Hours later the rumbling of a stomach stirred Colleen awake from her deep dream, that made her body tremble from fear. Her eyes shot opened to embrace the darkness of the room and her ears listened to the softness of his breathing, next to her, his arm around her waist, holding her delicately like an expensive crystal china. Her hand rose in the air and touched his wavy brown hair. Her Cayden, her handsome Cayden that loved her as much as she returned that same love.
She slowly leaned over and her lips touched his soft cheek, then slowly took hold his hand, lifting it off her waist and she slowly slipped out of his embrace. Her eyes glanced downwards toward a black and white stuffed animal and a wide smile spread on her face. She had forgotten Ice Cube, her childhood best friend, in the living room, and he had brought him to her once again.
Colleen reached at the end of the bed and grabbed her robe before standing up. A wave of dizziness surrounded her and she struggled to keep her balance. Her knees touched the floor and her head immediately pivoted to him, making sure that he remained asleep. She breathed a sigh of relief, finding his eyes remaining closed and his breathing steady.
Standing up from the floor, she walked toward the door, slowly opening it, leaving the room, and headed for the kitchen. She flipped the light switch, going straight to the cupboard where she kept her night treat, Gummy Bears. Her pregnancy must have been an baffled one by her standards, but then again, she never had experienced one before. Her eating habits were normal, except for eating many Gummy Bears, bags upon bags of the small treats that made her stomach beg for them every night.
But to her dismay, she found no bag in sight and she instantly knew that he had forgotten. She didn't blame him, he'd been working endlessly at the Infirmary. She didn't want him to worry about things like this and only wished he had not forgotten. Givinf a disappointing sigh, she walked over to the refrigerator, opened it and took out whole wheat toast and strawberry jam. Normal food, right? But something urged her for something else and her mind screamed for more. But what? Nothing in the refrigerator demanded to be eaten. Her only alternative was the Mess's Kitchen and Roadblock's stash.
She set the other items on the table, making a jam sandwich, and immediately began eating it, while heading back to the bedroom to grab his passkey. Knowing that he always kept it on his nightstand for emergency calls during the night. Slowly entering the room, careful not to stir him awake, she tiptoed to his side of the bed, and carefully reached her hand to grab the passkey. He stirred, snored and her entire body froze.
Exhaling a slow breath of relief, her eyes never left his peaceful features, knowing that he had not wakened. She swallowed hard, then slowly turned around, heading out of the bedroom door, back to the living room, continuing to eat her jam sandwich. The darkness once again embraced her and her mind began playing ticks. "Darn him!" she cursed under her breath. From the scary movie, her whole body trembled. He knew they frightened her, and yet he continued to torment her with them.
Quickly striding toward the door, she stopped momentously to put on her sneakers before heading out. Her hand reached and gently touched the knob, turning it slowly, carefully not trying to make a sound to awaken him. The door clicked while she slowly started to swing it open. Footsteps came apparent in the darkness of the room, then felt short indications of heat touching the back of her nape. Her eyes widened and her mouth went dry, thinking the worst. When she felt a hand touch her shoulder, her vocal chords shot out a blood chilling scream.
"Bunny, it's just me," Cayden said, softly pulling her into a hug to sooth her.
Colleen breathed heavily, her heart pounding loudly in her chest, and she closed her eyes, feeling safe in his arms. "You frightened me," she softly replied.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean too. I got worried when you weren't in bed." He kissed the top of her head.
She slapped him on the chest, then glanced at his face. "Those movies of yours made me dream of the suite coming to life and eating me!"
"I'm sorry, hon. Where are you going?" he asked her while rubbing her back.
"Just going out for a walk, you go back to bed. You have to wake early tomorrow, remember?" Colleen reminded him of his digging punishment.
"Bunny, you need to come back to bed. Come on," Cayden said softly.
"I would love too, but I have my orders." Colleen smiled at him.
"Oh?" Cayden asked with a raised eyebrow. "Whose orders and what are they?"
Colleen left his embrace and switched on the lights. She turned to him with another smile, while pointing to her stomach. "Baby Faireborn's and orders are food or rumbling stomach!"
He chuckled. "And nothing looked good in the fridge?"
"Well, I did have a jam sandwich. But we don't have any ice cream or strawberries or rice," she answered.
Cayden smacked his head. "I forgot them, didn't I?"
"It's alright." Colleen touched his arm gently. "You've been busy and have had a lot on your mind."
