Honey Ninja sat curled up in Eric's lap as he worked on his homework assignments at his desk. Occasionally, he'd pause to pet his furry companion, her soft and smooth coat offered him comfort as she purred in delight. With the final problem of his mathematics solved, he closed the workbook and leaned back in his chair to massage his neck. He looked outside when he heard the distant thunder.

"Dad, Anya and Bond should be on their way home now." Eric said as the sky darkened, earlier his father and sister left to walk the dog and have some alone time together. One he encouraged as it gave him some alone time to work on his school while exercising his power. It felt good to just make things float just for the fun of it. Also, it makes folding laundry so much easier. Which reminds him.

Eric placed Honey Ninja on top of his desk then stood up to stuff his books into his bag. Afterwards, turned to the laundry basket beside his bed. With a light smile, he took a deep breath and raised his hands in front of him. His hair floated around as though submerged in water. The clean clothes his mother placed beside his bed floated out of the basket and began to fold themselves in midair. The drawers in his dresser opened as the neatly folded shirts, trousers, socks and underwear were placed inside. With the last article of clothing in their rightful place, the drawers gently shut by themselves.

Eric lowered his arms as the fringes of his hair fell against his forehead. With a satisfied smile, he picked up the now empty basket and left his room. "Hey Mom, I finished my homework and folded my-" He stopped midsentence when he entered the living room and saw a strange woman sitting on the couch across from Yor. "-laundry." He finished as schooled his features into neutrality.

"Oh, Eric, you're already done. Good job. You can put the basket in that corner over there." Yor said then gestured towards their guest, "This is Fiona Frost, she's your father's colleague at the hospital."

"How do you do? Your name is Eric, I assume. Your father has spoken a great deal about you." Like her name, she spoke in a cool and frosty voice as she watched him with her one visible eye.

Eric bowed his head in acknowledgement and greeting, "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am. Thank you for helping my father."

Eric raised his head carefully assessed the woman in their home. At first glance, she is a very beautiful woman, with her pale skin and chin-length silver hair with the fringe covering the right of her blackish-grey eyes. Her face is completely void of emotion, like a statue. Ironically, it unsettled him.

"Would you like some hot chocolate, Eric?" Yor offered, to which he nodded, "Thank you, I would love some."

Yor went back to the kitchen to prepare her son's favorite beverage while Eric set the laundry basket in the corner. He moved to sit on the chair his father normally occupies, his feet dangled over the edge as he waited patiently for his mother to return.

For several minutes, Eric and Fiona did not speak, their eyes fixated on the coffee table but kept each other in their peripheral vision. "You say you work with my father. Psychiatry?" Eric broke the ice, maintaining a neutral tone for guests.

"Yes, though I'm a junior, and I mainly assist him with his schedule and patients." Fiona cooly answered, matching the boy's calm and reserved tone.

"Strange, I don't remember seeing you when I visited his workplace for a school assignment." Eric stated as he leaned his right cheek on his knuckles before he dared to make eye contact with Fiona.

"I had just transferred to Berlint Hospital. I am still learning the ropes while under Dr. Forger's guidance." Fiona answered as she assessed the boy's reaction. As expected, the child made no facial reaction to her explanation.

"I see. Then I trust my father is being a good mentor to you." Eric surmised as he tried to make out her body language. But he'd have more luck with an ice block than her.

'She's hiding something. This is just like when we met Dad for the first time. Could she be a spy? Ally or adversary?' Eric's eyebrow twitched in frustration, wishing so bad for telepathy right now. 'No, too early to tell. But she wants something. You don't just go to your superior's home without reason. I need to be on my toes until Dad gets back.'

Meanwhile, Fiona felt like she's on cloud nine. This is the son of Twilight, such a shocking resemblance between the two. Rumors have gone around about Eric Forger being Twilight's secret biological son, and she was curious to see if those rumors were true. But even if those allegations prove false, just seeing this child, this offspring of Twilight set her heart ablaze for the man she loves deeply.

'This child is so much like Twilight, right down to his serious frown. How Twilight claims to not have fathered this little boy is beyond me.' Fiona noted as she analyzed the boy's body language, 'He's sitting in his father's chair, trying to assert his place as the man of the house. How adorable. It's obvious he doesn't trust me, he probably believes I'm trying to steal his father. Which isn't too far off. Clever child you are.'

Yor returned with a mug of hot chocolate, "Here you go Eric."

