May 5th, 1984

It felt good to be back in their own house Cal thought as he busied himself in the kitchen, chopping up fresh vegetables for a stew he intended to make for dinner. Miss Whiskers kept trying to tangle his feet, but he just chuckled and nudged her out of the way with one foot. "Go away, fur ball." He picked up a small bit of the bacon he had cooked up to sprinkle over the salad that would go with the stew, and tossed it out the door.

The cat streaked out of the room after the bacon bit.

"You're going to spoil her if you do that," Alyse commented as she came into the kitchen in loose-knit pants and a cotton shirt in light greens. She looked like she had finished her Xingese yoga session upstairs. She could do several stretches without twisting her ankle, even if it did limit her options rather severely. She had her crutches, but she was improving more quickly now.

"Better spoil her than have us both down with broken ankles," Cal chuckled, turning and taking the three steps to hug his wife and give her a kiss.

"I'm not taking care of both of you!" Gloria called from the living room.

"Me neither!" Charlie's voice echoed from the dining room, where Cal had him setting the table.

"Then play with the cat!" Cal retorted.

"You're in a good mood," Alyse noted, smiling softly. "Maybe you should cook more often."

"Maybe," Cal shrugged, smiling as he loosened his hold on her a little. "It feels good to be home." Nine days into taking the dosage of anti-anxiety and blood pressure medications Ethan had prescribed also seemed to have done wonders for his mindset. He still had bad dreams, but they weren't as intense, and he didn't remember them quite so clearly in the morning. His mood when he was awake was almost entirely the opposite of what it had been when he got home. He hadn't felt this good in a long time, even though he had been doing all right before he left for Xing. Chemical or not, he felt more balanced.

"It does," Alyse agreed as she let go the hug so she could adjust her crutches to a more comfortable position. "Much as I know Mom and Dad enjoyed having us."

"Your father was probably quite happy we only stayed a couple of days after he got home," Cal snickered. "I'd be amazed if your parents have been out of the bedroom since we left."

"Ewww, Dad!" Charlie made a face as he came into the kitchen. "No one wants to think about what their grandparents do when they're alone. Seriously."

"What about their parents?"

"Calvin!" Alyse gave him a dirty look.

Charlie groaned, and rolled his eyes. "Over it. Yeesh. The table's set. I'm going to take Miss Whiskers upstairs and see if she wants to destroy my old shoelaces." He moved past his parents out the other door and scooped up the cat, who was still power-licking her lips trying to get every minute bit of bacon grease.

Cal just shook his head and grinned impishly at his wife. "I had to say it."

"Did you really?"

"Of course I did." He kissed the tip of her nose before turning back to the food. "Hey, Gloria!"

"What?"

"Are you done with your homework?"

"Yeah, I just finished." There was a creak of the couch and his daughter appeared in the doorway. "Why?"

"We're out of salad dressing. Why don't you run down to the supermarket and get some?"

Gloria gave him a curious look. "You mean, I can take the car?"

"You're sixteen, you can drive," Cal shrugged. "You're a safer driver than I am, you have a license, and it's only a mile."

His daughter's face lit up and she practically flew across the room as she hugged him with an enthusiasm he didn't see quite as often in his daughter now that she was mostly grown. "Thank you!" She turned and hurried from the room, slipping on her shoes as she snatched them up from beside the couch. "I won't be long."
Alyse stared at him. "Have you been brainwashed?"

"What?" Cal asked, "You don't think she can handle it?"

"Oh I know she can handle it," Alyse said. "I'm just amazed you let her."

"She'll be fine."

"Well, I'm glad you're okay with it." Alyse smiled, and then moved further into the kitchen. "So, how can I help?"

"You could finish with the salad veggies," Cal suggested, clearing a spot at the little kitchen table and putting out a cutting board so Alyse could work sitting down. "I've almost got the stew on."

"I've got it." Alyse settled down and began chopping. Cal couldn't help but admire her skill and efficiency. His own cooking skills had drastically improved over the years married to her, but when she chopped it looked like something out of a gourmet restaurant. Everything always looked perfect.