"I'll tell you what, you go back to bed and I'll go get you some food," Cayden said, kissing her softly, starting to lead her back into their bedroom.
Meanwhile in the Hauser's suite, Eryn was crying softly in bed next to Rowan.
Rowan rolled over and slowly opened her eyes, listening to the soft sobbing. "What's wrong?" she asked with a yawn.
"I miss Wady Alison. Daddy no let her sweep wif me anymore," Eryn sniffled.
Rowan held her brown fuzzy puppy in her arms, her red hair braided in the back, and her white nightgown covered with the thick blanket. "You can sleep with Coco," she said gently, handing her best friend her favorite stuffed animal.
"No," Eryn said, snuggling close to Brutus. "Thank you. I want Wady."
Rowan rose upright, staring down at her best friend's tearful hazel eyes. "I can wake up Daddy and he can take us," she suggested.
"No. He won't take us. Daddy told him not too," Eryn said, crying some more.
"Eryn Anne Faireborn! You know your Daddy didn't say something like that," Rowan claimed, placing her hands on her sides and resembling a scolding Scarlett.
"Yes, he did. He no want me to see her because he say she need to get used to sweeping out der," Eryn cried even more thinking her friend was now mad at her.
"Oh." Rowan placed her head back on the pillow and slid closer to her friend. "Maybe it is because Jeffrey training her?" she asked.
"Jeffery no training her wast week," Eryn said. "I wanna see her. She lonwy."
"She got the other dogs, she not lonely," Rowan pointed out, trying to ease her friend's mind.
"I going," Eryn said sliding off the bed.
"Going where?" Rowan shot up from the mattress, watching Eryn's long brown hair running out of the room. "Wait for me!"
Eryn snuck to the front door and quietly opened it.
Rowan bumped into her in the darkness. "Jeff is not in bed!" she whispered, then listened to her father's snoring. "Dad is so loud."
"My Daddy is too," Eryn said as she left the suite.
"Eryn! What about our coats?" Rowan reminded her, heading out to the cold hallway. The door shut behind her and she whirled around, grabbing the knob, discovering the door wouldn't budge. They were now locked out!
Eryn shrugged. "Too wate now."
"Should I knock?" Rowan asked, glancing at the door.
"No, den we no get to go see Wady," Eryn said pouting.
Rowan nodded. "Alright, let's go." She took the little girl's hand in hers, acting like the older sister, and started leading her down the hallway toward the exit.
They climbed down the staircase and out of the building with the cold bitter air greeted their warm cheeks. Sounds came from around the corner and the two girls looked at each other, then scrambled into a near by bush, covering each other's mouths to keep silent.
"I'm telling you, Anchors! This is one of the best practical jokes ever!" Shipwreck's voice came from nearby.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Wreck?" Anchor's voice whispered.
Both Eryn and Rowan peeked through the brush, noticing that the two sailors, dressed in yellow chicken suits, were leaving eggs all around. One even in the Joe Jeep which usually Duke drove it if an emergency came around.
The door to the building opened and another familiar figure strode outside the cold autumn air.
"Hey, Dr. Caveman!" Shipwreck greeted the young medic. "Emergency?"
"Yeah, it's called no gummy bears for my wife," Cayden called out chuckling. "You two are going to get into more trouble."
Shipwreck chuckled and winked at Anchors. "Oh, you better go get her some Gummy Bears really fast, we don't another Scarlett situation you know. Like mother, like daughter." He patted the young medic's shoulder, shaking his head.
"Oh gee, thanks Wreck. You sound really concerned," Cayden said and jogged off toward the Mess.
Shipwreck yelled at the running figure. "Hey! I got a heart! I was just not stupid to be balled and chained!"
The bushes started to wiggle around and both sailors gulped.
"Run for it!" Anchors started running at top speed, heading for the Mess.
Shipwreck didn't have think twice, running after his protégé at top speed, not noticing the two girls emerge out of the bushes and head toward the kennels.
The two sailors passed the running medic, their feathered wings flapping up and down.
Cayden stopped for a second, bewildered, wondering what had scared the two Joes. He shook his head and walked into the Mess Hall, and headed for the main kitchen, discovering a light coming through under the doorway. 'I guess someone else got hungry too.' he thought, pushing the door to the kitchen.
The large kitchen stood quiet, pots rested in their places, plates stacked in lines, exactly like obeying soldiers, and wrapped large canisters of fruits and vegetables sat on the large island, ready to be cooked in a few short hours.
