I stood and watched everyone rush around the house.

Fiske was desperately trying to get them organized and to get ready for the mission. Everyone was dressed in all black except me. I had green flannel shorts and a white tank top on and I was hugging a pillow. The sickness had strange effects on me. I was happy one second and then furious the next. Luckily for the people around me, I was happy right now. I came up with a name for what I had…Wolfitis.

"Alright, everyone!" Fiske clapped his hands to get their attention. "You have fifteen minutes." Then everyone went back to rushing.

Dan came up to me. "I can't find my phone!" He exclaimed, waving his arms.

"It's okay, I'm sure someone else has their phone with them," I said, oddly calm at the moment.

"But-but, I need my phone!" He ran back to his room, almost knocking over Ted and Ned in the process.

The Starling twins walked up to me. "We would like you to have this if we don't make it back." They handed me a blueprint. Even though it was a grim statement, they acted like they were talking about the weather.

"Oh, don't say that you guys. I'm sure everything will be fine." I said, "And I can't take this." I tried to put the diagram back in their hands, but they wouldn't let me.

"No, no, I'm sure it will be in good hands." Ned said, grinning.

"Yes, yes it will." Ted agreed. I took a peek at the blueprint and gasped.

"It's your flying toaster!" I cried.

"Yep, our most pointless invention, I hope you like the toaster." Ted said, and I wrapped my arms around them both.

"I love it. Thank you," I said truthfully.

"Ten minutes!" Fiske's voice rang out.

"Oops, we have to run. Bye, Amy!" They chorused.

Jonah approached me. "Hey, if I don't come back, tell my Dad that I love him," he said.

"Sure, Jonah, what about your mom, though?" His lips tightened into a grim line.

"Yes, her too," he said, and I decided not to question it. Jonah and Cora had a tough relationship.

"Thanks, Amy. I really wish you could come, though. You're like my partner out there." I smiled.

"Yeah, sorry about that, I guess you can't control when things happen to you, right?" I told him.

"Yeah, I guess so. Don't apologize for that, though." Jonah said.

"Alright, well good luck." He nodded, smiling and left.

Reagan, Madison, and Hamilton came up to me next. "Hey, Amy," Hamilton said.

"Hi, what can I do for you?" I asked.

They looked at each other. "Uh, nothing, I guess. We just hope that you would get better," Madison said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, you guys. It's been a long day," I apologized.

"Tell me about it," Reagan said.

"Five minutes!"

"Alright, good luck," I said.

"Thanks, I think we're going to need it." And with that, they left. I saw Alistair walk by looking deep in thought.

Now that I think about it, the Kabras have been absent for awhile now. We didn't have training today. Fiske didn't want to tire us. He said we would need a lot of stamina for this mission. I sighed. I really wish I could've been part of this, but things happen at the wrong time. Then the Kabra siblings walked in the room. I heard Natalie whine about how she had to change shoes because they weren't as good for running.

"Natalie, calm down. You'll get to change shoes when we get back." At least one person was optimistic and didn't think that these would be their final moments.

"Three minutes! Everyone get their bags and get in the van!" Fiske announced.

"That's our cue," I heard Ian say, and before they could leave I walked over to them.

"You guys will do well," I insisted.

"It's a pity that you couldn't come." Ian told me.

"Yeah, stuff happens though, right?" I smiled.

"I guess." I didn't even see Natalie walk to the van.

An awkward silence floated around the room. I raked a piece of hair behind my ear and looked at my shoes.

"Uh, I'll just get going then," he said, and I looked up at him already walking away.

"Ian, wait!" I couldn't stop myself.

"Yes?" I took a step forward and wrapped my arms around him. He stiffened, but put his arms around me after awhile.

"Be c-careful." I whispered.

"Oh, don't worry about me. We'll be back before you know it." He returned my hushed tone.

"Promise you'll look over D-Dan for me?" I broke away from the hug and looked up at him.

"I promise." He smiled, reassuringly. "Now, I really must be going."

"Alright," he took a couple of steps and disappeared through the doorway.

"Amy!" Dan's voice rang out and I turned to see him.

Before he could do anything, I pulled him into a hug. Surprisingly, he returned the hug.

"Be careful," I repeated the words from the conversation between Ian and me.

"Oh, don't be such a worry-wart." He laughed.

"C'mon, Dan!" Fiske called. "It's time to go."

I kissed my little brother's head and let him go. Who knows? This could be the last time I ever saw him. I watched as the van until I couldn't see it anymore. I ran a hand through my hair. I do worry too much, but that just makes me who I am.

Once they were gone, the house was eerily dark and silent. I checked the clock. They would be back here around three o'clock. I knew I couldn't sleep until they returned, so I grabbed a book and turned on the lamp. For the first time in my life, I was too anxious to read. I took out my phone and called Dan.

"Hello?" His voice was reassuring.

"Dan, it's me." I said.

"Amy, we just left the house fifteen minutes ago. What could you possibly need?" I heard a couple people snicker in the background.

"I'm sorry. I'll just go now. I love you." I said.

"I love you too, dork." He hung up.

Why had I called in the first place? It must be the nerves. I set the book back on the bedside table stretched. Now, what always calmed me down? Reading. I really didn't have a last resort… great. I guess I'll just have to do something until they get back in three hours. Instead of the book, I reached for my laptop. Once it was loaded, I went on the internet and surfed. I quickly got bored. I was never a computer person. Actually, I was usually the one who got mad at the computer and left.

I checked my watch. There were two hours left. I couldn't help but wonder where they were at the moment. I hope everyone was okay, especially Dan. I don't want him to do anything foolish and I'm not there to keep him from doing so. I hope someone else will keep him in line. Then I spotted a tea bag on the counter and there was a little note by it. I picked up the note first.

Amy,

I'm sure you're nervous and worried about us. Don't worry about us. We'll be fine. I want you to drink this tea. It will settle you down. I love you and we'll be back home soon.

~Fiske

There was more, but I was rather parched. Then I smiled. The note made me feel closer to them somehow. I picked up the tea bag and placed into a cup of boiling water. I took a sip and sighed. It was delightful. The tea tasted like a mix of strawberries and lemons, but it tasted good. I plopped back on the couch. The tea did relax me.

Before I knew it, I was yawning and I was struggling to keep my eyelids from drooping. It was awhile before I finally gave in to the approaching blackness. That was when I saw the last part of the note.

P.S. Don't worry, Amy. The tea will only put you to sleep.

Well, thanks for the warning.

~Fast-forward to a later time~

I woke up with warm stickiness over on the top half of me. I opened my eyes to see the forgotten mug that was once filled with tea, lying next to me. I yawned. How long was I asleep? It was still dark outside. They must be coming home soon. I checked my watch and I felt my heart stop. It was five o'clock in the morning.

They were two hours too late.

Author's Note: Yes, I did just do that. Well, I hope you enjoyed. It took me a bit to right that chapter. I started school this week. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be…surprisingly. Also, my friend joined Fanfiction today! Since she just joined a couple of hours ago, she won't be posting anything for a couple of days. Her pen name is The Yellow Sunsets of Fiji.

Don't ask. :)

I'm kidding. My name is just as weird. She won't let me say her real name because she's paranoid. So, call her Fiji, I guess. She'll hate it. :) Do it! Do it now! PM her right now and make her feel welcome and call her Fiji! Muwahaha, she'll never see it coming. You are truly brilliant, Nataliya.

~Nataliya

P.S. I warn you. She's not so friendly :)