Hi, everyone. As you can tell, I have not invited the Saturdays back for this chapter either, partly because I don't think Doc is happy about the way he's been acting in the story. Anyways, I'm sorry this is a little late, as I've been really busy lately. Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.

Chapter 3: The Will

(3rd Person POV)

The Great Serpent chuckled to himself as he thought of the Barmanou once again. His eyes glowed a flaming white, a white that only his scales matched, and smiled. How he loved to mess around with the Barmanou; he told the newest king and queen to shave their fur and run around their kingdom like insane creatures. The Great Serpent's eyes stopped glowing a few minutes after he gave the command, and he began laughing loudly to himself. Gulama entered the room, bowed to the Great Serpent, and joined in his laughter.

"Gulama, what have I sssaid about bothering me? Get out of my chambersss," the Great Serpent hissed. Gulama slithered away.

"You really should be nicer to her, the other nagas, and the other cryptids over which you've gained control. Yes, I'm talking about your little Barmanou trick just now," an authoritative voice interrupts the Great Serpent's thoughts.

"And if I'm not, your Majesssty?" the Great Serpent hisses in disgust.

"Then we'll punish you even worse than last time. Does your inability to say 's' correctly not bother you?" the god taunted.

"Why did you come here? What do you want? You know you have no power here," the Great Serpent demanded.

"To see why the Pogeyan have been lurking near villages in India, only to run away leaving only insulting reminders that they are still around." The god took a breath. "I seem to have found the answer after witnessing you toying with the Barmanou." The Great Serpent huffed in response. "The other gods and I are serious. You've got to cut it out, or we'll do something you'll never forget and we're bound to regret." With that, the god leaves.

"'The other godsss and I are ssseriousss. You've to cut it out, or we'll do sssomething you'll never forget and we're bound to regret.' My tail!" the Great Serpent said, mocking the god. The Great Serpent looked out the entrance to the Naga's caves. How far would the gods go?

(Drew's POV)

I hang up the phone and sigh. This is not how I planned to spend my day. Doc joins me in the kitchen, but I quickly turn my back to him. I don't want anything to do with him after yesterday.

"Honey, I said I was sorry, What more do you want me to do?" he whines. I keep snubbing him. I take a look at the phone, hoping the person will call back and tell me he had the wrong number or that he misread the name, but I know that won't happen. My feet walk me from the kitchen and into the living room, but life seems so surreal that I don't think about it. I sit down in a chair and notice Iris staring out the window.

"Iris, j'ai reçu un appel, et je pense que tu dois savoir à ce sujet. (Iris, I got a call today, and I think you need to know about it.)" I start. Iris turns to look at me. "Un homme m'a appelé, et il a mentionné la volonté de ton père. Très probablement, la volonté va nous dire où tu es censé aller. Es-tu prête? (A man called me, and he mentioned your father's will. Most likely, the will will tell us where you're supposed to go. Are you ready?)" Iris looks down at the floor; she doesn't seem sure. "Si elle ne la fait pas, serais-tu toujours prête à rester avec nous? (If it doesn't, would you still be willing to stay with us?)" Iris glances out the window hopelessly, then she looks back, and nods. "D'accord. Merci, Iris. (Okay. Thank you, Iris.)"

I leave the living room, and go sit in the library, a library exactly like the one we used to have at the house. No one remembers we have an airship library because everything is electronic these days; I guess that's why I like it so much.

My hands feel over the worn covers of the books. I find the one I'm looking for pretty quickly because it's the one I always look at one bad days. I open the cover and turn to the first page. It's a picture of me and Doc rock climbing next to each other; the date below it reads, "August 10, 1995." I smile at how young and innocent I was back then. Had I known how things would have turned out, I might have changed the story, though.

The next picture is my first date with Doc, back when we were both in college, I as a cryptozoologist and medical doctor major, and he as a STEM major; we were both near graduating with doctorates. I remember the night Doc came to pick me up from my dorm for our first date. Oh, how my roommate hated him. It was quite funny actually to hear she and Doc arguing while I finished last minute makeup.

