Daniel sighed as he lay on the couch in the den; the growth of two-day stubble was darkening his face.  The hospital had released him into the care of his friends just half an hour ago after his miraculous recovery and a day of observation.  He was still sore and weak, but recovering quickly. With the absence of his roommate to care for him, the girls had accepted the task and Tonya was busy getting one of the spare rooms ready so he'd be more comfortable. Sally sat near the couch in a large chair.

"So," Daniel stated awkwardly. "You're Abra Pirata."

Sally nodded with a guilty look.  "Yeah."

"And I suppose that makes everyone else..."

"Yup," she sighed.

"I can't believe I hadn't figured it out with all the stuff that happens around here."

"Don't worry too much about it.  I hadn't figured out about you and Friedrich; although the clues were right in front of me the whole time."

Daniel grinned.  "It's been a long time since I've been able to even talk about him."  He paused, then as if to practice he said, "I have a little brother."  His face broke into a smile, "Who isn't quite so little any more."  Then the smile faded.  "I wish I could finally talk to him after all these years."

"The girls said he left yesterday morning, right after they arrived at the hospital.  He and Simon still have a lot to do in the termination of SECRET."

"I can't believe my dad hasn't called to see how I'm doing." Daniel closed his eyes and rested for a moment.  When he opened them again, he turned toward Sally.  A few moments passed in silence.

"Why are you staring at me?" she accused.

"It's not your fault," he replied calmly.

Sally bit her lip, about to tell him she didn't know what he was talking about, but he had read her mind.

Jessica entered with Zarbon in tow.

"Ready to move to a soft bed?" she asked.

"You guys are making way too much of this," Daniel protested.

"Daniel," JED scolded.  "You almost died! And the doctor said to keep you off your feet."

"But I'm all right now," he reminded her.  "I'm just a bit tired, is all."

"Well, then, a bed will be perfect."  She motioned for Zarbon to help him to his feet.

Zarbon helped situate the recovering man in the bed while Jessica supervised.

"Are you comfortable, Daniel?" she asked as Tonya entered with a small television  "Do you need another pillow or blanket?"

"I'm fine, I..." Daniel stopped, stunned by the furry appendage whisking the air behind the braided girl as she plugged in her present.

Tonya stopped, stunned for a moment too; then quickly she spun around to see what was so astonishing behind her.

Zarbon chuckled, as JED rolled her eyes.

"I guess I just hadn't realized that you actually have a tail," Daniel admitted. 

Tonya smirked.  "Well it's been suppressed for three years around you.  I suppose now that you know, it thought it was free to roam."

"It has a mind of its own?" Daniel looked shocked again.

Zarbon rolled his eyes.  "Sometimes," he replied.

Daniel looked again to the other man present.  "And you're Azure?"

"Yes," he replied.

"So how do you get all blue?"

"I am naturally blue.  The pigmentation you see before you now is a hologram," he gestured to himself.  "I am an alien."

"An alien?" again Daniel looked surprised.

"Don't worry," Tonya said.  "He only bites me."  She smirked as she cocked a playful eyebrow.

"TMI!" JED sounded.

"Which planet?" Daniel tried to ignore the previous statement.

"It's called Zydney.  It's not in this solar system," Zarbon added at Daniel's confused look.

"I always thought you meant from Australia," Daniel admitted.  "With the accent and all."

'Maybe you should just lie down and rest, Daniel," Jessica suggested.  "Give it all a little time to sink in."

Daniel nodded and laid back against the soft pillows, trying not to busy his mind with all the new information as he was left alone to rest.  His eyes scanned over the room.  He couldn't ever remember being in this particular bedroom before.  The walls were a pale green and a border of ivy printed wallpaper trimmed the ceiling.  All the furniture had a natural oak finish.  There was a painting that hung over a scarcely used desk that depicted a field of wildflowers in the midday sun.  The room was very cheerful despite its neglected history. 

Finally, Daniel closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.

