We've worked up a bit of a backstock of chapters so why not add a second for today?

Al got taken out of the room and back to her office, he sat sulking on the windowsill. The nurse was kind and gentle with him though so it wasn't unbearable. It wasn't long before Iain came to collect him. Al ducked his head when he came in.

Iain just smiled warmly, playing the relieved carer. "Ah, there he is, the wee mite. Rosie's awful attached to him, came from her brother, you see. She misses him something terrible."

Great.. It was impossible to tell if he was mad or not...

The nurse seemed relieved, thinking he was just an over attentive but caring uncle. He scooped Al up into his hands while the nurse explained what had happened. Al sat stock still in his hands, his mishap from earlier still fresh in his mind.

Once everything was explained, Iain nodded curtly. "I'll have a word with her when I collect her later. She isn't usually like this..."

Was Al in trouble though?

"I'd best be getting off," the Scotsman excused himself, slipping off to his car.

Once they were alone, Iain finally looked at the little bird. "I can't let you anywhere, can I..."

Al ducked his head shamefully,

"Give me your side. What happened?"

Al shifted hastily, "Jamie started it!" he started rambling off rapidly "She was super bitchy today and shoved Ro in class and in the hall she grabbed her shirt and it was choking her so I bit her!"

"Calm down," Iain hushed him gently. "I'm not angry. It was bound to happen sooner or later to some degree. Are you both alright?"

"I am but Ro got sent to isolation and I don't think she took the cubicles well.."

An odd light came to Iain's eyes at that but he didn't comment. "Anything else?"

"Her eyes started changing again."

The light grew, an excited grin managing to sneak its way on to his face.

"Are we close?"

"So close," he whispered, anticipation building. "We can't let her give up. Not now."

Al grins.

"Come on, let's tell Francis."

They headed back home again to find Francis attempting to find his electronics.

"What you lost there?" Iain smirked when he came back to find the Frenchman searching. "If it's your sanity, I don't think you brought it with you."

Francis groans pouting. He looked a little more tired this morning.

Iain softened when he saw that. "You okay?"

"I just need to check what's happening, it feels like the metro shut down again.."

"Sit down, I'll get my laptop."

Al stayed with the blonde as he sat back on the couch. Iain darted up the stairs, grabbing his laptop from his bed before rushing back down, already loading Google.

Turned out it wasn't entirely serious, a power outage had caused the computers to crash and they needed the rest of the day to check for any damage.

It could have been a lot worse. Hopefully it would all right itself by tomorrow. Francis would just have to put up with being uncomfortable for today.

"Is it headaches again?" Iain asked kindly.

"Yes.."

"C'mere..." He pulled the blond over gently and started massaging his temples. Francis sighs leaning into it.

This was one of the few tricks Arthur had never quite been able to pick up. Iain was the only one that could ease Francis's headaches like this.

Either way it eased him to sleep just before lunch. Iain smiled softly, easing him onto the couch before going to make sure the house was ready for Arthur later. Al decided to use his own free time to catch up on his records, knowing Ro she'd want to see Mochni when she got out.

Three o'clock came around before they knew it. Francis was still asleep so Iain let him rest, instead heading off for Ro alone. It occurred to him on the way that only he and Alfred knew that Arthur was coming...

Al flew down just as he was about to head out the door. It slightly worried him that he could still feel feathers on his back while he was big. They'd have to balance him back out soon. He still needed to tell Iain he was unbalanced. As far as the Scot and his dragon knew, Eagle was the only one tied down.

He'd bring it up next time they needed to work on it..

For now, they headed back to the school.

When Ro came out, she looked pale and shaky, like she'd just had a really big panic attack and was left to deal with it alone.

Al latched onto her immediately, worried. She brought him close, pressing his little form against her damp, sweaty cheek.

Iain frowned, climbing out of the car as fast as he could to get to her. She looked ready to pass out if anything else stressed her out. They made it back to the seat at least.

Iain perched in the back with her, holding her comfortingly until she calmed down enough to talk. She explained that seclusion was a tiny box seat in a tiny room and they didn't let you out all day. "It was horrible..."

Al croons, nuzzling.

"You're alright pet," hummed. "Let's get you home. There's someone we need to pick up on the way." They buckled up heading off to the station.

Ro curled up in the back seat, very confused until the station came into view and she saw Arthur standing by the doors. As soon as the car stopped, her belt was off and she ran to the blond, all but tackling him. "Arthur!"

Al had slipped from his perch in her rush, just coming over and landing in the messy blonde hair. Arthur just chuckled, hugging her tight and making a note to fuss over both of them later. He really was soft when it came to his babies, no matter how old they got. At least he recognized Al right off even with the color change.

Iain ushered them all back to the car, loading up Arthur's bags into the trunk. It wasn't long before they drove off again. Arthur sat with Ro, cuddling all the way back to the house.

Francis was still asleep when they got there, looking a little cold with the way he was curled up. The blanket Iain had set over him had fallen off. Arthur frowned softly, quickly covering him up again. Francis settled again soon enough, leaving him to go back to the rest.