Cal watched her for a moment before turning back to the stew ingredients.

He was a little worried about how he would feel next week when he halved the anxiety medication. Ethan had mentioned Xingese meditation techniques, but Cal hadn't managed to successfully clear his mind or sit still that long. He might be less anxious, but they hadn't made him more patient!

For now, he just tried to enjoy being back on an even keel.

Nothing more romantic than a night alone with my script, Ian quipped to himself as he settled down in his beat-up recliner and picked up the script lying on the end-table next to a glass of ice water. He had just gotten out of the shower and, feeling refreshed, was ready to get down to work. There had already been changing made to tomorrow's shooting script, and he needed to have them memorized before he got there. Not that it was anything new. His days always worked this way, and scripts always changed and tweaked as the actors brought life to the characters and the writers and directors decided there was a better way to do something.

At least this one isn't the bedroom scene. As if Ian didn't have enough reasons to be nervous about this movie, that was one of them, and they hadn't gotten to it yet. He had been in various stages of half-dressed in more than half of his pictures, usually shirtless; always wearing at least a pair of boxer shorts. He had also done plenty of kissing or make-out scenes, but never anything like the scene coming later in the film where he and the female roadie traveling around with the band were going to tumble into bed one night after a particularly difficult performance where everything went wrong early in their careers, and the touring manager threatened to dump them from the label if they didn't pull it together.

The director, Adam Mallox had assured Ian, and the actress, Lena Evans, that the scene would be tastefully done, and the edits would very carefully not show anything too explicit, but that didn't mean Ian was looking forward to stripping next-to-naked in front of the camera crew. He preferred his intimacies private generally, but the job had been too good to pass up.

I just hope Mom doesn't go see this one. Callie was too young to see it yet, and for that, he was actually grateful.

He had just started looking through the scene when someone knocked on his front door. He contemplated ignoring it, but several seconds later there was another knock and an "It's me, bro," that was clearly Ted's voice.

Ian got up and unlocked the door. His brother stood on his doormat in civvies carrying a bag of Xingese take-out, a six-pack of beer, and something in a bottle in a paper sack. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" he asked, with only a hint of mild sardonicism. "Not that I mind a visit from a brother, but you could have called."

Ted shrugged as he walked in, letting Ian close the door behind him. "The last time I got drunk I broke into the Imperial Palace of Xing. I thought maybe I should be smart and not drink alone."

"And why is my little brother determined to get drunk this evening?"

Ian let Ted unpack the food and drop onto Ian's plush, comfortable blue couch with a plate of food and a beer. Ted left the bottle –which turned out to be strong Drachman vodka- sitting on the coffee table.

Ted opened his drink, drained half of the bottle, and sighed. "So, I was visiting Coran and Gale earlier," he began, "and as I was leaving, Clarina came in for her auto-mail surgery consultation."

Ian had heard about Clarina more than once from his little brother. She had been part of his team at HQ for months, and Ted had made it very clear he was attracted to her; but Ian had also heard about what happened in Xing. "How did that go?"

Ted gave him a you really need to ask that expression. "Lousy." He took another drink. "I said hi. I tried to start a conversation, you know, just a basic hello and see how she's been doing since she got home… and she told me she didn't want to talk to me."

"That's it?" Ian was surprised. "I thought you told me the other day she said she didn't blame you?"

"That doesn't make it true," Ted pointed out. "Though I hoped it was. She wouldn't even look me in the eyes. She just looked like she wanted me to go away. So… I did."

"So did she just avoid you or did she actually tell you to go away?"

Ted looked more forlorn than Ian had ever seen him. "She told me leave. That I was… embarrassing her and I needed to go."

Ian winced and reached straight past the beers for the vodka. First Krista chose James over Ted, and now this. The mushy scene could wait a while. "You're right. You get the ice, I'll pour."

