Contents

The Long Way Home.

Oh, Sh*t!

Bored Now.

Chicago.

Bampires!

The Long, Strange Trip Home.

Going Visiting.

Bloodlines.

Father Hood.

I'll Be Good, I Promise.

Miami vs. Chicago

Educating the Masses.

Trying Really Hard

Endings and Beginnings.

All Better Now.

Tripping.

Too Late

The Long Way Home.

Xander looked up from his wall construction as his cellphone rang, hunting it all the way to the kitchen.  It quit ringing just as he found it but someone was leaving him a voicemail, so he got a drink until his phone beeped at him. He opened it and listened, frowning.  "Fine.  Give me ten," he told himself, going to finish his wall, change clothes, then head to get Jigen.  The full group would need to be together to protect her and the new baby.  As soon as he had his traveling bag repacked and his briefcase filled with what he was working on at the moment, he headed out to his little lease car, getting in and driving off.  It was only about ten minutes to Jigen's and he was sitting on the front porch.  Xander stood up and took off his sunglasses, putting it on top of the temporary red hair.  "Fuji just called to swear at me.  She was demanding pain killers."  Jigen gave him a smirk and headed inside, coming out a minute later with a bag and his recently ever-present cigarette.  "Roll down the window if you're doing that in my car," he said patiently.  As soon as the window was rolled down, he took off.  He liked this lease car.  It was cute and fast.  It accelerated very well and was small enough to make it through traffic.  "Did you remember your passport?"

"I keep it in my wallet," he said, tossing out the rest of his smoke.  He rolled up the window and let the a/c work on him.  "When did you get this?"

"It's a lease," Xander admitted, shifting up as they broke free of the traffic.   The airport was outside the city by a little bit.  "I liked it and it does handle very well."  He had to slow down as they hit airport traffic but it wasn't too bad.  "Care to call ahead?"

"Did you bring your passport?"

"It's in my briefcase.  All of them."  He grinned as he wove through the slower traffic, heading into the airport lot.  "Long term?"  Jigen nodded so he parked and they got out, grabbing their bags.  He set the alarm, then the second alarm he had put on it, then they jogged inside.  Xander smiled smoothly at the check-in girl.  "We have to get to Tokyo as soon as possible," he said as suavely as he could manage.  "A friend is expecting his first daughter any hour now."

She looked in her computer, then shook her head.  "We don't have anything going out for another three hours," she told him, giving him a tired smile.  She didn't trust men like him.  "I'm sorry, sir, but can you wait that long?"

"Anything that would have connections?" Jigen asked.

She checked again, grimacing.  "If you're *really* lucky, maybe."  She looked at him.  "There's a flight out in about forty minutes that's heading to Calcutta.  There's a connecting one from there to Taiwan.  Then there's a connecting flight from there.  It'll still get you there about four hours sooner because our next direct flight from here to Tokyo is in another six hours."  They nodded.  "The problem is the connection times.  It's very small and you might get stuck."

"Yeah, but from Calcutta, if we had to, we could rent a charter, right?" Xander asked.  She nodded.  He looked at Jigen.  "Wanna try?"

She checked her computer again.  "We do have one standby," she said, biting on her lip.  "It's just come open.  It leaves in half an hour."

"I'll take that, he can take the later one," Xander decided.  "How possible is it?"

"The person hasn't checked in."  She took his card, noting the name on it.  She called a security officer over.  "This is Eugene Bethany, he'll need to get to gate twelve," she told him as she typed.  "He's expected to help a friend having a baby."  The guard nodded, and she tagged his check-in bag, handing him tickets.  "Good luck, sir, I hope you get there in time."

"Put his on my card too," Xander said, heading off as soon as she had put it through the system again.  They jogged off together, making it through the screening process quickly enough.  He barely made it but he was let on.  He smiled at the stewardess, who put him into a coach seat, but it would be fine.  This time.

***

Xander looked around as he walked into the hospital, heading up to the room Fujiko said she was in.  No one tried to stop him so either it was visiting hours or the floor was going to be crawling with cops soon.  He tapped on the door and walked in, looking around.  "No one else is here?"

"Lupin needed Goemon," she panted.  He came over, taking her hand.  "Everyone else?"

"I got your call and picked up Jigen but there was only one seat," he admitted.  "He'll be here soon."

She came down, looking at him.  "You look odd as a redhead."

"Well, yeah, but it fit with my new persona.  Did you hear?  They found some of the warrants."  She nodded, shifting uncomfortably.  He helped her, patting the blankets back around her.  "No nurses?"

"They had a patient crash a few minutes before you walked in, they're all with her."  She winced and gripped his hand again.  "Talk," she ordered.

"I found myself a nice place to belong," he said quietly.  "I'm fixing it up right now."  She gave him a look.  "Like yours.  For the downtimes."  She nodded, panting.  "Haven't they given you drugs yet?"  She nodded.  "It working over top of them?"

"It's not so much pain as pressure," she said, trying to shift again.  "Then she kicks during them, pushing back."

He put a hand on her stomach.  "Shh," he whispered.  "I'm here.  You come out when it's time and you'll be just fine."  The baby quit moving and she sighed in relief.  He stood where he could help both of them.  "Where's Marcus?  We haven't warded the room?"

"We did one on my stomach with her future teacher," Fujiko admitted.  "It should keep everyone from noticing her."

"Good.  Excellent in fact.  Wards aren't my thing."  He heard a familiar tune and put a hand over her mouth, nodding outside.  Her eyes went wide and he pulled his gun as the door popped open.  "Morning," he said dryly.  "Enter.  Slowly."   Zenigata walked in, hands in plain sight.  Another man was with him.  "Are you her doctor?"  He put the gun up, but he glared at the cop, letting him know it was still available.

"I am not, but I am the on-call for him," he said with a fond smile.  "Let's check you, Mrs. Dortmeyer."  He lifted the sheet and checked her gently, making her wince.  "Nearly there.  You're at eight and plus one I think."  He made a note.  "Are you feeling anything?"

"Some," she admitted.  He nodded, making a note of that as well.  "Do I have to?"

"A little bit," he admitted.  "Not at all natural like you said your first one was."  He looked at Xander.  "The father?"

"The person who delivered her first," he said.

"Oh.  Very well then.  You may stay if she desires it.  You as well, Inspector?"

"I don't want him witnessing this," she said bitterly, then she screamed and grabbed Xander's arm.  "Damn it, stop her!"  He stroked her stomach, stopping the baby.  "Oh, damn, that hurt."  The doctor pressed on her stomach, giving her a reassuring smile.  "My first one didn't do that."

"She'll be coming soon.  Your placenta is starting to disengage."   He gave her a pat on the arm and walked out.

"Leave," Xander told him.  "She doesn't have any warrants."

"You do," he smirked.  "Where have you been?  That was a nice trick, sending your card to Istanbul so we'd track it there."  Xander shrugged.  "I can arrest you now."

"I can kill you before you do," Xander reminded him, grinning.  "You're just too damn much fun for me to hurt you permanently.  Besides, then Dawn would have to bring you back."  He looked stunned.  "What? Think she can't?  Willow did and she's every bit Willow's equal."

"She's better than that woman ever was," he said harshly.

"I meant strength-wise.  But I do agree."  He helped Fujiko through her newest one.  "You're not getting me out of here.  There's shit you don't know that could happen."  He looked up.  "Until the others get here, you can sit by her head and wait."  A pair of handcuffs appeared and Xander pulled his canister of gas, knocking him out.  He put it away, fanning it away from her face.  "Sorry, sweetie, it beats shooting his rookie in the elbow."  She gave a faint laugh.  "It shouldn't last more than a few minutes," he promised, kissing her on the forehead.  He walked around, taking the cuffs and hitching the cop of the bed railing. If he was going to be there, he was going to fucking well help!  He went back to her other side, stroking her stomach.  Someone else pushed open the door, a nurse.  "She's taking a short nap," he whispered.  The nurse nodded.  "Give her ten minutes, she'll have another contraction before then."  The nurse nodded and left for a few minutes.  When the door opened again, it was the first rookie and Xander gassed him, putting him into the closet.  He took Fujiko's spare sheet from the bed and used it to bind and gag him.  "Stay there," he hissed, sensing he was waking up.  "Do not move or else."  He slammed the door, going back to his duty.  Zenigata was staring at him.  "What?"

"I have the keys."

"You have one hidden?"  He held up the one he had found on him.  Gramps nodded, producing another.  "Use it and join your buddy in the closet, I'm sure he'd like that."  He put it away and Xander tossed him the other one.  "Fuji, come on, wake up," he said soothingly.  She blinked at him.  "Hey.  Some of the gas got you too.  You can't sleep through this."

"Not," she told him.  "I'm trying to rest before she starts again.  Can I have some air?"  He pulled it down and turned it on, handing it over.  "Thanks," she mumbled, closing her eyes again.

"You do that very well."

"I did read the books on paramedical training.  It said nothing about giving birth."  He looked over as the nurse came back.  "She wanted some air."

"That's fine," she agreed, coming in to press on her stomach gently.  Fujiko nearly took off her head with her foot.  "I'm sorry, dear.  Are you ready to push?"  Fujiko shook her head.  "Are you sure?"  She nodded.  "Fine.  Whenever you are, you push the button and we'll come running back."  Fujiko nodded so she left them alone.

Zenigata undid himself, rubbing his wrist.  "She would have noticed.  I'll be less hostile if you will. I wouldn't make my worst enemy go through this alone," he said coldly when she looked at him.

"There's a thought to make you laugh during it, Fuji.  Lupin giving birth."  She laughed, shaking her head, gripping his arm.  "Shh, I'm right here.  Nothing's going to happen to her unless they go through me."  She nodded, closing her eyes again.

"What's going to happen?"

"The baby's gifted."

"Oh."  His eyes widened.  "Like Dawn, gifted?"  Xander looked up and nodded.  "Shit.  Should I call her?"

"She's not available or else she'd already be here," he pointed out.  "As would Marcus."

"Marcus can't see," he said calmly.  "Someone broke into Dawn's house to get her and the boys.  He defended them but got a bad hit on the head.  He's supposed to get it back sometime."  Xander winced.  "I'm surprised they didn't call you back to help him with it."

"Why would they?  I make Marcus incredibly self-conscious.  They're probably working on him together, giving him a few good, intense lessons on how to cope.  Goemon was trying to figure out how to help me but we ended up breaking up for a while."

"Hmm.  Where is Jigen?"

"Not here."

"I know that.  It's rather obvious."  He gave the boy a look and got a shrug in return.  "You two broke up?" he sneered.

"No."  He lifted the oxygen mask when Fujiko said something.  "What was that?"  She whispered it again.  "Sure, we'll quit fighting.  Are you still feeling light headed?  Dizzy, anything?"  She shook her head.  "I hope this isn't the gas."

"I've done this on and off all day," she said, patting him on the hand.  "Take off the protections."  He looked at her stomach, then at her.  "It was broken earlier by a nurse.  It's been since then."

He nodded and pulled something out of his pocket, tracing it on her stomach in a pattern he had made himself memorize. It broke any other magic already on her and put his own on.  She nodded and fell asleep again.  "I don't like this," he said, pushing the button for the nurse.  "She's incredibly weak," he told her.  She came over to check her.  "She said she's done this a few times today."  The nurse nodded as she worked.  "Should I call her husband?"  She looked at him.  "I'm her surrogate.  I delivered her first.  Her husband is on his way here and entrusted me to help her again.  Should I call and warn him that she's going to end up in surgery or something?"

"It should not be necessary," she said, making notes on the chart.  "I will get the doctor back in here."

Xander grimaced, touching the moving stomach.  "Calm down a little," he soothed.  "I'm right here."  He could feel something gathering around them.  "I hope like hell you left your windows up."

"I never put them down."  Zenigata looked out the window.  "It was sunny earlier."

"Someone wants this one."  He looked up.  "I am her guardian.  You get her through me," he hissed.  "If you try, I will have you."  A peal of thunder went off but no rain came yet.  He relaxed slightly and continued to stroke her stomach until the doctor came back in.  "She said she's been doing this all day."

"She has," he agreed.  "We would rather do a caesarian section but she won't let us."

Xander woke Fujiko up, looking down at her.  "Let them take the baby out," he told her.  She shook her head. "Yes, Fujiko.  You're in bad shape.  It'll help."

"No.  Dangerous," she whispered.  "Them."

He nodded, straightening up.  "She's concerned that someone will try for her child.  Her husband is a very important man, wanted by many for what he can do."  The doctor nodded.  "Is there much danger to wait?"  He nodded.  Xander considered it then pulled out his cellphone.  The closet door rattled.  "Ignore him.  He was being a prick."  He dialed the one for Lupin.  "I need orders," he said firmly.  "Fujiko's weak.  She's sleeping through contractions.  They want to take the baby out surgically and she won't let them."  He listened.  "I know that.  It broke earlier, she said the nurse broke one of he protection lines.  I put on my own just now.  I know I'm not as strong, but it let her wake up some.  I'm more than good enough for that, even with Gramps standing right here!" he said angrily.  He calmed down.  "Fine.  I can.  He's here too."  He looked at the doctor and held up a finger.  "Yes, there is.  There's risk right now though.  She's presently passed out."  He grimaced.  "Don't leave this up to me.  I can and will protect her but it's not my place to make medical decisions.  She doesn't want to let them."  He slumped.  "Fine."  He hung up.  "The father said to go with her instincts."

"And yours?"

"Are screaming to get the child out and away from here with the mother for some reason," he admitted.  The doctor nodded.  "Yours?"

"I agree with you," he said, looking at her.  "Mrs. Dortmeyer?" he called, waking her again.  "It is I."  He bent down to talk to her.  "You really should let us take her out.  You are very weak.  Your blood pressure is starting to get low.  Like it did earlier."  She nodded and he helped her sit up.  "I do feel it's best medically if we do take the baby out."

"Plus, we can move the baby," Xander told her.  "We can move you.  Even if he manages the unthinkable and I'm arrested, Jigen's on his way."  She nodded, biting her lip.  "Hey, what did I say about that?  You'll get a big, huge scar."  She gave him a small smile.  "I'm probably not going to be strong enough to do more than keep them at bay," he said honestly.  "You were right, one line was broken."  She nodded.  "They already know."  He pointed out the window.  She sighed and nodded.  "Doing it that way means you can have the baby within a few minutes and get stronger."

"I can escort you back to headquarters, both of them with us," Zenigata said bitterly.  "It's not unheard of to take the family of someone in custody in.  Not my favorite choice, but I know what you'll try if I don't."

The doctor looked at him.  "You are under arrest?"

"No.  But he'll try again."

"You are?"

"One of her husband's bodyguards."  He grinned.  "Known as Lavelle."

"Ah."  The doctor nodded.  "I have heard of you and thought I recognized him.  That would be fine.  Is the mother under authority as well?"

"I can't find any warrants for her, yet," Zenigata admitted.  The doctor smiled.  "But that doesn't mean I can't take her back with me."

"That is fine.  If she were under arrest, the arresting officer would have the authority to order medical treatment in an emergency situation."

"Is this?" Xander asked.  The doctor shook his head.  "Not yet? Or not at all?"

"Not yet.  For now, I will go with what the mother wants."  Everyone looked at Fujiko.

