The old Scottish manor stood magnificent against the sun's rays, which embraced the old stone walls, trying to warm the centuries old building that belonged to the Burnett family for generations. The April mist emerged from the large lake, floating towards the manor's walls, teasing it with tiny cold water droplets. Horses neighed and pounded their hooves across the grounds, trying to tear the cold solid ground with their teeth for a clover meal.

Cayden had indeed found a way to help his mother and it lead them back to the place which she loved the most, her homeland. Wild Bill had flown them in a Tomahawk that same evening. Flint immediately carried his frail looking-wife to her bedchambers. Jaye had become conscious during the night, but her weak state allowed for only her to whisper and ask one thing. She wanted her family with her, which also included Duke, Scarlett and Colleen.

Duke and Scarlett's room was stationed across from Jaye's, so that the counterintelligence agent could be close by her friend when needed. Colleen's room stood two doors down, next to Eryn's which was across from Cayden's. Everyone had settled in the morning and after the morning meal, Scarlett had stationed herself next to Jaye's bedside, along with Flint.

Colleen and Eryn had settled themselves in the large playroom, which Eryn's grandfather had created for his only granddaughter. Dolls and all sorts of toys filled the room from top to bottom. A large four poster canopy bed, designed for a princess, stood in the middle of the room. Even with all the toys in the room, the little five-year-old continued to clutch her beloved Brutus. They had set up a tea party for their stuffed friends, Brutus and Ice Cube.

"Would you like some more tea, Eryn?" Colleen said in an English accent, trying to make the little girl smile.

The little girl smiled and nodded. The smile never went to her eyes. She sat there sucking her thumb and playing with her hair.

"There you go, Milady," Colleen said again with the accent. She poured some apple juice in the teacups for Eryn and herself. "Would you care—" The crown on Colleen's head wobbled and almost fell off. "Sorry, Milady, my crown keeps falling off." She then showed her the cookie plate. "Want a cookie before Brutus eats them all?"

Eryn shook her head. "I not hungry."

Colleen sighed and placed the plate down. "I know, I'm not too hungry either." She glanced around the room, trying something to find to keep the little girl occupied from thinking on her mother for a short while. "Want me to read you a book?"

Eryn nodded still sucking on her thumb. She reached over and grabbed Brutus.

"Alright. How about Brutus picks. I bet you he's going to pick a book about bears or honey," Colleen said, taking the little girl's hand in hers and guiding to the bookshelf. "So, which one will it be, Brutus?"

"He said he wants Winne the Pooh," Eryn informed her as if the bear really spoke to her.

"Of course! That is one smart bear! He wants the book with the bear and the honey!" Colleen stated, giggling. She pulled the book from the top shelf and found it was impressively a true first edition.

They walked over to the large canopy bed. Colleen lifted Eryn onto the soft mattress, letting her relax against the ten-over-sized pillows. She then sat besides the little girl, covering her with a woven soft blanket, before she leaned back herself against the pillows.

She opened the book and began reading to Eryn, but after a few minutes into the story, she turned to see the little girl sleeping, Brutus in her arms. Her own eyes slowly drifted closed, and she found herself drifting fast asleep.

After what seemed like hours, a hand gently shook her shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened and found her mother's face close to hers.

"Thanks for looking after Eryn," Scarlett whispered, stroking her daughter's hair.

"You're welcome, Mom. I'll do anything for the little munchkin." Colleen replied groggily. "How's Aunt Allie?"

Scarlett's lips turned into a thin line. "The same," she answered, not liking the answer itself. "Why don't you go see her? I'll wake up Eryn and take her downstairs to eat some lunch."

"Alright, Mom." Colleen murmured, getting up from the bed.

"Grab Cayden if you can and bring him down for something to eat. I had your father take Dash downstairs a short while ago," Scarlett added, picking up the sleeping girl in her arms.

Colleen nodded, walked out of the bedchambers and headed down the long hallway, which held enormous tapestries, battle armor and swords. A shield with the Burnett crest, hung on wall at the end of the hallway. She turned and knocked on the door, leading to Jaye's bedchambers, before entering the rooms.

Cayden was sitting beside the bed, taking his mother's pulse again. The doctors from the hospital would be coming to examine her that night and administer the first dose of medication to his mother but it wasn't soon enough for the new doctor. He looked up to see who had entered. "How's Eryn?"

