The first part of the trip was perilous as Mina made her way through the rolling hills toward the highway. No words were spoken as she concentrated on driving through the ice and thick snow. When we reached the highway, it wasn't any better. Drifting snow covered the road and it was hard to see the lines. This was one of the reasons I never traveled in the winter if I could help it. Dang roads were deathtraps. I was sure glad she was driving and not me. I couldn't have dealt with this weather in my state. I stole glances at Mina as we slipped on the ice a few times, but she managed to keep us safe. Reaching the freeway, we saw the snowplows had been active and the freeway looked clear. The wind wasn't as brisk here either making travel easier. I sunk back into the passenger seat lost in my own thoughts, staring out the window. As the snow began to fizzle out, I recognized where we were. For the first time, Mina spoke, "Hey, Alyx?" I turn to face her. "I know your birthday is tomorrow. I kind of had something planned, but after what happened I wanted to check with you to see if you were up for a party?"

"Mina." I smile. "You planned a party for me?" She nods. "I'm always up for a party. But I'll have to take it easy."

"Really? You're up for it?" Her eyes sparkle with excitement.

I laugh, "I love parties. You know that."

"Good, because I worked really hard on it and would be disappointed if I had to cancel." She says mysteriously, her lips curl mischievously. "Phone, text party group, 'Everything is on for tomorrow people, the plan is a go!'" I watch her phone light up and send a group text out to whomever. "Are you hungry again?"

I shake my head no. "I just want to be home in my own apartment with the kittens. Hopefully, they will like me again."

"They will." Mina pats my leg. "They got a good talking to. I explained the situation to them and I think they understand. They still might be scared, but they love you."

"Thanks for everything, Mina. I don't know what I would do without you." The realization that she will be leaving soon to go off in search of Rowena, hits me and my eyes tear up. "What am I going to do without you?"

She slows down at the traffic light of the off-ramp. "Honey. You're never going to be without me." She leans over and gives me a squeeze. "If all that time over winter break and when you were afraid of me taught me anything, I need you in my life. Sorry, but you're stuck with me." She gives me a wink before the light changes. I chuckle at that. At the next stop, she picks up her phone and shoots out another mysterious text. I shake my head.

Soon we pull into the parking lot of our apartment complex. She drives as close to our place as possible to drop me off. A figure is huddled against the door and shuffles out to the car as we pull up. It's Max. "Hey, Alyx. I heard you might need an extra hand." He opens my door and helps me to my feet.

"What are you doing here?" I ask a little confused. We've been texting constantly but hadn't been able to connect. I was happy he was here, but also slightly embarrassed that he had to see me in this condition.

He laughs, acting insulted, "Mina called. Said to come help out. I thought we were becoming friends." He juts out his bottom lip in an exaggerated pout. "If you want me to leave then..." he trails off.

I try to punch him but am so weak its more of a pat. "Stop that! We are friends. I'm sorry we don't get to hang out that much but you're busy being Mr. Pre-law and I'm busy with my own class-load. Course I could have made more of an effort." I explain to him, my eyes downcast.

"Hey! I know that." He takes my chin and pulls my gaze to his. "I'm teasing you. I could have made more effort too. It's on both of us. Come on let's get you inside. It's freezing out here!" He pulls me gently toward the apartments. I lean on him as I start to shiver. He wraps a blanket I didn't see, around me as we carefully make our way across the icy sidewalk.

We pause inside so I can catch my breath. I can't believe how tired I am. Mina appears with a few bags and takes them up the stairs to drop off at my place. She hurries down and back out into the frozen parking lot. I notice the snow has started again. I whisper vehemently. "Stupid snow! I hate it." I hear Max chuckle as I turn to him. "Okay, let's face those stairs."

We make good time up the stairs and Max leads me into my place. I start to shake and am scared I'll fall over. I'm so weak. Max picks me up and takes me the rest of the way to the couch. I lean into him, resting my head on his shoulder. I notice the cool scent of peppermint and cinnamon and smile. He smells cozy and familiar. It is then I notice the touches that Mina has added to my apartment. She has transformed the living room into a cushy space, eerily similar to Tyrion's cabin. Pillows, blankets, heavy curtains and a fake fireplace in the corner. Max sets me on the couch and helps me adjust the pillows. Then he moves the fireplace so it's close by and radiating heat towards me. I lean towards it but stare out the window at the falling snow as Max fusses over me. The snow is beautiful, I must admit, even if I hate it. "Alyx?" Max's smoky baritone breaks through my weary haze. "Do you want some tea?" I nod and he disappears into my kitchen.

Mina appears chirping brightly. "All your stuff is back in its proper place. Your missing schoolwork is laid out on the dining room table if you feel inclined to do it. I talked to your professors and explained that you have been sick and will be out for a bit. They sent over their lectures and assignments for the rest of the week. With a little bit of magic that is." She winks at me as Max arrives with a steaming cup of tea.

He hands me the unicorn mug and I sip it gratefully. "Thanks, Max. How'd you know where my tea was?"

"Promise you won't get mad?" I nod. "I've been cat sitting. Mina called me on Sunday and asked if I could help with the cats. But that I had to keep things hush-hush cuz technically you're not supposed to have them?" He questions.

