Violet stumbled down the stairs, a pink linen bathrobe wrapped around her, and her hair up in a matching towel. Even after her morning shower, she still wasn't fully awake. She felt the scent of pancakes usher her into the kitchen as she saw her sister seated atop an especially high-legged chair like it was her throne. Even through trying to restore some sense of "normality" to their family, the one thing Sunny couldn't leave behind was her love for all things culinary. When they had moved into the Safe Place, they had come to a compromise: that Sunny would be allowed to cook one meal every day for them. They had built her the high-legged chair to ensure her safety while cooking, and had made several alterations to the kitchen to accommodate her.

Sunny was flipping pancakes in a frying pan, critically scrutinizing their golden brown color with perfectly furrowed eyebrows. She saw Violet, reached over to turn the temperature on the burner to low, and reached out her arms for a hug. Violet scooped her up and nuzzled her cheek as Sunny squealed with delight. "Pancakes, I see, little Miss Chef," she said with a wink.

Sunny grinned as Violet set her back on the chair. "Specialty," she said proudly.

"Mm, I know," replied Violet, licking her lips and heading for the table where Quigley greeted her with a kiss and a cup of coffee- one sugar, no cream. She sat down heavily at the table, just as Klaus bounded in holding a piece of paper. He stopped abruptly, breathing heavily as though he'd ran across the house, and grinning widely.

Violet raised an eyebrow. "Well someone's got a little too much energy for this time of morning."

Klaus ignored the quip and strode over to the table, thrusting the piece of paper at Violet and Quigley. "Duncan and Isadora are coming," he said matter-of-factly.

Violet gasped and grabbed the bit of paper. "Did this come in the morning telegram?"

"Just now," he replied, pouring himself some orange juice. Klaus didn't drink coffee. As though prompted, he reached over to take a platter of perfectly browned pancakes from Sunny's waiting arms.

"Breakfast," she stated and hopped off her chair to bring syrup and butter to the table.

Violet and Quigley were still in a flurry about the news of the visit. "Sunny, Isadora and Duncan are coming to visit!" Violet told her, taking the syrup to place at the center of the table.

Sunny's face lit up at the familiar names. "Isadora?" she asked. "Duncan?"

"Mmhm," Quigley said, his mouth filled with pancakes. He swallowed and continued. "Their coming later today! I'm not sure how long their staying…at least for the weekend, I'm sure."

Violet looked up from buttering her pancake to see Klaus staring out the window, his eyes downcast and clearly distracted. She knew what he was dwelling on. She got up and walked over to him. "Any word from Fiona?" she asked gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. Klaus shook his head, and she knew he was fighting back any signs of distress. He tried so hard to be strong, but it was apparent that he was distraught by the lack of communication from Fiona. She had been sent on a job by VFD that required her knowledge of submarines. After her departure, they had gotten one brief telegram from her, and had not heard from her in many months. "Six months today," he whispered, as though knowing what she was thinking.

Violet bit her lip. She knew that Klaus waited everyday for a telegram. VFD had in fact declared Fiona a missing person at this point. She had received the telegram stating this about two months ago. She had torn it up and thrown it away before Klaus could see it.

There were teams out searching for her, but no word had been sent yet, and until it was, Violet had no intention of alerting Klaus to Fiona's official status. He cared too much for her to be sure that he wouldn't do anything rash. After the schism had ended, and Fiona had made her position in VFD official, she and Klaus had gone "public" with their blossoming relationship. They had everything in common, and could relate eerily well to one another- they were the perfect couple. But duty was priority for both of them, and they had said the difficult good byes with a strong façade. It was a front that stuck with Klaus through the time she was gone, but Violet heard the muffled cries from his room at night, as he dreamed of his sweetheart drifting helplessly through icy waters.

"She'll come back Klaus," Violet whispered. "Don't worry." There it was again. That sweet encouragement by the promise of a carefree existence. But Klaus knew what she meant. He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them with a smile. "I'm hungry," he said, heading toward the table. This falsely happy Klaus was the one they had come to know in the past months, and Violet felt a strange comfort from knowing he still had the strength, at least, to pretend.