"She's still not hungry. Mom took her downstairs, to get her to eat something," Colleen answered quietly, watching Jaye's pale features.

"I just gave her an injection of pain killer right after your mom left. She just fell asleep," Cayden told her sadly.

Colleen walked timidly towards the bed and gently rested her hand on Jaye's, looking downwards to the closed eyes. "Hi, Aunt Allie, I hope the medicine makes you feel better. I still want to hear stories from when you and Mom were creating havoc on the base," she murmured in a soft tone.

Jaye moaned softly and opened her eyes. "Hey, Colly."

"How you feeling?" Colleen asked gently, squeezing her hand, glancing down at her.

"Oh, not too bad," Jaye answered in a soft whisper. "You two should go get something to eat."

"We can't leave you alone, Aunt Allie," Colleen insisted, glancing over at Cayden. "I can bring something up, if you want."

A tall figure with a long silver cane entered the room, making both Cayden and Colleen look towards the doorway. Robert Burnett, walked into the room, nodding towards them.

"I will stay with her, Lass," the elderly Burnett said with a nod. "Ye go and eat before I have to take my cane on ye."

Cayden chuckled. "Alright, Grandpa."

"Yes, sir." Colleen didn't argue, afraid of getting hit with the cane, even though she knew the elderly man was teasing, or was he? She turned to Jaye once again. "I'll see you later, Aunt Allie," she said, bending down to kiss her cheek.

"Now you two behave yourselves," Jaye teased weakly as they left the room.

Robert Burnett sat down next to his daughter and took her hand and started to sing her to sleep like he used to do when she was a little girl.

Colleen watched them before walking out of the room, following Cayden and slowly closed the door behind them, allowing the father and daughter some privacy. Her eyes glanced downwards on the handle, and a small tear begged to be let loose. She wiped it quickly away. "Allergies," she lied to Cayden, starting to walk down the hallway toward the main staircase.

Cayden grabbed her and pulled her into a hug. "It's all right to cry, Colleen."

The little tear slowly trailed down her cheek and she closed her eyes tight, slowly nodding. "I don't like seeing her in so much pain, and can't do anything about it," Colleen said in a small voice.

"I know. I feel the same way and I'm the one that should be able to do something," Cayden said in frustration.

"But you are helping, Cayden," Colleen assured him, looking up at his face. "You were the one who found about this new type of treatment that all her doctors and specialists didn't even have knowledge about."

"I just hope I found it in time," Cayden said, breaking the hug but keeping one arm around her shoulders as they started walking again.

"You did Cayden, I know you did," Colleen said, giving him faith. She only hoped that she wasn't wrong.

They walked down the main staircase to the great hall, which the décor resembled that of a palace, from the large chandelier in the middle of the room, to the vases and stone statues. Heading to their left, they walked into the main dining room, which had a blazing fire in the large hearth, with a large Great Dane laying in the front, keeping warm due to the dancing flames.

Colleen spotted her father talking to Flint, who looked extremely exhausted and barely had touched his meal. She glanced then to her mother, who was feeding little Eryn on her lap and from her soft words, she knew that she was telling the little girl, an old Irish story.

Scarlett glanced up from feeding another spoonful of warm soup to Eryn, and watched them enter the room. She kicked Duke from under the table, and nodded towards the two, indicating to him Cayden's arm around their daughter.

Duke looked at them and he didn't seem very happy about it, but wisely stayed quiet.

Cayden walked over towards his dad with Colleen. "Dad, you need to eat."

Flint looked up and did a double take, then quickly turned to Duke with raised eyebrows. "Conrad, looks like I got my orders from Dr. Faireborn."

Duke raised his eyebrows too, but said nothing.

"I just don't want you getting sick, Dad," Cayden urged. "Please? Mom needs you to stay healthy and you want to be able to talk to the doctors when they get here."

"Just don't threaten me with needles and I'll eat anything you want." Flint agreed, picking up his fork and starting to eat his ham. He swallowed, "I'm so glad it's not the blood stuff."

Colleen glanced at her mother, who kept looking towards her with an arched eyebrow, while continuing to feed the five year old more potato soup. Her eyes looked down and noticed the reason was Cayden's hand over her shoulder. She reached her other hand behind the man's back and poked him with her index finger through his sweater.

Cayden looked down at her questioningly.

'Men!' Colleen thought to herself. She shut her eyes and scrunched her nose and faked a sneeze, releasing his arm off from her shoulder.