Ro had gone to change, leaving Iain in the kitchen alone.

"Why is Francis here?" Arthur asked softly.

"For Ro. She needed someone more open than me."

Al comes back and sits on the table. Not that they noticed him.

"You swear you haven't..."

"Arthur, just don't... Please, just don't ..." Iain went from content to looking like someone had just run a knife through his heart.

Al frowns worriedly.

"I just..."

"I know," the Scotsman whispered. "But you know I wouldn't..."

"I'm sorry... For... This entire situation... I didn't want to, I wasn't thinking straight at the time, I..."

"It's okay, Arthur... He's happier being with you anyway."

Is this why Iain was so stiff when Francis hugged him?

"But I...!" Arthur started to protest but Iain cut him off with a tight hug.

"Just forget it... It's done."

Al watched on sadly, still a bit confused.

"I'm sorry," Arthur muttered again, looking more like the supportive one in this embrace. "Truly, I am..."

"I have my family... That's all I need..."

Before Arthur could respond or argue that, Ro came bouncing back down the stairs, Ash at her heels. The men separated and quickly wiped any trace of their moment away, making it look like nothing had ever happened.

Damn the Celts were too good at that.. Even Patrick was starting to pick it up and the kid was only ten. Al sighs to himself waiting on the table.

It was like nothing ever changed. Arthur busied himself fussing over Ro while Iain dug around for dinner. Al went unnoticed for a while.

It wasn't until Ro decided she wanted to help cook that Arthur turned his attention to the little bird.

"Hi.."

"Do I even want to know why you're a bird?" Arthur smiled sadly, picking him up gently.

"Ro accidentally spilled something in my coffee."

"Iain's storing his powders on the spice rack again?"

"Yep."

"We keep telling him it's a stupid place for them... Are you okay?"

"For the most part, we're getting there."

"I can help, if you want? Might get you a bit freer in time for dinner."

Al shrugs explaining about the weird chains that appeared.

"I can try, but this is Iain's forte."

"If you want?"

Arthur shrugged. He felt like he should at least try. Al sat in his hands quietly, waiting.

It took a moment for Arthur to connect and slip into Alfred's spirit realm. The Brit stepped forward, needing second to get used to the unfamiliar surroundings. "Alfred?"

"Over this way."

Arthur turned, following the voice.

Al and Eagle were in their usual spot, the bird tilting his head at the newcomer.

Arthur headed straight to Alfred, fretting like a mother hen. "I thought you said Iain had been removing these?!"

"From his side yeah," Al nodded at the bird, "He was so wrapped up before he couldn't even twitch."

"Well them let's loosen you up some too."

"Please."

Arthur reached out to grab a chain and regretted it immediately. There was the sharp hiss of burning skin before he yelled and pulled back. "Ah, shit, fuck!"

That's bad..

"Fucking.." Arthur was ready to go on a long cussing rant, but heavy gold paws stepped up beside him and he fell short, simply sighing instead. "What do you want?"

Al stared awestruck. He had heard about Arthur's spirit but never actually saw it. Sat beside them now was a huge golden lion, tall proud and regal with piercing blue eyes and an air of pure power. The beast just stared at his host with a tired look. "You should know better than to touch spirit chains..."

Again Eagle felt a bit downsized.. The only one of the Celts that didn't tower over his was Molly's fairy, but even the little imp came pack with devilish tricks.

Well at least being related to the Thunderbird let him feel a bit better. Size wasn't everything, but they were undeniably powerful beings.

The lion lifted a paw, taking a lazy swipe at some of Al's chains. Al flinched instinctively but a few came loose. He swiped again, breaking a few.

Al felt his own power balancing again easing his instincts.

Once he was balanced, the lion simply yawned and strode off. Al sighs softly in relief.

"Well then," Arthur shifted awkwardly, likely embarrassed that his spirit clearly did as it pleased. "That should help for now."

"Thanks." Al smiles softly.

"I'll get out now. Unless you wanted anything else?"

He shook his head.

"I'll see you on the other side then," Arthur ruffled his hair with his good hand then faded out.

Al hugs Arthur's thumb once they woke up.

"...bloody idiot, you should know better," Iain was mid rant, healing Arthur's scalded hand but Arthur was fixed on his son.

He brought him close, nuzzling gently. "There there..."

Once the skin had renewed Al looked up again. Both brothers stared at him, smiling softly. Al smiles back, he felt better now at least.

"Dinner's sorted," Iain offered his hand to Alfred. "I'll serve up, you go wake Francis." Al slipped up to Iain to 'reappear' for Ro.

Arthur shrugged and headed off. Francis was bundled in the blanket, the problems from earlier already solved so he shouldn't have the headache anymore.

Arthur chose to wake him gently anyway, rushing his bangs back and kissing his brow. "Francis. Time to wake up."

He mumbled cracking his eyes.

Arthur smiled warmly. "Hey..."

Francis smiles reaching out to hug him. Arthur sank into the embrace happily, holding tight. "I missed you..."

Francis nuzzled in with a sigh, "I missed you.."

