The sun was beginning to set on their trek back to their private jet. The team of four ignored Manning's desperate and annoying screams, completely severed from him and his reign of tyranny. They muscled their way through the guarding agents and loaded onto the aircraft. Slamming the door, awakening the systems, and igniting the engines they took off as soon as possible in order to avoid Manning's swarming net of agents. Abe was at the pilot seat again, a stern look found its home upon his face as he sat rigidly. Johann offered his services twice to him so he'd have a chance to refresh himself and get some sleep but he only waved him off. Sahara paced in between the two couches within the seating area, her mind was frantic with worry and the dreaded impatience on arriving back at HQ added onto the apprehension.

This isn't Abe, this isn't the same man she had just so previously napped with and went on missions with. This man is emotionless and stone cold with sorrow: he's gone. She stopped and sat down like a dog made to heel, her mind resting on the fact that Abe had changed for the worse. Everyone's eyes were on her with worry, they all had the question to ask but none dared ask it.

Johann stood, though his suit hadn't a face and he could portray no facial emotions, his pain did rack his ectoplasm self for Sahara. Liz and Hellboy looked at him as he stood to his feet watching him as he watched Sahara who stared at nothing. After his brief pause he went into the cockpit.

Liz was moving forward ready to reach out to her friend and console her but Hellboy held her back and shook his head. Breaking the two's focus was the sound of the cockpit door opening. Thinking it would be Johann they were surprised to see that Abe and walked through.

Hellboy, "Abe!"

He merely looked up and whispered, "Red." And sat down.

At the sound of his name Sahara ascended out of her slow descent into madness to see that Abe sat on the couch right next to her. Her entire body perked up as she shouted,

"Abe!"

She leaped onto the couch and snuggled right next to him as if that same dog made to heel had seen its owner after weeks of his absence. She rested her head on his lap and looked up to his face though her expression dropped once she saw him staring forward, stern as ever and emotionless as ever.

Sahara, "Abe."

Liz and Hellboy inwardly cried at this pathetic display.

The return flight had taken longer due to the nighttime weather and approaching storms. When they touched down and exited the jet into the belly of the hanger they were met with Manning and his posse of agents. No one was in the mood to argue and everyone in the room could sense that. The team held firm, all set to leave the firm immediately, all moving forward as one to collect their belonging from their rooms. However amidst the many interceptions from Manning the last one he made right before they entered the wing to Base 51 was an offer that they all couldn't refuse.

Breathless and desperate he told them that if they remain here at the BPRD he, Manning, would be cut out of their affairs. He promised to remove himself from being their boss, from interfering in their lives, and give the charge over to them to chart their own missions and organize this sect of the Bureau. Instantly they agreed unanimously. Each parting ways for the night they separately reached their quarters exhausted and still heavy hearted. Hellboy and Liz were a little more lighter than rest though in talking about the babies and celebrating in the gleeful disbelief that Manning was basically out of their lives forever. Sahara found Oasis and continued to depress him with the stories she told; rapidly falling asleep with a broken heart as she settled down for the night. Abe kept his stern outward appearance while climbing to his tank and too falling quickly asleep, ladened with the reoccurring scene of Nuala's death. Johann hadn't a need to rest but it still was an option. Deciding that the day was too much for his liking he relaxed himself and went into a dream state. A dark yet liberating night for all.

Late in the morning everyone awoke wondering why they were still at the BPRD then it dawned on them, they now run this sector of the Bureau! Sahara stretched with a yawn, looking around her she made sure that she didn't crush oasis in her sleep. Finding him curled up near the side of the shallow dipped cave she scooped him up an snuggled him. Setting him down she went to get a shower and find breakfast.

Making her way down the corridor Sahara had a bag of bagels and eggs. Knocking on Hellboy's door she heard the faint, "Come in", from Liz. Entering in she was surprised to only find her within the room wholly expecting that Hellboy would barely be awake in bed right now.

"Hey Liz, where's the bed-hound?"

"Oh he thought it was best to get up early and go hang out with Abe, ya know, "brotherly bonding"."

Sahara, "Wait, the words 'get up' and 'early' don't ever go together when in reference to Hellboy. Is it that bad?"

She nodded, "I believe so. As you saw last night, Abe's changed…"

Sahara dropped the breakfast on the counter and buried her head in her hands. Oasis scurried down from her shoulder and tried to make his way into the bag.

Raising her head she said, "Really Oasis? I'm trying to have a moment here!"

Liz laughed and came closer. Sitting down across from her friend she tried to make light of the situation,

"So you brought me breakfast?"

Sahara, "Why yes, I thought it would be nice to dine with someone for once." She smiled, "Go ahead, there's lox and cream cheese and bagels and eggs."