Scarlett raised her eyebrows and shot her husband another look.

Cayden blushed somewhat, realizing what the problem was. He then sat down next to his father. "I gave Mom her pain medicine. She actually let me give her a shot." He forced a chuckle.

Duke looked at Scarlett.

Scarlett looked at Flint.

Flint looked at Duke.

Duke looked back at Scarlett.

"I'm glad that you gave her some pain killers," Scarlett replied. "It'll ease her pain for a while." She fed another spoonful to Eryn, who was now feeding Brutus with her teaspoon.

Colleen took a seat next to her mother and immediately, a plate was placed in front of her. She identified the usual eggs, toast but also noticed a large sausage and something blackish. "This looks delicious, what is it?"

Flint turned green. "That Colleen is Black Pudding, it's very common here in Scotland." He smirked at the other two Joes. "Try it."

Colleen picked up her fork and took a bite. "It's good. What's in it?"

"Blood," Flint answered with a small grin on his face.

"Bl...oo..d." Colleen paled. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"Well, at least we have a doctor in the house," Scarlett smiled, patting her daughter's hand

Cayden smiled at Colleen. "They played that joke on me when I was six. I remember they waited until I was done with the whole thing and then they told me what it was."

"I think I'm just going to eat the eggs, sausage and toast, thanks." Colleen replied politely. The servant put in front of her the real lunch of Ham and potatoes. "What would you Joes do for a good joke."

Everyone once again laughed around the table.

Flint smiled. "Wait until supper."

"What we are having for supper?" Colleen asked, now more worried.

"Haggis," Cayden answered with his mouth partly full of food.

"What's haggis?" Colleen asked, glancing from one Faireborn to the other.

Flint shook his head. "Just like your mother, speaking with her mouth filled with food," he said to his son.

Scarlett giggled. "Dash, don't remind me! Remember all those food dishes she created when she was pregnant with him?"

"Yeah, and so many times I had to go to the kitchen and get her food. Roadblock gave me the key!" Flint said, chuckling.

"Mommy eat a lot when I was in her tummy?" Eryn asked intrigued, the first time really speaking without being asked something since they got there.

Duke smiled at the little girl.

Flint sent his daughter a huge grin. "Oh, yes she did, pumpkin! You won't believe how much she ate! She kept eating and eating all the time, and she yelled at me, saying she was going to have ten babies. But you know what she loved eating the most when she was going to have you?"

The little girl shook her head.

"Tomato soup," Flint answered, smiling proudly at his daughter.

Scarlett looked down at Eryn, with saddened eyes. She had missed Jaye's pregnancy, even missed knowing about it. She hugged Eryn tightly, and kissed her on the head.

"I love mato soup," Eryn said brightly. "I wanna make Mommy some."

Cayden watched father and daughter interact.

Duke looked at Scarlett with an worried expression.

"Alright, Eryn. We can make some for your mommy for dinner and surprise her with a tray. And how about we go to the wild flower hill and pick some early spring flowers?" Scarlett said to her soothingly.

Colleen looked to her mother. "Mom, did you eat a lot or do things like Aunt Allie?"

Scarlett glanced towards her daughter then at Duke. "Honey, you tell her."

Flint held his breath, trying not to let out the laughter.

"Your mother liked to eat sticks of butter. I would come home from the office and she would have a stick in her hand and eating it. She also liked to shoot her crossbow at anyone that crossed her path." Duke chuckled.

Cayden started laughing hard.

"What so funny?" Eryn asked.

Colleen giggled. "So, that's why I hate butter so much." She looked at her mother's blushing features. "I got sick of eating it!"

Scarlett shook her head, then looked around the room. "Hmm, no crossbows, but I do see some swords." She winked at her husband.

"Hey, you're the one that told me to tell her," Duke defended himself.

"I'm surprised you don't have blonde hair then," Cayden said to Colleen with a snicker.

Flint kicked Cayden hard under the table, but it was too late to fix the damage.

Colleen looked at Cayden then at her mother. "I..I…wasn't the one—"

"Jeffrey was with the blond hair," Scarlett finished answering in a tiny voice.

"Oh no. Colly, I'm so sorry," Cayden apologized sincerely. "I'm an ass. Please don't be mad."

"You girls all right?" Duke asked worried.

Scarlett sent him a reassured smile. "I'm fine."