Walking toward the refrigerator, he glimpsed of a familiar looking brown ponytail sitting on one of the stools. Her eyes downcast on the steaming hot mug, between her hands. And he wondered why Sky Dancer was up this late in the evening.
"Reena?" Cayden asked softly as he walked toward her direction.
Sky Dancer slightly jumped from his voice, not expecting him there. "Hi, Cayden," she greeted him with a smile.
"What are you doing up so late?" Cayden asked as he started to rummaged around for Roadblock's stash.
"Couldn't sleep," Sky Dancer answered, then tilted her head at him, puzzled. "What are you looking for?"
"Gummy bears," Cayden answered. "I forgot to pick up a few bags when I went to get the movies."
"Third cupboard on the right," Sky Dancer pointed out.
"Oh good. Thanks." Cayden said and grabbed out some gummy bears. "You all right, Reena?"
Sky Dancer looked at him, biting her lower lip. "I'm fine, really. Just needed something warm." She took a sip of her hot tea.
"You look exhausted," Cayden said as he got into the freezer for the ice cream.
"I'm a Joe, you are always exhausted." Sky Dancer smirked, watching him take the ice cream out. "Colleen wants a sundae? In this weather?" she asked amazed.
"With strawberries," Cayden said as he fixed his wife's ice cream in a to-go container. "She also wants rice."
"Rice? With ice cream?" Sky Dancer asked stunned, then realization set into motion. "I guess her urges started, huh?"
"Oh, yeah," Cayden nodded as he dished up some strawberries in a different container and then some rice.
"You are lucky Roadblock's cooked some rice last night!" Sky Dancer pointed out.
The door burst opened and two sailors in chicken outfits walked in.
"What in the world!" Sky Dancer looked at them.
"Hey, Sky!" Anchors greeted the other Joe member, looking a bit embarrassed about the situation.
"Hey, Doll Face!" Shipwreck smiled, heading for the large refrigerator.
"How much longer do you guys have?" Cayden asked the sailors as he finished up with the food. "You are going to be forever in those chicken suits."
Sky Dancer glanced at the two chickens. "What are you two doing with all those eggs?" she asked them.
"Sorry Sky Dancer, but I ain't telling!" Shipwreck chuckled.
"Well guys, I'm outta here. Gotta go feed the pregnant wife," Cayden said with a smile.
Shipwreck chuckled. "Well, I hope she really doesn't follow in Red's shoes. I feel bad for you man, really bad."
"She's not that bad!" Sky Dancer defended her best friend.
"Don't worry, Reena." Cayden patted her shoulder. "Wreck's still not over the fact that Cover Girl married Beach Head."
"Hey, now that is not true! Cover Girl and I never had a fling!" Shipwreck pointed out.
"But I thought you—" Anchor's words were cut off by a feathered wing.
"Come on, Anchors. Let's move! We don't have much time." Shipwreck stated, grabbing the other sailor and rushed out of the door.
Sky Dancer shook her head. "Why are they wearing chicken suits?" she queried, but shook her head again. "Forget I asked."
"I don't know," Cayden shrugged. "Why don't you let me walk you back."
Sky Dancer took her mug, stood up from the stool and headed off to the sink, quickly washed it and placed it on a shelf, where one little white note had been written. She smiled at Roadblock's poem to her for getting some sleep, then looked at Cayden. "Alright. I'll keep you company until the barracks, but then I have to head for the kennels."
"Your dogs are fine, you know," Cayden told her with a chuckle as they headed out.
"I know," Sky Dancer replied, putting on her jacket, while they left the Mess Hall. "But I need to work on Apollo for his new training, before P.T. and then working with the Sky Strikers."
"You know, if you don't start sleeping more, I'm going to have to put you on sedatives," Cayden told her, but this was her concerned friend talking to him, not a Joe doctor.
"Cayden, I'm fine, honest," Sky Dancer tried to assure him, not wanting him to know the real reason behind her restless nights.
"Alright, I'll see you in the morning." He kissed her cheek then went inside.
Sky Dancer gave off a short giggle, then wrapped her arms tighter around her jacket, walking over to the kennels. She glanced up at the dark starless sky, watching the lonely moon try and shine on its own. A sigh escaped, listening to the crunch of the frozen grass beneath her boots. The white puffs escaped her mouth, dancing in the moonlight sky, flying straight upwards and disappearing in the silent night.