Liz, "Oh you went all out."

"Only a breakfast for champions!"

Shifting her weight she felt a bulge in her pocket, reaching down she pulled out the scale she had bought in the Troll Market for Abe. She completely forgot!

Liz, "What's that?"

Sahara, "Oh I found it when I was walking around in the Troll Market. Something about it caught me and gave off a strong sense of Abe but I don't know what type of scale it is or who it belonged to."

Liz, "Hm, maybe we should let Johann take a look at it."

Sahara, "Perfect! He'd know! He knows everything."

Liz, "Plus it would be nice to share a meal with him, I mean, we never see him outside of his quarters except for missions and meetings."

Both thoroughly agreeing they grabbed their breakfast and hauled it down to Johann's quarters.

"Yes, zis particular scale was originally attached to one of ze Ichthyes. As in ancient Greek Mythology ze Ichthyes were a pair of large Syrian river fish that have been told to have saved the god Eros and the goddess Aphrodite from a monster who went by the name Typhoeus and they have been said to have aided in the birth of Aphrodite. Any version of ze story told ultimately leads up to zem becoming ze constellation Pisces."

Johann had the scale under a microscope, removing it he handed it back to Sahara who looked on it in wonder.

"I am very ignorant to the mythologies but I know that Aphrodite is supposed to be the goddess of love but who is Eros?"

Johann, "Eros is ze minion of Aphrodite, a companion, and is said to be ze mischievous god of love."

Liz, "So it looks like you got an aphrodisiac there Sahara."

She blushed madly, "I-I didn't know…I mean….how embarrassing…"

Johann, "Oh I wouldn't zay so my dame, in fact it can be quite flattering to some. I'm guessing zat zis little token would be for a certain Icthyo Sapien of ours?"

Sahara, "Yeah but I really don't think I should give it to him now what with all the turmoil in losing Princess Nuala."

They both shook their heads in agreement.

Liz, "Uh Dr. Krauss would you like to share our breakfast with us?" Pushing the bag over to him.

Johann, "Nein, danke, I have found ze need to eat obsolete anymore. But I would be glad to share the meal time with you. I am still ze boss but it doesn't mean I can't get closer to my agents."

Twas a pleasant morning. Each one of them bonded in ways they thought they would never, especially with Johann! Even Oasis quickly warmed up to him; scampering up his arm and feeling him out causing Johann to laugh which was, rare, to say the least. It left them all in high spirits and as the girls made their way to leave Sahara had the mind to go visit Abe.

Liz, "No I really don't think that that's a good idea yet. Let's let Hellboy have his turn and wait until you can get a better grip on yourself in approaching him."

Sahara, "Better grip?"

Liz, "C'mon Sara with yesterday's event when Abe came and sat down on the couch on the jet and you basically wagging your tail and barked at him wasn't necessarily you having a grip on yourself."

Sahara, "Hey we all do things we are embarrassed of let's move on! And why hasn't anyone brought up the delightful reality that Manning will no more badger our everyday lives?"

Liz smiled, "I know it is a bit surreal isn't it?"

Walking on further Liz directed Sahara to the locker room.

Sahara, "Hey pal where are we going?"

Pressing the button to unlock the door to the hanger, "I don't believe you ever went out shopping amidst the human population before have you?"

Her eyes became wide and bright, "Oh my gosh Liz you're taking me shopping! Like a-a normal everyday workaday being?"

She nodded with a knowing smile.

Sahara began to bounce around squealing and grabbing onto her friend with joy, smothering her with gratitude.

Liz, "O-kay! If you keep doing that you're going to yank off one of my arms! Now before we present you to the public you'll need a disguise. Come with me."

Twenty minutes or so later Liz had hooked up Sahara with an undercover albeit not too obvious outfit. Walking out of the dressing room Sahara sported a leather jacket that covered her revealed furry torso, a pair of biker boots that came a little longer in length in order to give space for her claws so they fit more comfortably, same with her leather gloves, she also had a golden bandana tied around her head to conceal her ears ending with a pair of thick and large black sunglasses to obscure her eyes. And to compensate for the the lack of ears on the sides of her head she bobby-pinned the glasses on and fluffed her hair forward in order to cover the sides of her face.

Coming out of the room she leaned on the wall close to her having her arm extended above her head striking that "cool-person" pose.

"How do I look."

Liz had her arms crossed with her head nodding in approval, "You're ready, let's go."

Discreetly hiking their way down to the nearby city they hopped in a black Ford F-150 Raptor, Liz at the wheel, and drove down to a parking garage in the well lit part of town. Exiting the garage Sahara was shaking with excitement; coming out to the street her mouth dropped open in wonder. The lights and bustling people that zoomed back and forth all huddled or running away from the dark rainy day sporting black umbrellas was a sight to behold for her. Walking along she checked her left jacket pocket to see Oasis stirring and peeking out from time to time.