After breakfast, they went their separate ways: Sunny to play cards with Violet, and Klaus and Quigley to hole themselves up in a study again, poring over intricate maps until lunchtime. Violet had barely finished dealing for a game of Go Fish, when there was a tentative knock at the door. With Sunny trailing after her, Violet made her way to the front door and peeped through the window to see who it was. A woman with a baby carrier stood on her front step looking slightly nervous.

"Kit!" Violet exclaimed, throwing open the door.

Kit had given birth to her baby son, Ethan Adam, the same day that Fiona had left on the submarine, so the baby held mixed feelings of happiness and longing, especially for Klaus. But seeing the chubby pink face that peeked out from the green blankets of his carrier brought only joy to Violet. Kit had only flourished after giving birth, both emotionally and physically, and she was now, while still well figured, pleasantly plump, which suited her round face well. Her freckled skin was tanned and glowing, as were her beaming blue eyes that perfectly matched those of her son. She tucked a strand of sandy hair that had escaped from her ponytail behind her ear and stepped over the threshold of the house.

"I hope this isn't a bad time, because I thought about calling first, or at least sending a telegram, but I was in such a rush-"

Violet cut her off. "Kit, you know there is never a bad time for us to see you and the baby." She bent down to the carrier and ran a finger over his perfectly smooth, rosy cheek. "What a sweetie," she cooed as the baby gurgled and smiled. "Little Ethan….what a handsome boy!" She stood again and offered her hand for Kit's coat. "Wow, I haven't seen him since he was, what, a month? Gosh, he's grown! He looks real healthy though."

Kit's proud mother smile over-rode her constant look of cautious anxiety, as she pulled back some of the blankets, exposing a full head of baby-fine, white blonde hair that she stroked lovingly. "Mm, he is. I was so worried when it happened-" Her look of nervousness returned. "because of course what with all that was happening while I was pregnant, all the stress, not to mention physical exhaustion…but I guess it turned out fine."

Violet took the baby carrier and set it on the kitchen table. "I'll say it did, Kit. You're a fantastic mother."

Kit smiled with genuine gratitude. "You're an angel Vi, really. I don't know what I would have done without you, what with the schism and the relocation and D-" She stopped short. Violet knew whose name she had nearly uttered, and though she wanted to tell Kit that she shouldn't have to worry about saying his name around people, she knew that Kit would come to accept it in her own time, even if it took years. Kit was a truly strong woman. She continued, abandoning the previous topic for a lighter one. "So, I assume you got the news about Duncan and Isadora!"

"Ooh, yes we did! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to finally see them again!"

"Duncan!" squealed Sunny from on the table where she had been leaning over the baby carrier. "See Duncan and Isadora!"

Kit laughed and lifted her in the air. "Yes, Miss Sunny, and I suppose you're excited too?"

Sunny giggled and Kit placed her maternally on her hip. "Where are the men of this house?" Kit asked.

Violet rolled her eyes. "Ugh, off in a study somewhere adding millimeters at a time to miles of paper, where else? I should find them though. They'll want to see the baby, and then it's off to the store for them. I'm thinking of making pasta for 'Dora and Duncan tonight."

Kit nodded approvingly. Just then, the two guys skidded into the kitchen simultaneously, provoking many hugs and coos over baby Ethan.

"How have you been, Kit?" asked Quigley. "Looking lovely, I see," he added with a wink.

Kit blushed, even at this playful teasing and smiled slightly. "I've been alright. The relocation was tough at first, but the Island is so beautiful. I was lucky to finally get over here though! The water's been terrible and stormy for the past few days. I had to hop over here before it stirred up again!"

"Ah yes," said Klaus with a nod, "Life on the brilliant Island. How's the weather over there anyway?"