They spent a moment just clinging to each other, soaking up the relief if being together again. Francis was more than content to cuddle with how sick he's been, but they soon pulled apart heading to the table. They would have plenty of time to snuggle later.

Al had stayed in his bird form for the meal, unsure if Ro forgot he was there again. It saved upsetting her and she seemed pretty happy to have her little friend nestled in her hair. It gave him a chance to rest his magic as well.

After dinner, Arthur and Francis snuggled back up on the sofa. Francis clung almost needily. Arthur just held him, petting his hair gently. He hates being sick..

"Talk to me Francis," Arthur cooed softly. "What's wrong...?"

He sighs telling about the trains this morning and being sick before that, grumping on how Iain hid his phone away.

"At least now I know why you didn't answer my calls... How's Iain been lately...?"

"He's a bit stressed with the whole thing still, Alfred, Ro's memory and everything."

"But it's nearly sorted now?"

Francis nodded.

"Then he'll be okay..." He hummed, snuggling.

Francis smiles closing his eyes. Arthur kissed him sweetly. Francis pressed into it before snuggling again. They settled together, peace settling around them.

Al was in the kitchen with Iain and Ro still, using the faucet for a quick bird bath after the dishes were done. Ro giggled, watching him splash around.

After he deemed himself clean enough he shook off as much water as he could hopping out.

"Feel better Mochni? You look fluffy."

He chitters, preening a bit. It wouldn't do any good till he dried though.

"Oh, actually, Ash is due a bath too..." Ro pouted slightly. The pup had been getting happily dirty these last few days.

She makes it sound so fun.

Iain just smirked. "You wanted a puppy, you've got to take care of him."

"I know..."

Al was pretty much stuck on the counter till his feathers dried, where was the pup anyway?

Almost like he knew he was due a bath, the pup waddles in from the garden, looking like he'd been rolling in the flowerbeds. Again...

Oh that's what she meant.

Knowing Iain would be annoyed if that much mud was tracked through the house, she picked Ash up, hurrying to the bathroom.

Al laughs to himself quietly.

"She's a good kid really," Iain chuckled softly, mopping up the mud in the kitchen. "Can't wait until she's a wee terror again."

Al chirps in agreement, if he changed back now he'd just end up in wet clothes.

"Can't help but feel I've forgotten something though.."

Really? What could that be?

Whatever it was, it was bugging the Scot and he couldn't place a finger on it.

...Whatever happened to that fairy he brought home?

She'd been lingering in Ro's room for the most part...

Then what did Iain forget?

Maybe he was just losing it...?

Al shrugs settling in a kitchen towel. Iain sat down to a cup of coffee. The house grew quiet.

It started to grow peaceful when Ash decided he was done with his bath and came thundering down the stairs, sopping wet. Al laughs mentally. Iain sighed, muttering about that dog being the reason he needed wooden flooring.

It was fun to watch at least. Iain tried to coral the pup but to no avail. He just got more excited.

"Ash, come back," Ro called after him, hurrying down the stairs just as Ash ran to her call. They collided in the middle of the stairs, tumbling to the bottom in a heap.

Uh oh.. Not so funny anymore... Iain cussed, rushing over to them as Arthur came from the lounge to see what was going on.

"What on earth?" Arthur grabbed the dog while Iain checked the girl.

"Ro? You alright lass, wake up."

Al walked over to the edge of the counter trying to see. Ro must have hit her head because she was out cold. Other than that though, she seemed thankfully unharmed...

He crooned trying to make his way over. He couldn't fly when he was this wet though.

Ah to hell with it.. He shifted back trying to crawl down the counter. Ash whined and tried to wiggle over to him but Arthur held him firmly.

Francis finally came and fetched Al before he fell, bringing him over. He sat hugging himself shivering and cold.

Iain frowned at the little blond and got Francis to swap with him. Francis got Ro and Iain held Al, using his magic to heat his hands just enough to warm the birdman. Al sighs in relief as Francis checks the lump on her head.

Ro groaned, wincing in pain.

He shifted her upright, "Ro? Can you hear me?"

She flinched, squirming. Francis pets her hair gently.

She leaned into it, relaxing for a moment then jolting up quickly. "Alfred?!"

Al glanced up hopefully. Her eyes darted around the group, passing over him several times before they filled with tears. He groans.

"I thought he was here..." Ro scrubbed her eyes, leaning into Francis. "We were running and I slipped, I... The man! Where did he go?!"

Francis held her tight, "You were dreaming, you fell down the stairs and hit your head."

"He was chasing us! H-he shot Alfred!"

"It's ok, just bad memories."

"B-but I..." She groaned, doubling up.

Francis rubs her back. She let him, waiting for her headache to pass. Al sat in Iain's hands, a bit hopeful, but still sad.

"She'll get there bud, just a little more..."

He just nodded. Arthur slipped off with Ash to finish drying him off. Ro clung to Francis, not bothering to move. He took her to the couch to be more comfortable. Iain came and sat with him, offering what comfort he could. Al watched on silently.

More and more was coming back to Ro, she just didn't know how to make sense of it yet. Would she be able to see him again soon?

Hopefully... For now, it was still hurting her.