May 15, 1984

No one could squeal like Angelique, Minxia thought as her friend nearly tackled her with an enthusiastic hug as she and Thrakos walked into Thrakos' family home.

"You're here!" Angelique exclaimed. "I've been waiting all day."

Minxia laughed and hugged her back. "You knew what time the train was arriving."

"Excitement makes everything seem so much longer, you know that," Angelique chided. "I've been scoping out the bridal shops all over town all week. There's some amazing dresses, oh and the flowers this time of year!"

Minxia smiled indulgently. "You're determined to make this fun and girly aren't you?"

"You only get married once," Angelique chuckled.

"I should hope so," Thrakos commented with a wry expression.

"Once," Minxia assured him with a firm note. "So I know you're excited," she smiled at Angelique. "Where's the family?"

"Oh, they're coming. I just wanted to get to you first before Thrakos' sisters and mother mob you."

"Staking a claim?" Thrakos smiled.

"You better believe it," Angelique winked at him. "Your sisters are very excited."

"I bet they are." Thrakos rolled his eyes a little. "They love weddings."

"Then we should go in and let the family get the gushing over with," Minxia smiled, though her stomach fluttered nervously. She had met Thrakos' family before, but most of the times she had visited, it was his sisters she had seen, since his mother and father were usually at the capital or traveling around the country. The President and his wife were always busy.

Today, however, they were at the family ancestral home in Pylos to welcome home their son and his bride.

"Ready when you are," Thrakos smiled, gave her hand a squeeze, and they walked past the foyer into the central hallway and then into the formal sitting room, where they found the whole family sitting sipping coffee or tea.

:My son, welcome home,: Thrakos' mother, Fiorza Argyros, stood and came towards them, smiling warmly. Always impeccably dressed, her long silver-streaked black hair was pulled up in a twisted bun. Her blouse and A-line skirt were a deep navy blue.

:It's good to be home, mother,: Thrakos smiled back at her, then pulled her close in a much less dignified crunching hug. He released her after a moment. :I bring you another daughter.:

Fiorza's soft chuckle was full of joy. She turned to Minxia and took both of her hands in turn. :It is with joy that I welcome you to our house, and our family.:

:Thank you,: Minxia smiled. :I am honored that you would share your home –and your son- with me.:

Fiorza gave her a kiss on the cheek. :My son has quite adamantly insisted on no one else for the whole time he has known you. It takes a strong woman to win and handle Argyros men.:

President Argyros and Thrakos shared a knowing look as Thrakos' father stood and joined them with less formality than his wife. He gave his son the same kind of crunching hug Thrakos had just given his mother, then offered one to Minxia –a little gentler- which she happily returned. :It's good to see you again, Minxia. How was the trip?:

Hooray for a nice normal question. :As long as always,: Minxia assured him, :Though more comfortable than I remember.:

:We've been working to improve the rail system,: he said. :The new rails and trains do make for a smoother ride.:

:Daddy had it done because he was tired of bouncing everywhere,: Thrakos' younger sister, Giada –known as Gia- teased as she joined in on the hugs. Gia was eighteen and a senior at Chalas. Minxia had a feeling Gia and her sister Kamika would get along well when her own family arrived in a few weeks.

:Guilty as charged,: the President laughed as he got out of the way of his daughters. Floriana –who typically went by Lori- was Thrakos' other sister. She was twenty-one and just finishing up her degree in international finance at the University. She gave them hugs as enthusiastic as Gia's, if slightly more mature and less giggly.

:Well, you've had such a long trip,: Fiorza said after a moment. :Please come, sit down, have something to drink and relax. Tell us about your trip to Xing.:

:Sure,: Thrakos laughed, :But I don't think telling you about what happened will really count as relaxing.:

:But it'll be a fascinating story,: Gia objected as she hurried off to pour drinks. :I mean, Minxia did bring you back alive,: she grinned.