Violet could tell that Kit couldn't resist bragging the tiniest bit when provoked with such an obvious question. "Ooh, it's beautiful. Clear skies all the time, hardly any rain- but like I said, the water gets stormy sometimes… It's brilliantly warm though; nice for the baby."

Klaus rolled his eyes playfully. "Yes, of course, life in paradise is always perfect…" He turned away slightly. "Cocky," he added in a teasing undertone, then flashed a smile to let her know he was only joking.

Kit gasped and pretended to be scandalized. "Well excuse me if I couldn't refuse the offer to relocate to the most gorgeous manmade tropical island in the area! Not to mention the latest Safe Place. Just doing my duty to VFD."

"Hey, hey, break it up," commanded Violet. "You," she pointed to Klaus, "and you," she pointed to Quigley, "are doing a little shopping trip for supper tonight. Pesto sauce and angel hair, go." She pushed them both toward the door.

"See you, Kit!" shouted Quigley over his shoulder. She laughed and waved as she sat down at the table. Violet closed the door behind them and dusted off her hands. "Well now that they're out of the way…"

She smiled coyly and sat across from Kit. On a second thought, she got up. "I'll make some tea, what kind do you like?"

"Earl Grey is fine, I know you like it."

On her way to the sink she placed the baby carrier on the floor and Sunny next to it. "Here honey, you can play with Ethan while Auntie Kit and I talk."

Violet ran water into a kettle. Over the running water, Kit asked, "So how are you and Quigley?" with a slightly teasing tone in her voice.

Violet shot her a reproving look but smiled involuntarily. "We're…good. He's locked away in his study a lot though… I don't get to see him as much as I used to. Mostly just at night." She placed the kettle on the stove and sat back down at the table.

Kit raised an eyebrow with a sly grin. "What's that supposed to imply, Violet?"

Violet blushed violently. "No! That's not what I- well I mean, that's not to say- oh Kit! You know what I meant!"

Kit threw her head back and laughed for a moment, then took Violet's hand. "Vi, honey, I'm just teasing. What you and Quigley do behind closed doors-" there was that sly smile again "-is none of my business. I understand, hon."

Violet broke out of her embarrassed flurry as the tea kettle whined loudly from the stove. This time Kit jumped up to retrieve the boiling water from the burner and pour it into two mugs as Violet reached to the back of the cabinet for a jar filled with round tea bags. "My secret stash." She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Ooh, what an honor," teased Kit, popping one of the tea bags into her mug. Armed with spoons, they returned to the table, stirring absentmindedly.

After a pause, Violet spoke. "How's your own love life, missy?" She knew she was taking an immeasurable risk even bringing up the topic, and bit her lip as Kit stared down into her mug for a moment.

"I…I just don't' know, Violet." She looked up, her eyes already wet with tears. "It just like…like I look at men, and every one of them reminds me of….of Dewey." It was like something broke loose inside of her after speaking the name that had become taboo since his death. She continued. "Yet, I know that none of them will ever be anything like him…at all. I can see someone and say to myself, 'my, that man's good looking' or meet someone and say 'oh, they're charming, then' but I feel like any kind of attraction is impossible. I just can't love- hell, I can't even bring myself to like anyone else!" She paused again, breathing heavily as tears streamed freely down her face. Sunny had looked up from a now sleeping baby Ethan and walked over to pat Kit's knee and hold up her arms. Kit smiled sadly and scooped her onto her lap before continuing. "I know it sounds stupid-"

Violet interrupted her. "Kit," she said firmly, "you are not stupid, no matter what you think. Nothing you're saying or thinking or doing is stupid at all. You have been through so much and – and you have a baby, Kit, a baby! You have been so… so impossibly strong, do you realize that? You are the most wonderfully brave woman I have ever had the privilege to befriend. And I'm always here for you, you know that. You're beautiful, Kit. You're an honor to VFD, and to anyone who knows you and knows everything you've gone through in your life. You've been an amazing, if rather strange, combination of a mother and a friend to me ever since we met, and I truly don't know what I'd do without you."