"I don't want a c-section," she told him.  "It's dangerous.  The person who's been helping us said so," she said, looking at Xander.  "I'll survive.  I've been shot before and I survived that."

"Then we'll do it your way," Xander told her.  "But the first time you go critical, I'm going to have them do it."  They locked gazes.  "He'll be destroyed if you die and I'll miss you," he pointed out.  "Who else would take me bra shopping?"  She smiled and gave him a gentle pat to the face.  "Got it?"  She nodded, agreeing.  "Good.  How soon before she can push?"

The doctor pulled out a sterile glove pack, opening it and putting them on.  "Not long now.  Her cervix is almost completely gone."  He straightened up.  "Maybe another hour at the most," he told her.  She nodded.  "Press the bell if you need me sooner."  He walked away, going to make more notes on her chart and to talk to the hospital security.  They would want to stay out of this one.  He did not know what was going on, but that one young man was obviously protecting her and the child.  The inspector was in for a rude shock.  He looked at the nurse.  "If they leave, check Mrs. Dortmeyer's room's closet," he told her.  She looked confused.  "Something shifted in there but it's not a priority for now."  She nodded, making a note for the desk.

***

Lupin hung up and looked at Goemon.  "You're right, the protections were broken.  Xander said one was broken earlier.  He took them off totally and put on his own."  The samurai groaned.  "He also said she's been passing out."  He looked up at him, slowly standing up.  "She doesn't want a c-section.  Pops is standing right there.  She'll be fine, but we've got to find a way to intercept them.  The smartest thing for him to do would be to take her with him."

"He would take the train," Goemon told him.  "No ships would come directly to here from there.  Tokyo isn't a large steamer ship destination."  Lupin nodded, lighting a cigarette.  "Were *all* of them broken?"  Lupin shrugged.  "Hand me the phone."  It was tossed over to him and he called the people helping them.  "Someone said they found the protections broken.  Were they all?"  He smiled.  "Are you sure?"  He looked at Lupin and smiled.  "Thank you.  Yes, he is.  Why?"  He chuckled.  "I'm sure he can bully her into it if he must."  He hung up.  "All but the main ones she put on the baby had been broken totally.  She felt it snap earlier in the day.  She can't pinpoint her or get to Tokyo fast enough to be there in time for the birth.  Xander gave her his phone number in case she needed him for anything, including errands for either child."  He handed the phone back.  "She's doing what she can from where she is."

"And so is Xander, which means Jigen is somewhere nearby.  He didn't say anything about him, only Pops."  He sucked in some more smoke.  "That I don't like."

"He may not have been able to get an immediate flight out and Xander would have spared him saying nice things for too long," Goemon said.  "How is Marcus?"

"Sleeping.  I knocked him out myself."  He took one last puff then put it out.  "He needed it.  He's come really far."

"His vision is back on.  He'll be fine."

"Hopefully," Lupin agreed.  "That tougher mindset is working well for him."

"He is as much a submissive as Xander is to you."

"He's not."

"He is.  He never does anything without checking with one of you.  Unless it is job related.  Then he hopes you can forgive him."

"Jigen said I overwhelm him."

"You probably do," he agreed.  "You are very dynamic.  Xander is not."  He shrugged.  "It would be natural.   You are a leader, Xander is a quieter leader.  I wish I could have seen him with his pack when he had one."

"Pack?"

"Hyenas."  He shrugged and walked away to get himself something strong to drink.  He needed it. There wasn't any way he could get to Japan at the moment.  Dawn couldn't find a place she didn't know.  Any flights would take too long.  His son was sleeping so he couldn't even wear out his frustration playing with him.  He found his stash of sake and poured himself a large cup, gulping it.  It helped, for now.

***

Xander paced, looking at his watch.  Where was the doctor?  She was in real, ready to push, labor.  She grunted and swatted at him so he came back to her side.  "Come on, you can do it," he soothed.  "Just a minute more?"

"No!  Either he's here or I'm going to do this without him!"

"Fine," Xander agreed, pushing the button again.  "The doctor?" he asked the nurse.

"He said he is on his way."

"I'm not fucking waiting!" Fujiko screamed.  The nurse nodded, hurrying to get someone more senior on the floor.  Fujiko glared at the older woman who came back.  "Who are you! I'm not a fucking circus attraction!"

"I am a midwife," she said calmly, coming over to touch her.  "I can deliver the child safely."  Fujiko gave her a look.  "If you wish.  I have your chart."  Fujiko nodded so she opened it and read through it quickly.  "How bad was your first one?"

"No tearing, no drugs, and I delivered her," Xander said.  She looked at him.  "Yes, me.  I am capable of holding off panic."  She gave him a reproachful look.  He looked down at Fujiko.  "This is why I didn't want to come to Japan before, I thought everyone was like her or Kane."  She snickered, shaking her head.  "Remember the thought, Lupin going through this," he told her as the midwife moved to look at her.  "We didn't do an episiotemy last time, she didn't need it."

The midwife nodded.  "So I can see.  How hard was it on her?"

"She got through it, but she had more helpers and she wasn't passing out at the time.  Like she has been today."  The midwife looked at him, then at the chart, rereading it.  She found the notations and grimaced, but nodded, fixing the bed.  "Are we doing it in here?"

"Unless you want to move her," she agreed.  "This bed will be fine and she is nearly there already."  She dropped the foot of the bed and pulled out the stirrups, putting Fujiko's feet into them.  "Whenever you are ready to push," she said calmly.  "Kane?" she asked Xander.

"TV show," he said.

"Oh, that one."  She frowned at him.  "None of us are like that, young man."  He gave her a look.  "That is the training, otherwise I would be babbling in excitement.  When you get to be my age, you will be calm as well."  She looked up. "You are doing excellently."

Xander took her hand, getting down next to her ear.  "Come on, Fuji, just a few good pushes like last time," he said quietly.  She nodded.  "That it, that's his good girl.  Come on, you can do it," he repeated when she paused to take a breath.  He looked at the stunned cop.  "You *could* help. You helped during the last one.  It set a bad precedent."  The closet door thumped again.  "Ignore him," he told the midwife.  "He was panicking."  She nodded and went back to what she had been doing.

"Which one is that?"

"The first guy," Xander said with a small shrug.  He gave her hand a squeeze.  "Do that stomach thing."

"Do not," the midwife countered.  "She is coming very well."

"Last time her son was out in five pushes."

"This one will take longer.  Girls always do."  She gave her a pat on the outside of the thigh.  "Push again," she ordered.

Fujiko grunted with the strain, then shook her head.  "I can't."  She panted so Xander gave her back the oxygen mask.  She rested and tried again but the baby wasn't moving.  She gave him a look and he nodded, moving to help her.  The midwife started to say something but the baby moved again, making her go back to her own job.  She pushed again and felt the baby move more.

"Try harder," Zenigata told her.  "Your son wasn't that hard."

"He was also nearly a month premature," Xander told him.   He came back to help her, getting next to her ear.  "If you do, I'll show you my new house," he promised.  "It's a wreck at the moment but you can see if as long as you don't try to decorate more than the kitchen."  She gave a weak laugh and he steeled himself.  "Come on, Fujiko.  We need to get her out."  He looked outside.  "Come on, princess."

"You're the princess," she reminded him.

He grinned.  "Then trust your ruling body, she's got to come out."  Fujiko nodded, giving another weak push.  "Can she sit up, would it help?"

"Does she want a birthing stool?"

"If it would help," Xander said with a shrug. He looked at her, seeing the doubt.  "It'd be like having her in the bathroom."  She grimaced and shook her head.  "Then you've got to push harder, Fujiko.  You've got to do it now.  Before her heartrate falls."  She nodded, trying again.

"Sit behind her, young man.  Let her rest against your chest."  He nodded, getting up to help her, cradling her closely.  "Now push," she ordered.  "It may help some or not."  Fujiko gave another push and the baby's head moved.  She looked up.  "He is correct.  It is dangerous if the baby gets stuck for both of you. If the baby comes out, you'll be in much better shape."  Fujiko gave her another push and Zenigata growled, coming over to help by pushing on her stomach.  The baby came out a little more, the head was nearly out now.  "The crown is out," she said.  She looked down, pulling something out of her jacket pocket.  She found a gun in her face when she glanced up and dropped the needle.  "I will not hurt her," she said.

"Good."  Xander put back his gun.  "Take whatever she dropped," he ordered. "Pat her down while you're at it."  Zenigata gave him a horrified look.  "Now!"

"Fine."  He did find a needle and did put it back beside Xander, then patted her down, finding a knife.  He held it up.  "For the cord?"

"Scissors for the cord," Xander told him.  "Speaking of, birthing tray?"

"In the corner, in the drawer," Zenigata said, going to get it for her.  He was really confused looking but he knew something was going on.  "She was going to hurt the child?"

"Yuppers. Got it in one, Gramps."  Xander helped Fujiko through another few pushes.  "Watch her."

"Fine."  He tried very hard not to watch the baby come out.  He didn't want to know that much about Fujiko.  Ever.  She delivered the baby and put it onto the mother's lap, letting Xander cut the cord for her.  Then she backed out.  "Do not come back," he warned.  She nodded, giving him a scared look.  "Out."  She ran out.  A nurse came in to check on them and he handed over the needle.  "She was going to stick the baby with this."  The nurse gave it a look, then a confused one to him.  "We knew it wasn't right.  She's born."

Xander shifted.  "Hold her so I can move," he ordered. The nurse came over, helping him slip out so the mother could lay back down.  He glanced at her. "She's got the afterbirth coming already.  The baby was partially stuck.  Please check her."  The nurse nodded, taking the baby with her for a few minutes.  Then she came back with it and a bassinet.  Fujiko had said that the baby was staying with her and they couldn't disagree for security risks. Xander picked up his little vial, marking the child under his protection.  "Whenever you need me, yell my name," he told her.  The baby calmed down and the storm outside started to dissipate.  "I am not your teacher, but I am your uncle.  I will always be there when and if you need me."  The baby blinked up at him.  "Hi.  I'm not the daddy either.  I'm the unclie."  He picked her up, bringing her back over since Fujiko was awake.  "She's fine, how are you?" he asked gently, brushing some of her hair out of her way once she had the baby.

"Tired.  Sore.  Ow."  She winced. "Afterbirth."  The nurse went to check her then went to find someone.  A very old nurse came in and said some soothing things in Japanese, making her nod.  "Good," she agreed.  She looked at Xander.  "Midwife?"  The nurse babbled something about a needle and she looked at Zenigata.  "Huh?"

"She had a needle.  She was going to stick the baby while it was coming out.  I found a knife too," he said coolly.  "I do not know what that was."

"That was something you'll have to guard against," Xander told him.  "Have Dawn deliver at home, okay?"

"Find her some drugs first," Fujiko told him.  "It hurts, a lot."  She looked at her daughter's chest, then at Xander.  "You marked her?"

"Under my protection, not as my student," he said, staring into her eyes.  "I am her protector, the same as I am Dawn's."  She nodded, relaxing again.   He looked at the senior nurse.  "How long before she can rest at home?" he asked in Japanese.

"Two days," she replied.  "More if she is still weak."  She looked at Fujiko.  "Unless it is necessary?"

"It is," Zenigata said.  "No one else is here to protect the baby and I'll be taking him with me."

Xander looked at Fujiko.  "Train?" he suggested.  She smirked and laughed behind the mask.  "You're sure?"  She nodded.  He looked at Zenigata.  "We'll be taking the train back.  If you want to come with us...."  He grinned.  "Otherwise, you might as well forget you ever saw me this trip."

He growled and pulled out his handcuffs.  "I can take you now, brat."

"You could, but I can also kick your ass," Xander reminded him.

He sneered.  "You're not that good."

"Actually, I'm okay," Xander said, kicking at him.  He barely got out of the way. "Sorry, I know I telegraph.  Goemon has assured me that I'm probably as good as I'll ever be."  He kicked him, getting him this time in the chest.  He followed it up with grabbing a bedpan and hitting him, knocking him out again.  Then he gassed him for good measure.  "There."  He looked at the nurse.  "How soon?"

"One hour," she said.  She looked at the inspector, then at him.  "You are not that good," she agreed, going back to her duties.

"I'm a gunman, I'm not supposed to be a martial arts master.  It's to compensate for not being able to hit."  He took the handcuffs, handcuffing the inspector around one of his own thighs.  "Let's see him get that bendy," he said, smirking at Fujiko.  "Let me make the reservations."  He pulled out his phone, calling the house.  "She's born."  He hung up, dialing information for the train.  "Hi, I need a train to Paris and I'm in Tokyo," he said in Japanese.  "I know that you have some that connect to a ferry.  Is that possible?  No, we have a newborn and were on vacation in Tokyo when my darling one went into labor.  Yes, just now born.  Today.  I do not want her here.  There has been some problems," he said, glaring at the man on the floor.  The closet door thumped and he kicked it.  "You quit as well," he called in English, then he listened to her laughing.  "Sorry. I had to knock someone out who was going to bother the new mother."  He listened.  "That would be fine.  Is it safe?  I have heard much about ferry accidents in this part of the world."  His face lit up and he looked at Fujiko.  "They've finally got the underwater train up and running.  Can we take it?"

"Not with the baby," she said firmly.  "I'm not risking it. We can drive if we have to."

"Fuji, Japan is an island," he pointed out.  She gave him a look.  "Fine."  He went back to making the reservations.  "Yes, that would be fine.  Thank you."  He hung up and walked over, giving her a pat. "It'll be a long trip.  It'll take *weeks*," he told her.  She shrugged.  "Okay.  We'll be leaving in two hours," he told the nurse.  "Where are her clothes?"

"In her dresser," she said, pointing.  "When does the train leave?"

"In three."

"Then you'll want to leave sooner.  The train station is on the other side of the city."  He winced and nodded, opening his phone. "Who are you calling now?"

"A friend."  He had to look up the number he had been given but did so.  "Please let me speak to your boss," he said respectfully.  The Don came on.  "This is Lavelle.  Fujiko did have a girl.  We're evacuating her back to the house.  Can you help us get to the train station?  Yes, he's here.  Handcuffed, on the floor, but here."  He smiled.  "Good deal.  Thanks."  He hung up. "He's got a helicopter."  He bundled his new niece up very well, including in his own jacket, then got Fujiko her things, turning his back while she was finished getting cleaned up and dressed.  His niece yawned and he smiled.  "Give us a few minutes," he promised. "Then you can eat and all that good stuff."  He glanced back at her, finding her in a traditional kimono. "Had a problem with maternity wear?" he teased.

"Hell, yes, it was ugly," she told him, coming over slowly to take the baby.  A nurse went to fill out her forms, and the birth certificate, bringing them back with a wheelchair "Won't we have to go through Pakistan?  That area is pretty unstable."

"We're going through India then north," he told her.  "We'll be trading trains in Calcutta, then in Russia, then in Austria.  We'll be taking the Orient Express back to Paris."  She smiled at him. "Good enough?"

"Great," she agreed.  "Thank you, Xander."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "I'm not having any more."

"Hey, by the time we get home, maybe you can go back on the pill," he said.  "Is there a gift shop downstairs?" he asked the nurse.  She nodded.  "Would it have formula and bottles, plus things that the mother will need?"  She shook her head.  "Does the train station?"  She nodded.  "Good.  Thank you."  Fujiko took her papers and he followed the nurse and her wheelchair up to the helicopter landing site.  Once it landed, he got them settled inside, safely out of harm's way while he took the outer edge.  He smiled at the Don as he handed over a shopping bag. "Thank you."