Minxia chuckled as Thrakos rolled his eyes. :Well, that's true,: she agreed. :But really, the most fascinating part of the trip was what happened before everything went crazy.: She took the cup of coffee Gia handed her and sat down in a comfortable chair. :You should have seen what we found at the dig site!:

May 16, 1984

True calm and concentration was evading him. Not that Cal had ever been great at clearing his mind, completely stifling his emotions, or anything else that required extreme levels of calm and focus. His alchemy required focus, but not emotional calm. The calm of battle was completely different to him…and something he only seemed to have control over during times of immediate life-threatening situations anyway.

Which made it nearly impossible to successfully complete the very basic meditation exercise that Ethan had set him as his first. Ethan had demonstrated it and run him through it a couple of times for the theory, but Cal had yet to manage it, especially not on his own.

Things kept distracting him. The sound of water dripping in the bathroom faucet. The cat padding her way down the stairs in little thump-thump-thumps. Charlie shouting something across the house. Doors closing. Even if he locked the bedroom door and warned them not to disturb him, the house was not silent, and it was difficult to ignore the noises.

If he tried when the house was actually empty, as it was when everyone else was at school or work typically, or at least right now, the kids off at school and Alyse taking an afternoon nap on the couch, Cal couldn't quite concentrate.

Which only made him anxious. Not as much as it would have before, but he had cut the anxiety medication in half as directed, and he had already noticed the difference. He wasn't looking forward to trying to go without it, even though he hated having to regularly take medications for anything. He had never been the best patient that way.
He also didn't like being a quitter. With a sigh, Cal closed his eyes and tried once more to reach the state of calm and clear mind that Ethan had told him was the first step. Relax… breathe. Just let it go. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Relax…

Downstairs the door slammed, and chattering voices -Charlie and a female voice Cal didn't immediately recognize- jarred him out of a not-quite-but-almost meditative state. A moment later, his stomach growled audibly, reminded him that lunch had been early. Screw it. Cal opened his eyes, sighed, and stood up from the bedroom floor. He opened the bedroom door and went downstairs to find a snack.

What he found was an unfamiliar girl and Charlie setting up their homework at the kitchen table. "Well, hello," Cal commented, pausing in the doorway.
Charlie jumped slightly, then looked up at him and grinned. "Hey, Dad."

"Hey, Son." Cal looked at the girl: dark-blond hair, green eyes, definitely cute. "Are you going to do proper introductions?"

Charlie reddened. The girl chuckled. "Yeah. Dad, this is Shelby Cruse. Shelby, this is my Dad."

"Nice to meet you, Sir," Shelby smiled, not appearing at all nervous.

"Mom said I could invite Shelby over to study," Charlie explained.

Cal smiled. "A pleasure to meet you. What are you two studying?"

"Biology."

Cal did not tease his son, whose red cheeks had turned to full crimson from neck to nose. "Well, I'll leave you to it. I was about to make a snack. You two want anything?"

Shelby smiled. "A glass of water would be great."

"The finest water in any sink in Central," Cal assured her as he poured ice waters, then cut up apples and cheese and pulled out some crackers. He made a plate for himself and a larger one he left on the table.

"Thanks," Charlie said.

"No problem. Have a good time." Cal left the kitchen before he embarrassed his son any further. You are so lucky. My Dad would never have let me bring a girl home, even for a study date.

Alyse was no longer napping on the couch. Cal found her in her little home-office, looking over the newest pile of bridal magazines, probably keeping up with the trends for her clients.

"When did my son get a girlfriend?"

Alyse smiled and closed the magazine before looking up. "About two days after he got over being sick. Apparently, she missed having him around in class. They have four classes together and sit at the same lunch table."

"Girl has good taste."

"You're just saying that because Charlie looks like you."

Cal chuckled. "No, I'm saying that because she dresses tastefully, seems to have nice manners, and the papers tucked in the folder of her notebook had an A on top."

Alyse gave him an amused expression. "You looked at her grades?"

"The book was open," Cal shrugged. "And I'm observant. At least I know one of them will pay attention to the homework."

"You don't have confidence in your son?"

Cal grinned. "He's my son."