Hello, all! Sorry for being quiet.

I'm not too big on Author's Notes but I think I should make a few at least during the process (I might delete them come the final chapter.)

That said, sorry for the slow start and short chapters. In retrospect, I probably should have merged some of the previous ones and allow myself to write more freely. Hopefully, this chapter will be less boring since we meet a familiar face.

Do let me know how I can improve things. Writing isn't my forte, but I'm trying!

Initial completion: August 21, 2021

"Is that roast almost finished, John?" Sarah called out towards the kitchen from the dining room where she was serving beverages.

A booming voice shouted in response as she heard some rattling, "Just a temporary setback, nothin' 'at can't be remedied."

Even though it had hardly been but a few days since he began staying there the cyborg had proven to be very helpful. He worked hard and was quick to do any task he was assigned, so long as no one else saw him.

Normally, Sarah was stuck in the kitchen tending to the food at this hour. She usually didn't find time to sit, eat, or rest until dinner was over and she was alone. But she had found having an extra hand also allowed a bit of time to breathe.

And after seeing his prowess in the kitchen Sarah allowed John to cook one of his own recipes: a birken roast seasoned with coarse pepper, plenty of garlic, and a bit of an herb he found in the kitchen that, according to her, she never used.

But when he found it he insisted on making this dish for dinner. So there it was this fine Monday night.

Once she had finished with the drinks, Sarah left for the kitchen and returned, carrying several plates to the hungry folks. Several diners were quite excited at the sight and scent of their dishes and many of them asked her to thank the cook.

Cook and server both found themselves busy plating seconds, thirds, and even fourths for the diners. There was hardly any roast left by the time dinner was over.

As the last handful of people began finishing up Sarah started taking the dirty dishes to the kitchen where the cyborg was getting started in the wash bin. "It seems your roast was pretty popular," she said as she placed the stack she carried next to him.

He shrugged in response with a wide grin. "What can I say? I love me some good food," he chuckled as he patted his belly, "… as ye can tell."

She laughed lightly at his remark before she headed back to the dining room. As she began collecting the remaining dinnerware a familiar voice called out as the front door opened.

"Mom?"

Sarah instantly smiled at the sound and turned to face her son. After spending the day at school he still wore his white academy uniform, as usual. He shut the door behind him and swiftly hung his book bag on the wall rack.

"I was wondering if you were going to come over this week, Jim," she said as she gave him a half hug since she was still holding some dishes.

Jim hugged her in return and quickly grabbed the stack right out of her arm. "Sorry, I wanted to be here sooner but I had a late study session on Saturday and homework due last night," he said in a rushed manner. "And today the boat couldn't stop here so I had to wait for the next stop and hitched a ride."

He sped around the room, grabbing the other dirty dishes, and continued, "I can stay here for a little while but I've got an early class tomorrow morning so I can't stay too long-"

"Oy, Sarah!" He was interrupted by the last remaining diner. "Do give my regards to that John for the meal!"

Jim stopped in his tracks and gazed back at his mom, "… John?"

Sarah smiled warmly and answered the guest, "I will, Mr. Mozemtic."

Jim's eyes blankly followed her as she walked to him and gently took the dishes back.

"You… you got someone working here?" he asked as if in a daze.

"Yes," she answered and began towards the kitchen, "I do."

Jim shook his head and woke from his stupor, "Wait, but… can you afford to pay someone? Or did you finally raise the rates?" Even though the inn was much nicer than it was before, Sarah had kept her rates very low. It was just one of the reasons she didn't hire help.

She turned back, her smile still present, "He's paying me for his stay by working here, don't worry. I'll be right back, okay?"

Jim looked on in slight disbelief as she took the remaining dishes to the kitchen.

She placed them next to the wash bin where the cyborg still was. The stack made a slight clank sound and Sarah sighed in relief, "That's the last of them."

John immediately began on the stack she brought, relieved as well, "Ah, finally. Not to toot me own horn, but 'at roast be beckonin' me."

She nodded in agreement and was going to return to Jim but stopped herself and turned back. "Oh, would you mind if I packed some of the leftovers for my son to take to school?" she asked.

His posture became suddenly tense and he seemed visibly surprised, "Yer son?"

Sarah nodded, "He stopped by just now."

The cyborg appeared a bit flustered, although she wasn't sure why. "Well, er, of course," he eventually said. "I've no problem with 'at."

She gave him a friendly smile and left to grab a couple of the remaining slices, wrapping them up in some butcher paper. After tying it up with some twine she finally returned to the dining room where Jim was now sweeping.

"Thanks for wanting to help me out, Jim," she said.

He turned to face her with a slight shrug and a small smirk, "Well, I would've been helping in the kitchen but it sounds like you've got that covered."

She handed him the wrapped meat, "Here's some of the leftover dinner so you can take it to school tomorrow."

Jim placed the broom against the wall and took the package with a grin, "Thanks, mom." He went by the front door and placed the gift in his bag before turning back, "So, is there anything I can help with?"

Sarah thought for a moment before shrugging, "I think we've got it. Most of the cleaning was done before you arrived."

Jim rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, I didn't count on the dock being wrecked," he said almost apologetically.

"You can stay for a little while if you want."

He waved a hand, "I should probably go back to my dorm, especially if the dock's not in service here. Besides, I can't leave Morph alone too long, even if he was asleep when I left."

Sarah gave him a quick kiss on his head, noticing that she had to bring it down in order to reach, "How's everyone?"

Jim smiled at her as she rested her hand under his jaw, "They're good. The Doc says the kids miss you, but I think he just misses you helping out with them."

Sarah smiled fondly. Jim was probably right, but she still missed those little cuties.

He continued, "And B.E.N. says he's sorry he's been busy piloting and hasn't come to help more."

"Oh, he worries too much," she said with a shake of her head. She also missed B.E.N. and the immense amount of energy he rubbed off onto everyone.

"He's thinking about coming over sometime this week, maybe tomorrow," Jim added.

Sarah rested her hands on her hips. "That'll be nice," she sighed.

He stepped back and grabbed his bag, opening the door to leave. "I'll definitely come by earlier next week," he said as he turned back.

Sarah shook her head. Although she loved when he came by Jim had school and she didn't want him to worry about her. She waved with a loving smile, "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine."

Jim offered a smile in return before shutting the door behind him.