Colleen nodded, then looked at Cayden. "Cayden, you mentioned the 'a' word in front of my father, was that wise?" She chuckled, then looked at her father's features and burst out laughing.

Flint looked perplexed. "What is going on?" He looked from his goddaughter to her father to his son. "Did I miss something?"

"Our children mooned me during a jeep race yesterday," Duke said evenly.

Both Scarlett and Flint dropped their jaws.

"Cayden Daniel Faireborn!"

"Colleen Katherine Hauser!"

Came at the same instant, making both the younger people lower themselves in their chairs.

"Umm." Colleen bit her lip, then said, "It wasn't our idea in the first place."

"And whose idea was it?" Flint asked.

"Classified Information," Colleen answered.

"Oh wait it, gets worse," Duke said with a smirk on his face, obviously enjoying their predicament. "Eryn saw it and thought it was funny."

"Yeah, I saw butts," Eryn said with a giggle.

"WHAT!" echoed in the dinning hall, sounding like a loud roar of thunder from the echoes in the room.

Colleen lowered herself down even more. She looked at Cayden over the table and mouthed, "Retreat."

Flint shook his head. "Both of you, and I mean both of you." He pointed from one to the other. "You do this again and heads will roll!" He looked at the ceiling. "What am I saying, they are our children! Of course they will do this again!"

Cayden got up and walked over to Colleen. He helped her up. "And we'll have fun doing it too," he said before taking off out of the room with her in tow. They walked out to the foyer and both glanced back toward the door.

Colleen glanced at him and let out a giggle. "You know, they are probably in shock right now." she told him.

"Ahh, a little shock is good for them. It keeps their minds alert," Cayden replied jokingly.

"Yes, alert for more punishments for the both of us. I can already picture my father." She changed the tone of her voice deeper. "Colleen Katherine Hauser, you got KP Duty for a week."

A shadow stood by the doorway.

Cayden bit his lip, trying to keep from snickering.

"Or, this one," Colleen portrayed her father again with the deeper voice. "What the bloody blue blazes is wrong with you? Did you think when you did that? I guess not!"

Cayden half chuckled and swallowed hard.

Colleen's eyes widened. "He's behind me, isn't he?" she said, afraid to look around her shoulder.

"Oh yeah," Cayden said with a nod.

A voice came from behind them. "How about this one, I don't think I've used it yet. Colleen Katherine Hauser you are on latrine duty with a toothbrush for a month," Duke said from the doorway.

Colleen slowly pivoted around and gulped. "Umm, hi Dad."

Duke walked over to her. "You do know you are exactly like your mother."

"You punished her this much too?" Colleen asked, dumbfounded.

Cayden smacked his forehead at what she just said.

Duke looked at her in shock. "What? NO!!!!"

"Well, she did tell me once she had to clean Shipwreck's toilet, then about some Pig PT, then something about cleaning Beach Head's office, then something about you and her acting in the hallway, then you and her singing in the Mess, then you and her—" Colleen stopped from Duke's hand covering her mouth.

"That was a long time ago Colleen, and not all of those were my punishments," Duke said softly.

Colleen nodded. "But it is fun to remember, Dad," she pointed out to him.

"Alright you don't have to clean the bathrooms. Happy?" Duke teased.

"Happy." Colleen smiled, hugging him tightly.

Duke hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much, pumpkin."

Cayden smiled at the father-daughter moment.

"Get a room," Eryn called from the dinning hall's doorway.

Colleen looked at Eryn in shock. "Well, wonder where she got that?" She sent Cayden a scolding look.

"There you are, young lady." Scarlett picked up Eryn from the floor. "Is everything all right?" she asked concerned, looking at her husband and daughter.

"Everything is fine, Mom. Dad was telling me about latrine with toothbrushes punishments," Colleen said, hiding the smile.

"What! Conrad!" Scarlett scolded toward her husband.

"Hey, it's fun to remember," Duke defended.

"They need to get a room," Eryn told Scarlett innocently.

"Why do they need to get a room, munchkin?" Scarlett asked, leaning against the door.

"Because they kissing," Eryn said, rolling her hazel eyes as if that were the dumbest question in the world.

"Umm, honey. I think you have it wrong. It's okay to kiss and not get a room. Like this," Scarlett explained, kissing the small girl on the cheek. "But sometimes, mommies and daddies kiss in their own room. Understand?"

Flint walked into the room. "There you all are. I thought this became a abandoned Cobra base or something."

