Sorry I've missed some uploads. My seizures are getting so bad I can't remember things. Here's a chapter for you.

Heat expected their mother to come by as soon as she realized that her sons weren't coming back, but several days passed without even a letter. That was a good thing because Snow needed time to rest and recover from the whole experience, and he slept harder than he had in years. But after four days without a word from the whole family, Heat realized that Mother Nature must have seen the servants coming to get their things. Considering what they had just seen, there was no doubt in his mind that Flurry or Cinder must have said something to her. He finally asked them about it while Snow was soaking in the magma chamber.

Flurry looked rather embarrassed and he went very quiet. Cinder smiled a little and slung an arm around him.

"When we got there, it was very clear that they knew you were gone," he said. "There was evidence of a rather violent eruption from the volcano on her island."

Heat grimaced. "Blast. Snow's not going to like hearing that." He thought for a moment then looked at them again. "What happened?"

"Your mother was frantic to know where you were and what was happening. She was rather hysterical about Snow being in trouble, but we didn't answer any questions. As we came out, Mother Nature tried to stop us. We tried to get through but she was insistent we take her to you. And Flurry…"

"I lost my temper," Flurry mumbled, his cheeks flushing blue.

"And said?" Heat prodded gently.

Flurry squirmed and plucked at his jacket sleeve. "I told her that she didn't deserve to be there for him now when she was the cause of it."

Heat nodded, but Cinder shook Flurry. "And?"

"And… I said nothing she could do or say would take away that she'd forced Snow to be happy when he wasn't."

Heat nodded again, but Cinder shook him again. "And?"

"And… I might have mentioned in a rather condescending tone that because she didn't want to deal with teaching Snow a constructive outlet for his anger, now she has a much worse problem on her hands."

Heat took a chance. "And?"

Flurry covered his face with his hands. "I told all of them to stay away from us because Snow will recover better without their poison."

Heat snorted. "Boy, when you icicles blow your top, you're cutting."

Cinder grinned. "What else can you expect when ice explodes?"

Flurry groaned low in his throat. "I don't know how to tell Snow. He's going to kill me."

Heat patted his shoulder. "Well, the longer you put it off, the worse it will be."

"I know," Flurry said thickly. "But I don't want to see him break again."

"Go and get a couple smoothies, whatever's his favorite, and I'll get him back in his room. Have Tundra bring lunch. Cinder, you'll need to make sure he's comfortable. Come on. I bet he's fallen asleep again."

Snow was dozing, but he did stagger out of the pool and got dressed when Heat suggested a bit of food. Once Snow had cooled a little, Heat guided him back to bed and made him comfortable. Flurry came in with Tundra, who served a veritable feast for Snow.

"Roasted venison," he said, his eyes softening.

"My personal request," Heat said. "Tundra said this is your absolute favorite recipe. And I have to try it."

Snow flushed with pleasure. "Thanks," he murmured.

"Thank you, Tundra," Heat said. "Now you and the others take a break and eat. Go on."

Tundra held the door open for Cinder and Flurry, but Cinder shook his head. Tundra nodded and bowed then shut the door. Cinder pushed Flurry forward, and he stumbled before approaching Snow.

"Your favorite, sir," Flurry said, his voice trembling.

Snow glanced at him and set down his fork. "What's wrong?"

Heat pressed his cool hand on his brother's forehead. "I've got news, icicle nose. About Mother."

Snow went very still and all the color drained from his face. "Oh…" He looked at Heat and pushed his tray away. "I see."

"Don't be like that, Snow. You need to eat. Have a sip of your smoothie."

Snow took it from Flurry, who stared earnestly at him. "That's not all, is it?"

Flurry looked away and told Snow what he'd said. Snow sat very still, gazing at Flurry with an unreadable expression as he listened to the confession. When Flurry finished speaking, Snow leaned back.

"You said that?" he asked.

"Yes, sir, and I'm so sorry," Flurry said hoarsely. "You must understand, I'd just seen you fall apart and she was the cause of it and now she wants to fix things? It made me so angry. And I'll apologize, sir, and you can do with me as you wish."

"You said that?" Snow asked again. "To Mother Nature?"

Flurry detected an odd note in Snow's voice, and he finally found the courage to look up. Snow was staring at him with a tender expression. "Yes, sir," he said through his dry mouth.

Snow peered at him then began to giggle. Once he started, he couldn't stop, and he broke into a fit of laughter that made his sides ache. The island shuddered, and there was an explosion as the nearest volcano erupted. Snow hiccuped in surprise and stopped, a brief flash of fright and shame crossing his face before Heat grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"What's so funny, icicle?" Heat asked.