A few minutes later, the door quietly opened.  Although from the position he was lying in he couldn't see the visitor, he sensed a presence in the room.  He rolled over slightly to see two concerned brown eyes peering over the edge of the bed at him.

"Hey Bowie." Daniel smirked, reaching his hand out to pet the dog's black head.  "Don't tell me you've got a miraculous talent too."

Bowie just grinned and relished the soothing fingers scratching his ear.

Daniel sighed, and returned his hand to behind his own head. 

Bowie whimpered and Daniel patted the bed with his other hand.  Bowie instantly obeyed and was laying next the man the next instant.  Continuing to pet the dog, Daniel wrapped an arm around him.

"So, Bowie," Daniel thought aloud.  "What's it like to live in a house full of super heroes?"

"Well, it never gets boring."

Bowie felt his friend's whole body tense and the petting stopped.  The big brown eyes found Daniel's gray eyes and the dog smiled innocently, his tail lightly thumping the comforter.

Suddenly Daniel sighed and relaxed.

"I should have known," he surrendered.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A light knock at the door alerted Daniel to another visitor.  He opened his eyes to see Sally standing hesitantly in the doorway.  He was glad and nervous; he still wanted to discuss things with her. 

"Come on in," he called to her.

She walked over to the bed, carrying a tray with a bowl of soup and a glass of milk.  "Hey, Scruffy," she said with a small grin.

Daniel grinned and rubbed his stubble.  "'Who you calling scruffy looking?'" he quoted and it made her smile.  Eyeing the bowl, he sat up slowly.

"Mmmm... Tomato, my favorite," he said. "I hope none of it leaks out of my belly."

Sally gave him a quick glare.  "That's not very funny."  She situated the tray over his lap.

"Lighten up," he scolded.  "I'm trying to get better; I need a positive environment."  He grabbed to spoon and slurped some soup.  "Mmmmm."  He smiled smugly at her as she pulled the chair from the desk and set it next to his bed.  "Am I being supervised?  Think I'll try to break out of here with the use of this spoon?  I wonder how long it would take to tunnel out to the wall?"

"Daniel.. I..." Her voice wasn't the scold he had anticipated, but rather a regretting tone mingled with sympathy.

"Sally," he interrupted.  "It wasn't your fault."

She wanted to refuse the elimination of blame but was choking on the self-blame that consumed her.

Daniel reached over to her, placing a hand on hers.

"You know that feeling that tells you that you have to do something or there will be consequences; that voice that makes you the hero you are?"

Sally nodded; she was all too familiar with that voice.

"I've got one too, I don't hear it very often.  The last time before two days ago was in London when... when I saved you from that robber."

Sally's eyes instantly met Daniel's gaze.

"The Forest Ranger?" she asked.

"I don't know why it happened or how.  But one moment I get this feeling that I should be somewhere and as I'm on my way I begin to grow a layer of protective foliage that I don't even know I have until I look down and I'm covered in green."

"Have you done it all your life?"

Daniel shook his head.  "All my life, I've had a connection with flora, but never like this."  Daniel reached down, moved the tray then pulled up his shirt, revealing his abdomen.  Slightly above his bellybutton was the scar from Excalibur, a thin branching line of deep green.

Sally looked on in interest.

"I think something may have happened when I got that chemical burn during the fire at BIB."

"Daniel, why didn't you tell me?"

Daniel cocked his head slightly.  "Don't make me ask you the same thing."

Sally bit her lip.

"But this is what called me to where you were, this voice, this destiny that has chosen me.  It is not your fault." His gray eyes were looking directly into her blue ones and for a moment she thought she saw in them a glimpse of something other than concern for a friend.

"Besides," he turned back to his tray.  "I'm perfectly fine now, and this soup is delicious."

- - - - - - - - -

Sally was walking to the library when Jessica stopped her.  "Steve's here.  I buzzed him in.  You guys got a date?"