"My wife sent it," he admitted.  He looked at the baby.  "She is very cute."  The pilot closed and locked the doors for them, then got back in, taking off.  "How are you getting home?  There are no ships right now."

"Train," Fujiko said with a small smile.  "Jigen?" she asked Xander.  He pulled his phone and said something into it, she couldn't quite hear over the rotors. Then he put on his headphones.  She looked inside the bag, finding a big bag of pads and some diapers.  She smiled at the Don and put on her headphones so she could talk to him.  "Thank you."

"You are welcome.  Will you three be back soon?"

"Probably.  Goemon is insisting that I and the children stay out of harm's way."

He nodded.  "Fathers are always like that," he agreed.  "I nearly locked mine into her suite once or twice when she wanted to go shopping."  Xander chuckled.  "I take it you've felt the same?"

"Very," he agreed. "Ishi will adore this one."  They landed at the train station. "Thank you.  If I can be of help in a useful way against a bad guy, let me know."  The Don nodded, accepting that caveat as well.  He walked Fujiko and her bag inside, stopping to get them some minor clothes from the shopping area.  Along with some books and things.  He had his bags but she didn't have anything and couldn't fit into one of his t-shirts.  Fortunately, he knew her sizes very well.  He got them signed in and went to find her, watching her watch the board.  "Gate ten," he said, leading her that way.  He handed her the bag he had gotten for her with a smile.  "You still won't fit into mine.  There's some minor things.  We can get you more in Calcutta since we've got an overnight there."  She nodded, leaning against his side.  "Just a few more minutes and I'll have them set your bed up," he promised.  She nodded again, closing her eyes.  "She's safe and so are you.  I promise you are."  She gave him a pinch. "Fine.  I got her a stomach snuggler too.  I figured it'd be easier for now."

"Thank you, Xander.  Did you remember to go up for the maternity bra?"

"No.  But I did get you some nursing ones since I couldn't find any formula," he admitted.  She looked up at him.  Sorry, I did the best I could.  You can always take the shot later."  She sighed and nodded, accepting it for now.  "I'm sorry it went so wrong."

"It went as well as I expected," she admitted.  "I got everyone's voice mail."

"I was working in another room, the phone was in the kitchen."  She laughed.  "I left a message for Jigen.  The guys know she's born.  Zenigata will need to take serious yoga lessons if someone doesn't let him out soon."  She laughed again, shaking her head.  "Try getting out of handcuffs that are behind one of your thighs."  She moved into the position, then smirked at him.  "I even remembered to get you comfy underwear," he promised.  "Just not thongs."  She nodded.  "We'll be fine.  She's healthy."  He stroked her hair, grabbing everything but her and the baby when boarding was called for their train.  The ticket agent cooed at the baby.  "We're taking her home," he said in Russian.  The woman smiled and nodded, looking at their tickets.  He had only handed over the ones to there. The others were in his briefcase.  Their passports were checked as well before they were let into their sleeper car.  The conductor put down one of the beds immediately, the two seats pulled out to form one bigger bed.  Half of it was more than enough for her and the baby.  "Thank you."  He tipped him then let him out and locked the door, sitting down to watch the platform, just in case some of the cops showed up.  He saw Ray, but Ray didn't see him.  He heard someone outside their door but Myron didn't come in.  He saw she was asleep so he walked out, going to shove Myron into a cubby and talk with him.  "Dude, I'm taking her to her husband, then the game is on," he said from behind him.  "Get off the train, you can meet us in Paris."  He got him moving in that direction, telling the agent he had heard him asking if this was the train to Kyoto.  The agent nodded and said something, which he translated.  "The train to Kyoto is on the facing track," he explained, helping him off with a cheery wave.  "Thanks."  He walked back and locked them in again.

Ray nudged Myron. "You let him go?"

"I put a homing device on him," he said.  "They're heading to meet up with the others in Paris."

"This one goes to Russia."

"And there's one in Russia that either goes to Paris or to lower Europe, where they can easily catch one up to Paris," he said smugly.  "That's what the boss said they were gonna do.  We'll dog them the whole way.  He's not going to do anything out of the ordinary.  He will be very quiet on this trip to protect that young lady."

"Young lady?  Fujiko?"

"The baby," he sighed.

"Oh.  She had a girl?" Ray asked with a grin.  He nodded.  "That's fine.  Did we get orders?"

"To tag him if possible, to board the train and trail him if available.  Zenigata is very fierce on not hurting that baby for some reason.  He ordered me to make no move that would cause the baby even potential harm.  I had to remind him I'm not his first rookie."

Ray looked around. "Where is the grumpy bastard anyway?"

"Probably still locked in the closet," Myron said with a smile.  "You want to stay and get Jigen when he lands?"  Ray nodded, going to call the airport and use his authority to get told if the guy got off the plane he was on.

***

Back at the hospital, a cleaning woman walked over to the shaking closet door and opened it.  "Oh, dear," she said, helping him out and untying him.  She didn't laugh at the stain on his pants, that would have been mean.  "Come along, young man.  I will help you find a place to clean up."

"Inspector," he said firmly.  He tightened his jacket around himself, following behind her, silently vowing to stop that criminal.  How dare he embarrass him this way!

***

Jigen got off the plane and looked at his phone, listening to the fuzzy message. He heard something about a baby, a Don, and Calcutta?  He hung up and dialed Lupin.  "Xander either had the worst case of static or he called while in a 'copter.  Where are they headed?  Is she all right?"  Lupin soothed him while he checked.  "Eugene Bethany," he said.  "Yeah, that one."  He grimaced, looking up at the terminal board above the agent.  "You're sure?  How long do I have?"  He smirked.  "Fine.  I'll meet him there.  You meet him in lower Europe to get Marc more stable."  He hung up, taking his ticket to the agent.  "My friend, the one giving birth, is heading for her house in Calcutta on an ambulance," he told her.  "Is there anyway I can switch and get my bags?"  She nodded, typing quickly.  "She won't be there for a few days.  They're doing it in a train relay once they're on the mainland."  She smiled and printed off a ticket for him, taking Xander's card to run it.  "Thanks."  He signed his name and went to get a smoke.  He wondered what had gone wrong at the hospital this time.  The woman was like a disaster each time she gave birth.

***

Lupin hung up and looked at Goemon.  "I've found them," he announced.  He raised an eyebrow.  "They're on a train.  They're heading for Paris ultimately."  He smiled at that.  "They'll be met by Jigen in Calcutta.  We can meet them in Russia, in Austria, or just in Paris."

"I would not mind meeting them in Russia.  We did have that job anyway, it would kill time and my nerves."

Lupin nodded.  "True."  His phone rang, the special line.  "Hello?" he asked, listening to the voice on the other end.  Only other criminal syndicates had this number. "Yes, sir, he is here," he said, holding out the phone.  "It's for you.  It's Tokyo's Don."

"Hello?" Goemon asked.  He listened to the report on the other end, slowly starting to smile.  "I thank you.  If I may be of any help, tell me."  He hung up.  "Not only was the inspector there, he helped my wife deliver our daughter because Xander said the midwife was going to kill her."  Lupin opened his mouth and searched for a seat behind him. "Zenigata stopped her, Xander evacuated them through him.  He said they did not have any formula and she was less than happy with having to do it naturally but he thought it might make her a calmer woman to be so natural.  His own wife sent her some necessities and they dropped them off at the train station from picking them up at the hospital.  Where his people reported Xander did some shopping for my wife.  He is sending pictures that his people took of them in the station."  Lupin turned on his computer, logging into his email account as soon as possible.  He let him see the pictures, which made him smile.  "She is adorable in his jacket."

"She is," Lupin agreed.  "Xander has red hair?"

"I believe he dyed it to pass in Geneva."  He printed them off, taking them to tuck into his wallet for now.  "He also said that Xander had locked the first rookie, the one who wants him dead, in a closet.  His people reported he had messed himself greatly before he was let out.  The other officers tagged him with a homing device and one is on the train with them to follow them back while the other is searching for Jigen, and if he does not find him, will go to Calcutta to meet up with his partner."  Lupin smirked.  "They are very safe in their hands.  Xander has a few warrants out for him, as does Jigen, but not her."

"Good," Lupin agreed, considering it.  "You really want to do the Russian job with me?"  He nodded.  "Then let's do that.  We'll meet the train in five days."  He called Jigen's cell, leaving a concise message about their plans on his voicemail.  Then they went to pick up Marcus, who could see but wasn't able to read because of his headaches, to help him relearn his field exercises.  "This split was good for us."

"It was," Goemon agreed.  Marcus coughed.  "Yes, even for you."

"I know," he admitted. "I was going to inquire about the infant."

"She is fine.  Healthy and fine," Goemon said as the car took off out of the garage.  "Xander helped her when the other protections broke."  Marcus nodded, smiling at that.  "He is not as strong as you are, but his devious nature was more helpful this time.  The midwife was sent to hurt her."

"Oh, dear," he said.  "The poor thing.  And just being born too," he sighed, shaking his head.

"While she was being born.  She wasn't aware of it at all," Lupin told her.  "How did you get Fujiko into a kimono?  She swore she'd never wear one again."

"I bought her ugly maternity clothes," Goemon admitted with a small smile and blush.  "She decided it was better and started wearing mine so I bought her a set of her own.  She was quite pleased.  I made sure the themes were some she would like."

"We should find one for your daughter," Marcus told him.  "Xander bought Ishi one."  He looked beside him.  "Where is he?"

"With Dawn," Lupin told him.  "She knew something was going on and that we'd have to move."

"She's injured!  The Inspector isn't even there."

"Yes, but the boys dote on him," Lupin said smugly.  "They never tell Pops but they love the little guy and want her to have one."  They all shared a laugh.  Dawn was going to be one wicked parent some day.

***

Xander wiped his forehead as they came off the train in Calcutta.  He had put his briefcase  into his other bag so was only carrying the two of them.  Calcutta was supposed to be really dangerous so Fujiko was right beside him, on his good side. The baby was sleeping on her chest and they were dressed like average travelers, jeans and t-shirts.  Their hotel was attached to the station so they didn't have to go far.  He walked them in, glancing around them.  "You have a reservation for a Fujiko Ishikawa?" he asked the clerk.  He nodded and pulled it up, handing over the forms.  Xander paid for it, making him grimace.  "I am her bodyguard."  That was accepted and they were checked in.  They went up the stairs and found Jigen lounging on their couch.  "Morning, neighbor."

"You are not Mr. Rogers," Jigen told him.  He sat up, taking the baby from Fujiko.  "Hi."  She yawned and blinked at him.  "Yes, I'm an uncle."  She yawned again.  "Impressing, huh?" he asked, getting comfortable.

Fujiko sat down with a wince.  "She's not real impressed with anyone so far," she told him. "Not even Xander."  She looked at him.  "You couldn't find somewhere nicer?"

"You mean like the whirlpool in the bathroom nicer or the no going into the city to get mugged nicer?" he asked.  "Or maybe the four star restaurant downstairs nicer?"  She smiled at him and he helped her up.  "Go bathe.  You deserve it."  She nodded, heading that way.  He flopped down into her chair.  "We're being followed."

"I know."  He grinned, holding up the detector.  "It's on you somewhere."

"Probably on the shirt I was wearing when we left Tokyo," he said with a yawn. "No one's appeared so I'll get it later.  They're tracking us home."  He blinked a few times.  "I never thought trains would make me so sleepy."

"Nap, kid, I'll watch for a while and find the bug."  Xander nodded, coming over to curl up on the couch beside him.  He looked at the baby, carefully putting her into the chair.  "You stay there, unlike your brother.  We had to put a baby leash on him."  She cooed and waved her fingers around.  "Yeah, you be good," he praised, sitting down to look in their luggage.  He found the bug with the detector, but it was smaller than he was used to.  He finally got it free and looked at it.  "It's like a hair," he said, putting it into his lighter.  It was metal and would block it.  That's why the lighter had that special drawer in the bottom.  That and smaller diamonds.  He shoved everything back into the bags and turned to look at her, finding her with a red face. "Oh, no, please not that, kid," he whined.  Xander was snoring and probably couldn't be woken up.  He had found the diaper bag.  He winced as he sighed.  Fujiko was resting, it wasn't fair to pull her out and make her do this.  She had given birth and Lupin had said it had been a hard one from the records they had been sent.   So he waited until she was done then steeled himself for the most disgusting job he had ever done, changing a diaper.  "Eww, what is that?" he complained.  "Toxic sludge?"  Heard a camera go off and saw the mother in the doorway.  "Here, yours," he said, handing the baby and the clean diaper over.  She laughed, taking her back to the bathroom to bathe with her.  "And don't breastfeed in front of me either!" he called after her.

"I won't.  You might like it too much and want a taste."

He shuddered.  "That's sick."  He climbed back onto the couch, finding the crossword puzzles in Xander's briefcase.  At least the kid was looking out for him.

***

Lupin and Goemon rushed onto the train.  Marcus was heading to Austria to pick up Ishi and meet them at that point.  Zenigata was behind them somewhere.  They smiled at the conductor, getting shown to a car next to Xander and Fujiko's.  They stored their stuff then went to knock and wake them up.  Jigen answered, letting them in.  "Hi," Lupin said, handing Fujiko a pretty pink diamond.  He had stolen it just for her.  In return, he got the newest member of his team.  "Good morning, princess," he cooed.  "How are you?"  She went back to her nap, sucking on his neck.  "Do I taste good?" he chuckled.

"Apparently," Xander said cockily.  "So far she only does that to me so you must taste like me or like mom's milk."  Goemon gave Fujiko an adoring look.  "Why don't you stay in here with Jigen and I while Fujiko and the baby get to go sleep with Goemon?"

"Sure," he agreed, sitting down on the bed to let them shift everything.  His bag could be gotten later.  He gave Xander a kiss.  "I'm sorry if I've made you feel useless sometimes."  He saw the pointed look at Jigen.  "He didn't tell me, I figured it out. I am smart."

Xander gave him a deeper kiss. "That's fine.  Jigen and I have figured out what I'm really good at."  He stroked the baby's hair.  "She's already back on the pill.  She found a doctor to make a house call in Calcutta because this one was coughing a little so he gave her some medicine for her and a 'scrip for the pill.  She's fully back on them and has been for a while now."  Both men sighed in relief.  "She said next time, she's castrating her husband so we might need to protect him, but then again she might miss it in a few years too."  She shrugged.  "Who knows.  Come on, princess, let's get you laying down so I can get cuddled."  Jigen snorted, shaking his head.  "What?  I don't get cuddles?" he asked, looking at Lupin.

"If you still want them, they're yours," he agreed, opening his free arm.  Jigen took the baby, putting her down in her nest of pillows. Xander pounced him, kissing him hard.  He checked to make sure but the curtains were closed.  "Won't someone wonder?"

"Why?  On this leg, I was her bodyguard."  He shrugged and grinned.  "I never said we were married, just that we were taking the baby home."  Lupin smirked and got another kiss for it.  "See, good me sometimes."

"Very good you most of the time," Lupin assured him.