Her nights, never altering but yet recently had once again transformed her world from sorrow to happiness. The night that brought a loved one back from death, and back into her arms. Jeffrey Hauser, her friend, who had become more, had left her world three years ago, and her heart ached for not seeing him again. Night upon night her dreams reminded her of that day, his striker had gone down and she had to watch from her own plane, without being able to help. And then, just as he had disappeared, he had returned.
None knew of her torment, none knew of her long nights that she had spent hours weeping for a lost friend, a lost love. Her hand rose and touched the silver locket, the same locket that held his picture and the same locket that his twin sister had given to her after the funeral. She closed her eyes, burying the sad memories, not wanting to return to them. Her hand then left the locket and slowly traveled downwards to her left wrist to another token, one from his mother. The golden bracelet with a golden heart, given to her only minutes before his return. She treasured these two tokens of friendship, but more so of family. They had opened their hearts to her, and she in return had done the same. Reena Diamondis, also known to the Joes as Sky Dancer had a family.
The dogs sniffed the air, smelling her scent and the soft whining sound became music to her ears, notes humming with melody. She walked to the dog pen, looking down at her two other family members, her Dobermans, Apollo and Athena. Opening the cage door, she bent down and patted the dogs on the heads, then taking out a leather leash, she hooked Apollo's collar and lead him out.
"Later girl, I promise," Sky Dancer whispered to the other dog, with its stubby tail wiggling with excitement, begging to be part of the training. She smiled at Athena and then led Apollo toward the Agility course.
Her eyes traveled to the other dog runs and caught sight of the last one, which housed one particular dog, if you could had called it a dog, like Shipwreck's description of a menace to Joe society. But it was that brown haired wolf dog that had brought her world back. Scarlett had released Wolfie, who belonged to her son, and let him find his master, and he did not fail his mission, bringing him back, alive. Both him and Snake Eyes. Both soldiers lost in their minds and finally finding their way home.
She choked a sob down her throat, continuing toward the course when a movement caught her quick eye, spotting him near the river, along with the wolf dog by his side. Her eyes blinked, thinking the moonlight teased her, mocking her with her dreams. But then the dream moved and she knew that it was indeed Jeffrey Hauser, walking by the river's edge.
She strode slowly toward him, watching him throw another rock in the river and she instantly became concerned. Why was he outside during these early hours? She stopped several feet behind him, and he hadn't noticed. Not him, but Wolfie, who turned his head around and gave a short welcoming bark.
Jeffery looked down at his dog. "What is it, boy?" He then looked up to where the dog was looking. "Reena, what are you doing out here?"
"Training," she replied, patting Apollo's back. "What are you doing out here?"
Jeffery shrugged. "Couldn't sleep."
Sky Dancer looked at him curiously, worried that an aftermath from his accident could had scarred him in anyway. "Is it your headaches again?" she asked him gently.
"No, just not tired." He gave her a bright smile, walking near to where she stood, stopping only inches away.
"Well, you will be tomorrow, after all the shoveling." She smiled back, gazing at his crystal eyes that twinkled by the moon's gentle touch.
"I'll cross that bridge once I get there." He smiled down at her as he slowly lowered his head.
"It's going to be a long w—" Her words her cut off by his gentle touch of his lips bringing them to hers, sending her mind in a whirl. Apollo tugged at the leash but she ignored it, only feeling her world float for the moment.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer, letting her arms wrap around his neck, bringing his head lower, deepening the kiss. His fingers playing with her long brown locks, while her fingers teased his short blond hair.
He brought her closer, pulling her tight against his body.
Her heart skipped a beat feeling the familiar touch of his kiss, which had been lost for so many years, and yearned once more for the same magic that had brought them together.
"Let's put the dogs back and go for a walk," Jeffrey suggested, when their lips finally parted.
"We could just bring them with us," Sky Dancer suggested.
"Wolfie needs to rest. Remember he was injured the other day," Jeff reminded her.
Sky Dancer nodded. "Very well." She looked down at Apollo's hopeful face. "Apollo, fuss!"
The Doberman instantly went next to her side, and began walking back toward the kennels.
Jeff gave Wolfie a hand signal and the wolf dog obediently walked beside his master.
"He still doesn't like Shipwreck," Sky Dancer pointed out, recalling the other day Wolfie breaking free and chasing the sailor around the obstacle course.