"No," Sally replied.  "I'm not sure why he's here."

Jessica chuckled.  "Maybe he can't live one more moment without seeing your face?" she said in a schoolgirl voice.

"Yeah," Sally replied.  "That's it."  She shook her head as she went to the front door and then walked out onto the front porch.  The blonde could just make out his truck coming up the long driveway through the thick forest that surrounded it.

She walked out onto the driveway and waited patiently.  It wasn't long before his truck pulled up right next to her. 

"Hey there, girl," he said through the open window.

Sally leaned her elbows on the window frame. "What brings you by?"

He tilted his hat back then leaned over and touched his lips sensually onto hers.  "You," he whispered as his lips curled into a smirk.

She backed up slightly as he exited the truck.  As she leaned against the front fender, he approached and lightly touched her cheek with a sensitive hand as he leaned in for another kiss.  At the last minute she dodged and was out of his reach.  He turned to her; he was willing to accept any challenge she put in front of him.

He reached playfully for her hand as they headed around the back of the Mansion, wrapping his fingers around hers.  He placed her hand on his chest, pulling her closer.  He looked deep into her eyes as they stood in the side lawn.

"Why'd you run away yesterday?" he asked softly.

Sally shied away slightly.  "I...," but she wasn't sure how to answer.

"You left just when things were getting interesting," he leaned in closer to her, his hazel eyes gleaming with a hunger for that which he had only a taste of before.

"I... I think were moving too fast," she blurted.

As soon as the words hit Steve, his head cocked back.

"I know we haven't known each other that long, but," he smirked,  "you gotta admit, yesterday..." he started to pulling her closer again.  "It felt so..."

"I wasn't myself yesterday," Sally interrupted, pushing him away this time.

"Don't play games with me, girl," Steve said. "You can't give a fella a glimpse of heaven and not expect him to want to walk through the pearly gates."

"I'm just not ready, okay?" she ejected.

"That's fine with me," Steve surrendered.  "But don't jump a fence if you don't intend to be on the other side."

"It's just that a lot has been happening this week and I ... I guess I just chose the wrong outlet.  I'm sorry."

"It's a'right," he put a strong hand on her shoulder.  "I'm not likely to heed the reins when I feel the wind in my face, but I'll sure take time to graze when I'm at a trot."

Sally tried not to show her amusement by his metaphors upon her face as his hazel eyes once again pierced hers.  He slowly leaned in and placed a small kiss on her forehead as he drew her into a strong comforting embrace.

- - - - - - - - - -  

Daniel carefully positioned himself in the chair that was placed by the large window.  There was only a dull ache in his abdomen that protested when he bent too fast. 

The rheum zantenthica can regenerate in fourteen hours, he recited to himself.  That would be great if my recovery was just as quick.  He reached over and pulled back the drapes, letting the afternoon sun pour unrestrained into the room.

Staring out across the landscape he had helped nurture only made the cabin fever worse.  He had to get outside, into the fresh air and the sunshine.  He had never been restrained indoors for so long.

A movement across the lawn caught his eye and he noticed Steve and Sally walking near the edge of the forest.  He only watched out of sheer boredom as they held hands and seemed to be laughing at their conversation.  As the girl turned her back to the man to point out something about the house in front of them, her boyfriend slipped his hands around her waist, and his head dipped down to kiss her neck.

Sally shrugged away the intimate affection, but didn't pull from his hug.

Daniel turned his eyes away quickly.  Something cool and heavy had slipped into the bottom of his stomach and he swallowed.  I need to get outside.

There was a slight knock at the door as a voice called. "What are you doing out of bed?" Tonya asked as she entered. Even by just the sound of her voice, Daniel knew one eyebrow was accusingly cocked.

Daniel turned to see the braided resident entering; there was a book in her hands.

"I had to move around a little bit.  You wouldn't tell anyone if I slipped outside for some fresh air, would you?"