"No, sometimes I have some very bad ideas," he said with a wicked smile.  He pulled out his choker and put it on, hitching it to the first setting.  "Let me show you my new form," he purred, locking it in.  He saw his hands and frowned, undoing it and doing it again.  Sylvia was replaced by a woman who was slightly Asian looking, with waist-length dark hair and a good body, if a bit bigger chested than the average. She was also still Xander's height.  She stripped off the too-tight shirt and kissed him again, whispering dirty things to him in Japanese, making him groan.

"Tickets?" Jigen asked, undoing his tie.

"Asian custom, family name first," she said, closing her eyes and tipping her head back.  "In my bags.  Already planned this."  Lupin was sucking on just the right spot and she was liking it quite a lot.  "Jigen and I agreed, I was best as a diversion."

"You are," Lupin agreed.  "A very good diversion.  Or a distraction if you want to be that way."  She wiggled and he moved down to her breasts, making her breath hitch.  "Sensitive today?"

"Lotus has been sucking on them."  Lupin pulled back to look at her.  "The trainer said it was totally appropriate when they talked and Fujiko's already mailed in the birth certificate so he'll have to like it," she said with a grin.  "She said it was appropriate for such a nature witch."  She kissed him again, making him moan.  "You can play with Lotus later.  Play with me now."

Jigen chuckled.  "She's been very patient," he informed him.  "She hasn't even tried to jump me.  She was waiting for Goemon to come get Fujiko."  Lupin looked at him.  "She said so."

Xander moaned, stretching up as she stood.  She took off her jeans, showing that she wasn't wearing anything underneath them.  "I have to do laundry," she admitted.  Lupin pulled her back down onto the bed, tasting her body.  "I might need a shower too."

"You taste good sweaty," he assured her, moving down her body. Jigen came over to give her a kiss too, making him happier.  "You really didn't do this for him?"

"No, it would have caused too many problems," she told him, stroking his face.  "I even came on in a wig so no one could say anything."  He groaned, catching her fingers to suck on.  "Are you desperate?"  He shook his head.  "Good, because I want to play."  He laughed, pulling her up to hold her. "Or cuddle.  Cuddling is good." Lotus let out a sniffle. She looked over his shoulder at the baby.  "Morning, sweetness.  Your daddy is next door.  Would you like the mommy?  I know you've got to be hungry by now."  Lotus let out a small sound of protest.  "Come on, the auntie will take you next door to let your daddy watch you feed off the mommy.  He'll like that sight."  She put on a robe out of her bag and walked out into the hall, startling the conductor.  "Couldn't wait," she said with a smile.  She tapped on the one next to them.  "She's hungry," she said, presenting the baby like she would his sword.  The father smiled and picked her up, holding her up to look at her.  "She still needs head support," she warned.  She looked behind him.  "No Ishi?"

"Marcus will meet us in Austria," he said, smirking at her.  "You look very beautiful like that."

"Thank you."  She bowed and went back to her men, who were talking about her.  "Goemon just gave me a compliment."

"As well he should, you are adorable like that," Jigen agreed.  He pulled her between them.  "Can I tell him?"

"Sure."  She worked on loosening his collar to suck on his neck for a while, earning a pinch.  "I can't distract him."

"True," Jigen sighed, sharing a smile with Lupin.  "Not only did she do very well guarding Fujiko, she did many things very well.  She pulled her first totally solo hit last night."  He looked impressed, shifting closer to stroke Xander's back for her.  "She also has found a spot she loves within the group and is happy with it."

"Good," Lupin agreed.  He had thought Xander had one but apparently he was still searching for something more.  It was good he had found it, it would make him happier, less prone to those damn nightmares.  "What else?"

"I am a very good girl," she told him, looking back over her shoulder at him, batting her eyelashes.  "Sylvia did it, not Lavelle."  He smiled and nodded.  "And she is quite the badass.  She rode up like Dawn would have to do it."  He laughed, shaking his head.  "And the new-fangled syndicate in town is now in disarray.  Let someone else call Fujiko a complacent little mother again."  Lupin winced so she rolled onto her back, kissing him too.  "Sorry, but I needed to.  Oh, your thing, no one noticed in the power struggle last night.  Neither job."

"We only did one," he said, pinching her on the stomach.

"So I took the liberty of doing one in your name on someone worse," she told him, nodding at her bag.  "In there.  I brought you a pretty thing for you two to split.  Fujiko said it was fine with her."

Lupin snatched the bag, bringing it over to look inside.  Then he looked at Xander.  "Who did you get?  A DeBeer?"  She laughed and shook her head.  "I have to figure it out?"  She nodded.  "It's not my birthday."

"No, it's not," she agreed with a small smirk.  "I made you tapes for your birthday."

"I saw," he agreed with a smirk.  "They were quite...arousing.  Where were you?"

"Stockholm," Jigen said dryly.  "She rented a separate room that night."  Lupin smiled at him.  "What?  Did you want to watch me bang her for your birthday?"

"I've already got a good tape of that," Lupin assured him, looking at the stones again.  There had to be at least a pound or two of diamonds in there, all sorts of pretty colors.  "How?" he asked, looking at Xander again.  She leaned up, kissing him gently.  "Did you sleep your way into them?"

"Only into her room."  He whimpered.  "Then she was easily taken out.  Apparently, Sylvia's a top too."  His breath caught.  "But she liked the tough bitch and she was a very bad woman.  She was making juvie convicts mine them for her."  He moaned.  "So now they're free and the woman is no more.  She went bye-bye with a smile on her face."  She licked over his lips.  "And she didn't even get to see me like this."  He dropped the briefcase, kissing her again.  So what if they were using Jigen as a platform for sex, he wouldn't care.  As a matter of fact, he joined in to take his own cut of the affection.  Xander used her extra hair to gag herself while they played with her body.

"I'll have to remember this one.  It's going to be my second favorite," Lupin told her between licks to her clit.  She arched up, making him suck again.  Then she came, a muffled moan of desire that was making him so hot.  He stripped himself, pushing into her until she came again, and again.  "I missed you, Xan," he said quietly, removing the hair to kiss her.  "I really have."

"I missed you too," she panted, kissing him again.  "If you had called, I would have come to you for a while, but I needed it."

"I know you do, I'll let you go each and every time you need a short vacation."

"Does that mean I can go back and work on my house some more?" she teased, running her finger down his chest.  "I promise to be good and not put in a room with leather swings and stuff." Jigen groaned at that.  "What?  I can't put in a range so I'll need something to occupy my time."

"We were going to go to Britain to impregnate my chosen mothers," Lupin told her, giving her a smile. "I'd like you there for that."  Xander nodded, grinning at him.  "Good girl."  He kissed her.  "Does this one have a name?"

"Not yet.  I thought I'd let you name her."  She looked at Jigen, giving his cheek a stroke.  "He named Sylvia so I guess it's fair."

"I still like my wench," he told her, kissing her gently.  "That hair of yours is great though."

"It's growing back," she promised.  "Not this long, but still back."  Lupin tugged on her hair, making her growl at him.  "Behave or I'll have to flip you over and take you hard the next time I'm me."

Lupin gave her a small head shake.  "Nope, sorry, I only top, dear."  He kissed her until she was breathless.  "Maybe you can top Jigen some day."  Jigen pinched him.  "What?  You seem like you'd like it."

"I like my women underneath me," he told him.  "Not on top of me."

Xander purred, stretching up to capture his mouth. "I'd never even think about it unless you said you were wondering very hard."  He smiled and nodded.  "Thank you for brushing your teeth. I'm still not used to your cigarettes."  She kissed him again, making him shove Lupin out of the way to get some of his own playing in.  "Easy," she soothed.

"No you're not," Lupin promised. "You're very hard to catch, that's why it took two thieves."  She laughed, arching up into Jigen's exploration of her nipples.  "It did. I probably couldn't have gotten you on my own."

"Oh, I don't know, you could have picked me up in a bar," Xander offered, wiggling under the teeth working on her. "Jigen!" she squealed, batting at his back.  "Those hurt!"

"It's your own fault for falling asleep with the baby," he pointed out.  He licked over the one he had nipped to sooth it.  "Better?"

"Much.  Do that again," she encouraged.  He lapped, then sucked, making her moan.  "Yes, I like that. Do more of that."  Lupin's head came over to help, making her groan and hold them closer.  "I don't know what this is today."

"Maybe your body's adjusting again," Lupin offered, licking up to take a kiss.  "It's done that in the past."  She nodded, smiling at him.  He tapped her lips.  "You forgot to brush your teeth."

"Sorry.  I'll do it after I blow Jigen."  She pulled him off to kiss him.  "Keep it up and they'll leak."  He shivered and kissed her harder.  "Did you get hard watching her?" she teased quietly.  Jigen shook his head, staring down at her.  "It was me?"  He nodded.  "Wow.  I'm still not going through that for anybody."

"Good," Lupin agreed.  "You'd have worse mood swings because you couldn't have any caffeine at all."  He stroked her stomach and Jigen batted his hand out of the way.  "You could have had her anytime."

"I didn't," he told him, bending to lick at her.  Lupin hadn't used a condom though so he gave it up quickly.  She pouted and he shrugged.  "Blame him."  Lupin coughed, blushing a little. "So instead I'll do this," he said, teasing her with a finger.  She arched up, swearing at him with a little growl.  She pounced him, rolling her underneath him so she could have him right then. He let her do it for now, helping her a little bit. She was obviously not only desperate but nearly addicted to him.

Lupin gave him a nudge.  "Does she shake for you in the mornings until you kiss her?" he teased.

Xander tossed her hair back over her shoulder.  "It's still a recreational habit.  I don't get it every night so I can't be that bad."  Jigen gave her a look so she kissed him.  "It could easily turn into a daily habit," she offered.  "But I didn't think you wanted it like that."

"That will make it much cheaper to work during jobs," Lupin offered.  "Now we'll only need two rooms.  One for us and one for Goemon and his boy."

"We're bringing the kids?" Xander asked.

"Marcus," Lupin said, stroking her back.  She paused to look at him.  "He needed a firmer guiding hand.  We were going to talk to you about that.   I don't want you picking on him about it."

"I don't pick on Marcus anyway," Xander pointed out.  "Why would I suddenly start?"  Lupin gave him a look.  "Those few incidences he was playing along until you came in.  He was teasing me that once about being Jigen's whore if you remember right."

Jigen goosed her.  "When was this?"

"Back during my second week of training as a girl."  She leaned down, kissing him and getting off him.  "I'd never pick on Marcus about that unless he wanted me to.  I like the kid, really, but I don't hang with him.  We've got vastly different interests.  The only time we're really together is during practice, meals, and if I'm working with him on the range."

"I had wondered who taught him how to shoot," Lupin said.

"Jigen started and had me work with him.  He's not bad.  Good enough for any police academy.  He can hit a target.  Usually second and third circles on the targets back at the house."  Lupin nodded.  "We have had to practice taking weapons off each other, Goemon said so, but he expected us to use it in case of being disarmed instead of our switching that we've worked out."  Jigen looked impressed.  "Really. Besides, I'm falling back to a single practice a week with Goemon."

"No you're not," Jigen told him.  "I want you to see if he's learned anything to help you with your sight deficiency.  If he has, then you go to him and work on that."  Xander nodded.  "Good boy."

"Thanks.  Gonna pat me on the head too?" she asked with a grin.  He patted her on the crotch, making her moan.  "Close enough," she decided, going down to suck on him but he spanked her and pulled her back.  "We're not done?"

"We're done, I'll let you do that later," he said, rolling her underneath him again so he could take her.  "I prefer it that way.  If I wanted blown, I can pay five bucks."

"I would hope I do it better than that," Xander said, grinning up at him.

"Yeah, but still.  I prefer to be on top of you, not having you pleasure me like some sex slave."

"Though, there could be a job in that," Lupin offered.  Xander batted at him so he sucked on her fingers, making her moan.  "I'll let you go down on me later if he doesn't."  Someone knocked on the door and he covered them with a blanket, grabbing Xander's robe to put on.  "Yes?" he asked the conductor.  He frowned.  "His wife was escorting his friend and new daughter home.  They're in the next car with her husband.  I escorted him."

"Oh.  I wasn't aware that she was female."  He looked at the ticket stub.  Then up at him.  "It says her first name is Eugene?"

"Asian tradition.  Family's name comes first."

"Thank you.  I had forgotten about that.  The shadows must have thrown off my vision."  Xander lifted her head and waved, smiling at him.  Then she winced as Jigen bit her, going back to making him moan in pleasure.  Doing it under the blankets seemed really naughty, they'd never done it this way before. It was like groping in the dark.

The conductor looked away, smiling.  "Thank you for explaining this.  I will leave you alone.  Dinner is in three hours.  Should I bring you yours like I will be the others?"

"Please," Lupin agreed, waving as he walked away.  He closed and locked the door, looking at Xander.  "You couldn't put it on earlier?"

"We were running late and the cab took forever," Xander explained.  "It would have looked odd if I had done it in the cab, in the hotel since I had checked in as a male, or in the station where security would have caught me."  She picked up some of her hair, using it to tease Jigen's chest.  He shivered and kissed her, making her shut up again and pay more attention to him.  One of his fingers was helping that as well.  She moaned into his mouth, humping him fiercely now.  "If you give me more, I'll think about letting you talk me into it," she whispered in his ear.  He gave her a look.  "What?" she asked innocently.  "If you asked now, I would get up and walk away.  I promise I'll sit still."  He grinned and bit her on the throat, making her howl.  Lupin gave her her hair to suck on again, quieting her down.  Her lower half felt like the energizer bunny was moving through it and he was not going to stop anytime in the near future.  She started swearing in Dutch, her newest language to learn, and he laughed, licking the spot he had bitten.  "More, now!" she ordered, clutching his shoulders.  He winced and dug in further, making her scream and go off.  She felt him spurt into her and went limp, giving him a goofy grin.  "Thank you.   I needed that."  She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Jigen flopped onto his back, accepting the cigarette Lupin lit for him.  "Damn.  She'll be the death of me yet."  He inhaled and smiled contentedly.  "What a way to go though."  Lupin chuckled.  "Think up a good name for this one, 'kay?  I'd like to keep her around."

"Definitely."  He laid on Xander's other side, sharing the cigarette with him.  "Stripper name?"

"No," Jigen said firmly.  "I've had my fill of strippers. I'm too damn old to date a stripper."

"You two are dating now?" Lupin asked, starting to look concerned again.  "Jigen, did you need me to back off or something?"

He snorted.  "Yeah, because she's going to let you go soon," he said dryly, giving him a look.  Then he hit him.  "Quit.  I know I'm not man enough to hold all of her down."

"Yeah, but if you want me to...."

"Lupin, shut up now."

"Fine."  He grinned, then wiggled his eyebrows.  "Think I could spoil him rotten then?"

"Too late, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind adding to the levels of rotten he already is," Fujiko said from the doorway.  "Have you guys seen the pacifier?"  Lupin flipped over, hunting among the pillows.  Then he tossed it to her.  "Thanks."  She smirked at them.  "For your information, I know for a fact that Xander adores both of you.  She said if one of you was killed she would stay with the remaining one, but otherwise you're both hers. You get really bored looking at scenery on a train."  She walked back into her sleeper compartment, handing over the pacifier and closing the door.  Her husband pulled her closer to kiss her, making him moan.  "Soon," she promised. "Very soon."

