Saoirse's eyes shot open and she sat up, her breathing harsh as she looked around. The room was dark, but the crescent moon and stars outside offered just enough light to let her see the outlines of everything. Where was she?

A chair…a desk…a computer…

She was at Courage's, that was right. Memory came back to her and she collapsed back onto the bed, weak and worn. Whatever nightmare she had been having had been enough to make her ready to run. The relief of realizing her surroundings drained her of the last bit of adrenaline.

What time was it? She looked around but saw no clock. Rubbing her eyes, Saoirse sat up and got out of bed, her legs wobbly. It had to be early in the morning, perhaps even four or five in the morning. Perhaps Muriel would wake soon and start the usual farm chores. Perhaps Saoirse could join her – she always enjoyed visiting the chickens when she had been younger.

Water…no, she needed tea after that nightmare…now. Saoirse stepped out of the attic and went to the bathroom quickly. When she saw that Muriel and the others were still asleep, she hesitated. They wouldn't mind if she made tea…but Katz might. Unless, maybe he'd join her.

She glanced towards the staircase. How deep did the man sleep? She lingered in the hallway and ran the options through her mind once more. It wasn't like she would be able to sleep any…and she didn't think she could or would be comfortable (or capable) of using Courage's computer. She didn't want to wake anyone up to keep her company either.

So that left going downstairs and getting some tea. Chamomile should calm her. If the pipes weren't so noisy, she would take a shower to relax her. With that left, she sighed inwardly and prepared herself for what would be…not fun, to put it lightly and simply.

Summoning her recollection of childhood visits, Saoirse avoided the stairs that would most likely make noise. She used the quasi-light of the stars to guide her, entrusting the rest of her silence to her eyes adjusting to the darkness. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she looked up towards the couch. The back faced her, but she saw no hint of foot, hand, ear, or tail.

Was he curled up?

Saoirse hesitated, trying to listen to the sound of breathing. There was nothing. That wasn't a good sign. Carefully, she walked forward and got to the couch, wanting but unwilling to look over to see if he lay there. An image of him flashed in her mind: Katz lying on his back, staring up at him with those bright, vivid yellow eyes, his sharp ears flickering as his fingertips toyed with a small ball of yawn.

She forced herself to slowly lean forward, hoping not to see what she had imagined. Just as her waist bent, however, she felt something wrap around her mouth and her body, their body against hers. A muffled cry left her, panic striking her heart like lightning. Was it the government?! Had they come for Courage, for Katz by mistake, and their pets finally?!

She made to fight, to stomp on their feet, and to bite their hands. A slight grunt left the man behind her when her foot connected to his. When she managed to turn, it was…Katz! Saoirse froze, startled at this discovery. Katz, for his part, glared through the dim light as he watched her.

"What are you doing down here?" He hissed, clearly agitated that she had stomped on his foot.

Had she not been so surprised, she would have taken pleasure in this. "What are you doing creeping up on me?!" She hissed back, angry that she had been so scared from his 'announcement'. "I thought you were asleep!"

Katz snorted. "Clearly," he crossed his arms, "or else you wouldn't have looked over the couch. I ask you again, why are you down here?"

Saoirse wanted to snarl, to tell him something harsh…but she had a sneaking suspicion that she would just pay for it later, when they weren't in the safety of Courage's house. After they found the Terriers and he became her new owner, at that. So she mirrored his stance and stated, "I couldn't fall back asleep and wanted to make some tea." Pause. "Why are you awake?"

"You first." Katz' tail flickered behind him. "Why did you wake up?"

Saoirse entered another staring match with the man. He seemed to enjoy them, the sadist. "Nightmare. You?"

Katz smirked. "The couch is too lumpy."

It was Saoirse's turn to smirk. "I'm going to make tea." Pause. "Would you like a cup?" Better to offer a bit of a truce for now. Not only that, but she could relay to him what information Courage had discovered.

Katz glanced at the large grandfather clock – it showed just after three in the morning – and nodded. "Hold the poison."

Smiling despite herself, Saoirse nodded and started to the kitchen, the man following shortly after. "Easy enough. Courage doesn't keep any poison in the house." As Katz sat, Saoirse went to fill the kettle with water before placing it on the stove. As it heated, she carefully picked up the tea set and loose leaf tea, inhaling the scent. Ah, jasmine green tea. Muriel must have been to the foreign market lately.

As she worked, placing two scoops of tea in the pot's strainer and another for flavor, Katz observed her for a second time that night. It was one of the few times he had been able to see her behave normally, as if the Terriers weren't missing and he wasn't hovering. Saoirse seemed at home like this at the simple task of making tea. No doubt it was something Shelia had her do frequently enough, even divulge in a few cups herself throughout the day.

When the kettle started to whistle, Saoirse snatched it off the oven, least it wake someone. She poured the water into the pot and closed it, setting the kettle aside. She smiled as she inhaled the warm scent, her shoulders relaxing from the earlier scare. It was only when she got to the second cup did she recall who she was making such a large pot for.

Ah, Katz.

She frowned. Reminding herself the purpose of it all, she poured the tea and brought his cup to him. "Sans poison." She said coolly.

Katz' lips twitched into something of a grin. He took the cup. "Good girl." His fingertips brushed against hers.

Saoirse yanked her hand away with a distained look on her face. He was pushing her. "You're welcome." She said with agitation before sitting with her own cup. How was she to handle him on such little sleep tomorrow?

The pair put their verbal war on pause as they sipped tea. At least, the human thought, they could agree upon that one thing. She let her eyes drift from him to the window. The stars had always looked so clear, so crisp out here. That was definitely one of the great things of living out in the country with the Terriers – well, among other things. She would miss that once she and Katz moved to the city.

The city…

Swallowing both the tea and the sudden lump in her throat, Saoirse focused. "Courage and I may have found something." She spoke softly, unwilling to break the almost peaceful silence.

Following her example, Katz spoke in a soft hush, "And what would that be, dear girl?" It was slow, deliberate…calm. There was a trace of curiosity and boredom, somehow existing and balancing in his tone.

Nevertheless, Saoirse's earlier state of serenity came back. The warm cup in her hands gave her something to focus on. "There are four or five different buildings that house government officials and offices in the city. Your city." The one where they met.

Silence. Another sip of tea. "What makes you think they're in that particular city?" Again, his voice was low. It reminded her of melted dark chocolate. Hushed. Almost…gentle.

So soft, in fact, that Saoirse felt herself start to get sleepy. No, she thought, it has to be the tea that was wearing her out. She refused to give that bastard any more credit than necessary. It didn't stop her from whispering back though. "It's where the leash laws came into effect first. Their treatment of humans…it's a best guess." She finished her tea, but didn't put the cup aside. From the corner of her eye, she could see Katz' tail dance slowly.

He didn't speak right away. Instead she felt like he was watching her. She was probably right, but she kept her gaze on the window. The sky started to have the first few hints of sunlight to it. And just like that, they both heard footsteps above them, their gazes traveling to the ceiling. The household was waking.

Clink. Katz placed his cup on the table. "Then we will start the search today." It was a command that filled Saoirse with both resentment and hope.