Eric took the warm mug as he faced his mother, "Thank you Mom." He gently blew on the sweet beverage before taking a slow sip with a look of contentment.

Fiona began to strategize on what the best course of action to take to get Yor Briar out of the picture and insert herself as the new Mrs. Forger. Since she can't get her to leave by force or make her disappear, her best bet is to make her leave of her own volition.

Fiona glanced from the mother/son duo to the family pictures. "Your daughter, Anya, she seems rather lively." She noted while analyzing each photograph. All of them are smiling, even little Eric who wore a relaxed smile alongside his sister's bright and energetic grin.

Yor was surprised by the question but smiled fondly, "Yes, if nothing else, she's always a bundle of energy."

"That must be quite difficult. Raising a child like that can be exhausting." Fiona stated, which brought forth a subtle glare from Eric who calmly sipped at his hot chocolate.

"'Difficult?' Why would you say that? I love that she's so energetic all the time. Now if she were down in the dumps all the time, that would be a real challenge. Plus, Eric is able to balance her energy with his tranquility." Yor added as she glanced at Eric who lowered his mug slightly and nodded his head in acknowledgement. "I'm lucky that all three of us can have so much fun together."

'Hmph, so she sees herself as the children's mother.' Fiona thought to herself, hoping that the difficulties of raising stepchildren would make her leave. But it would seem she holds a great deal of maternal fondness for her son and daughter.

"Actually, parenthood does seem a bit challenging for Loid considering everything he has to do for work." Yor admitted then added morosely, "And around the house because of me." She said as she remembered the disaster of breakfast this morning. Anya and Loid looked like they were in pain when they swallowed the sad excuse of a fried egg. Eric, bless his heart, stomached his mother's cooking with tears in his eyes as he did not want to hurt her feelings. But Yor could see how much effort he put in to bear his suffering for her sake.

Fiona felt a small sense of victory at her admittance. 'Exactly, you need to acknowledge your own inadequacy. You aren't fit for this mission.'

Eric cradled his mug in his lap. "That's not true." He spoke, causing the two women to face him, "You're working hard enough as it is. You keep an immaculate home free of pest and dirt while encouraging me and Anya to do the same. Plus, you're teaching us those amazing self-defense techniques and even volunteer at the center to teach Anya's gymnastics class. A lot of the kids and their moms praise your athletics and agility." He reminded his mother, letting her know where praise is earned while taking a quick glance at Fiona, giving her a subtle glare which went unnoticed by Yor.

Yor blushed, "They really say that?"

"That's right, they consider you an ideal model and wish to emulate your skills in the art of gymnastics." Eric added with a subtle yet proud smile.

Yor touched her cheek as her blush deepened, "Oh, I'm not so sure about that." She said, feeling bashful at knowing how the other students see her as their role model for the sport.

Fiona can see how Eric is protective of his adoptive mother's feelings, which makes things a bit difficult for the ice-like woman. That glare he sent her, eye color aside, it resembled Twilight's perfectly. He knows how to administer threats and warnings without drawing too much attention. 'Did Twilight teach him that, or did it come naturally?'

Fiona opened her mouth to speak, "Dr. Forger often complains-"

The front door opened to reveal three absent family members.

"We have returned safely!" Anya announced their presence with Bond barking beside her.

Eric carefully climbed out of his father's seat and gently set his half-empty mug onto the coaster. Now that the head of their family has returned, it is best to vacate the throne and have him deal with Fiona.

"Welcome home you two." Yor greeted as she went over to the mini buffet to pick up the magnifying glass.

"Oh, hi Fiona. What are you doing here?" Loid greeted in surprise. He never expected to see his fellow spy in his own home.

'First name basis. Not good.' Eric noted as he approached his father and sister.

"Hello Doctor, it's good to see you." Fiona greeted in her cool and professional tone which bellied her irritation. 'I thought I had more time.'

"She came to return something you left at the hospital." Yor said as she gave the item back to her daughter.

Anya's eyes brightened as she held her precious item. "Yay, my magnifying glass!"

"Try not to lose it next time." Eric sighed as he crossed his arms. 'Anya, I don't trust this woman.'

Anya tensed up as she held her brother's hand, she stuffed the magnifying glass in her jacket then touched his palm with her finger.

"That wasn't a very long walk." Yor commented as she took her husband's coat and hung it on the rack.

Fiona calmly approached her superior.