"What can I say. Wolfie's got good taste," Jeffrey chuckled as he opened Wolfie's kennel door and did a hand signal that told him to go lay down.
Sky Dancer giggled. No one really liked Wolfie, that was no secret. I think the only three that ever touched the wolf dog were Jeffrey, Snakes Eyes, and Scarlett. She led Apollo back to his run and led him inside. "I'll be back in a little while."
The dog whimpered, wanting to be by her side, but she shook her head and he obeyed, like a faithful companion, like a faithful soldier.
Jeffrey stood next to her as she closed the kennel door then pulled her into a tight embrace.
She looked into his eyes, which mimicked hers, sparkling against the moonlight, shining. She wrapped her hands around his waist and leaned her head against his strong chest, listening to his gentle heartbeat, which pulsed against her ear.
He cupped her chin, bringing it upwards, looking down into her eyes before slowly lowering his head and claimed her lips with his.
Her mind whirled once again, feeling his teasing lips, remembering the past, and resurfacing it once again to the present.
"COOTIES!"
Two cries shot through the air, close to them, making them break the kiss and glance around, finally spotting the two girls in the pen next to the Doberman's hugging the massive St. Bernard.
"What are you two doing out here?" Jeffrey asked in shock.
Eryn just cuddled up to her beloved dog not saying anything.
"Eryn was missing Lady," Rowan answered softly, shivering from the cold.
"Jeffrey! They are in their nightgowns!" Sky Dancer pointed out, opening the dog run. "We have to take them inside, they'll catch a cold."
Eryn shivered and cuddled closer to the dog who seemed to be trying to keep them both warm.
"Rosey, why don't you have your coat on," Jeff said as they entered the run.
"We forgot to put them on and when we came out, the door shut us out," Rowan explained.
"They don't have slippers on too." Sky Dancer took off her jacket and pulled it around Rowan's shivering body. "We have to carry them back."
"Come on, Munchkin," Jeff said as he picked up the small girl after unzipping his coat. He covered her with his coat and buttoned most of it up.
"But I want, Wady," Eryn said as she shivered.
"Lady has to stay out here," Sky Dancer told her gently. "But you can come during the day and play with her." She slowly picked up Rowan. "Let's hurry."
Jeffrey hurried along side Sky Dancer until they reached the suite. He used his passkey and opened the door to the suite.
Sky Dancer turned looking down the hallway and her mouth dropped. "Jeff, isn't that your sister?"
She pointed to Colleen, wearing a robe and who appeared to be chasing two huge sailor chickens, throwing something at them while walking oddly in her bunny slippers.
"Yep." Jeffrey laughed. "Wonder where Cayden's at." He pushed open the door.
"Run for it!" Shipwreck hollered, racing down the hallway. "Little Red's gone mad!"
"Colly, please!" Anchors pleaded, ducking from an incoming white object that smashed against the wall and dripped down slowly.
"I'm going to bury both of you under the obstacle course!" Colleen shouted, continuing to chase them down the hall.
Shipwreck and Anchors past Jeffrey and Sky Dancer, racing around the corner.
"Colleen!" Sky Dancer cried out, her voice making her friend stop short.
"What are you all doing out here?" Colleen asked bewildered.
"Bringing the escape artists back," Jeff said showing his twin the small girl huddled inside his coat.
"Hi, Colly," Eryn said softly.
Colleen did a double take, then glanced at her sister. "Rowan!"
"Hi, Colly," Rowan said softly, hiding her head in Sky Dancer's shoulder.
Sky Dancer shook her head. "They were at the kennels." She looked closely at her friend. "What are you doing out?"
"I can't find my husband! He left to go to the Mess and he never came back!" Colleen answered.
"But I left him here only ten minutes ago," Sky Dancer explained.
"Maybe we should go look for him?" Jeffrey suggested.
"I have been looking for him!" Colleen pointed out. "And then those two chickens scared the living daylights out of me!"
"What did you throw at them?" Sky Dancer asked her friend.
"Eggs! They were hiding them!" Colleen exasperated annoyed.
Jeffrey shook his head.
Running feet came apparent from around the corner and they all turned, thinking the two Big Birds had returned, but the face of one panicked looking young medical doctor came to view.
"Cayden!" Colleen said with concern, looking at his features.
"Are you all right?" Cayden asked, checking her over. He was empty handed.
"I'm fine, I was worried about you!" Colleen answered, looking his eyes. "Reena said she left you here ten minutes ago."