Eryn looked at Scarlett as if she didn't know what she was talking about.

"I'm about to go check back up on Mom," Cayden said, taking a step towards the grand staircase.

"Cayden, why don't you take a break for the afternoon? I'll be here with Conrad and Shana," Flint suggested softly. "Take Colleen too. Go riding and show her the clan's land."

"I think they should stay here," Duke said urgently. Red flags sprung in his head, finding himself not comfortable if his daughter was alone with his best friend's son.

"What they gonna ride? Tricycles?" Eryn asked, poking her father's arm.

"No, I think they should go horseback riding, Conrad," Scarlett replied, holding on to Eryn, leaning more against the door.

"But..." Duke started to argue.

"HORSEYS!!!" Eryn screeched in delight.

Colleen looked to Cayden. "Please, can we go, even if it is for a little while?"

Scarlett looked at her husband. "No, arguing," she said in a softer voice, putting Eryn on the ground.

Cayden shrugged. "Sure."

"I wanna go too," Eryn said, jumping up and down.

"Come on, munchkin," Colleen said, taking her hand. "Is it all right, Uncle Dash?"

Flint nodded. "Fine by me, but be sure she rides with either of you two. She doesn't ride alone, got it?"

"I need to go back upstairs to Allie. I'll see you three later at dinner." Scarlett said, and kissed all three of them on cheek. She slowly walked up the stairs, towards the east wing.

"Ready, Cayden?" Colleen asked, enthusiastically.

Duke seemed better with the idea they would have third person with them, even if the chaperone was a little five year old girl.

A butler brought in Eryn's jacket and Colleen's, helping them put them on.

Colleen looked at Cayden one more time. "You are going to go out in that sweater?" She looked at him in concern.

"Danny, go. If anything I'll beep you, I promise," Flint said, walking over to his son, embracing him.

"Alright, I'll go." Cayden agreed, returning his father's hug. He then took his jacket from the servant and put it on.

Colleen sent him a grateful smile. She turned and kissed her father goodbye, before she walked out of the manor's great door and into the garden path, which lead to the stables. She felt a hand in hers and looked down to see a glowing wide-eyed excited five year old.

Cayden walked over to them both and his sister grabbed his hand, starting to pull them both.

Eryn skipped all the way down the path, her hands holding both her brother's and Colleen's.

At the enormous looking stables, horses neighed, stumped their hooves and moved their heads back and froth with excitement. The animals could clearly smell the Burnett line.

One of the stable hands brought out a palomino mare for Colleen, who nudged the young woman with its head, causing her to giggle. She patted the horse's neck. Then, she lifted Eryn in her arms, so she could kiss the horse on its nose. The stable hand helped Colleen on the mare before he lifted Eryn, settling her in front of Colleen, in the English saddle.

A second stable hand brought out a black Arabian stallion for Cayden. The horse pawed its hoof, ready to gallop into the hills. He patted his horse, before climbing on the animal and expertly guided him out of the stables, and onto the pebbled pathway. He turned and smiled at Colleen and his sister, who followed close behind.

The ride began with a normal walking pace, the horses pleading for a full gallop, wanting to run through the hills on the land with freedom. But Cayden, even knowing that Colleen was experienced at horsemanship, found it better to take it a slower pace for his sister's sake.

Colleen glanced around the light green pastures that continued on endlessly. They passed rows of stone walls, to keep sheep and other animals from running loose, and noticed several older buildings on the land, including a large cathedral.

They rode on for nearly an hour, talking about anything and amusing Eryn with the wildlife of Scotland. Cayden refused to let Colleen know their destination and smiled at her 'Fine, keep the top secret, beret boy's son.' face.

"Cayden, where are we going?" Colleen asked again, trying to break his secrecy. The sound of sheep came close and she spotted a heard of them running around the meadows, with a shepherd and his dog near by.

"It's just a little bit further," Cayden told her and pointed past a wooded area.

Colleen felt the winds pick up, her long strawberry-blond hair moved with the cold breeze. Her nose caught the smell of something familiar, water! They led the horses through the thick trees and emerged out within moments. She felt her horse halt, moving its head up and down in excitement and her eyes widened with surprise. She glanced around her, looking towards the open sea, which stood before them.

"Cayden, it's beautiful," Colleen remarked in awe, now feeling the strong wind around her mixed with the water's salty smell.

"This is the end of the clan's land," Cayden told her as he spread his arms out in a wide sweep.