The pictures progress through our relationship, up until when I was about twenty-five. The pictures stop there, and it's easy to recall why. When I confessed to my roommate about cause of the hiatus, she laughed at first, said she'd been right all along, and then worked with me for a long time to get over it. During that time, Doc and I got married and then went to Iraq to uncover the Kur Stone as part of my thesis for my cryptozoology doctorate degree. I celebrated my twenty-sixth birthday over there that October, but we did not find the Stone until that January. The same day we found it, a man named Vincent Vladislav Argost made off with the Kur Stone. Doc and I gathered a team of fifty, consisting of members of a science organization Doc and I had joined. We raided Argost's manor, found the Stone, and came out with only seven. I don't know what happened to everyone, but I know for certain that Dr. Derek Grey died in there. That same night, Zak was born.

The rest of the scrapbook is just pictures of our family adventures, leading up Zak's eleventh birthday. After that, the pictures became less and less until they come down to only birthdays and holidays. The last picture in the book is Zak's thirteenth birthday; we were all so happy, even if times were tough. I wish we could be like that again.

I close the book, and slide it back on the shelf. Tomorrow is Doc's birthday, but I don't want anything to do with him right now. I hug my knees in close to me and just sit. I look at my watch; it's eleven in the morning, and we're meeting the lawyer at one this afternoon.

(Iris's POV)

It's been one week and three days since I last saw Master, and I'm starting to worry. It's not that he hasn't disappeared for months at a time before, he has, but I'm worried because I have no instructions, no rules, no guidelines, nothing. Pourrait Maître mort? Je l'espère. Si il était mort, je serais sûrement mort. (Could Master be dead? I hope not. If he were dead, I would surely die.)

My mind reverts my thoughts to what Dr. Drew said about Father's will. Qu'advient-il si je suis dans la volonté? Qu'advient-il si je ne suis pas? Que faire si le père veut les Saturdays pour prendre soin de moi? Je ne peux pas être toujours silencieux. Vais-je être de la famille, un paria, ou une servante? Qu'est-ce qu'une volonté? (What happens if I'm in the will? What happens if I'm not? What if Father wants the Saturdays to take care of me? I can't be silent forever. Will I be family, an outcast, or servant? What is a will?)

I'm so distracted by my thoughts that I don't see the ladybug on the windowsill until after I put my hand on it. In shock, I pull my hand back, see the dying ladybug, and scoop it up. Most people would normally take it out of its misery, but I have another plan. I cup my other hand over the ladybug without squishing it. Next I imagine the pain and fear the ladybug must be experiencing and imagine my own comfort and assurance; I envision the opposing feelings switching places as the ladybug takes back health and life, while I experience the pain of every bone in my body being broken. It hurts, a lot, and I almost start crying, but it's over as soon as it started. When I open my eyes, the ladybug is flying around, full of life once again. Meanwhile, I feel drained, but I'm glad I saved a life.

I don't know how I got this healing power, or really any of my powers, but I know that's why Master took care of me. He wanted to protect me and my powers from people like the Saturdays, so they couldn't use them for evil purposes. Master warned me that people would use my healing powers to save themselves if there were war, use my cryptid powers for a war, and use my elemental powers for harm. The Saturdays don't seem like that's what they want from me, but I can never be too sure with Master's enemies.

"A penny for your thoughts, Iris." I stiffen. Qui était-ce, et pourquoi ils continuent d'acheter mes pensées pour un sou? (Who was that, and why do they to buy my thoughts for a penny?) "Relax, Iris. It's just a saying. What are you thinking?" I turn around and see the green Komodo Dragon the Saturdays have. I think his name is Komodo.

I bend down and kneel so that I'm on Mister Komodo's level. I feel his eyes scanning me, but I try not to let him know that. Any indication could give me away.

"Iris, we don't want to hurt you. Drew wants the best for you right now. She understands your pain from your father's death," Mister Komodo continues. I study the floor to my right. This airship really needs a good cleaning, I'm noticing. "It's about eleven thirty now, if you want to get cleaned up before we meet the lawyer in a few hours." After those words, Mister Komodo leaves. I stand up, look out the window one last time, and head to the room I'm staying in.