"I can wait," he agreed.  "I am a patient man."

"And lucky you, I found a doctor who would put my butt back on the pill.  Now all I have to do is lose the extra baby weight."

He touched her stomach.  "I do not mind," he promised, looking up at her.  "You are not fat, but the extra bit of flesh does not mar you in my eyes."  She sniffled and he hugged her, used to the mood swings by now.  "You are welcome."

"Thanks."  She wiped her eyes off, giving him a long hug.  "I'm still fat."

"You are not fat.  You are no more than ten pounds overweight.  It was the stretching that the baby did, nothing more.  You had the same after our son and I delighted in playing with it as you well remember."

"Yes, I do," she said, looking at their innocently napping daughter. "It's been weeks, I need that shot."

"Let nature run it's course," he told her.  "It is a good thing for your body."

"It might be, but I miss having you touch me and I can't."

"Said who?" he asked.  "Just because I will not be able to do certain things does not mean I cannot touch you."  He stroked her cheek. "Like that?" he teased.

She leaned over, biting him on the lip.  "You know what I mean."  He chuckled, nodding.  "Since I won't get any until I stop bleeding, I want the shot sooner."

"I can do some of it," he promised.  "Just not all of what I did the last time.  When you have stopped, I will help you with your cleaning again this time as well."  She shivered.  "For now, there are ways around your bleeding.  I believe that a simple, standard device would work."  She gave him a look and he pulled out the condoms he had stolen off Lupin earlier.  "Do you not think so?"

She grinned, moving the baby out of their way.  "You had better hope so.  Now that you've offered, I'm not stopping, even if Pops walks in to arrest us."

He laughed, rolling to pin her underneath him.  "Should that happen, I am sure he'll be very surprised."  She nodded, eager to get back to a normal life.  He sucked on her lips, then looked at her top.  "Would you rather I not touch them?  They were sore earlier you said."

She blushed and shrugged.  "I don't care."  He helped her off with her top and bra, looking at the firm peaks he had created.  He touched one gently and she shivered, smiling at him.  "You're very gentle with me."

"You deserve to be gentle with, unlike the heathen in the other room who enjoys embarrassing me."  He smirked at her.  "Unless you ask, at which time I would have to find a resource."  She laughed and hugged him, pulling him closer.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  She kissed him, letting him play to his heart's content.  It was enough.

***

Lupin looked up as the conductor brought him some flowers, frowning at them.  "Who are these from?"

"I'm not sure, sir, all I know is that they were from a beautiful woman who wanted to meet you for dinner."  He accepted his tip and left.

Lupin looked at the flowers, sniffing them, then at Xander.  "Melody, did you send me flowers?"  She shook her head, still tied to the bed.  "Hmm."  He stood up, heading to talk to Fujiko.  He tapped on the door, getting Goemon because she was breastfeeding.  "Someone sent me flowers."

"Why?"

"I do not know," he admitted.  He got out of Jigen's way as he came back.  "Jigen, did you send me flowers?"

"Boss, I like you, but I keep telling you you're not conformed the way I like.  Not near enough on top."  He walked into their car, letting Xander go.  "No more teasing, right?" he asked.  Xander, very repentant, nodded.  "Good girl."  He sat down, letting her sit on his lap.  "If you're really good, I'll let you drive us home."  Xander grinned at him.  "Either that or we'll let you sit between us and tease us while we shift gears."  That got a bigger grin as Lupin came back in.  "No note?"

"No, no note.  Pops did that once, right before Morocco."

"If it's him, can I toss him off the train?" Xander asked.  "I've always wanted to see how the Orient Express is decorated."

"It's nice, but it's been used hard," Lupin told him.  "Some of the best trains in the world are in Africa.  They're newer and the special cars are hardly ever used."  She beamed at him.  "Do you like the train?"  She nodded.  "I'll have to remember that."  He teased her lip and she sucked on his finger.  "You're how old again?" he teased.

"Thirty?" she asked with a grin.

"Close enough."  He gave her a real kiss.  "Should I go, pet?"

"You should go and don't call me that.  Spike used to call me that."

Jigen groaned.  "That's a sick thought.  You and Spike?"

"No, he used to call me it to annoy me. That and whelp."  She paused.  "I wonder if Druscilla's still alive."

"This is why I was against Melody," Jigen told Lupin.  "The only girls I know by that name have been scatter-brains."

Xander pinched him.  "Not nice. I'll pout and make you steal me something *really* nice."  She settled into his lap.  "Dru was Spike's vampire bitch o'love.  She liked me a lot, wanted to turn me all the time. She called me a kitten."

Lupin shook his head.  "You're not a kitten, or a cat.  You don't have that same slinky grace that cats do."

"I always called myself a puppy," Xander told him.

"Well, you do wiggle like one," Lupin admitted. "And you do seek attention, but you're not really like a dog."  He shrugged at the hurt look.  "You have a lot of dog qualities but you've also got that predatory nature that most dogs don't."  He gave her a kiss. "Maybe a Dingo. A wild dog."  Xander burst out in giggles.   "You don't like that?"

"The name of Oz's band," she gasped.  "Dingoes Ate My Baby."

"It's very distinctive," Jigen noted, grinning at Lupin.  "Should we tell her what we decided last night?"

"If you want."

Jigen tipped Xander's head up to look at her.  "You no longer have a room at the hideout."  She looked stunned.  "It will only be a place to store stuff.  From now on, you'll take your rightful place being our stress relief."  She groaned and pinched him, shaking her head.  He started to cough, getting dual pats on the back.  "Fine, I'll cut back to one pack a day again," he complained, waving them off. "Happier?"

"Very," Xander agreed, grinning at him.  "Are you guys going to flip a coin or should I guess?"

"He'll come steal you from me if he wants you that night," Lupin smirked.  Jigen gave him a look.  "You won't?"

"Other way around.  I like sleeping with the little space heater.  My old body is getting colder."

"Are you getting Grandma syndrome?" Lupin teased.  Xander looked clueless so he explained.  "Most grandmothers, at some time in their lives, utter the phrase 'put on a sweater, I'm cold'."  Xander cracked up so he kissed her.  "That's fine, you can have Grandpa Jigen and I'll steal you.  You are a precious treasure and you deserve it."  She blushed strongly.

"You're still doing that?"  She squeaked and nodded, burying her face against his chest.  "Fine, but you are a treasure.  There aren't many people who would put up with Lupin's bad jokes."

Xander giggled.  "That's fine."  She stole a kiss.  "Are we doing anything soon?"  Lupin shook his head.  "Should I go work on my house?  Or should I build you a shed out back?"

"The hideout in Germany needs work," Lupin offered.  "Like I said, we're going to Britain to impregnate my mothers.  You can come if you want.  I could use the inspiration to spurt into the cup."

"I've got one week left of heavy work, and then painting and wallpapering," he said excitedly.  "And it will not become a hideout."

"Fine," Lupin agreed.  "We don't break in on Jigen either when we're in Geneva."  Someone tapped on the door.  "Come in."  Goemon came in and whispered in his ear so he gave him something out of his pocket.  "We have an overnight in Austria tomorrow night."  He nodded, leaving them alone again.  Lupin smirked at them.  "He ran out."

"Of what?" Xander asked.

"Things to make her squeal like you do," he said, pinching her pert nose.  "If you start having a cycle we're all in deep shit," he pointed out jovially.

"We can use condoms," Jigen pointed out.  "We just don't at the moment."

"We probably should be but I never find one at hand whenever I have her," Lupin agreed.  "I always use one with someone else."

"You mean I'm not the only one?" she asked, starting to pout.  Her little lip quivered and everything, making them groan.

"If you want us to be that way, we'll try," Jigen told her.

She smirked at him. "Gotcha."  He tickled her, making her shriek and giggle.

"That's it, no more lessons from Fujiko," Lupin agreed, taking her to turn over his knee and spank lightly and playfully.  She groaned, rubbing against his legs, making him smirk.  "Are you going to behave or should I mention the word groupies to you?"  She blushed, giving him a pitiful look.

"Well, she's definitely a woman now," Jigen pointed out.  "That was classic."

"Fujiko said I should," he bragged.  "She wanted to see the look on your faces when I unleashed a full pout."

"I should punish you for that," Lupin told her, but he was smiling.

"Really pretty presents on my birthday next year?"

"More like ugly statue for your house that you'll have to keep around because you never know when I'm going to pop around," Jigen told her, giving her head a nudge.

"Don't do that to my poor house," she whined.  "It's barely becoming classical again.  It's still healing from the godawful mirrors on the hallway ceilings and the faux trim that was put around the ceilings.  It was *plastic*.  Not even resin, plastic."  Lupin shuddered.  "It was really bad, I've got a tape of it and it'll give you nightmares.  I couldn't stay there until I had it gutted it was so bad."  She settled in his lap, getting comfortable.  "Are you going to dinner tonight with whatever groupie you've picked up?"

"I don't know," Lupin admitted.  "The last time I got flowers it was from Pops."  Xander pulled back to look at him.  "It was a trap, Melody, really."  She nodded and settled back in yet.  "I know, we'll have a big party when Xander passes the three year mark of having his choker," he said suddenly.

"Why?" Jigen asked.

"Because all the books I found on becoming a girl to better familiarize myself with the body parts said that sexual maturity happened sometime within three years after getting primary and secondary sexual characteristics," Xander told him.  "Namely hair and boobs."  Jigen raised both eyebrows.  "So if I pass three years without a cycle then it probably won't happen."  The guys shared a look over her head so she stared out the window.  "Um, guys?" she asked timidly.  "Have I been hallucinating a lot?"

"No, why?" Jigen asked, giving her a gentle kiss.  "Unless you count this as a hallucination."

"If it is, I'm also psychosomatically giving myself pain in my hole," she said, pointing.  "Is that someone flying beside the train?"

They looked, getting up to open the windows.  "What the hell?" they said in unison.

Jigen looked, others were staring.  So he pulled back inside.  "We can't shoot him, others are watching."

Lupin shook his head, closing the window.  "Who was it?"

"Rookie number one."  She frowned.  "Can't we shoot him from in here with a silencer?"

"He'll crash soon," Jigen promised.  "There's got to be a tunnel soon."  He went next door, going to show Goemon.  Maybe he had an idea.  Fujiko opened the door so he walked over, opening their curtains.  He saw the man's shocked look at his own compartment then went back next door.  "What did you do?" he asked.

"We mooned him," Lupin said smugly, doing up his belt.  The guy went spinning off, hitting the ground hard enough to make them all wince.  "Ow."

"I am definitely having some sympathy pains," Xander agreed, shaking her head.

Goemon walked in to look since his window would only open a few inches.  "Good, I hit him."  He walked back to his own compartment and closed the door again.

Xander was the first to break.  "Okay, so he is bad sometimes," she said, shaking her head.  Lupin and Jigen both laughed, nodding.  "What did he do, throw a rock?"

"Possibly," Lupin admitted, wiping his face off.   "Damn, we should have taken pictures for Pops.  The asschewing would give us some more time to run around."

"He's in for it anyway.  He'll be in the hospital and have to listen to it now," Jigen pointed out.

Xander hugged them both.  "Let's go steal the baby."  They nodded, going to steal the baby for their pleasure.  When dinnertime came, Lupin walked Xander down to the dining car, letting her off his arm before they came in sight of the doorway.  "You be a good boy and if she's really pretty go back to her car and I'll hog Jigen.  If she's not, then you can come back and three-way with us."  He smirked and opened the door for her and the baby, letting her proceed him.  She sat down, asking the waiter for some water and the standard dinner, cool enough so it wouldn't hurt the baby if dropped.

An older man leaned over.  "She is adorable, just like her mother," he said, smiling and flirting with her.

She blushed.  "Thank you.  Everyone says she looks just like her father, but I think she's got her mother's eyes."  She batted her lashes.  "With your wife?"

"No.  You?"

"My wife?   No, I don't have one of those," she quipped.  He laughed and switched seats to sit across from her. "I'm meeting my husband soon."  She brushed down the strong cowlick developing in Lotus' hair.  "This is Lotus.  Say hello to the nice man, Lotus."  Lotus scowled at him, making him laugh.  "Yes, that is definitely your father's expression," she agreed fondly.  She glanced up at him, then at the waiter, who was bringing them some food.  She looked at him again.  "What do you do?"

"I'm in security systems," he said with a small smile.  "You?"

"I'm in gender research. Newly into it, but it is my field."  He looked stunned.  "Yes, this body does hold a very strong brain," she said in a light and teasing tone.  He chuckled again.  She smiled at the waiter. "Thank you."

"Would you like a bottle for the baby?"

"No, I and the nanny have got it back in the compartment," she said.  "Thank you.  She's being a very good little girl."

He nodded.  "She seems like it.  She's very quiet.  We've had some screamers on here at that age."  He walked off.

She sipped her water. "What sort of security do you do?  Like the new Bio-Tech building I read about at the campus in Munich or like banks and all those *interesting* things?"  She licked her lips and he swallowed.

"I'm, ah, in household security systems.  I sell them.  This is my vacation actually."  He was starting to sweat.  "Are you going to hand the baby back to the other caretaker later?"

"Probably.  She gets very jealous when I hog her."  She nibbled on a pickle spear.  "Besides, she's also very sleepy right now.  She'll have to lay down soon and I should probably nap too."  He made another grunting noise, then some woman with a shrill voice said something and his head lifted, making him go pale.  Xander smiled at this new woman, holding out a hand.  "Hello.  He said his wife might be joining him soon," she said, shaking his hand.  "He was seated with us.  I'm Melody and this is Lotus."

The sharp-voiced woman nodded, sitting down beside her man.  "It's nice to meet you.  What do you do?"

"I'm in gender research," she said.  "I'm pretty new to the field so I'm doing some comparative observation at the moment while we do a bit of traveling."

Lotus yawned and cooed.  "She's adorable.  How old is she?"

"Just a few weeks.  She was born in Tokyo."  The woman looked impressed.  "You can't fly with a baby so we're taking the train.  It gives me time to study some different places for a night at least to see if I want to come back for further research."

"Where did you get your doctorate?"

Xander blushed.  "I'm not quite that far into my studies yet.  I'm still a Masters candidate.  I'm working on comparative mothering roles for it."  The woman looked impressed.  "Japanese women are expected to be quite different than the British ones, and even they're expected to be different than the French and other mainland Euro ones.  I find it really fascinating the things people expect women to do.  I didn't know we were from Superman's race originally."

The loud woman laughed.  "True.  My own husband thinks I am."  She smiled as the waiter came back.  "Give me the vegetable dish only please," she ordered.  "And some water."  He nodded, going to get that for her.  "You've slimmed down impressively since the birth."

"Thanks.  She wasn't that hard to carry.  More active than anything.  I didn't even get to do much sleeping while we were in Japan."  Goemon came in, looking at her.  She smiled up at him.   "Sit, dear," she said.  He sat beside her and she leaned on his arm, making him blush.  "How is the nanny?"

"Sleeping soundly since this one isn't pulling her hair."  He took the baby from her.  "You are?" he asked politely.

"Oh, I'm Ron and this is Mabel.  We're from Iowa."

"He's in security systems," Xander told him with a bright smile.  "Don't you think that's interesting?"