"It was starting to look like rain, so we cut it short." Loid turned to Fiona, "You could have just given me this at work." While he said those words, he was mouthing something different, ("What is this about Agent Nightfall?")

"I was out running a few errands, and it was on the way." Fiona replied in the same manner, ("I am here to assess the state of Operation Strix.")

Anya stared at her with wide eyes, 'This lady is a spy too?' She confirmed while drawing letters into her brother's palm.

WEST SPY

Eric relaxed slightly, 'So, she works with our father in the same organization. That's one relief. Still, I can't make heads or tails with her demeanor.'

'What is she up to? Agents are supposed to avoid unnecessary contact.' Loid asked himself as he tried to understand while communicating with his former underling.

"I see. The local supermarket?" Loid asked, ("What's there to assess?")

"Yes, that's correct. Their onions were on sale." Fiona replied, ("Is walking your dog an essential part of the mission?")

Yor turned to their guest with an intrigued expression, "Oh, I had no idea, maybe I should go pick some up."

"They've also got their pasta and pumpkins at a discount. There was a long line at the register." Fiona mouthed to Loid, ("Shouldn't this woman be doing your errands? Does she refuse to cooperate?")

"I recommend their shrimp. It's good." Loid glared at Fiona, ("What are you trying to say?")

"I may have forgotten to tell you this Doctor, but I'm actually allergic to shellfish." Fiona glared back, ("I'm saying it's a great loss that a man of your talents is focusing his efforts on playing house.")

("I propose we review your operational tactics.") Fiona mouthed to her fellow agent.

("It's not your place to propose anything.") Loid mouthed back to her.

'Okay, now I'm officially lost.' Eric sighed as he pretty much gave up at this point when lightning sparked from their glares.

Anya watched their interaction while reading their minds. 'Papa and this new lady are fighting. Her face is so scary.'

But then, Anya was hit by a thought she never anticipated, 'Agent Twilight...I love you.'

"Huh?" Anya rubbed her eye to get a clearer view.

While Fiona's face remained impassive, her inner thoughts were extremely loud, 'I LOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEE YOOOOOOOUUUUUU!' If Anya didn't know any better, she could have sworn she saw bright pink hearts in the woman's eyes.

What followed next was a series of fantasies from cooking, laundry, a financial supporter then a wedding. It's normal to dream, but this woman's fantasy is a bit on the extreme side. Anya pretty much went numb at this point.

'Well, what are we dealing with here?' Eric asked his sister who clumsily drew in his hand. He didn't get it at first until it became clear.

CRAZY LOVE PAPA

Eric sighed inwardly as rain began to pour outside, 'This is going to me one of those days. Great.' This is not how he wanted to spend his evening.

While his mother boiled water for coffee and hot chocolate, Eric sat in the chair across from his father as it gave him a place to observe while Anya sat in her small pink chair across from Fiona. The eldest child of the Forger family cradled his warm beverage as he listened to his dad and Fiona talk. He looked up and caught his mother's sad look in the cabinet window's glare. Even if he can't read minds, he can see how Loid's interaction with Fiona is putting her off.

Yor set the cups down in front of her family members, "Here you go."

"Cocoa time!" Anya cheered as she smelled her drink.

"I got milk if anyone needs it." Yor offered as she set the small pitcher of milk on the table.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that." Loid thanked her while Fiona observed their interaction. She mentally scoffed at Yor because Twilight prefers his coffee black. So imagine her surprise when he pretty much poured the whole pitcher into his drink. This caused Fiona to bite her fingernails as she considered how family life has changed the man's taste.

Though Loid isn't fond of milk in his coffee, that nervous ache in the pit of his gut festered from the tension in the living room. 'Hopefully the milk will lessen the damage to my stomach. Actually, maybe I should ask her to make me decaf going forward.'

Eric took a small sip of his beverage while watching everything unfold, 'They come here, they all come here. How do they even find this place?'

'This lady is crazy.' Anya noted after reading the woman's mind. Her cup tipped forward, but before it could spill, Eric's index finger subtly pointed at Anya, disguising the motion as him tapping on his cup. Anya hastily cradled the mug in both hands when she felt her brother's power stop the spill. She glanced at her brother who sent her mental signals to keep her nerve.

Eric continued to observe his family, comfortable with being silent as he calmly drank his precious hot chocolate. Then Anya's face held panic at what she saw in the woman's head before she set her cocoa down to hug her mother's lap. He didn't understand what his sister was saying, but it brought tears of joy onto his mother's blushing face. 'Overselling as usual.' Eric sighed quietly to himself.