I walk in the bathroom, look around, and immediately lose my bearings; I've never seen a bathroom this big before. There's a toilet with feet of space around it, a sink and large counter. Across from the sink, there's a bathtub-shower cross. I must be dreaming, that or the Saturdays are trying to tempt me into betraying Master.

Eventually, I figure the bathroom out, and I take a shower. However, the hot and cold water faucets confused me; I burned myself at first, then I froze myself, and then I finally got the temperature near comfortable. It felt weird to have relaxing warm water after using only refreshing cold for so long. Afterwards, drying off with a soft towel took some, no, actually a lot, of getting used to.

Nothing is happening when I finish in the bathroom, so I start looking around. I can't seem to find anyone, not even Mister Komodo or Mr. Blackwell. I wander around the living area of the airship, grateful Mister Zak showed me around the other day.

My eyes happen upon a clock on the stove. Oh mes étoiles! Comment est-il arrivé d'être midi ?! Où tout le monde pourrait être? Pourrait-ce tous ont été un truc, me prenant ici, en agissant comme ils me veulent, l'organisation d'un avocat faux, et ensuite me laisser seul? Il est exactement comme Maître a dit se passerait-il si les Saturdays m'a trouvé. Oh, Maître, où êtes-vous ?! (Oh my stars! How did it get to be noon?! Where could everyone be? Could this all have been a trick, taking me here, acting like they like me, arranging for a fake lawyer, and then leaving me alone? It's exactly like Master said would happen if the Saturdays found me. Oh, Master, where are you?!)

(Fisk's POV)

Zak, Komodo, Zon, and I are all in Zak's room, sitting in a circle. We're supposed to be playing a board game, according to Mom's instructions, but we're all staring at each other. No one speaks.

"Why did Mom ask us to do this, again?" Zak finally asks.

"Because she and your father had a conference call to make, and they don't want us interrupting. And as for Doyle, he's been banished to his room too, so don't even think about trying anything funny," Komodo growls. I swear he's no fun.

"Can we start the game now? I call green!" I say, but the only replies are glares from the other three. "Fine, then. I'll go find Iris and play with her." I stand up to leave.

"NO. Drew asked us to stay in here, so that's what we'll do. Besides, Doc doesn't want us to associate with Iris for the time being," Komodo cuts in.

Eventually, I convince the others to play the game, but they aren't really into it as much as I am. It ends up costing them the game, as I win for the fifth time. I pause after rolling the dice.

"Why aren't you guys paying attention? I've already won five games, and you don't care. Wake up, you guys! Zak, why aren't you going crazy trying to beat me?" I whine. No one cares. "Fine then." I get up and leave. Mom and Dad said the call would only take thirty five minutes; they called at noon, and it's 12:35 now. Suddenly, the airship lands. I'm so startled that I race back to Zak's room, slam the door, and press my back against the door while heaving. I think Mom and Dad are off to meet with the lawyer.

(Drew's POV)

Doc, Iris, and I get off the airship and head towards the place I agreed to meet the lawyer at. Doc's grumbling about what an inconvenience this is, and Iris is twisting her hands in the gloves Zak gave her.

We open the door to the lawyer's office and step inside. The clock reads exactly one. "Good afternoon, Dr. Saturday and Dr. Saturday. How are you both?" The lawyer's voice reminds me of nails of a chalkboard. I shudder.

"We're well. How are you, Mr. Scheef?" I ask politely.

"I'm very well, thank you, Madame," the lawyer answers, throwing some French into his speech, even if he addressed me incorrectly. "And this," the lawyer looks over Iris, "must be the Iris I've read about. Comment es-tu, ma chérie? (How are you my dearie?)" Iris stiffens and nods. She has to be the most uncomfortable one here.

"She doesn't speak to anyone," I explain.

"Ah, yes. I remember that."

"Can we get on with the will?" Doc asks impatiently.

"Solomon!" I cry.