"Very," he agreed.  Meaning he could forgive her for using his daughter to pick up marks, this time.

"What about you?" Mabel asked.

"He's my man and he's into Japanese studies," she told her, leaning further against his arm.  "He's the one who said I should study Japanese mothering expectations."  They looked impressed.  "He's on his way to his doctorate, I just couldn't wait," she sighed, giving him a bright smile.  He blushed and looked away so she looked at the couple again.  "What sort of systems do you sell?  We were thinking about going with the Brit version of ADT but they've got some funny clauses in their contracts."

"We sell ADT, but we also retail monitored and unmonitored systems," Ron told her.  "Our best seller is an unmonitored, but it'll call a neighbor if someone breaks in so they can check.  Our top of the line is this model," he said, pulling out a brochure to give her.  "See, it's monitored and on a random circuit so it's constantly checking entrances but the thieves don't know which one is being checked. It's got a fifteen second cycle."  She looked impressed.  "It's expensive but we've seen some being bought.  I used my vacation to come take a tour of the company and get some more information."

"Knowing all the little details would make your selling ability even better," Xander agreed. "May I keep this?"  He nodded and she folded it, putting it into her pocket.  She ate a few bites of dinner, then the baby started to fuss.  "Oh, come here, Lotus," she cooed, taking her back.  She pushed her plate over.  "Eat that for me while I take this precious one back to lay down," she cooed.  "Yes, we'll go cuddle and all that good stuff while everyone else does other stuff."  Lotus cooed at her.  "If you're really good, I'll even hold you like you like and give you a bottle, yes I will."

"You're not breastfeeding?" Mabel asked.

Xander looked over at her and sighed.  "I didn't produce enough, unfortunately.  If there's ever more I might but not yet."  She gave her an understanding look.  "So we're drinking Infamil right now but we're going to Carnation as soon as we get home because it's better for tiny tummies."  She tickled the baby, making her coo loudly.  "I'd better get back and feed her.  It was nice meeting you."  She smiled and left them there, glancing back at Lupin, who was chatting up some brunette with tits the size of watermelons. "Trap," she said happily as she walked down the hallway.  Lotus giggled at that.  "Are you going to be able to get out of those?  Yes you will," she cooed at her. "Your unclie Xander will teach you all about traps and how to get out of them, even the ones your big brother will create."  She carefully stepped back into the sleeper car, running into a familiar body.  "Excuse me," she said with a honeyed southern accent.  "Natalie and I have to go get changed."  She glanced up and Ray smiled, getting out of her way.  "Thank you."  She sashayed back past their doors, heading down the next hallway.  She opened the other door, then paused.  She looked back, he was following her.  "I thought so," she said, pouting at him.  "What's wrong?  I'm just a nice little wife."

"You look familiar," he said, smiling at her.  He chucked the baby under the chin.  "And you definitely look familiar.  Cute, Xander."  Xander beamed and skipped off back to their room, locking the door.  "We'll get you when you get off," he called.  He listened to her cackle and shook his head.  That one was not the sort of criminal he was used to.  If only because he became a girl.  He went to report to Myron, who groaned and shook his head.

Jigen woke up from his nap, looking over at the cooing people.  Lotus was sucking on her pacifier against Xander's chest, cooing up at her through it.  She was teasing the baby with her fingers, smiling down at her.  He took a stealthy picture of her.  "Do you want one of those?" he asked quietly.  She looked at him and shrugged.  "Some day?"

"Maybe.  I'm not the most maternal of people though."  She shrugged again.  "I don't know.  Babies are a lot of work. They're aggravating and frustrating, then they coo at you so you don't mind them being like that. I don't know if I want one some day or not.  I like being the uncle, I can hand them back when they get to be problematic."  She went back to teasing the baby, giving it a bright and warm smile, the sort he got sometimes.

He laid down to watch her.  "Who was it?"

"Some brunette with tits the size of watermelons that stood out straight."

"Bad boob job then," he said dryly. She looked at him and nodded.  "I think you'd do okay with one of those."

"Yes, but I am only female on the outside.  Speaking of, Ray's on the train, I just ran into him. He promised to arrest me when I got off."

"The train or just generally?" he teased.

"I think he meant the train.  He's never had the beauty of listening to me getting loud with you."  Someone knocked on the door.  "Who is it?" she called.  The door opened and Goemon walked in.  "She's doing very good," she promised. "I'm keeping her for another half hour, then she'll be hungry again."

He looked down at her, seeing the maternal attributes shining through.  "You may not keep her," he said firmly.  She nodded, going back to playing with the baby.  He sat beside Jigen.  "Did she tell you she was flirting with the baby?"  He closed the door after checking the hallway, looking at her again when she grinned.  "Do not do that to her.  I want her to have a partially normal childhood."

"She will.  It's just that she was so cuddly," she said, cooing at the baby, who cooed back and spit out her pacifier to try and breastfeed.  "Hey, not the set you want for that," she protested, breaking the tight suction.

Jigen laughed. "Go ahead, kid, it's making them very sensitive for my time sucking on them."  The baby kicked a little, cooing up at Xander.  "I bet you're hungry."  He picked her up to hold her, making her give him a look, but she eventually blew spit bubbles at him. He kissed her on the forehead, getting in a good cuddle.  "It's nice, you're a lot slower than your brother."

Goemon rolled his eyes.  "Do not remind me of my son, the race car."  He took his daughter.  "Come along. The mother wants to let you suck on her for a while. She will not be pleased that you tried to eat that one."  He walked her out, nodding at the others.  "Excuse me," he said. "It's time for her dinner."  He closed the compartment and locked it.

Ron and Mabel looked at each other.  "A wet nurse, how very old fashioned," Mabel said, but she sounded delighted.  Her husband nodded, following after her. "That poor girl, not ale to do it herself."  She shrugged it off and went to tease her husband by taking off her foundation garments.

Lupin, who had been behind them, shook his head as he went into his own compartment, finding Jigen sucking on Xander's chest.  "What did I miss?"

"Xander brought Lotus to dinner and found a home security system salesman," Jigen reported, handing over the pamphlet.  "That one's going to be tough to break."  He went back to his sucking.

"Why did they think Fujiko was the wet nurse?"

"Because I told them she was mine," Xander said, holding his head down.  Lupin gave her a kiss and silently asked for more information.  "He flirted," she offered.  "I was only holding the baby."

"She glows when she does it though.  Then Goemon joined them and she left with the cranky one, coming back here, where they cuddled and Lotus tried to nurse off her."

"So you're doing it instead?  Do we need to buy you Depends?"  Jigen kicked at him, making him laugh. "Sorry."  He sat down watching and reading the new information.  It was a very nice system.  Soon, Xander was panting and Jigen was very involved.  He got her out of her skirt and panties, licking her furiously.  Maybe she'd learn to come from that sort of stimulus if he did the Pavlov thing a few times.  Jigen swatted at him but she was getting there.

She came, moaning and arching up into their mouths.  "Damn it, no fair."  She lifted her head to look at him.  "I read about the dogs and the bell."  She put her head back down.

Lupin chuckled, licking off his lips.  "I was hoping you had," he teased, using two fingers to thrust into her. "What did you think of my dinner companion?"

"They were fake," she said, eyes squeezed shut as he worked. "Ray said he's going to arrest me when I get off."

"I'm sure he meant the train," Jigen promised.  She laughed and put his head onto the other side.  "Sure, I can play with that one too."  He continued to tease and play with them while Lupin got her lower half.  "Me first," he told him.  "That way I don't have to deal with your stuff."

"Fine by me," Lupin agreed.  "I have no problems going after you.  Or in addition to you," he said with a small smirk for her.  Jigen groaned and looked at her.  "Like your birthday or in my room?"

Jigen looked down at her, then at him.  "Like in your room," he decided, taking the lube Lupin dug out of his bag.  Xander was breathing harder, teasing herself now.  "That good with you?"  She nodded, eyes wild with desire.  "We need both beds together for this, otherwise we'll smash one of us."

"We did fine on the boat," Lupin promised.  Jigen gave him a look.  "I promise, I'll collapse over there if I have to."  He stripped and laid Xander on top of him, kissing and teasing her while Jigen got to do whatever he wanted to her lower half.  She wiggled until he sucked on her breasts, enjoying this new sensitivity she had.  He hoped she kept it in all her forms.  She was making happy noises as Jigen played and teased her, then suddenly she was pulled away from him so Jigen could lick her himself.  "Fine," he agreed, coming over to play with her breasts in that position instead.  She was moaning and holding them up for him, a big change from the woman who didn't want him to play with them.  He liked these.  They were soft, real, and reactive.  He liked women with reactive breasts.  He could see the flush of her arousal moving down her neck and it only excited him more.  She was getting closer and closer so he handed her her braid of hair to muffle them some, stealing her back.

Jigen glared at him.  "Then use a fucking condom this time."

"I probably should," he agreed, taking the one he tossed over.  He would have to break the other man's fear of excess sperm soon.  He had wanted to take Xander during lunch a great number of times.  She rolled it down him, bending to suck him some for lubrication, which gave Jigen back his favorite spot to lick and suck as well.  Lupin groaned, holding her head down, moving her hair out of the way so he could watch her.  "You're very pretty when you do that," he told her.  She blushed and looked up at him, eyes partially closed as Jigen worked, lips wet and swollen from kissing and pleasing him.  He pulled her away, entering her.  Jigen did what he needed to do while he was riding her, making her slowly build up to coming.  She was panting and pleading by the time Jigen was ready to enter her, and he slid in smoothly, setting off a small quake of orgasm.  She was clutching at his chest, wetly sobbing in neediness.  He looked back at Jigen, who looked smug as he started to move, making her gasp and moan, lifting her head up.  He bit her and she cried out but he was having the time of his life too.  Lupin started moving a little, making her tense and have another mini-orgasm.   She was getting close and they weren't done yet.  He sped up, needing her to not pass out between them this time.  He could feel the condom stretching as he moved and winced.  Jigen was not going to be happy.

Xander was pleading them to keep going, wanting and chanting about her need.  She was a fantastic specimen of lust.  Her body was sweaty and her skin was glowing.  He groped for the camera, winding it to the next picture then taking one of her.  He wanted that picture for himself.  She was heaving now, trying so hard to get what she needed.  He and Jigen sped up, otherwise he'd be finishing them both off.  Xander squeezed and Jigen swore, lifting her back onto him more.  She babbled at him in Dutch, German, French, and English, calling him all sorts of endearments, wanting them.  One made him laugh.  "He's not a pookie bear," Lupin told her.

"Hush," Jigen warned.  "She's too into it to know what's going on.  The train is like a big damn vibrator for her."  Xander nodded, tossing her head around.  He let her back down, letting Lupin play with her chest again.  "Slow down, princess, let us help you," he pleaded.  "We don't need you passing out tonight."  She whimpered and he took her hands, holding her by the wrists so she couldn't touch herself.  "Let us," he repeated.  She nodded, pressing back into him, then down onto Lupin.  She was still almost crying with it.

Lupin took pity on her and sped up, making her shout a loud 'yes' and bounce as she sat up.  He took the opportunity to suck on her nipples, making her swear at him and press forward into his face again.  He heard Jigen chuckle and pulled off to look at him. "What?"

"She just called you a tit whore," he laughed.

Lupin shrugged.  "I am some days."  He thrust up harder than he had been, making her squeal and plead for more.  He smirked and went back to what he had been playing with.  He was a tit whore.  He would do a lot for a nice set of them to be his.

Jigen was going faster now.  "Damn it.  Just a little longer, Xan, that's all I want.  Then you can pass out on him."  Lupin was speeding up too, making her gasp and babble something.  He couldn't understand it but he was sure it was something familiar.  Lupin latched onto her mouth before she could finish, making her stop, and he got back to what he had been doing.  He came with a loud bellow and Lupin soon followed, groaning into her mouth.  She squeaked one last time and collapsed, sated, weak, and unconscious.  Jigen helped pull her off Lupin so he could breath, letting Lupin pull out the other bed now. "Told you so," he panted.

Lupin shook his head. "I know. I forgot how well she took to that."  He laid down on Xander's other side, taking off the broken condom.  "Give her a few hours before you lick her again," he advised.

"Just as soon as she gets a full bath," he said tiredly.  Xander let out a pitiful whimper and reached for them, pulling them closer.

Outside the door, two cops were looking at each other.  "What are they doing in there?" Myron asked.

Ray shrugged.  "I don't know, but it sounded good."  They looked over as their boss joined them.  "Are they always that loud?"

He grimaced.  "Yes.  Lupin alone isn't the king of silence, but Xander is ten times worse."  He rolled his eyes.  "I've heard Dawn using a listening device on them to see if they were talking about her birthday present.  It's embarrassing."

"We could go in there and arrest him, her, Xander, now," Myron offered.  "They're all limp and sated.

Zenigata snorted.  "You think that'll help you any?  You ever try to bust someone when they've reconnected with their long-missed loves?  She probably hasn't had Lupin in a few months, since they split up."

"So it's makeup sex and welcome back sex?" Ray asked.  Zenigata nodded.  "Then there's no way she's conscious."

"The others are," Zenigata promised.  "How much longer?"

"We reach Austria tomorrow morning," Myron told him.  "The Orient Express gets in at three but doesn't leave until tomorrow morning."

"Do you want us to post a guard?" Ray asked.

Fujiko opened her compartment door, the baby nursing in her arms and topless.  "Would you three shut up!" she demanded.  "You're disturbing the baby."  She shut the door, leaving three stunned men in her wake.

"I didn't know she was doing that," Ray said, shaking his head free of the image.  "Damn it, I need a girl."  He looked at his boss.  "Permission to excuse myself for five minutes?"

"We'll get up early," Myron agreed.  Zenigata groaned and sent them back to their compartments, going to his to call Dawn and Mark. Maybe she would meet him at the door in something cute? He smiled as the phone was answered by his future son.  "Hello, Jerry.  Is Dawn there?"  The now three-year-old boy babbled at him until his brother took the phone to talk to him.  "Good evening, Morgan.  How are you?"  The four-year-old told him about babysitting Ishi.  He had wondered where that one was.  "Is Marcus there too?"  Morgan told him no and he grinned.  "That's fine.  Give him a pat for me.  Can I talk to Dawn?  Night guys," he said when they left.  He was chuckling at Dawn shooing them off.  "Good evening, Dawn."  He listened to her sweet voice and could see her doing the exact same thing.  Damn, he had it bad.  "Dawn, can we have dinner when I get back?  No matter what?"  He smiled and got comfortable.  Her voice was intoxicating, her perfume was intoxicating, and she was a beautiful woman.  The only problem was the fact that she was half his age.