The girl crossed the room and peered out the window.  Now her eyebrow cocked in a mischievous manner.  "Gotta go smell some flowers, huh?"

Daniel turned away.  "Never mind," he mumbled.

"Hey, I'll help you get outside," Tonya said in a hurt voice.  "The side door is just down the hall.  Miss Nurse-Maid won't even know."

- - - - - - - - -

Tonya had been nice enough to help Daniel to the bench in the garden, where he sat silently with his eyes closed, simply breathing and listening to everything around him.  The air carried upon it not only the fresh smells of the flowers and the greenery but also the rich earth.  Blending with the aromas was the warmth of the early summer sun.  Nature had never sounded so complex to him, and each rustle of a leaf in the summer breeze or bending of a stem was a botanical conversation that he was mesmerized by.  The sounds were soothing and he felt as if he were going to fall into a trance.

we knew the ranger would return

Daniel opened his eyes.  There was no one in this part of the garden.  The voice had been soft and deep; yet he swore he had heard it as clear as if the speaker had been right next to him.

"Hello?" he asked hesitantly.

In the silence as he waited for a reply, the air seemed to tense and still.  Everything seemed to stop moving.  Daniel swallowed.

The sudden movement on the path caused his heart to race as he flinched.

"Sorry," Steve said, "Didn't mean to startle you there, Daniel, right?"

"Yeah," the gardener replied. "It's all right. I didn't think anyone else would come this way."

"Shouldn't you be inside?" Sally asked, letting go of Steve's hand to place it on her hip.

"I was getting cabin fever," Daniel explained.  "Did either of you say something as you were walking up the path?  I thought I heard something about a... a ranger."

"Well, yeah, actually," Steve replied.  "I was telling Sal about the time we were up in Yellowstone and a friend of mine took ill.  We waited half a day for the ranger to come with help."

Daniel grinned half-heartedly.  "I thought I was hearing things."

"Naw," Steve grinned, "It was just me jabberin' away."

"Maybe you should go back inside and rest," Sally commented with concern in her voice.  Her eyes were on the man sitting on the bench before them; she didn't notice the glance from her boyfriend.

Daniel was returning her gaze and finally surrendered.

He stood up slowly, one hand covering his wound as he bent his weight forward then straitened.

"You don't have to leave just 'cause of us," Steve said.

"Oh, no," Daniel replied.  "I really should get back inside.  I haven't been feeling well lately.  There's a lot of stress that can come from illness."

Steve grinned.  "And here I just thought your whiskers were giving you that haggard look."

Daniel smiled, as he rubbed his course chin.  "Yeah, I thought I might grow it out."

Sally rolled her eyes.

"Hope you get to feeling better," Steve said as Daniel slowly made his way back to the mansion.

"So," Steve said as he and Sally walked silently back to his truck.  "Daniel's your Ex?"

It wasn't really the question, but the terminology that caught the girl off guard. 

"Yeah, I guess you could say that."

"What do you mean by, 'you guess'?" Steve sounded offended.

"I mean... I don't really see him as termed an Ex.  Everyone I know who uses that term no longer has good feelings about the person..."

"So you still have feelings for him, then?"

"Well, yeah; he's my best fr...'

"I thought I saw..." his tone was almost accusing. "How long were you together?"

"It would have been three years in Oct..."

"Three years!" Steve shook his head.  "And you just broke up a week ago?"

"Yeah, but it was a long time com..."

"I should have known."  Steve got into his truck.

"Now, what's that suppose to mean?"

Steve started the engine, but sat in his truck watching the look on the face of his girlfriend.  He sighed.

"It means I'm a fool for believing it was me you were after."

"Trust me, it was you I was after. Yesterday...."

"I thought you said to forget yesterday? "

Sally stood speechless; she wasn't sure how to respond.  There was an attraction she felt to this man, but she had no clue how react to it.

"See ya later," Steve nodded in a resigned manner; then he pulled around the drive and back through the forest.