"I swear, if you scream I'm King of the World, I'm going to throw sand on you," Colleen teased.

Cayden looked at her with a smirk. "Wasn't going to but now that you said it..."

Colleen rolled her eyes. Then looked down at the small five year old, who was looking out in the ocean. "Eryn, I think your brother is going to—-"

"I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!!!!" Cayden yelled.

Eryn looked at him with her own smirk. "You mean you're the king of the toilet."

Colleen burst out laughing. "Eryn! That was a good one. High five." she said, raising to the five year old her hand, so Eryn could slap it.

The breeze began to whirl around them, making their hair fly wild with its powerful force all about. The clouds began to merge together, dark and dreary, ready for an early spring storm.

"Cayden, I think it's going to rain," Colleen stated, glancing up to the dark sky. Before she received an answer, a clash of lightening crossed the sky, followed by a roar of thunder, which shook their bodies from its strength.

The first raindrop dropped on the ground, followed by another and another. And within a short minute, the sparse droplets became a waterfall of raindrops, thrashing down to the ground. The wind blew furiously, pounding against them.

Eryn screamed out terrified. She hated thunderstorms.

"We better hurry back," Cayden exclaimed and started to head back.

Colleen controlled her horse with expertise. The rain began to hit them with full force. "Cayden!" she cried out to him. "We need to cover Eryn! She's going to get sick!" Quickly, she took of her jacket and covered Eryn with it, making sure the little girl would not get soaking wet.

"Put your jacket back on," Cayden told her. "Take mine."

"No! I'm not going to let her get sick," Colleen shouted back just when another thunder clash echoed above their heads from the darkened sky. She started her horse at a canter, balancing herself and held onto Eryn with her other arm.

"Put my jacket on then," Cayden argued, handing his jacket to her, his horse cantering next to hers.

The rain pounded over of them, making them more drenched by each passing moment. "She's still getting wet!" Colleen wrapped Cayden's jacket on the little girl, completely covering and shielding her from the cold rain. "For once, I'm glad you wear big clothes."

"Hey what can I say. I look just like my dad," Cayden shrugged. "How fast can you go?"

"Fast," Colleen replied and kicked the mare with her legs, sending the horse at full gallop, racing towards the manor.

Cayden dropped his jaw, and with one kick, sent his own horse racing after the palomino mare.

They raced toward the manor, against the pounding cold rain and strong winds that surrounded the land. Lightening crashed above their heads, sending shivers down their spines and making the horses cry in fear. It was forty minutes later that they arrived safely to the stables, handed the horses to the grooms and rushed into the manor, both drenched, and with a semi-dry Eryn in their arms.

Scarlett rushed to meet them. "Both of you, go change before you get sick." She took Eryn in her arms and raced up the stairs, to give the child a warm bath and change of clothing.

Cayden grabbed an offered towel from one of the servants. "Have the doctors gotten here yet, Dad?"

"Yes, they're with your mother right this moment," Flint answered, walking in the foyer with Duke, both returning from the library.

Colleen shivered, taking the offered towel. Her cold hands trembled while drying her hair, trying to keep the water dripping down onto the marble floor.

"You two go change now!" Duke ordered worriedly.

"We're going," Cayden said and took Colleen's hand and ran up the stairs with her.

"Go change, and see to your mom," Colleen said shakily, her entire body trembling from the dampened clothes.

"You should take a warm bath," Cayden murmured, caressing her cheek.

She shivered once again, but not from the wet damp clothes, but from his warm touch. "Yes, Dr. Faireborn." She saluted, and turned towards her bedchambers.

Cayden smiled, watching her walk down the hall and into her room, then he went straight to his own bedroom, changed quickly and headed to his mother's bedchambers. He nodded at the doctors, checked the medication and reports, and sat next to his mother, watching her sleep. He took her hand, and rubbed it gently, telling her that he was right there. He stayed for more than an hour, watching her sleep, her breathing softly, and her face looking peaceful. A tear streamed down his cheek and he did not wipe it off. A hand touched his shoulder, and he turned to find his father.

"Go, I'm going to stay here all night. You need rest," Flint ordered.

Cayden nodded and stood up, watching his father slide next to his mother, and stroked her hair. He knew that they needed time alone, so he quickly left. He headed down the hallway, and glanced into his sister's bedroom, noticing she was already asleep, Brutus clutched tightly in her arms. He spotted his godmother, sleeping in a chair. He walked in and covered her with a blanket. Stepping back out, he once again headed towards his room, when he caught the sound of typing. Glancing into Colleen's room, he found her on the couch, wrapped in her robe, writing on her laptop, her hands trembling, but her face still continued to have the seriousness within.