Rowan cuddled closer to Sky Dancer, slowly drifting to sleep.
"I got caught by Doc," Cayden explained. "I'm sorry."
Eryn fell asleep inside Jeffrey's coat.
"Is everything all right?" Sky Dancer asked gently, holding the seven-year-old in her arms.
"Yeah, Doc just wanted to talk to me about Sammy's surgery tomorrow is all," Cayden said.
"Her hand has been bothering her a lot lately," Colleen pointed out.
From down the hall, laughter could be heard and running pair of footsteps.
They all turned their heads toward the commotion and their eyes widened, and jaws fell to the ground watching Lady Jaye wearing only a plaid top, run at top speed toward them, her face filled with glee.
"Ye can't get me ye Scholar geek!" Jaye yelled while laughing.
Their eyes widened even more, watching one warrant officer chase his wife wearing a very short looking plaid kilt type skirt, with no top or socks.
"Get back here ye crazy Scottish woman!" Flint hollered, racing after his wife.
The four of them watched the covert operatives agent run pass them, with her husband in pursuit.
"Cayden?" Colleen asked gently, grabbing hold of her husband's arm to steady herself.
"Will someone please tell me I'm dreaming," Cayden said in utter shock.
"Alright old buddy. You're dreaming," Jeffrey said chuckling.
"I think I'm scarred for life," Colleen whispered softly.
Sky Dancer looked at Jeffrey. "Now tell me, how am I going to face him tomorrow morning for Striker training? Tell me!"
"By wearing your little plaid skirt," Jeff said, shrugging.
"Jeffrey Hauser! Have you lost your mind!" Sky Dancer said in shock.
"What is all the commotion out here?!" Duke demanded, from the suite's doorway, wearing only a pair of pajama pants and an untied robe.
At the sound of his tone, Cayden and Jeff tensed. Colleen and Sky Dancer looked at each other and gulped.
Then everyone started talking at once.
"I had to get her food."
"I had to get some food but he got lost!"
"I had training!"
"I went to the river for a walk."
"The girls escaped!" they all said at once.
Duke looked at all of them in confusion.
Suddenly from around the corner, Lady Jaye burst at top speed, her plaid shirt flapping in the air, running back down the hall.
"Ye can't get me ye old sac of meatballs!" Jaye hollered.
They all turned their heads toward the woman, who continued to laugh, then their heads turned toward the other side, watching Flint run toward them.
"Yer gonna get it! Ye crazy Scot!" Flint ran passed them, his skirt flapping from his running.
They all dropped their jaws from the warrant officer's rear staring back at them.
Cayden just stood there dumbstruck.
"I guess it's true what they say," Jeffrey said.
"What's that Jeff?" Duke inquired, still in a shocked state.
"Nothing comes between a man and his kilt," Jeffrey stated shaking his head.
"I..I think I lost my appetite," Colleen murmured softly, her face turning a shade of green.
From behind Duke, a new voice sounded. "What are you all doing here?" Scarlett demanded, standing next to her husband. "Everyone in here right now, you are all going to get sick!"
"Mom, we're inside." Jeffrey shook his head. "We're just out in the hallway."
"Stop being a smart mouth!" Scarlett lightly scolded, grabbing him the ear and gently pulling him inside the suite.
Sky Dancer giggled, walking in with the sleeping Rowan.
"Dad, have Gummy Bears?" Colleen asked, holding on to her stomach.
"Of course I do," Duke said, with a grin.
"Oww...Mom stop, geeze, you're embarrassing me," Jeff grumbled as he was led inside the suite by being pulled from his ear.
Cayden was trying not to laugh.
"How did these two get out?" Scarlett asked baffled, now spotting the sleeping Eryn from poking inside her son's jacket.
"They locked themselves outside. Jeff and I found them by the kennels," Sky Dancer answered.
Colleen headed toward the kitchen for her father's stash of Gummy Bears.
"The usual spot, Pumpkin," Duke called after her.
"I think this separation at night is really getting to Eryn, Mom," Jeffrey said as he unzipped his coat with one hand and held the little girl with the other.
"Yeah, Mom says she gets really cranky at night when it's bed time." Cayden explained.
"But Lady needs to stay out because of Flint's orders," Sky Dancer pointed out, then her features changed while thinking. "Unless she gets trained quickly."
"We need to do something," Jeffrey said. "The girls were out there barefoot and no coats. It's getting colder and before too long it will be raining and we can't have them going out in that."
