NOTES: This isn't really a "chapter" yet. It's more like filler. But it's necessary, I swear. I should have the REAL first chapter up pretty soon. Lemme know what you guys think. :)

Prologue, Part II

Joe Mason's most recent mission with the Princess Protection Program had just come to an end. He had been away from home for four days and had gotten a very enthusiastic greeting from his daughter when he'd come back without any princesses in tow.

It was around eleven o'clock in the morning on a Wednesday. Carter was at school taking her midterms – it was her last week before her winter break. While she worked hard on her tests, Joe was taking inventory of the bait in the shop. They wouldn't be closed for much of Carter's break, since reports were saying that the temperature wouldn't drop much below fifty for the holidays. He wanted to make sure he had everything he needed until at least New Year's.

His cell phone was shoved in his jean pocket when it started to ring. Pressing the accept button on his earpiece, he automatically answered, "Mason."

"Daddy?" a quiet voice said. Joe froze, dropping the 288th worm he'd been counting into its bucket. "It's me. Mikayla. I…I'm coming home."

Joe's mouth dropped open and his mind raced. He hadn't heard his other daughter's voice in nearly two months. It was the longest they had gone without speaking in the two years Mikayla had been in California.

"Princess," he began. "That's great! But…why?"

As any good father would, he listened patiently to his daughter's story. She explained why she hadn't called in nearly two months: she had been afraid to disappoint her family with her failing career. Joe was quick to reassure Mikayla that he was very proud of the success she'd already achieved and was far from disappointed in her.

"I'm glad you're coming home, sweetheart," Joe said, smiling into the phone. "I'm sure your sister will be just as thrilled." He heard Mikayla mutter something lowly but hadn't heard it. Instead of asking it, he decided it had probably been unimportant. "So, when are you coming in?"

"Saturday," Mikayla said happily. "My flight's supposed to be in at two."

"I'll be there to pick you up. Carter, too."

"Thanks, Daddy. I love you."

"I love you, too, Princess," Joe said. "Now, I've gotta keep taking inventory. But you call me again later, all right?" He smiled and swore he could hear his daughter smiling through the phone as she promised to call back later that day. "Bye." He clicked his earpiece again and ended the call.

As he continued counting worms, he decided that he would keep Mikayla's return a secret and surprise Carter at the last minute. He was sure she would be delighted to hear the news and couldn't wait to see her reaction.