"Errrgggggg!" Sally gritted her teeth together.  MEN! They always think they know what's going on in your mind even though the range of emotions they express in one three hour football game isnt half of what we women can go through in one minute!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tonya had sensed that tension had come between Steve and Sally, although she knew not why.  As she headed into the food prep building on the refuge, she kept her eyes peeled for the Bison Boy, she didn't want to get mixed up in the troubles of her friend and the man she thought of as a brother.

As she was chopping up some vegetables for the petting zoo animals, Dr. Mendoza came in with Steve.

"Well, you just let me know if it gets worse, Steve.  But I really think just a few more carrots and a little less sugar will make her feel a lot better."

Tonya turned around.  "Something wrong with Lily, Steve?"  The horse was known for her sweet tooth, and Steve was known to spoil her.

"Yeah, a bit of a stomach ache."

Dr. Mendoza walked over to Tonyas preparation table.  "Is this for the pigs?"

"Yup," Tonya chirped.

"I added more vitamin D to their diet."

"Already got the extra carrots right here," Tonya said smugly.

Dr. Mendoza winked.  "Good work.  See you later then, I've got to go check on another patient."  He turned and exited, leaving Tonya alone with Steve.

Steve leaned backward against the table where Tonya was chopping and picked up a carrot.

Tonya tried to concentrate on her chopping.

"How close are you to Sal?"  Steve asked.

"She's one of my best friends, one of my roommates, one of my partners in crime."

"Does she talk to you about her love life?"

"Steve," Tonya stepped back, her knife in front of her as if for defense. "You're like a brother to me, I don't need to know about what you guys do while you're together."

"I'm talking about her relationship with Daniel."

"If you want me to give you the dirt on Daniel, I can't.  He's my friend, and a very nice guy."

"I know, I think so too.  The problem is: Sal thinks so, and she hasn't been very clear on why they broke up."

Tonya blinked.  "Come to think of it, I'm not really sure either.  I mean, it happened kinda suddenly.  Everyone thought they were the perfect couple, even thought they'd eventually get married, but I guess some things don't work out.  I mean; you guys make a very good couple too."

Steve nodded with a smirk, pulling the greens out of the end of the vegetable in his hands. "But not perfect."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As another day passed, Daniel was able to return to his normal speed and voiced his reasons for returning to his own apartment.

"Well," he replied when asked why. "I think settling back into my own home would be better, and with Peter gone, no one is looking after my plants."

Sebastian rolled his eyes.  "I'm sure theyre doing fine."

"I'll take you back this afternoon," Tonya said.  "I don't want you to start thinking you're a prisoner."

"Thanks Tonya," Daniel gave her a warm smile.

That afternoon, Zarbon was cleaning out the room Daniel had used, replacing the linens and making sure the bathroom was restocked.  As he shook out the pillowcase a soft thud on the carpet had caught his attention.  He looked down and noticed a small book. 

"Where the Red Fern Grows," Zarbon read aloud.

- - - - - - - - - -

"So how has your week been going?" Teri asked as she put away the guitar. 

"Pretty good," Daniel lied.  Almost dying wasn't something he wanted to tell others about. 

"I tried calling you yesterday, did you get my message?"  She clicked the case shut.

"Yeah, I think twice a week will be better over the summer too.  Want something to drink?"  Daniel stood from the couch.

"Naw, but thanks.  I've gotta get going," she smiled sweetly, picking up the guitar. "Um... are you going to that Botanical Lecture next week?  Dr. Sativa said it would be very interesting."

"I had almost forgotten about it," Daniel admitted.  "I think I'm going, but I haven't decided yet."

A knock on the door called both of their attentions to it.

Daniel opened the door and was surprised by the person on the opposite side.

"Hey, Sally," he greeted as he opened the door fully.  "You remember Teri?"

"Yeah," Sally smiled politely.

"I was just on my way out," Teri said as she edged through the crowded doorway.  "Nice to meet you again, Sally.  Call me about next week, Daniel."

