Cahill Command in disarray,
Only one action can save the day,
Resolve the Cahills, find the right way,
For the world to be saved and peace to lay.

That was the poem written in the letter she recieved that day. She, of course, knew of what had happened because of Sinead's disappearance. Discord between the Cahills, Amy's broken(again), Dan falling deeper and deeper to the temptation of taking the serum, Jonah is as OOC as Dan, Ian is hated even more than usual…those kind of things.

As the blazing heat of July came down on her, she didn't faze. She came from a country where blazes of heat were standard and that wearing shirts and jeans together was a staple. American summer came to her like a normal day in the Philippine calendar. However, she was shivering out-of-context. She was worried about the probable reactions of the two people who hate each other as much as Ian hates Saladin, and how was she going to stop them from bickering. She can't even lead her classmates in creating a commercial for their AP project, how could she make someone who still loved Amy but couldn't confess his feelings to her and the current boyfriend of Amy band together?

As she pulled her red stroller towards the iron gate of the Cahill Mansion, she checked herself. She was wearing her dress with the dark-striped skirt with a black cardigan and her dark violet flats to be presentable. It would be embarrassing if she couldn't present herself as how Lucians should be—fashionable and confident. After a deep breath, she buzzed and Evan's voice came in though the static.

"This is Evan Tolliver, the Cahills are not around because they're on vacation. Please state your business."

"Hello Evan," she told the speaker as she stared at the camera. "Amy said that she requested a replacement for Sinead from the Lucians…"

"Oh, okay. Wait a second. Ian would escort you inside."

The iron gates opened, out of will, and she walked inside. Fiske Cahill really could pass off as a Janus because the front garden was beautiful, with shrubs and trees and an immaculate fountain with a young female figure standing on it. She thought it would be Grace, but she couldn't place her finger on who was the statue…

"It's Hope Cahill, you know," a voice told her from behind. She didn't have to be as intuitive as a Lucian would to not know that Ian was the one who spoke. She turned around and faced the man she always wanted to meet in a long time. He was definitely handsome, with an air of confidence around him. However, his once sparkling amber-colored eyes were almost dulled to a dark brown.

"Oh, I almost thought it kinda looked either Grace or Amy…" Oops.

"It's okay. Come, I'll tour you around the mansion," he said while he took her hand and she followed him inside.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

As they came in, she took in every little detail of the mansion, because she knew she may never get the chance of visiting them again after all this happened. Ian was trying to sound interested, but gave the tour in nonchalance. His heart moaned in pain every time she liked every painting, decor or artistry. She reminded her of Amy, who wouldn't feel the same to him as he is to her.

"Finally, this is your room," he said, trying to not look at her. That was the other thing. She was like Amy in spirit but she looked like Natalie. "Unpack immediately and head up to the CC for instructions, okay?"

She nodded. Before she came in the room, she looked back. "Ian," she called.

He stopped walking away and composed himself. He almost wished it was Amy who said that. "What?" he said, trying to hide his annoyance.

"Well, if you really want her to like you even just a little bit," she said confidently. "You would do whatever she says from now on and not do anything like that again."

What she said wanted to make him mad. But his heart was trying to rest from all this unrest that the only answer he could give was an "Okay."

"Believe me. I'm a girl and I understand the situation you guys have here. That, and Amy told me everything from top to bottom before she sent me here."

"Oh," he said, smiling for the first time in days.

"Besides, a Lucian would help a fellow Lucian in affairs of the heart and whatnot, right?" she said, perking herself up. He laughed, not because he was mocking her.

She understood his laughter, waved him off and closed the door.

As he walked back to the Command Center with his smile still on his face, his heart became even lighter.

Maybe the new girl isn't so bad after all…

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-