"... And as we're crossing border after border

We realize that difference is none

It's underdogs who, and if you want it

You always have to make your own fun..."

I've immersed myself deep enough in this article, on this guy's coming back story, that I don't even hear Mikal coming in through the front door til she comes to find me, scrolling away at my laptop, in the study.

I jump slightly as she rests her elbows across the back of the computer chair to greet me.

"Hey, Z"

"Hey, you" I chuckle at the smirk that fills her face, as if she's planned this. "How long you been here?"

"About two minutes, give or take." She glances toward the stereo across the room, then back to me. "Really, Zia?"

I look toward the stereo, pretending to be surprised. "Oh is that what's playing? I hadn't even noticed"

"Smart ass." she snickers, under her breath, and then kisses me.

"Mmmnn, that's what you love about me though." I tease when she stands back up.

She playfully roughs up my hair a little. "That's what you think."

"Isn't it?" I call after her when she walks back out of the room. She doesn't answer and the echo of Luna's food hitting her bowl, as Mikal pours it, echoes through the hallway.

"I know it is." I say aloud, to the empty room, returning to my scrolling.

I browse around for another few minutes or so, before closing out of my tab and clicking my my laptop shut to go meet Mikal in the living room.

She's parked herself, horizontally, across the couch, flipping through the TV channels, when I come to join her.

She pulls her legs up, to make room for me, once she looks up and spots me. I take my spot, sitting exactly opposite to face her, and glance briefly at the TV. "Anything good on?"

She shakes her head. "Not so far, anyway."

"...you know there's a TV guide for that purpose, right?" I tease.

She tosses a couch pillow at me, which I block with the other one.

"I like to SEE what's on" she laughs.

"Fair enough, I guess."

She finally settles on a TV station and adjusts the bottom of her shirt over her, slightly more noticeable, bump.

I smile a little. "You think of any names yet?"

Mikal, breaking her trance from the TV, "the what?"

"Any names" I repeat, snickering. "For the baby? Think of any yet?"

"Ohh" she chuckles. "That" she smirks a little. "Maybe...you?"

"I might have an idea or two brewing"

She laughs. "You make it sound like we're making a stew."

I raise an eyebrow at the word choice.

"What?" she asks, before realizing what she said. "Stu? Mnn mmm" she shakes her head.

"Not good?" I chuckle.

"Not unless we're naming Family Guy characters now."

"Well technically that's Stuey" I smirk, emphasizing the EY at the end.

She smacks me playfully with another couch pillow.

"How many pillows do you have over there?" I laugh.

"Not important." She smirks.

"How bout Eugene then?" I tease.

"Don't make me hurt you" she says, trying to stifle a laugh, and immediately searching for a new pillow."

"With what? You're out of ammo."

"I'll find some." she claims.

"Sure you will." I smirk. "Alright, what have you got?"

"Ainsley?" she suggests.

"Ainsley" I repeat back, considering it. "I like it."

Her face lights up a little. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." I confirm. "Put it on a list, we should have some back ups."

"Back ups." she repeats. "What makes you think Ainsley's the front runner?"

"Because I'm not hearing anything else but you shooting down mine" I tease. "Prove me wrong, let's hear some to give Ainsley a run for its money."

"Alright, I will." She laughs. "Gimme a minute."

"You said you had a few." I remind her, trying half seriously to sound annoyed.

She grabs a previously thrown pillow off the floor and gestures as if she's about to hit me with it.

"How bout Zoey?" she finally suggests, still giggling.

"Awfully close to Zia" I point out, smirking slightly. "That intentional?"

"Maybe" she snickers. "Maybe not though."

"Well I like it, regardless, add it."

She looks around for a minute for something to write with and shrugs. "I guess we'll just make mental notes of them for now."

I shrug back. "Guess so."