"See ya," Daniel called after her.  He turned his attention back to the blonde.

"What brings you by?" he motioned for her to come inside and sit.

"I can't stay either, I just stopped by to return this." Sally produced the man's book. "You left it at the Mansion."

Instead of grabbing the book, he took hold of Sally's hand.  "Come inside."

"Daniel, I don't have time for this..."

"We never had our talk like we were going to, I think it's about time."

She pulled her hand away from his, and pushed the book into his chest.

"Not now, okay?"  She turned and walked back down the hallway.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"You didn't see her.  I swear she has less skin covered every time I see her." Sally was laying on her bed, telling everything in her mind to the only ears that understood, Paul's.  "I mean... I know she's a sorority girl and everything, but is it required for them to wear skimpy spaghetti string shirts and no room for underwear shorts?"  She sighed. 

"She just doesn't seem his type.  I didn't think he was into glamour girls.  But then, I guess that is why we broke up, we don't know each other as well as we'd thought." 

Sally cast an irritated glance at the white bear.  "Don't go asking about me and Steve.  I'm upset with him right now."

"Well, he is kinda my type... he's brainy... when it comes to bison.  I guess muscular isn't really my type but it can be a nice perk."  Sally smiled to herself as a wave of giddiness washed over her.

Suddenly the phone on her beside table rang.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

I can't believe I'm doing this... Sally told herself as she ran through the moonlight toward the front gate. As she passed through the iron entrance, she instinctively hit the button to close the gate and jumped into the Dodge Ram awaiting her.

"I don't think I can just make it work whenever I want," Daniel was telling Zarbon and Techno.  They were out in the backyard, standing beneath some large shading elm trees, trying to understand Daniel's gift.

"Maybe you're still weak," T offered.

"No, I feel fine.  I... I'm just not sure I can get it to work on a whim."

"Well," Zarbon explained, "when I turn into my cat form...."

"Cat form?"

Zarbon blinked, then smirked.  He had forgotten that the poor boy had only learned their secret two days ago.  "On my planet, most of us have two forms.  The bipedal, and a form that looks much like the earth cat.  We but think of our other form and will ourselves to change."

"I'm not sure its quite that simple for me."

"Well," T said, "What do you think caused you to do those other things you've done?  Was there a certain feeling or thought?"

Daniel tried to think of the times he had used his powers.  He hadn't really used them consciously, and definitely hadn't been aware of the physical change until after the fact. What had brought it on?  At the airport there were people in danger.  On the roadside the girl was hurt.  In the alley Sally could have been killed.  He tried to remember what he was feeling at those instances: the panic in the airport, the worry in the ditch, and the concern in the alley.

"Daniel..." Zarbon's voice brought him back to reality.  "I think you found it."

Puzzled, Daniel looked down and saw that he was covered in foliage.  He hadn't even noticed, hadn't felt it.  Techno approached him.

"May I?" he held out his hand cautiously.

Daniel nodded; he himself was curious.

Techno took his hand, and inspected the flora; Daniel watched, barely aware that it was really his hand.  T pushed away the vegetation, to reveal that Daniel's very skin had turned a rich tan shade, as if hed been in the sun most of his life.  The leaves were directly growing from his skin in a thick protective layer.  On his chest, the leaves had been forced to envelop his shirt, and a think vest of bark had developed as a chest plate.  Zarbon knocked on it, it sounded very solid.

"I didn't even feel that," Daniel said, amazed. 

Both men looked up at him, intrigued.  They hadn't really heard Daniel's voice.  But more like sensed it.  Zarbon blinked.

"Your eyes are no longer gray," he stated mater-of-factually.

Although Daniel's face was covered in the foliage, his green eyes were very expressive, "What?"

"They're a pale green."

Techno cocked an eyebrow.  "Very interesting.  Now, go back to normal."

Now Zarbon could sense the worry.