"No, no. It's quite all right. Your husband has a point," Mr. Scheef's weasel-like face twists as he contemplates the will's location. "Ah, I found it," he exclaims as he pulls out a file. Iris stands stiffly as the lawyer talks on on about little things Leonidas left her. She doesn't seem to know what to think. "And finally," Mr. Scheef pauses, "custody of Iris goes to . . ." Mr. Scheef holds out the pause far too long. ". . . me." Iris stiffens and looks down at the floor. Doc seems relieved; I don't know what to feel. "I'm kidding. Custody goes to you, the Saturdays."

Iris looks unsure of whether to tense up even more or to relax. I can't speak for her, but my guess is that she prefers us over Mr. Scheef, but I also know that none of us are on the best of terms right now.

"Thank you, Mr. Scheef," I say, standing up.

"My pleasure, Dr. Saturday." Mr. Scheef's weasel-like face contorts to look even more weasel-like as he pushes us out the door to his office. The door slams shut.

"So now what, Drew?" Doc whispers.

"I don't know. I've never had a daughter before, and especially not Argost's servant for one," I whisper back.

(Iris's POV)

Once we're all back on the airship, I begin to relax a little. Comment? Comment est-ce possible? Père ne peut pas être sérieux. Il doit y avoir une erreur. (How? How is this possible? Father can't be serious. There has to be a mistake.) I look back at the closed ramp off the airship. Alors ça y est? Je préfère rester avec M. Scheef que les Saturdays. Au moins, je savais que M. Scheef avant maintenant. (So that's it? I'd rather stay with Mr. Scheef than with the Saturdays. At least I knew Mr. Scheef before now.) I find myself looking at the Saturdays. Je fais partie de les Saturdays maintenant. Maître est pas mon maître plus. (I belong to the Saturdays now. Master is not my master anymore.) The reality of my situation begins settling in. I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. I know this isn't worth getting upset.

Everyone spends the rest of the day in their own space, and I don't blame them. Taking in a servant is hard, especially if you're not used to having one. To try and make the transition easier, I make and serve lunch to everyone, wash dishes, clean up the airship, and just stay out of everyone's way. No one objects, but I want so badly for someone to hate me and force Dr. Drew and Dr. Solomon to take me back to Master. But that will never happen.

That night, after everyone else has gone to bed and been asleep, I return to the guest bedroom. It doesn't feel right to have a bedroom like this now that I know my place here; I lie down on the carpeted floor and stare up at the ceiling for a while. I can't sleep, nor do I feel like it.

"What are we supposed to do with her? Tell me, Drew! We can't keep her, and you know that!" Dr. Solomon yells.

"And why not? We've kept Komodo, haven't we?!" Dr. Drew yells back. I've been listening to their voices all night, but this is the first time they've yelled all night.

"Komodo is different! He's family!"

"So is Iris now! Look, I had no idea Leonidas had any children when he asked me about the will!"

"So you knew?! You knew he was making a will, and that there was a child custody clause in there, and you still agreed?! Drew!" Dr. Solomon yells, trying to hide the hurt in his voice.

"Yes, I knew. But, Doc, how do you say no to your friend when he asks you if you would take in his future children if anything were to happen to him and his future wife? That would be like if Lisa asked you to take in her kids if anything happened to her and her husband. You wouldn't be able to decline."

"Oh, so it's 'Leonidas', now?! What happened to 'Van Rook'?!" Dr. Solomon yells.

"It's always been 'Leonidas', just never when you were around." Dr. Drew pauses for a moment and says so softly I can barely hear her, "Goodnight, Doc. Happy birthday." A door slams, and then there's silence.

I roll over on my left side and face the wall adjacent to Dr. Drew and Dr. Solomon's bedroom. For the first time since I told my father goodbye, I cry, but this time, I hold nothing back. All of this over a stupid sheet up paper with my father's signature on it.

Sorry this chapter is a little shorter than usual, but there's a lot happening to compensate. I'm really sorry about this being late, and the next few chapters will most likely be late too. I've just got a lot going on in my life right now. Thank you all so much for reading! Don't forget to review, follow, favorite, or all three! If you have any suggestions or constructive critiques, please let me know. Thank you all so much once again!