'Are you sure about this, Captain?'

Was he sure? No – Kyrano was not sure, but the higher-up's had found out about his daughter and Scott, and they had not been pleased at the deal he had struck. They had delivered their ultimatum, and now he had to comply and pass that on to Wayne.

'He won't survive in any case. He's merely the bait to lure the Grand Fisher out. You will destroy the Grand Fisher. And then you will kill Tanusha.'

He didn't need to be facing Wayne to know the expression on the young man's face. Kyrano knew that the hostility the Reaper showed to the human was more than simple distain. He didn't think that Wayne was aware of how his feelings for his daughter had changed recently, but the hot headedness of jealousy was an almost tangible air he carried around him.

'She will never be able to kill the human. She has grown too attached. For Reapers like us it can prove a most dangerous affliction. It can weaken us and, if serious, kill us.'

Ultimatum delivered, Kyrano shuttered his heart to hide the devastation at having to give that command, and hope he carried. He hoped it would not come to that. He hoped his daughter was right about the human. He hoped Scott would win.

Oh…Hi there!

Yikes, that is some heavy stuff! But for you to understand what came next I felt it was better that you hear and see what happened rather than second hand from me!

Now that that's out of the way, let's get on to the real story – how Gordon and I saved the Day! Well…we didn't really, Scott did – of course – but I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was coming up to the day we hold our own private memorial for Mom. Every year we celebrate her life with something different. Here, sit back and let me continue telling you what happened…

We were all seated at the kitchen table. All but Grandma, who had needed to go visit an old friend in Kansas. Dad was pacing in front of us.

'Ok. Mom's memorial ceremony. Let the planning begin. Suggestions?'

Both Gordon and I raised our hands, but Dad, smiling at us, continued talking while we waved them like we were back at school and desperate for the teacher to pick us to answer. Yeah – like that ever happened to Gordon!

'John, you're off duty, Virgil you have flowers. Gordon and Alan you have food prep – and god help you if you make the same mistake as last year. I'll be on Scotch duty.'

'But I'm too young to drink Scotch!'

'That's fine, your brothers won't be getting any either. It's for me and your mom.'

Scott sat there, a soft smile on his face. Every year he flew, John took the day off and Virgil created the most amazing flower displays. Gordon and I made a small lunch and Dad drank half a bottle of the finest whisky, leaving the other half for our Mom. We never really planned anything different other than what flowers and what food to bring.

FYI – Dad does not think banana and chocolate spread sandwiches are suitable food.

Of course we brought other stuff with us, we would be gone for two days. But this was the most important part. I don't really remember Mom, but my older brothers have tried really hard to keep her alive for me.

Kayo wandered into the room then. It was as if we had forgotten there was a stranger in our midst, but she seemed to understand that this was a private thing and left us to it.

Once the most important part of the discussion was done – what colour flowers should we have this year? – we all descended into the den to watch TV. Kayo was already sat on one of the couches, and Scott sat beside her while John and Virgil took the other couch and I sat on the floor with Gords.

'So, you're going on a picnic?'

It was said gently, but I could feel the air freeze around us. Scott sighed a little and then smiled at Kayo. She wasn't to know, and I was intrigued as to what he would say. Scott's always been very closed-off about Mom to us, let alone an outsider. His voice dropped to almost a whisper and I had to strain to hear what he was saying.

'A picnic…something like that. We're visiting Mom's grave. They really miss her, my Dad and brothers, they loved her a lot. And I took them away from her.'

'Is – is it really so important, having that family bond?'

'Don't you have anyone back home?'

'I have no parents. I am adopted.'

'You can stay here, if you want. At least you'd have a friend.'

There was silence for a moment. I almost fell backwards in trying to catch what was being said, but if Scott noticed he didn't say anything. It was just like him to offer a permanent home to someone without a family.

'No, it's impossible.'

'Why?'

'It's against the code.'

'The code…You Reapers could do with loosening up a little.'

'Anyway…thank you. What you said made me feel happy.'

And with that Kayo got up and walked out, Scott staring after her, as was I.

We didn't stay up long after that, tomorrow was an important day for us and travelling to Kansas meant a very late night – or early morning – flight so that we could make the most of the time difference.

I wondered if Kayo would join us.