Not one to be outdone, Fiona offered as loving gesture, "Oh Anya, I have some imported cocoa. Would you like me to bring it next time?"

Anya responded by hissing at Fiona, which surprised the adults. Eric almost spits his drink out at his sister's hilarious imitation of a cat.

Fiona then tried her hand with Eric who quickly regained his composure. "How about you Eric? Your father says chocolate is your favorite."

Eric twitched slightly, cursing at his weakness for his ultimate sweet. He cleared his throat slightly as he lowered his mug. "I wouldn't mind in the least. I am curious about how other nations make their chocolate as both a hot drink and candy." He said as he locked his neutral gaze with the cold woman.

Fiona felt a small sense of victory at his acceptance, "I'll bring some over the next time we see each other."

"Thank you, Ms. Frost."

Eric finished the rest of his drink before he climbed down from his seat to clean his mug. Hidden behind the kitchen counter, he hovered in the air in front of the sink and quickly cleaned his cup. Once it was spotless, he placed it in the dry rack then floated back down.

While the telekinetic child did the dishes, Fiona observed the family's interactions, from Anya's loving declaration, Yor's determination to become a better wife, and Loid's reassurance. Eric reentered the scene to give his mother a hug which she returned with the same affection. She watched her mentor; the man she loves and admires give them a smile so fake it's real. But upon closer inspection, she saw how it wasn't fake at all, the feelings he has on display are real. He's happy with his pretend family.

Fiona felt her heart clench painfully as Loid ruffled Eric's wavy hair. The boy blushed slightly at the contact but didn't complain as he tried to play it cool. Unable to handle the scene for much longer, Fiona stood up from the couch. "I just remembered, I forgot to buy those potatoes I meant to get. I should probably take my leave." She said as she picked up her bag and coat.

"You're more than welcome to wait until the rain dies down." Yor offered, but Fiona didn't listen as she hastily left the apartment.

The Forgers stood beside each other as they watched her leave.

"She left." Anya said as the woman's painful thoughts got further away from her.

Eric frowned, "No one should go anywhere in this kind of weather. She'll get sick."

Loid nodded, "You're right about that." He said as he picked up his coat and two umbrellas, "She didn't have an umbrella on her. I'll walk her to the station." He informed them as he left the apartment to follow his fellow agent.

"That's a good idea. Be careful out there." Yor told her husband as she and the children watched him leave.

Eric sighed quietly as Anya took his hand and led him to her bedroom to play checkers.

As usual when they play their boardgame, they confer the information gathered.

The Forger siblings sat cross-legged on the bed as they played. 'Okay, let's see. A WISE agent who works with Dad at the hospital and is insanely in love with him.' Eric thought to his sister as he waited for her to make the next move.

Anya nodded then quietly added, "Her name is Nightfall, she was Papa's porridge, he taught her everything he knows."

"You mean 'protege.'" Eric said as he paid little attention to the board while processing the information.

"She wants to become Papa's wife and our new Mama. But I don't ever want that Mama." Anya crossed her arms in a big X as she remembered the chilling image of Fiona and herself in a small room where the frosty woman 'trains' her to get the best grades. Literally, whipping her into shape.

"I'm not even gonna ask what goes on through that woman's mind." Eric said as he felt unsettled at the idea of replacing their current mother with Fiona.

"Nope." Anya shook her head before making her next move. "But she really likes you. She thinks you're perfect and wants to spoil you." She said as she recalled that one particular fantasy of a happily smiling Eric being doted on by an equally loving and overzealous Fiona.

Eric frowned, "Somehow that's actually disturbing."

"You have no idea." Anya deadpanned as her brother made his move.

'If she takes our mother's place, it will endanger our mission.' A death-like look came over his face, 'We can't let that happen.'

Anya nodded silently as she made it her primary goal to keep the crazy scary woman far away from their Papa. An idea went off in her head, "What if we introduce Unkie to her?" She already played matchmaker for their parents, why not their uncle. It could prove beneficial and funny.

Eric frowned deeply as he gave his sister a deadpanned stare. "Like hell that's gonna work."

I admit, I did struggle with Eric's first meeting with Fiona and I didn't want to drag it on. But I'm satisfied with this as it gave us the chance to see Eric use his powers outside of fighting. As usual, Anya comes up with the most insane schemes for the mission and for her personal amusement. Thanks for reading, not sure when I'll update, but leave a review down below.