A/N: So, a lot of people have been commenting on the length of updates. I love hearing feedback and would like a little more in regards to this issue. I tend to get inspiration for this piece in spurts and post as I finish sections so I get updates up regularly. However, if you'd like longer updates, I am more than willing to give them as long as people understand that it will mean less frequent updates. I did try to make this one longer though. As always, read and review!

I glanced at the clock again, willing the hands to slow down. Andy, Magoo and Steve were coming in less than 10 minutes. We were pretty regular about our meetings and today had just happened to be my day to host the weekly 40k game. I was very unhappy that this was the day. I mean, my house was already completely invaded and I really couldn't afford another pair of armies as live-ins. 9 minutes now.

I was sitting at the coffee table with the heads of all the parties standing before me, but as far away from any of the others as possible. The Imperials were tucked just to the right of my left elbow, which I was leaning against the worn edge. I had put the warboss in a metal salad bowl to keep him from fighting with the others, but I could tell I was going to need to buy a few more bowls. Or maybe a plexi-glass box. The Tau leader Shas'O Sa'cea J'karra stood quietly in her battlesuit exactly 6 inches away from my folded hands, three drones hovering around her head. I had gathered them all together to explain what was going on, and to reiterate the fact that they were not allowed to shoot each other, or any other the newcomers. This was met to some dismay from Creed, Brother-Captain Terminus and Grok, but I insisted. J'karra was remarkably calm about the whole thing, what with her greater good philosophy, and I was thankful for small mercies. I never felt like I had to worry about them. They kept to themselves and generally got up to no mischief, besides their deep fascination with my television remote. Creed, who was puffing furiously on yet another cigar, was muttering unhappily to himself. I'm pretty sure Terminus was the only thing keeping him from attempting to destroy me and everything in my house.

"I hope we can all attempt to get along with the newcomers everyone," I said with a sickly smile on my face. "Or at least refrain from killing each other." As soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew I had just jinxed myself. Sighing I shook my head and took a breath, only to cough on the fumes of Creed's cigar.

"Creed," I said, fighting to keep my voice calm and measured. "Would you listen to me if I issued a ban on smoking inside?" He made an angry grunting noise and put one hand on his hip to glare. "Well, I'll take that as a no," I backtracked quickly. "As you were." The doorbell rang.

"What's this whole 'don't bring your cultists' thing about?" Andy asked as I opened the door. Ignoring him, I let him step into the space. He looked down at his carrying box suddenly and frowned.

"You kick my bag?" I shook my head.

"You might want to dump you models on the floor. Stuff's…..Well, take a look at the corner." I pointed to the Blood Ravens fort, which by this point looked more like a castle than a shoe box. Andy blanched.

"You think….?"

"I think. Let's open the box up and see." I could tell Andy was spooked and rested my hand on his shoulder. "So far we've got a working truce of sorts. I mean, as you can see, they're not trying to kill each other, though I can't speak to the guest room furniture." Andy gave me a look. "The orks are in there," I said by way of explanation, giving a small shrug.

The Sisters of Battle army that Andy brought was very much alive when we took them out of the box. Terminus was on hand to explain the situation, but I could tell right away that they treated me with a mix of distain and disinterest. Cannoness Alisha spoke only a few words to me, and they were mostly platitudes straight out of the back of my copy of Imperial Uplifting Primer. I sent them with the Blood Ravens, along with another box. I decided I'd give them my growing collection of shoe boxes so they could expand their fort enough to contain the new troops. Unlike the Guard, they had no terrain to work with, and I was happy to throw them the boxes I hadn't used since I took the shoes out of them in the first place.

Magoo had brought Witch Hunters, his only army. He took to the whole living model thing with hesitant glee and was very pleased that his models came to life too. He had poured his resources into getting a very detailed complex army and he had brought the whole thing. We had thought we were going to play an apocalypse game and needed very piece we could muster, but I was not excited to have 10 more tanks in my house. Thankfully, they seemed to get along with the Guard and I shoved another table up against the one already set out so they could have some more space. Steve, our resident terrain guy, set up his stuff on that table and there was plenty of space once the floors were all set up. Steve never bought models, but played with us because we always had a spare army lying around at someone's house and his terrain more than made up for it. It was another small mercy I was thankful for as I cast my eyes around the room.