost as short as Ann, not that it mattered. He made his way through the people and put his arms around her. “I missed you,” he said. She turned. “Nim!” She threw her arms around him and kissed him. He kissed her back a moment then pulled away. “Not in front of them,” he said, blushing. “Are you shy?” She teased. “Do you know me at all?” He asked. “But, it’s not that.” Then, the catcalls and teasing started. “It’s that. That’s been going on since they found out about us.” She made a face and led him out of the room. The teasing followed a moment, but then Tylan hushed them. When they returned, Nim was still red, and they were still holding hands. While they had been gone, Andy came in and took the last empty chair. “There are no more chairs,” Joanne observed. “Sit with me,” Nim suggested pulling her to his lap. “Eww, is that raw?” She asked seeing Pt’this his plate. “It’s good,” Pt’this said with a smile. “It’s disgusting,” Nim said jovially. “Oh, and yours is any better?” Joanne asked seeing his steak wasn’t a truly cooked either. “It’s not cold. Meat isn’t meant to be cold.” Nim said. Joanne shook her head. “Maybe you should try what Shun’s drinking.” He suggested with a gleam in his eye. “What? It’s just water isn’t it?” Joanne eyed Shunati’s glass. Shunati shook his head and pointed to the bottle of vinegar on the counter. Joanne shook her head again. “I’m just not going to ask what you people are eating anymore.” Ann pulled up the step-stool near where Andy was sitting and sat on that. Sapphire perched on the counter across the room. “Sapphire, aren’t you going to sit with us?” Tylan asked. “Not while those two are eating raw meat. Makes me nauseous.” She eyed Pt’this sopping up the blood from his steak with a bite of pancake. Shunati looked up. “Have you been having problems?” “Not much,” Sapphire said. “Are you okay?” Joanne asked. “You didn’t tell her?” Sapphire asked Nim. “I thought you’d want to.” “What?” Joanne asked. “I’m pregnant,” Sapphire said. “Oh, congratulations.” Joanne went and gave her a hug. Sitting back down, she frowned. “You didn’t tell me you were coming. You didn’t tell me she’s pregnant. What else didn’t you tell me?” Joanne feigned being upset. “Someone’s in the doghouse,” Andy said. “Doghouse?” Nim asked. “It means you’d be safer sleeping with the dogs than in the house,” Andy explained. “In Nimitinas’s defense, I did tell them all to keep this trip quiet,” Emeton said. “However, him not telling you about the pregnancy was his choice.” “I really thought she’d want to tell you,” Nim said apologetically. “If we hadn’t been able to see you, I would have told you.” “I’m teasing. It’s okay.” Joanne kissed his cheek. “Jo, you mentioned someone named Tyler. Is he a new renter?” Ann asked. Jo nodded. “He’s in Andy’s room. He hasn’t spent a full night here yet. I think his family is nearby. He’s been bringing a box at a time at all hours. His job has got some strange hours.” After breakfast, Andy announced he was going shopping for food and asked if anyone wanted to join him. “Will you be taking one of those wheeled things?” Nim asked. “They’re called cars, Nim, and yes, we will.” “I’ll stay then,” Nim said. “See, I’m not the only one,” Ann said. She didn’t like riding in cars. “There are no elves here so I might draw attention,” Shunati said. “I’d like to go, make sure we have something besides pork,” Pt’this said, taking human form. In the end, only Nimitinas, Shunati, and Joanne stayed, so Joanne offered them the use of her van.