"Yeah. Their a big secret Mina and I have. Thanks, Max! You didn't have to do that!" I exclaim delightedly.

He runs his hand through his hair messing it up, "Yeah, well. I felt bad about... everything. You know..." He splutters out.

I laugh and manage to pull him to his knees. "You messed up your hair!" I chuckle and run my fingers through his soft ebony curls. He lets me mess with it, peeking up at me through his thick dark lashes. Why do guys always have the best eyelashes? I wonder. "There. All fixed." I smile. "I do appreciate you doing that. How were the kittens? Little devils, I bet!"

He leans back on his knees to look at me, then sinks to the floor resting his chin on my thigh. A wayward curl falls across his forehead. "Nope. Little angels. They always came when I called them." He raises his head, pffting the curl out of his eyes and looks around the living room. "Wonder where the rascals are now. Mingho! Midnight. Come here, you guys!"

I hear the faintest tinkling of bells. "When did they get bells?" I ask. "I never had collars on them."

"That was my doing." Mina butts in. "I thought they should have proper attire. They are part of your family now."

The kittens come bounding into the living room but stop short when they smell me. Both seem to be a little frightened. "I wonder what's gotten into them?" Max comments trying to coax them over. They don't budge.

"Maybe I don't smell like myself after being sick," I reply. Max crawls over to them and they try to attack his fingers. He grabs them tickling their tummies and carries them over to me. "Ease them into it." He takes his previous position and places them in his lap to play with them. I watch and sip my tea, glancing at the fire occasionally. I long to hold them. I missed those little furballs. No one talks as we sit quietly watching Max and the kittens. I absently play with my own curls noticing how long they are. Dang wolfish gene giving me to much hair. I'll have to cut it again. Sigh.

I finish my tea and stare out the window, the dregs forgotten; I lean on my hand. I feel a warm presence in my lap followed by a wet spot. I glance down to find Mingho has come to investigate the mug. He always was bolder than Midnight. I casually drop a hand to my lap, pretending I don't see him there. He cautiously sniffs each finger then works his way toward my core. I let him take his time. He hops up on the back of the couch and comes to head butt me in the face. He meows and looks at me before giving my cheek a lick with his raspy tongue. I giggle and he meows again before coming closer to snuggle in the triangle of my other arm and shoulder. I rub my cheek on his fuzzy head and he starts to purr. Midnight jumps up on my lap now, seeing as her brother said it was alright. After sniffing my hand, she curls up on my lap and begins to purr too.

Max rises to his feet and grabs the mug. "I've got to get going. I have class." He pats both kittens and then my leg. "I'll come back and check on you after. Sometime this evening?"

"You don't have to Max. I'll be fine." I respond.

"It's not just you." He kids. "I've become attached to those little things in the few days I've been seeing them. They are the cutest!" He coos in a baby voice. "And between you and me Alyx. You do look a little sickly. I'd like to check on you. Are you sure the hospital said it was okay to release you?"

I glance at Mina and she jumps right in. "I wouldn't have brought her home if they didn't think she was strong enough, Max." She says as she leads him towards the door. "Alyx needs rest, but I know she'd love to see you this evening. Right?" She hollers back at me from the door.

"Right!" I chirp back, trying to sound strong.

"Okay then. Feel better!" Max calls, "I'll see you tonight!" He says and hands the mug to Mina.

"Whew! That was a close one." Mina says coming back into the living room twirling my mug.

"What exactly have you been telling people Mina? They are sure to ask at the party tomorrow. I need the backstory so I don't say something that blows our cover here." I respond.

"Well... I said you have been feeling a little under the weather the past few weeks and everything just caught up to you. Tyrion, school, the extra pressure from your family about graduation, your boyfriend, make that now ex-boyfriend. Everyone knows you broke up with Dean, but that you're still pining for him. That's the story I'm spinning. Makes it easier than trying to actually explain what's going on with you two." She finishes.

I think about it a moment. "That makes sense. Do I really look that bad?" I question.

"I hate to say it Toots, but yeah. You look awful. You should get some more shuteye." Mina comments.

"Thanks for being honest!" I throw a pillow her way knowing full well she is going to stop it but doing it anyway. "I guess I'm going to take another nap then tackle some of that homework," I say with a giant yawn.

Mina laughs, catching the pillow. "Good." Then after a beat. "Are you okay with the bells and collars I got for the kittens. I don't want to step on your toes."

I glance at the intricately carved spheres attached to each collar. Midnight's was calligraphed with her name on one side and the triquetra with a ruby in the center on the other. Just like the cat from Charmed. Mingho had his name engraved on one side and a Celtic knot pentacle, like the one I wore with an emerald in the center, on the other. "I love them, Mina. Thank you."

She grabbed the sleeping kittens and placed them in a kitty bed right beside me on the floor. She turned up the fake fireplace to a roar and tucked me in tighter. "I'll come check on you in a few hours. You'll probably be ready for lunch and then you can tackle your homework. Sleep tight." She kisses me lightly on the forehead and closes the curtains.