Violet eyes were welling with tears now too, and the two women stood to embrace across the table. Violet sat back down and took a deep breath, wiping her eyes. "Well," she said with somewhat wearied happiness. "After that…"

Kit smiled and pulled a tissue out of her pocket, as though she had been carrying them around for incidents like this. She dabbed her eyes and took a sip of her now thoroughly brewed tea. Suddenly she stiffened for a moment and then set her tea down heavily. After swallowing quickly, she exclaimed, "Oh my God, Violet, I almost forgot!"

Violet almost choked. "What!" she asked, leaning forward, eyes wide with concern.

Kit calmed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. It's just, I just remembered something I had to tell you."

Violet gave a quizzical look, and motioned for Kit to go on. Kit leaned in closer. "Well, you know I visited with Frank and he told me some things about changes coming up for the Volunteers."

Violet's eyes turned from confusion to wariness. "What sort of changes?" she asked slowly.

"Some… replacements."

"What does that meant?"

"Well…he said that the Safe Places are going through some different alterations concerning their occupants and what's best for everyone…I'm not sure, I mean, he pretty much babbled on for a bit, and but I got most of it and…okay, I really don't mean to worry you," she said, noticing the look in Violet's eyes. "Really. I'm just warning you. I'm almost positive that it won't affect you – seriously I don't even know if it's going to happen. But I just thought you should know… just in case."

Violet nodded slowly, slightly troubled, but trying desperately to keep her mind free of worry. "It's not going to happen," she told herself. "It's no big deal." She looked to Kit and smiled tightly. "Thanks…for telling me, Kit. I appreciate it."

She hoped that Kit couldn't see the true burden she felt on her mind. If anything were to separate her from any of the people she cared about, she wasn't sure she'd be able to continue with her work. They were what kept her going everyday. She forced herself not to think on this, as Kit looked over at her sleeping son.

She bit her lip, looking torn. "Ugh, maybe I should go…it's just so hard to get him to sleep again, I'm afraid if he wakes up here, he won't fall asleep back home…"

Violet nodded in agreement. "That's right, better get him home while he's still sleeping."

Kit carefully picked up the carrier, wincing as the baby stirred, but he didn't wake. She hugged Violet tightly and smiled as she opened the door and slipped out. Violet watched her walk down the path until she disappeared down the hill that the walkway ran along. Then she turned away and picked up the mugs from the tables. Just then, the door reopened and Violet turned to see Klaus and Quigley coming through the door, each holding a paper bag.

Klaus set his down on the table and pulled out two jars of pale green sauce. "Pesto," he said. Next, came a large loaf of French bread from Quigley's bag. "Bread – essential," he confirmed. "Angel hair," said Klaus, pulling several boxes from his bag. "And some lettuce," finished off Quigley, pulling the final item from the bags. "For a salad."

Violet nodded with approval. "Good job, boys. Now get in the kitchen." She pointed to the kitchen, raising an eyebrow.

Klaus and Quigley grumbled, but Quigley managed to snatch a kiss before she gave him a mockingly condescending look and left the room, leaving Sunny to help with the cooking.

She went back up to her study to look over some sketches without the true intention of actually working on anything. She wondered how Duncan and Isadora would be. She hadn't seen them in almost a year. It seemed ages ago that they had first met, both coming from the most unfortunate of situations, and becoming so united instantly forming that connection. It had been incredible, now that she thought about it. The trust had always stayed between them, and she counted on that trust now, to be sure that they hadn't changed.

She lounged about for a while, the aroma of Italian cooking gradually wafting up the stairs as she napped on and off, taking advantage of this vacant time slot. She hadn't slept well the night before, and she knew that Quigley had left her during the night. It didn't comfort her, but she felt guilty plaguing him with her problems. She knew he didn't mind, but she worried so often about the past causing a rift between them, but so far the future had prevailed over both of them.

Suddenly she was snapped out of a wearied stupor by voices from downstairs:

"Hello? We're here!"