Snow settled down, but he still looked uneasy as he turned back to Flurry. "You said all that to Mother? For me?"

Flurry looked puzzled. "I love you, sir," he said solemnly. "And it is my privilege and honor to serve and protect you from anybody who harms you in any way."

Snow softened and reached out to touch his head servant. "Thank you. Really. I…" He took a deep breath. "You've put up with so much, Flurry. And you've suffered for it."

Flurry grimaced and reached up to finger his collarbone. "I'm well aware of that, sir. But it is still my pleasure to assure your safety and security." He paused and glanced up again. "So you are not angry?"

Snow shook his head. "Not at all, Flurry. It means the world that you would do that for me."

Flurry sighed and relaxed, smiling up at his sire. Snow glanced at Heat and he pulled his food close again. "So what now?"

"Mother's not going to stay away for much longer," Heat said. "I'm sure of that. So we need to figure out what's going to happen."

"I know what'll happen. I lost my temper, and Mother will scold me." He stabbed viciously at the venison then crooned. "Temper, temper, Snow. Where's my happy boy…?"

Heat sat down in a chair beside the bed and grabbed his own food. Snow glanced up and grimaced when he realized what he was saying.

"Sorry…"

"Don't do that," Heat ordered.

"What?"

"Hot, not cold. Out, not in."

Snow looked a bit overwhelmed. "I don't have the energy for an explosion."

"What do you have the energy for?" Heat asked.

Snow shrugged helplessly and he ate his lunch. When Cinder and Flurry finally left to eat their own food, Heat scooted the chair closer to his brother and took his hand. Snow looked at him.

"What was the news about Mother?"

"Your eruption caused the volcano on her island to blow."

Snow paled and covered his face with his free hand. "Oh no. I ruined her island?"

"I don't know about the whole island," Heat said. "But there's definitely going to be damage."

There was quiet as Snow went very still and his hand began to cool in Heat's grip.

"Out, not in," Heat encouraged. "Come on, Snow, let it out."

Snow met his eyes, seeking reassurance, and Heat squeezed his hand then watched as his brother's face crumpled and he began to cry. Heat was glad to feel Snow warming up again, and he shifted to lean on the bed and embraced him. Snow flinched but hugged him back, hiding his face as he wept his heart out. The aching cold in his chest was slowly replaced by a warm, pleasant feeling, and Snow sniffed and calmed down after several minutes.

"There you go. Feel better?" Heat asked.

Snow shrugged, shyly averting his gaze as he pulled back. "Thanks."

"Now, what do you want to happen when the family gets here?"

Snow relaxed into the bed and thought about it. "I don't know," he finally said. "Because I can't control what they say. I don't know how I'll react, Heat. And that scares me."

"Whatever happens, blizzard brain, I'll be there for you."

Snow swallowed. "Thanks, inferno face." He paused then glanced over. "Can I ask you to do something?"

"Sure."

"Don't leave me alone with any of them," Snow pleaded softly. "I'm afraid of what will happen if you do. You're the only one who can handle me, Heat. Please…"

"If that's what you want," Heat agreed at once. "Whatever makes it easier, slurry brain."

Snow relaxed and sighed, closing his eyes tiredly. "I feel like I could sleep for an age, Heat," he murmured. "And it still wouldn't be enough."

"Well, start with a nap," Heat encouraged. "Then we'll go from there."

Snow sank down into the bed as Heat finished his lunch, and he felt so comfortable that he simply dozed off. He woke briefly when Heat smoothed a hand through his hair, and Heat smiled at him before he fell back into a web of dreams.

Several hours later, he woke to Heat shaking him gently. Snow blinked several times then looked over at his brother. He noticed the note in his hand immediately.

"Mother?" he asked.

"Yeah," Heat said. "She's worried about you, Snow. And me, too. She and the family want to come and check on us."

"When?" Snow asked.

"She asked us to pick a day in the next week."

That certainly helped Snow to relax a little bit. "How about three days from now?"

"Sounds reasonable. I'll write back to her then."

Snow nodded, but once his brother was gone, his smile faded. Three days wasn't enough time. Heck, even a century wasn't enough time. But he could do this. He had to. He just couldn't bear the thought of disappointing Mother Nature again. Though, he supposed, it was inevitable. He'd never once made her proud.

Snow swallowed and clenched his fist as a question came to him, echoing from past memories.

'Where's my happy Snow?'

Gone. And maybe he was never there to begin with. Snow just wasn't sure. But he supposed he could smile for mother for an hour or two. He had two whole days to prepare. That comforted him, and by the time Heat came back in with Mother's effusive yes, Snow was relaxed and agreeable again.