"He's right," Cayden agreed. "Eryn gets sick much easier than a normal child."
"Alright. We'll talk to Dash about this tomorrow. Right now, everyone and I mean everyone needs to go back to bed," Scarlett said to them.
Colleen walked out from the kitchen with the bag of gummy bears. "Anyone want some?" she asked while opening them.
"Ewww...no thanks, Cole," Jeffrey said, walking toward Rowan's bedroom.
"Where you going, Buzz?" Duke asked his oldest son.
"Going to put two little ones to bed," he said as he walked in the other room.
Sky Dancer followed Jeffrey in the bedroom, and gently lay the seven-year-old on one side of the bed. Then spotted her brown fuzzy dog, placing it under her arm before she covered the child with the blanket.
Jeff laid down the six-year-old on the other side of the bed and covered her up. "Oh crap." He rushed out of the room and began searching everywhere.
Sky Dancer following him out of the room. "What wrong?"
Scarlett looked puzzled at her son. "Jeff?"
"I can't find that stupid bear," Jeffrey explained.
"Oh no. We have to find him," Cayden said.
"If she wakes up with out that bear..." Duke started.
"Alright, calm down," Scarlett ordered. "Let's check the suite first and if Brutus is not here. We'll search the kennel area."
Colleen started searching the living room with Cayden, while Duke and Scarlett took their bedroom and kitchen.
Sky Dancer headed for the girls bedroom, while Jeffrey started toward his room.
Jeffery started to frantically searching in his room. While Cayden headed now into the kitchen and Duke checked the bathroom.
"He's nowhere!" Colleen stated from looking behind the couch.
"He has to be here!" Scarlett said, now returning from her bedroom.
"Conrad, anything in the bathroom?"
"No, nothing," Duke said as Cayden walked out of the kitchen. "Anything, Cay?"
"Nope. I'll go check Lady's run." Cayden said walking towards the door.
Sky Dancer called out from Rowan's room. "Cayden, don't bother! He's here!" She walked out of the room, bear in arms.
"Where was he?" Colleen asked, curiously walking over to her best friend.
"Under the bed," Sky Dancer answered.
Cayden walked back over. "She must have kicked him under there on accident when she climbed out of bed." He took the bear from his wife's best friend. "Thanks, Reena." He went in and tucked the old furry bear under his sister's sleeping arm.
"He's really good with her, isn't he?" Duke commented.
Scarlett nodded. "Just like a certain blond haired man I know that used to check his sisters closets for monsters." She smiled at him.
Duke smiled. "Alright, everyone get to bed. The boys have a long day ahead of them tomorrow."
Colleen giggled. "And I'm going to be taking pictures after my training sessions," she said with a large grin, while eating a handful of Gummy Bears.
"Let's just hope they at least rolled up the windows before they buried them," Jeff said.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch," Sky Dancer smirked toward her boyfriend.
Colleen burst out in laughter, taking hold of her husband's arm.
"I'm going to take little Momma here home, so she can get some sleep," Cayden said as he patted his wife's belly. "If she's going shopping the mother units, she's going to need some rest."
"Have a good night you two," Scarlett said, watching her daughter leave with her husband.
Colleen waved goodbye, while continuing to eat her treats and closed the door behind them.
"I'll better be going too," Sky Dancer said, ready to leave and head for the kennels.
"Want me to walk you to your room?" Jeffery asked.
She looked at him. "That's alright. You better get some rest."
Scarlett grabbed her husband's hand and ushered him out of the room, toward their bedroom to give the young couple some privacy.
"Ree, you really need to sleep," Jeffrey said in concern. He wrapped his arms around her pulling her to him.
"I also need to do my job," Sky Dancer returned, looking up in his handsome face. "I'll get some sleep, I promise."
"Alright," Jeffrey said, giving in. He kissed her softly on the lips.
Sky Dancer smiled after their lips parted. "I'll see you at 0700 hrs, Kastor," she said, using his Joe code-name
Jeffrey chuckled. "Yeah, see you then." He walked her to the door.
She smiled at him, leaving the suite, heading toward her quarters, knowing that his crystal blue eyes followed her constant movement. Rounding the corner, she quickly changed her pace, passing her suite, heading down the stairs and outside. She mentally kicked herself for forgetting her jacket at his apartment, feeling the cold air enveloping around and making her shiver. She headed toward the kennels, not looking back.