Chapter 4

Starting the Task

"Jeff I'm home!" Collin shouted. "What'd you bring me?" A ten year old boy ran into the room. He saw Kate, Geoffrey, Will, Roland and Watt and his mouth fell open. "What the hell are they doing here?" Jeff demanded. "They're here to get rid of the guy that's dating mom so don't take it out on them. They're helping us." Collin explained. "I'm Will these are my men and woman. Kate, Geoffrey, Roland, Watt and Geoffrey. If Adhamar asks if we're here tell him no okay?" Will asked Jeff. "I can keep a secret unlike some people in this family. I'm Jeff. You guys need to change your names." "And what would you suggest Sir Jeff?" "Well let's decide over a glass of milk and cookies." "A what?" Watt asked glancing at Kate who shrugged. "Food you haven't tried that'll miss when your back home." Jeff grinned and took off for the kitchen. Jeff had shaggy blonde hair and brown eyes and tan dark skin the same color as Collin's.

The kitchen was white and gleaming. Mr. David might have many faults but being messy was not one of them. He kept his house neat and orderly but never shouted about it. So long as the person making the mess cleaned up after themselves he didn't mind. Mr. David major fault was paying too much attention to his work and not enough to his family which was why René David had left him to move to L.A. Mr. David actually kept the kids and they visited her on the weekends sometimes during the school year. He made sure they were going to school and Jean Maria a maid was there to look after at least Jeff when Collin wasn't home but that was as far as his fatherly duties went. If Jeff needed new clothes or got into trouble or awards at school he didn't go to his mom or his dad he went to David who told the principle or whomever he took care of these things. If Jeff's jeans needed mending or he needed new clothes Collin who worked in a retail store despite getting free allowance would take his brother shopping. All their parents did was visit with them like they were buddies rather than children. God help their parents though they were doing things the way they were raised. Collin however could be saved as he took his little brother responsibility seriously and took care of a living breathing thing.

Kate, Roland, Will, Watt and Geoffrey explored the new kitchen with delight. They had a large white counter top that went around the entire half of the room. In between the stove and the sink was the fridge. Geoffrey found the light delighting and even though Jeff eyed him warily as he opened and closed the fridge door over and over again. "Don't stare they've never seen it before. Go get the cookies squirt." Collin said. Jeff ran to the pantry which was a small hallway in between the kitchen and the dining area. Jeff went and got some Oreos. One good thing about Mr. David was that he never let his children starve. He had foods for Jean Maria to cook or he gave them money to order food so that he could continue working.

Kate, Watt, Roland, Will, and Geoffrey recognized the table and chairs even though it was different from what they were used to. Here was something familiar at last. The Oreos were good as was the Sonic food they had earlier but it was odd and stuff they weren't used to. "Now names. I would let you keep yours if Count Adhamar wouldn't be on your arse if you knew you were here. So you have to change it and not introduce yourself with your old names. You'll still keep them but say you met Cynthia's friend Amy you would tell her your new name." Collin explained. "People change names all the time it's all good." Jeff said. "So what do you suggest Sir Jeff?" Geoffrey asked. "Well Will looks like he could have the name Chris so let's call Will Chris." Jeff said. "Not bad little brother." "Chris." Kate, Watt, Roland and Geoffrey repeated looking at Will. "Exactly. Okay Kate we'll change it to....Rose." "Rose?" Kate asked. "You're named after a flower." Geoffrey teased. Watt hit him. "Rose." "Watt you'll be Watson." Collin said. "Watson?" Collin and Watt asked. "Watson what's wrong with that?" "Dude that's like named after Sherlock Homes partner in crime." Collin said rolling his eyes. "So what kids are named after characters in books. This just leaves Roland and Geoffrey." Jeff said. "All right Roland can be Ron. Just because I can. And Geoffrey you can be Matt. Does this work for everyone? Do you remember the names?" "Rose." Kate replied. "Chris." Will said. The words were not familiar to his lips. "Ron." Roland said shaking his head. "Watson?" Watt repeated. "Matt." Geoffrey said. "Excellent let us show you the lodgings and where you will slumber."

Jeff led the tour of the house and they ended with the guest bedrooms. "Two to a room no fighting there'll be plenty of room. Will you can sleep in the basement suit with Roland there's two beds in there and you're close to my room so if you need anything ask." Collin said leading them downstairs once the others had gotten situated. "Night guys. Jean Maria will be here in the morning to cook breakfast. Just copy what Jeff and I do." Collin said. Collin flopped down on his bed exhausted.

Somehow Kate, Roland, Watt, Geoffrey and Will survived the next week. They remembered their "new" names when they were introduced to Jean Maria and Mr. David (who did actually come out of the office to eat). When Mr. David came out of the office he actually seemed interested in what his kids were doing but the kids knew it never lasted. They were open and friendly but didn't tell how they actually felt about getting the good grades or getting in detention. "Did you take care of the principles reaction?" Mr. David asked Collin. "Yes sir. As always. I said my father's away on business and that if I could talk to her I'd be glad to. And then I promised Jeff would never do it again." Collin said. "And did you?" "No sir twelve hours of community service is good enough punishment for me." Jeff said. "Good. Well back to the office boys." "Night sir." "Pleasure to meet you and your friends Chris." Mr. David walked away.

Cynthia was a regular visitor after Jean Maria left and she wasn't at work. It turned out that she and Collin had been best friends since third grade. She bought Kate make up and some other girl things and kept her company for which Kate was grateful. Still by the following week all of them were homesick and remembered what they had come for. It fell to Will to ask Collin about it. So on Saturday morning Will knocked on Collin's door.

Collin opened it he was fully dressed and ready to go. "We thank you for your kindness Sir Collin not many would help us. But we must find Adhamar before he brings his whole army and bring him back to our time." Will said. "Mmm. My dad's flying to Japan on a business trip this evening he'll leave the Jaguar and we'll drive down to L.A. We'll leave a note saying Dad sent us to mom's this weekend for Jean Maria so they'll get it." Collin said. "Thank you." "I know it's tough being in a place that isn't your home. We'll get you back as soon as possible. Let me call Cynthia she'll want to help."

That evening all of them stood on the front porch as Collin locked the front door. Jeff was going to be under Geoffrey's care who was scribbling away in the notebook. "Everybody ready?" Cynthia asked starting up the Jaguar. "Yep." "Seatbelts on?" Cynthia asked pulling out of the driveway. "Yes my captain." Jeff said buckling his. A backpack full of stuff in the trunk. "We're headed for L.A. We'll make a stop at Sonic on the way hold on tight." Nobody notice a car parked on the curb pulling out silently after them.