Oh, well, he could put up with it he decided.  She was worth it.  "I'll be home tomorrow one way or another.  Probably late.  Sure, we can have dinner in the study," he agreed.  She loved her study as much as he loved his.  He would have to make himself one in her house so she kept her own.  "I don't care what we have," he promised.  "Just something light?"  She named something, one of his favorites that she didn't know about, then admitted she had been craving it.  "Sure.  I like that too," he agreed, smiling at her enthusiasm.  "Tomorrow.  Yeah, I promise.  Either I'll get Jigen and Lavelle tomorrow or I'll be chasing them back toward you to pick up their son."  He chucked at her pouting noises.  "I would never endanger the babies.  Children are precious to me, Dawn.  They always will be."  He sighed, lost in his own thoughts of her, until she said something that shocked him.  "You're...huh?"  He listened to her closer.  "Really?"  He licked his lips.  "With the kids awake?"  She said something smart and he groaned, shaking his head.  Impudent woman, but it made her all the more sexy.  "I could catch you tomorrow," he offered slyly.  She giggled and sounded like she was blushing.  "Yeah, the big, bad thief.  I'll catch you tomorrow," he promised, hanging up.  "Cooking in that outfit should be illegal," he decided.  It was tinier than anything Fujiko had ever worn.  But it suited Dawn's figure so well.  He loved spandex for that reason alone.

***

The next morning, Xander and Jigen snuck off the train, heading for the car rental place they had called ahead to.  They had to sign two forms then they took off long before the cops spotted them.   Xander drove them across the border to Geneva, letting Jigen have the car from there while he went to do the one week's of work he wanted to do on his house.  He walked up to the front door, noticing one of his neighbors, then he realized he was still female.  "Hi, I'm the girlfriend," she called, smiling and letting herself in with the key.  Then she picked up her hammer and went back to her wall.  Her bags were forgotten in the hallway, along with the diamonds she had forgotten to let Lupin take from her bag.   Within an hour, a neighboring wife was over.  He brought the hammer back, swinging it gently.  "Hi," she said, letting her inside.  "Mind the floor, there's probably been some stuff that's fallen, like nails."  She took the casserole. "Thank you, this'll keep me from cooking tonight."

"You're a carpenter too?" the nice wife asked.

Xander grinned.  "My poor baby taught me everything he knows.  Right now, he's on a long business trip so I agreed to come fill in for a few hours or so. Then later, maybe, I'll be getting some helpers from one of his ex boyfriends."  The wife's eyebrows rose.  "He's loyal to me, but we have an understanding," she pointed out, then she giggled.  "It's great to be young."

"I remember those days fondly," the wife agreed.  "I was a child of the sixties.  I traveled to the US and everything."  She gave her a gentle pat.  "Enjoy whatever you can get, dear.  When you get to be my age, it's much different."  She left her alone, going to gossip with the other wives.

Xander went to put his casserole in the refrigerator.  This meant he didn't have to call for takeout tonight.  Then he went back to his wall fixing.  It was really pitiful.  Four centuries standing and it took one person to ruin it and only about a month.  Now he was fixing it and it was going to take him longer to fix everything.  He was ignoring two of the bedrooms upstairs.  At least until he had guests and he had to take off the mirrored walls.  Little square mirrored tiles on all four walls, the ceiling and the floor.  "Someone was kinky," he noted, going back to his adding studs to the walls.  By dinner, he had the hallways and most of the downstairs finished.  He even had some of the wallboard up.  He was doing really good.  This lighter body wasn't getting in his way in the least.  He took his plate of casserole out into the backyard, laying down in the grass to watch the stars come out while he ate.  That's where he fell asleep too, not that he cared.  Geneva was a safe city, right?  It wasn't Sunnydale.

Oh, Sh*t!

Lupin knocked on the door but didn't get an answer.  He frowned, looking around for a spare key, until he heard someone hiss at him.  He looked to his left, then smiled. "Yes?"

"Are you the owner's former boyfriend?" she asked.  "That nice young lady said you might be coming by to help her.  She's in the back yard napping."

He smiled and nodded. "She said she used to do that.  Thank you.  Is there a gate?"  She pointed at the space between the houses, so he went that way.  "Thanks."

"Oh, you're welcome. You young things need to enjoy your youth."  She waved him on.  "I brought over casserole yesterday, it'll still be good."  She withdrew into her house, leaving him alone.

Lupin walked through the small gate, disabling the alarm easily. He found Xander asleep in the soft grass and smiled for a minute, taking a picture with his tieclip camera, then he bent down and smacked her on the ass.  "Don't fall asleep outside.  Didn't we teach you anything about self defense?"  She looked up at him and yawned, giving him a smile before putting her head back down.  He groaned and picked her up, taking her into the house.  He put her head in the sink and ran cold water onto it, making her shake and finish waking up.  "Good morning.  Have a good nap on the lawn?  Where anyone could have stabbed you or done something worse?"

Xander stretched and yawned again.  "Geneva's safer than Sunnydale was," she pointed out, making her shoulders pop.  Then she blinked at him.  "Why aren't you in Britain?"

"They're both on their cycles and you have the pretty things you got me," he told her smugly.  She frowned and padded out to where her bag was still sitting, pulling up her briefcase.  She came back, handing it over.  "Thanks.  How did you want to split this?"

"Three ways since Fujiko said she didn't care?"

"Fine with me."  He stole a kiss.  "Go shower."

"Come with me?" she asked. He smirked and followed her up the stairs, admiring the basics of the house.  Xander was really good at this stuff.  He paused in front of a door, opening it to peek inside.  Then he winced and closed it before the bouncing sunlight could get him.  "Your idea?"

"Former owners.  They had mirrors *everywhere*.  I think they were a little kinky.  How did you get into the yard?"

"The alarm was easily disable with a gum wrapper I found on the ground."  He led her into the bathroom, stripping her off.  "Ex boyfriend?"

"You wanted me to tell the nice woman that I change sexes and that you're one of my lovers and an internationally wanted thief?"

"Well, no," he admitted, liking her idea.  "Going with the open relationship?"  She nodded.  "That would explain most of us."  He gave her a kiss, making her lean against him.  "Does the hot water work?"

"Did the last time I was here."  She turned on the tap, getting steaming water.  "See?"  She worked on stripping him, letting him set the water temperature.  "I like wakeup sex," she said as she followed him into the shower.  He groaned and pushed her against the wall.  "I'll have to waterproof this thing," she noted between kisses.

"The tub is big enough to have sex in," Lupin said, admiring that quality in a tub.  "Is it original?"

"I think it's eighteenth century," she admitted.  "The heyday of cast iron tubs indoors."  She turned, letting him take down her hair.  "Wash my back?" she asked in her best seductive voice.  He spanked her again and inserted himself, making her squeak.  "Never mind, let's get sweaty first.  Should I go on my knees?"

"Grab the towel bar.  It looks sturdy," he told her, making her do that.  Then he went to work making her sweaty.  "Do not sleep outside, Xander.  Never again.  Promise me."

"Sorry, Arsene, I fell asleep watching the stars come out."  She groaned, biting her lip.  "Damn it, I need more."

"You're getting it," he promised, reaching up to play with her breasts.  She gasped, arching her back up, making it an easier target for him to lick and nibble on. "Better?" he panted.  She nodded, shifting and wiggling.  "Damn it, I need a bed to make you get off best."

"Fuck," she said, reaching past his hands to play with herself.  He batted her hand out of the way.  "Please?"

"From me or afterwards," he reminded her.  She groaned and nodded, trusting him to let her get off.  He groaned, going harder and faster. She could take it and she loved it like that.  She moaned and shifted, trying to get what she needed, but he knew this was the wrong angle for her.  He finished with a muted yell into in her back.  Then he turned her around, having her sit on the edge of the old tub so he could play with her.  She grabbed on, letting him do whatever he wanted to her.  He liked that about her, she trusted him.  He pinched her a little and she wailed, coming hard.  He caught her before she fell, holding her while the water hit them both.  "Soundproof the house," he told her.  She nodded, pulling back to give him a kiss. "Thanks.  Want help?"  Xander grinned.  "I do know how to pound in a nail."

"If you want.  It will go faster."  She gave him another kiss, then heaved them both up to get them clean.  She looked over her shoulder at him.  "Want to take down one of the mirrored rooms?" she asked with a grin.

"Just one?"

"I think I want to wait on the other," she said smugly.  "I'll turn that into a playroom later."

"I'm sure Ishi and Lotus will appreciate that."

She turned, holding him tightly so she could whisper in his ear.  "How about you and Jigen?" she asked.   He groaned and kissed her.  "See, good idea?"

"Very good idea.  Sound proof the house," he repeated, meaning it.  He watched while she cleaned the mass of hair she had in this form.  "Xan, can I ask something really strange?"  She nodded, mumbling something.  "I want to do a fertility test on you."  She stopped washing and looked at him from under the mass.  "There are ovulation test kits and I wanted to check."

"What's making you worry?" she asked, turning to rinse her hair.

"Your taste has changed.  Also, you've had some funny food cravings.  I'd like to, just in case.  Please?"

"Hell yes!  Did you bring one?  Can we do it right now?"

"We'll go pick one up," he promised, stroking her cheek.  "Can we also pick you up a morning after pill pack?"  She nodded, firmly liking that idea.  "Thank you."

"I love you, Arsene, but not that much."  He chuckled, pulling her closer to hold. "That would take one hell of a present to make me do that, and a nanny."  He nodded.  "Not that I'm even remotely thinking about it," she promised.

"You would look stunning.  You do when you hold Fujiko's kids.  You've got that same glow."

She sighed, shaking her head.  "Before, when I was with Anya and I found out, the doctor said there was hope if I ever wanted one some day.  That I could have some sperm aspirated out with a needle.  Then Wesley happened and I took all that cross-realm radiation. There's no way I could have kids."  She grinned.  "That's not counting all the mental problems I would have and give you."  He laughed, nodding.  "You'd be stealing stuff every month to soothe a craving.  You'd have to go and liberate a whole truckload of chocolate each month for me."  He nodded, giving her a look.  "Plus, you'd have to find me non-ugly maternity clothes, and I don't mean a kimono either. Those things are heavy!"  She turned, washing her chest area.  "Hand me the sponge please?"  He grabbed it and turned her, doing it for her.  "Thanks."  She kissed him.  "Plus, I would suddenly get grossly sweaty and you would worry about me doing my job.  How fair is that to you or Jigen?"

"I'm not sure he'd care.  He'd finally get to fuss over someone.  He takes those moods whenever someone's sick but he had to hold it back because it was Fujiko.  Sprain your back again, he'd like that."  She snorted, shaking her head.  "He would."  He kissed her gently.  "I'm not trying to talk you into it, Xander."  She nodded, giving him a little kiss.  "Not that it wouldn't be one hell of a child.  Your beauty and my brains?  Or my beauty and your brains?  The kid's bound to at least be as good as I am, if not as good as my grandfather."  He kissed her again, making her moan.  "So, what would happen if it was Jigen's?"

"Jigen would have my ass shot," she pointed out.  "He would walk away and not come back until I left."

"He'd go get drunk and come home yelling but he'd get over it in about a week.  Though you might find yourself alone with him and tied down once he took you away.  He's very possessive about some things."

"I noticed.  He wouldn't even let me shoot his favorite gun."  She pouted.  "He found me my own to teach me on."  Lupin laughed into her neck, nodding.  "We're going to run out of hot water in a while.  We have a motel-sized heater but there's got to be a limit."

"Then let's take a bath," he said, flipping the drain with his foot.  Xander wiggled free and plugged it with the stopper, bending over at a very nice angle.  He moved behind her and inserted himself again.  She would be taking the pill later.  He would worry about everything else after the test.  She grabbed onto the spout, letting him do what he wanted for now.  When the water was high enough, he sat them down, putting her on top of him.  He wanted her so badly.  She was making those pretty noises for him and he was loving it.  She'd be taking a pill pack later.  She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving her access to her sides and chest again. "You need to shave," he teased.

"I couldn't on the train," she defended.  "You didn't bring the electric razor."

"How many times have you used my razor, wench?" he asked, snorting happily.  "Sneaky thing.  I should steal you your own."

"You could, but I'd still probably use yours.  I've used it each time, but two.  Those two I used Jigen's because I had some *major* hedge trimming to do."  He laughed and she let him feel the soft, springy curls.  "They're not as thick as I thought."

"Shaving does that," he promised, working on getting her off again.  "I love the noises you make," he told her, teasing her.  She was making them again.  "You are the most responsive person I've ever met."  He pushed up into her, making her squeal.  "Even that one," he said happily.  "I like you each and every way I've had you to date."

"Wanna try the mirrored room later?" she panted, rocking back and forth on him.  She leaned forward and her clit found him again, making her moan and go spotty-eyed again.  "Damn, can't see."

"You probably can't breathe."  He turned off the water, watching as she braced herself.  "Turn around," he ordered.  She stood up and did so, splashing him but he didn't mind this time.  She seated herself again and he moaned this time.  She was already in her rhythm. He was going to have to catch up.  He was working hard, kissing her to swallow the noises she was making.  She pulled back to breathe, letting out more of them and he captured a few, making her arch up into his hands.  He had everything he could want at that moment.  Notoriety.  Money.  His house.  His friends.  A lover that was driving him insane.  Six new targets, each with a new plan going through his head.  She screamed, stiffening in his hands, and he shouted, coming inside her again.  Then she slowly laid on top of him, giving him little kisses to the throat.  "Thank you."  She nodded, eyes closed.  "You okay?"

"You wore me out," she said plainly, making him laugh.  "What is it with you two and wanting me unconscious?"

"It's the greatest compliment a lover can give," he told her.  She pulled back to look at him. "Didn't make anyone do that?"

"Twice, and I got yelled at for it.  Anya was not happy and neither was the pro."  He shook his head, but he was smiling so it was all right.  She kissed him for real.  "If I go nap on the lawn, will you do this again?"

"If I *ever* find you napping on the lawn *anywhere* that isn't Goemon's new house or the big house in France, I'm never sleeping with you again," he said seriously.  "You don't know who could have come and found you out there, Xan. You could have been killed or raped or even worse."  She hugged him, making him forget his next thought.  "Thanks."

"Yo!" Jigen yelled.  "You left stuff in the middle of the hall, Xander."

"Bring it up," Xander called back.  "We're in the bathroom!"

"Don't open the closed doors, you'll be blinded," Lupin called.  Jigen, of course, did so and came in wincing from the bright sunlight, carrying Xander's briefcase.  "Came in through the gate?"

"Yeah, it was open," he agreed.  He set the briefcase down and stole a kiss.  "Morning."

"Morning," she said with a smile.

"I bounced the alarm and walked in, finding this little naughty thing asleep in the yard," he told Jigen.

Jigen looked at Xander, scowling.  "Do it again, never have sex and I'll never let you fire another weapon."  She nodded, hanging her head.  "Thank you."

"I told her she could do it at the big house or in Goemon's yard."

"Those would be safe enough.  As long as Mark didn't sneak over to try and steal her."  He sat beside the tub, stroking down her back.  "You're chilled."

"We were getting clean and couldn't hold off," Lupin said smugly.  "Want to crawl in?  We could probably make room for you."

"No thanks," he said dryly.  "You know I have issues about your sperm floating around me."  He continued to stroke Xander's back, making her sleep.  "Came to help?"

"That and she kept the diamonds."  Jigen gave him a look.  "Okay, I came to have sex with people who like me.  Not into a dish.  They're on their cycles, I called the doctor monitoring them to see if today was a good time.  He wanted to do a warm sample."

"It would cause less problems," Jigen agreed.  "Who knows what might happen in the deep freeze.  You didn't like Alaska that time."

"True," he agreed dryly. He helped stroke the Xander's back.  "She said she'd take a pill pack."

"Probably a good idea," Jigen agreed.  "And a test?"