"Hey, Nancy Drew," Cayden said as he knocked softly on the door jam. "You all right?"

She jumped, startled from his voice. She turned to him. "Hmm, seems your pet names are improving, Hardy Boy."

He chuckled as he walked into the room. "You should get to bed, you're shivering."

"I have to finish this. I'm almost done," Colleen replied softly.

"Can't it wait until morning?" Cayden asked as he looked at her concerned, sitting next to her on the couch.

"No, I..I.. need to finish. It's due," Colleen answered him. "I can't lose this scholarship."

"When's it due?" Cayden asked, softly pushing a strand of her beautiful hair behind her ear.

Colleen looked down at the laptop, avoiding his eyes. "Tomorrow. It'll never make it there." Her voice was filled with failure.

"Can't you e-mail it?" Cayden asked.

"No, it needs to be on disk, sent directly to the scholarship program," Colleen informed him softly, another shiver running through her body. "How's your mom?"

"Sleeping peacefully for now," Cayden answered. "Maybe my grandfather's pilot can get it there for you."

Colleen locked straight into his eyes with gratitude. "Thanks for the offer. But remember who my father is. I hope I can give this to him tomorrow morning, and he can send it via Sky Striker express."

"Colleen, there are no Sky Strikers here. Remember? We're in Scotland," Cayden reminded her, his worry increasing.

"Oh," Colleen replied softy, looking back down. "Never mind." She started typing one again, her hands shaking and a sneeze escaped. "I need to finish this last page."

"Okay, but after that, you head to bed," Cayden instructed.

She nodded, her fingers flying on the keyboard, her eyes glancing downward half closed. Another shiver went through her body and she ignored it. She felt frail, exhausted, probably from the horseback riding she assumed.

He stood up, allowing her to finish the story in privacy, allowing her to concentrate. He ventured into his room, sitting in the chair, and started to read one of his medical books. He kept listening to the laptop, clicking away, but with each passing minute the sound began to slow down. He stood up and walked back into the room. He frowned, spotting her face with perspiration trailing down the side. She was shivering again. He walked over and felt her head.

She looked up at him. "Last paragraph, almost done." Her voice sounded tired, her eyes barely opened, and her face was paler than the moon's light.

"Colleen, you're running a fever," Cayden said in worry, feeling the heat against his hand.

"I'll be fine, I need to finish the paragraph." Colleen replied, continuing to shiver and a cough escaped.

"I'm going to go get you some Tylenol and a couple extra blankets," Cayden said heading towards the door.

Colleen barely responded, trying to finish the last words in her story. Finally, the last word came written and she closed the laptop, took out the disk and placed it on the computer. She leaned back on the couch, her eyes slightly opened and another cough erupted from her throat.

A few minutes later, Cayden rushed back into the room with some Tylenol and a glass of water, along with two more blankets. "Come on, Little Red, let's get you to bed." He placed the medicine and water on the night table, then lay the blankets on the bed, before walking over back toward her.

"I'm fine, really," Colleen argued. She slowly stood up from the couch, and her head whirled from a dizzy spell, sending her forward and into two strong arms.

"Yeah, I can see that," Cayden said sarcastically and picked her up. "Let's get your cute little red head to bed," he said softly to her and walked her over to the bed, placing her on it and covered her up with the thick blanket.

"Why you sounding like Roadblock?" Colleen asked in a whisper, her head feeling cloudy and unnatural. Another tremor shot through, causing her to shiver non stop.

"Shhh..." Cayden said, placing a finger to her lips, silencing her. He held out the Tylenol with one hand and the glass of water with the other. "Take these."

"Yes, Doctor," Colleen slowly replied, rising her head slightly, taking the pills in her hand and swallowed them. Her hand trembled, holding the glass of water. She slowly lowered her head back on the pillow.

He took the glass from her then covered her up with the two extra blankets. He bent down and kissed her forehead. "Now get some sleep."

"Okay, Cay Cay," her voice faded softly, her eyes closing and her head falling to the side.

Cayden crawled onto the bed next to her and gently stroked her hair realizing that he had more than just feelings of friendship towards the young woman who had become his best friend.