Liz, "Come let's get started, first I'd like to get some baby supplies."

Entering in a store Sahara followed Liz throughout the maze of isles. One after the other did Liz pile items in Sahara's arms.

Sahara, "Should've we gotten a cart or basket or something?"

Liz, "Nah it only was for a few things."

Sahara , "Uh….(looking at the growing mount in her hands) ok, um Liz why do you need all this now? Diapers, pumps, blankets, rash cream! The babies aren't coming for a good amount of months."

Liz, "You never can be too prepared."

Exiting the store Liz removed the load from Sahara, gathering at least twenty bags into her arms.

"Are-are you sure you got that Liz? I can help you-"

Liz, "No I'm fine. Now while I go and put these in the car I want you to go in that clothing store and pick yourself out some nice outfits."

Sahara, "Oh Liz I never had-"

Liz, "Don't worry about it. Go in take a look around, grab a few sizes and try them on in the dressing room. I'll be back before your first fitting."

With a nervous look Sahara watched Liz walk away; she turned apprehensively to the glass door. Opening it in hesitation she held her breath and entered in under the bell sound of notification. Gazing around she was amazed at the display of merchandise. The entire floor was covered in racks of clothing and even the walls had dresses and coats and bags hung up along side floating display mannequins. Walking forward she set her attention on the first rack that greeted her.

"Do you need any help?"

She jumped at the sudden voice. Looking to her left she saw a smiling, well-dressed woman.

Breathing again she replied, "Oh no, I'm just looking. I might be trying on a few clothes if I find any…"

Employee, "Ok if you need a dressing room I'll be around."

Smiling and giving a nod of thanks Sahara turned back to the rack with a face and a sigh.

By the time Liz came back Sahara had a bundle of dresses and pants in her hands.

Liz, "Looks like you've been busy!"

She jumped again, "Oh good it's you, yeah I just picked out a few things."

Liz took the pile, "Well a few things is two or three but a pile of ten or twenty is a little over. Let's get you a dressing room."

Finding the employee again they unlocked a small room for Sahara. Entering in Liz plopped the pile atop the door. Sahara was hesitant to undress, what if there were cameras? But knowing how impatient Liz can be she began to slip off her straps and wiggle out of her jumpsuit.

Sahara soon became taken with modeling. After the fifteenth outfit Liz was beginning to yawn.

Liz, "Ok now pick a few of your best outfits and we'll be going."

Pondering Sahara looked at all of the options. Deciding that the purples and reds looked best on her she took five red sweaters, two pairs of red corduroy skinny jeans, three pairs of gold and purple sweatpants, a couple of black leather pants, six gold and or red tank tops, four purple shirts, and one deep blue t-shirt.

"You got enough?" Liz said sarcastically.

With a beaming smile to her friend Sahara made her way to the counter. With a huff she laid all of her choices down.

Cashier man, "So I see you found some things to your liking!"

She smiled with a nod.

Ripping of the tags and tracking devices in case of theft the price was rung up and while she paid he put them in bags for her. Giving him her card, issued by the bureau, he did a double take at her face.

"It's none of my business but your face, my dear, has a little more hair than the average woman."

With a smile Sahara replied, "Well some people are just blessed with a little extra testosterone." Taking her card from his hand she said, "Have a nice day." Gathering her bags she left with him looking after her with a dumbfounded look on his face.

Out in the bustling street Liz turned to her friend, "So did you enjoy your day of shopping?"

Sahara, "Oh yes! I can't wait to do it again sometime! Right Oasis?"

She check her jacket pocket and saw that he was asleep.

Driving back up the hill they returned the car and hiked their way back up to the BPRD. Entering in Sahara was glad to be back, tuckered out from her first day of shopping.

Sahara "Thank you Liz for this wonderful day. I love ya!"

She enclosed her friend in a death grip.

"Ok ok Sara don't kill me!"

Walking down the hall Hellboy wore a grin as he greeted, "Ay my two lovely ladies. Off shopping today huh?"

Liz, "Yeah it turns out Sahara might be cut out to be a runway model."

Hellboy, "Hey if they want your hairy ass down the strip then go for it!"

Sahara clutched her heart, "Ooh that hurt! Anyway how's Abe?"

He shook his head, "Not good. I've never seen him the way he is now. He's definitely-"

All, "Changed."

Sighing Sahara said, "I guess I'll try my turn in talking with him, maybe he just needs someone fun to hang around with."

She began to walk off as Hellboy shouted, "Hey!", after her.

Resource for Ichthyes: www. theoi. com Ther/ Ikhthyes. html

(ignore the spaces)