"You've been rather quiet, witch."

"Yes, I've noticed," Wuya sighed.

Chase sighed and set his fork on the stone table they were sitting at. He didn't much care what was wrong with the wench, but her dismal mood was ruining his dinner.

"Why don't you go zap Cyclops in the garden?" he suggested stalely. "That always brings you malicious joy."

"It won't help this time," she said, resting her chin in her palm.

"What will help? While I don't care what's bothering you I also don't plan on associating with what is called a 'downer'."

Wuya turned and looked at Chase. His green eyes were filled with nothing but welcomed blackness that no longer enticed her. She looked away and stood from the table.

"I'm going to bed," she decided.

"What's wrong?" Chase growled, barely glancing at her as she went to the door.

"Nothing...just a bad day."

He rolled his eyes as she left the room. Something was obviously very off with her.

You'd be surprised how much the old monk will tell you if you ask nicely.

So it had something to do with Jack, he should have known. Out of every person in the world, it was concerning that the little insect was gaining popularity. First his nephew, now Wuya, and it looked as if his nutty niece would be drawn in too. Something needed to be done about Jack Spicer.

Chase felt something inside him twinge. He scowled and stood from the table.

"It's no use hiding you weed," he snarled. "You know I can sense your presence."

A moment later Hannibal Bean bounced into view, that wicked grin on his shriveled face.

"I didn't know you cared," the plant jeered.

"What do you want, bean?" Chase asked.

"I want to shed some light on what's going on with your...what'd you call her...housekeeper. I thinkyou'll interim interesting that she done gone and talked to M. Fung."

"Yes, I'm aware. I'm also aware it concerned Spicer. Do you have any useful information?"

"I know it has somethin' to do with that prophecy Dashi fished up."

Chase raised an eyebrow.

"Which prophecy?"

"The one involvin' yer line, a course."

"Really? Why should I believe you?"

"Would I ever lie to you?"

Chase's lip curled up in a scowl.

"Fair enough," Hannibal said, amused by his distrust. "If you don't believe me, you should ask the witch. I'm sure she's just dying to discuss anything involving that Momma's Boy."

"Then you know your way out. Unless you wish for my, as you call them, kittens to escort you to the door."

Hannibal Bean's grin widened, and he turned and started to the door. Chase snapped his fingers; one of his smaller jungle cats rushed to his side.

"Follow him," Chase ordered.

The cat growled and scampered after the bean as Chase made his way to the bedrooms.

******JP******

"I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it."

"Enny, you broke out of a psych ward you belonged in!" Stryker growled, his eyes blazing. "If I wasn't making a 'big deal' about it there'd be something wrong with me!"

Jack winced and tried to focus on steering the jet home. Entropy crossed her arms from the seat behind him and pursed her lips.

"I did not belong there!" she told Stryker. "I don't even think it was a real ward."

"Well, the moment we can, we're taking you back."

Entropy's eyes widened in panic

"No you can't!" she yelled, grabbing Jack's seat and giving her cousin a pleading look. "What if they do something terrible to me?"

"They won't, Enny," Stryker assured her. "You know that."

"But the food there sucks a-and nobody can hold decent conversation and..a-and this one guy says this council's gonna take me and make me spy on those monks we fought!"

Stryker and Jack whipped around and stared at her.

"That's not funny, Entropy," Stryker told her.

"I know it's not," Entropy said, giving him her best puppy-dog eyes. "Which is why I can't go back there. I don't wanna be a spy, Stryke."

The boys continued to stare at her, then Stryker sighed and turned back around, rubbing his forehead.

"What do you wanna do, Jack?" he asked.

"M-Me?" Jack asked as he turned back to the wheel. "She's your cousin, Stryker, that's your call."

"Yeah, but it's your team and your house so you should have a say in it."

Jack glanced over at him, then looked in the rearview mirror. Entropy met his gaze and turned her puppy eyes on him, at which he blushed bright red.

"I-I don't mind," he squeaked, much to Entropy's delight.

Stryker furrowed his brow and put his hand down, turning to stare at Jack's red face in confusion. One look between him and Enny gave him an answer.

Oh dear lord, he thought, ...no...

******JP******

I'm sorry it took so long! So many writer's block moments!