"Whatever you did before, do it again."

Daniel thought back, he hadn't changed back to normal consciously either.  The task at hand had been dealt with, he was glad it was over; he was relieved.

Zarbon grinned. 

"Amazing," T said.  "I thought it would just revert back into you."

Daniel looked down.  His greenery was gone, but there was a pile of leaves and branches around him, as if a winter breeze had just stripped a slumbering tree of the last of its leaves.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Anyone seen Sal?" asked Tonya as she entered the kitchen to fix herself a sandwich for lunch.

"Not all day," said Jessica who was spooning some soup into her mouth.

"Sally left last night," Bowie said as he looked up from his water dish.  His tongue flicked up to wash his nose, but the drips on his chin eluded him, escaping back into the silver bowl.  "It was pretty late."

"Where'd she go?" Jessica asked.

Bowie cocked his head in a shrug-like way.  "I don't know that she's come back yet."

Zarbon, Techno, and Daniel came into the kitchen from outside.  Zarbon put his hands around Tonya's waist.  Looking over he shoulder as she spread Miracle Whip on some bread. 

"Didn't Dee have rounds last night?" Tonya asked Techno.

"Yeah," he replied. "There wasn't much going on though; she came back early."

Daniel got a glass and poured himself some lemonade.

"Did you see Sally leave?" Jessica asked. 

Zarbon turned toward her.  "No. Did she go out last night?"

Techno poured out for himself the remains of the coffee pot.

Bowie looked up from his bowl again, water dripping from his muzzle.  "And didn't come back," he said rather excitedly, his tail swaying joyfully, happy that he knew the gossip.

As Jessica finished her soup, she walked over to the sink to rinse out the bowl.  Bowie followed her the entire way, hoping that something would drip.

"How'd it go boys?" Tonya asked Daniel.

"It was very intriguing," Zarbon stated, eyeing the sandwich she was making.

"Hungry?"  She offered it to him.

He took it and smiled, then kissed her playfully on the tip of the nose.  "Thanks, koi.  How'd you know?"

Tonya rolled her eyes as she began to create another sandwich.

"You want one, Daniel?" she offered.

"No, I'm fine," he raised his glass.

Bowie's ears pricked and he stood perfectly still for two seconds before bolting out the door toward the foyer.  "Sally's home!" he called as he raced to greet her.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

"Where have you been?" Tonya looked up with a cocked eyebrow from her sandwich as Sally entered the kitchen.  Zarbon was still eating too, Dee had entered to make herself a salad and Techno was in his usual seat sipping coffee behind the paper.  Daniel had just finished his lemonade and was positioning the glass into the dishwasher.

"I fell asleep at Steve's", she admitted guiltily.

Zarbon half raised an eyebrow, but chose to chew his sandwich in silence.

"At Steve's?" the braided girl didn't look as shocked as she sounded.  "I should have known.  But you still could have called."

"I'm sorry, it was late and..."

"Tonya's right," Dee added.  "It's not like you to leave late in the night and not tell anyone.  If Bowie hadn't seen you leave of your own accord we may have thought you were kidnapped by half-crazed gypsy clowns who wanted you to be the host body to their demonic offspring."

Daniel blinked.

"I said I was sorry.  What else do you want?"

"An agreement written in blood that it won't happen again," Dee let out a cackle and Tonya rolled her eyes.

"Just leave a note or something," Tonya stated.

"Dee," T finally looked up from his paper. "Would you please stop that; you're scaring the new guy."

Dee looked at Daniel's bewildered expression.  "Sorry.  We don't really get threatened by gypsy-clowns or their demonic offspring.  But there was a cannibalistic clown, and huge demonic spiders, not to mention various rogue branches of the government."

"Dee..." Technos voice was stern.

Dee gave a big grin, as Tonya began to chuckle.

"Not that you have to worry about that, you're just a newbie.  We'll probably start you off with something small, like a homicidal maniac."