"And an ovulation test," he agreed.  "I was going to do that one first."

"It could be past it," Jigen pointed out.  "Pills then test."  Lupin nodded, liking that idea.  "Then we're going to be instituting a monthly pregnancy test.  Just in case."

"Definitely," he agreed.  "Xander said we'd have to steal her truckfulls of chocolate plus presents."

Jigen nodded.  "And psychiatric drugs for all three of us and Goemon."

Lupin laughed, nodding.  He couldn't see their friend dealing with that very well.  "I want to prank him just to see his face."

"Remember, he told her he'd kill her if she ever did because she asked," Jigen reminded him.

"She'll take it back," he vowed.  Jigen gave him a look.  "What?"

"Lupin, what are you thinking?  You've got two women waiting on that."

"Yeah, but they're not mine," he said.  "She is.  Ours," he corrected at the frown.

Jigen tipped his hat back, shaking his head.  "No.  If she does, I'm taking her from you.  It could kill her!" he hissed.

"It won't.  She's in perfect health and I'd never force it.  If it happens by accident, then we'd let her decide."

"She's not going to terminate and we both know that. She's said as much."  Lupin rested his head against the back of the tub.  "She said that after Ishi was born, back in the stateroom."  He considered it.  "Is this really a plan or just a wish?"

"A wish," he sighed, looking at his best friend.  "Think about how wonderful that one would be?" he asked quietly.  "Or even you and her."

Jigen nodded.  "It'd take a lot of magic.  The kid could end up like Lotus."

"Yeah, or it could end up like him or like the other father," he said gently.

"You wanted to do this natural way and it hasn't happened because he took Fujiko from you," Jigen said firmly.  "That's all this is.  You could start something with the mothers if you wanted."

"I can't see them putting up with my life," Lupin pointed out.  "Can you?  An accountant and a pediatric surgeon?"

"No, I can't," he admitted, losing his optimism.  "But Xander's not the answer."

"Then who is?"

"I don't know, Lupin.  We've got time though.  We've got time to do that with someone we love."

"You love her.  She's the first one you've ever thought about doing things for," Lupin reminded him quietly.  Xander shifted and he used a little neck pinch to put her out for now, wrapping his arms around her.  "How many of your other women would you have stayed with if they had wanted to share you with me?"  Jigen shook his head.  "Me either.  Think about this.  If Xander had to leave the life, would you stay?"

Jigen shrugged.  "I'd like to think so.  I like the life.  I might go and come back."

"Exactly.  We'd go back to our semi-retired state."  He waved a hand at her body.  "She's enough for me to want to do this full time again.  No more burn out.  You?"  He nodded, groaning, seeing where this was going.  "Now, you tell me where we're going to find this again?"

"We probably aren't, but I'm not willing to risk her, not even for that."

"Not even to be able to...."

Jigen covered his mouth.  "For no reason.  I'm not risking her.  End the topic, pick a new one."

Lupin nodded and the hand was removed.  "She wants to leave one of the mirrored rooms up to play in."

Jigen shivered.  "That would be interesting.  At least once or twice."  He smiled when he saw the fluttering eyes.  "Morning, princess."

She sat up, looking at Lupin, then she pinched him.  "Meanie."  She stole a kiss from Jigen.  "What was the topic I wasn't supposed to hear?"

"He's lamenting over not having anything special with the mothers," Jigen said honestly.

"I heard that part and the part where you both admitted that you love me."  She gave them a bland look.  "The problem with that is...?"

"Xander, think about it," Lupin told her.

She considered it. "You're feeling like you're doing asexual reproduction to get a child.  Got that part. You can't really start something with the mother.  Got that too."  Lupin sighed.  "Which makes me the ideal candidate."  They nodded.  "For both of you."  They nodded again.  "So you two are arguing about it?"

"I'm not going to let you get hurt that way," Jigen said firmly.  "Like sleeping on the lawn, this is something that could get you killed.  I won't have it."

"I don't want it," Lupin told her, "but the idea is seductive."

Xander paused, then got out of the tub, padding down to her library.  She came back with an old book, handing it over.  "Ethan sent it," he said before either one could ask.  "He remembered what Janus had done to me."  She climbed back in, adding some more hot water.  "Janus does this every two hundred years to get a new high priest or priestess.  Either because they run to him for help, or because they ask him for help to do this.  Since he's supposed to see more than one pathway in life, he can see alternatives.  Ethan said Janus asked him to produce his next high priest, but Ethan pointed out his age and said he couldn't.  Neither can Giles."

"The 'but' clause?" Jigen asked, opening it to look at the table of contents.

"The 'but' is that either it happens among his current priests, not devotees, but priests like Ethan.  Those who keep his ways all the time, not just now and then like Marcus.  Or it has to come from outside his devotees."  They both looked at him.

"You don't keep his ways," Jigen pointed out.

"And I'm not a devotee," Xander reminded him.  "He let me go. *That's* why he gave me the spell, as a boon to Lupin.  I'm pretty damn sure of it.  If I had Marcus' statue, I could call and ask him, see if he's willing to answer, but he might not."

"Then it could have already happened," Lupin said blandly.

Xander looked at him.  "It couldn't have, I haven't used the spell."

"You were mumbling something spell-like night before last," Jigen told her.  "We stopped you."  She went pale, thinking back.  She slowly shook her head.  "Yeah, you did."

"Night before last?" Lupin asked.

"Massive sex on the train?" Jigen reminded him.  "Me earlier in the day and then up her rear, you in her, making her pass out and scaring the cops?"  He looked up when he heard laughter.  "I've heard that before."

"Janus!" Xander snapped.  "Do not do this to me."

"I have not," the voice whispered.  "You have not asked me for it.  That incident got another of my favorites together."  It faded off with more laughter.

"Janus," Lupin called.  "Is that why you did it?"

"Perhaps," the voice admitted. "Perhaps not.  I know the desires all three of your souls hold.  Others have cried out similarly to me."

"So you picked me to bear the next high priest or priestess?" Xander asked flatly.

"Perhaps, perhaps not.  You are not the only one who it might happen to.  Nor are you my first choice.  The child must be raised away from you because you are very tainting to some of mine, boy.  You teach them love."

"Thank you, that was one hell of a compliment," Xander told him.

"It is true.  I do not make many false statements."

"Then why did you give it to him?" Jigen asked.

"Because deep down, he has wanted this since he was a child himself.  Ethan asked for him when he was younger that the boy he was be allowed to find a family that would keep and protect him, while giving him the nurture and love he needed.  He also prayed that the boy be allowed to pass that on to another generation, to teach them better."

"But I'm not that boy anymore," Xander pointed out.

"True.  Had I foreseen that, I would have had you killed.  No one deserved such from their friends.  Plus it would have solved the present imbalance."  His voice sighed.  "I will remove it if you want."

"Will it matter?" Xander asked dryly.

"Not really."

"Is she already?" Jigen asked.

"Not unless she chooses.  If she does, one will be a white knight, one to take her place."

"No!" Xander said firmly.  "I won't let my child be sacrificed to the powers!"  He got out of the tub, staring up at the ceiling.  "No, no way in hell, Janus.  No child of mine will take my former spot."

"Not your spot, *her* spot," he repeated.  "Your spot was closed when you left.  Yours will take the place of my favorite witch, she who died and could not be returned.  The catalyst that started your downfall.  It was not meant to do more than injure you, Alexander.  You were meant to live past the First and retire to start the next generation.  I had no idea they would keep you."  Xander slumped, starting to cry.  "If it does happen, one will take Tara's place.  One will take your present one, a true heir of the lines.  One will also be a true heir, but have your more innate and caring nature. She will be your true heir."

"The seer only saw me with three, two of them my students," Xander said bitterly.  "What happens to them?"

"Nothing.  I blocked her."  The voice sounded smug. "She did not need to forewarn you of some things.  Some things you should have to figure out for yourself."

"So he'll have how many *if* he does it?" Jigen asked.

"Two or three times," Janus said.  "Not even *I* know that one, young one.  Nor does that old woman or any others yet.  That is not my boon to him."

"The Powers," Xander said bitterly.

"In truth, yes.  In truth, not fully.  The one who harmed you asked them to heal you.  They told him they could not, but they could make sure you healed some day."

"I am healed.  I'm healed by them."

"You still desire that which was ailing before you were gifted, young man."

"Yay!  I'll get over it!" she said angrily, stomping her foot.  "You can't do this to me!"

"I have not.  The spell was a gift.  Their way is harder.  It hurts more.  Mine would guarantee you could take that choker off, for a few days at least."  Xander groaned, holding her head.  "I know, it is hard to understand, but too many have prayed to us to leave you be.  If one of yours is a true heir of you, it will be mine.  If one of yours is a true heir of their paternal line, they will not be mine, but I will gain amusement from them both.  If there are others, they will be yours and yours alone."

Xander felt something touch his face and closed his eyes.  "Why me?"

"Because you were a lynchpin.  You kept your people from dying.  You brought these three back into my service.  You brought Dawn back into my service and found her someone who would take care of her when I wasn't watching.  For that alone, you deserve an award.  She needs a keeper."  He faded, leaving them alone.

Xander looked at them.  "I'm having a sudden urge to take a pregnancy test," she admitted.  Both men shuddered.  "Now.  Let's find clothes and go find one.  Before I run screaming to Goemon to have him cut me into fish bait."  Jigen stood up, holding her tightly.  "It could just as easily be yours," she reminded him.

"If you are, we'll deal," he promised, looking at Lupin.

Lupin got out and came over, stealing Xander for his own hug.  "If it does, we'll do everything we can for you," he promised. "Everything will be given to you, wherever we hide you.  We'll even hide there for as long as we can."  She clutched his chest, hugging him tighter.

Jigen walked up behind her, taking that side to hold.  "No matter what, if it happens, we'll be there."

"You could die before then!" Xander reminded them, pulling away.  "I could die before then!"

"With him watching over you and those Powers?" Lupin asked.  Xander sat down, curling up in a little ball.  "We don't want it to, Xander, but we will deal with it.  Even if we have to take the choker away from you and get Jigen into gay sex, we will."

Xander looked at him.  "What makes you think that would stop them?"

"It probably won't," Jigen agreed.  He pulled her up to hold, calming her down.  He did it better.  "Take a real shower and we'll go buy the big box of tests and a morning after pill kit.  It's probably futile, but it might help."  Xander nodded against his shoulder.  "Let the water out and shower."  She nodded, doing that.  He dragged Lupin into the hall, slapping him.  "What now?" he hissed.

"Now, we do the test, we make a 'what if' plan, and we warn Dawn that Janus likes this outcome of hers," he said firmly.  "Let me find my bag."

"It's still in your car, dumbass.  You didn't bring it in."  He went down to the car, bringing back their bags and Xander's up the stairs.  "Where can we hide her that Pops won't find?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure we can find a spot."  He grabbed his other set of clothes, putting them on.

"This could be the thing that makes her retire," Jigen said quietly, staring at the wall opposite him.

"Or it could be the one thing that makes him work harder to eliminate the dangerous criminals who bother people," Lupin pointed out. "He could rip apart a good part of the drug trade for this."  Jigen grimaced but nodded, it could happen.  Xander came out and he hugged her.  "What do you want?"

"I want this morning to be a figment of my imagination?  That I'm still sleeping in the grass?"  She went into her bedroom, finding an outfit she liked of the stuff she had bought the last time she was in town. She slipped it on and came out, looking at them. "What?"  She looked at herself, walking into one of the mirrored rooms.  "I look good in this color," she defended.

"It wasn't that," Jigen said, walking in behind her. "Do you often glow?"  Xander nodded.  "Since when?"

"Since my bodywash has little crystal things that make me glow.  It's supposed to do that."

"Okay."  He gave her a hug.  "We'll be doing both tests, okay?"  She nodded, following them down the stairs.  He knew where the nearest pharmacy was, he shopped at it himself.  He walked them down the aisles, letting her pick up what she wanted.  He took the pregnancy test.  Lupin got the ovulation test, and Xander got the morning after pill pack, giving it a look and a sigh.

"I'm sorry the condom on the train broke," Lupin told her.

She gave him a look.  "Color me shocked," she said dryly.  "Been having a lot of those recently?"  He considered it then nodded, he had been.  She shook her head, picking up a soda and a big box of the good chocolate mints for herself.  They got a bag of chips and a few brochures for something.  She paid for it, giving the clerk a faint smile when she looked at the tests.  "Condom broke."

The woman winced.  "My second and sixth were because of that.  It's a bad problem all over the world."  She accepted the credit card, running it, letting her sign the slip.  "At least they're pretty," she shared when the men took the bags and walked out.  "Marry 'em, let 'em make you spoiled rotten for a while."

Xander grinned, forcing it all the way.  "Maybe."  She walked out, taking the left soda to drink on the way home.  She'd need it if she was going to pee into two little cups.  She got into the back seat, sitting between them.  "The clerk said I should marry you so you can spoil me rotten."

"Too late, you're already spoiled rotten," Jigen said, giving her a small grin. She smiled back.  "Need anything for the house?"

"Yeah, but it'll be delivered.  I only have to call."

"We can stop," Lupin decided, heading to where Xander had marked on his favorites on the map file.  "Where did you get this car?"

"Long term parking," he joked.  Lupin looked back at him. "I leased the little Fiat."

"It's nice," he noted.  "It suits you."

"Don't turn on the radio," Xander warned.  "I had it on country and really loud."

Lupin turned it down before turning it on, turning it to some soft Jazz.  "That okay with you?"

"Fine by me.  Pull in here," he said.  They stopped and Xander got out, going inside to pick up a layaway.  She came back, putting it into the trunk and got back in.  "Sorry, I had ordered something the last time I was in town.  Something for Sylvia."  She buckled back up, getting comfortable.  "Jazz always makes me sleepy."

"It does many people," Jigen agreed.  They continued on to the home place, and Xander was asleep by then so he went inside.  "Hey.  I've got an order for this place," he said, writing down the address.  "He said he's back in town tomorrow."

"We've got it in stock," the salesman said, checking his books.  "Everything but the materials for the second bathroom."  He looked him over.  "Are you his helper?"

"His girlfriend's out in the car, she's his helper.  We're friends of hers."

"That's fine.  We can deliver what we have today.  Tell him that the fixtures and special tub will take another week probably.  We're sorry for the delay but it's at the factory."

"That's fine, thanks."  He headed back to the car.  "They'll deliver everything but the downstairs bathroom today, that'll come next week." Lupin nodded, heading back to the house.  They woke Xander up and got her inside with her things and her soda.  She couldn't pee yet so she took her soda down to work on some of the walls while they destroyed one of the mirrored rooms, the one that they liked less.

Xander finally came up the stairs, going into the bathroom where the kits were waiting.  She took a few deep breaths before sitting down to pee.  This could really fuck up her life.  Finally, she had filled both containers and left them there, going back to her mudding the drywall. She heard the doorbell ring and went to answer it, smiling at the welcome diversion.  "Hey."  She signed the form in her other form's name, letting the guys carry the materials into her storage space.  "What's missing?"

"The bathroom for downstairs," one of the delivery people told her.  "That'll be in next week."

"That's fine.  I expected that sort of delay.  The tub was a special order."  She checked off the manifests, nodding as everything but some hardware was found.  They called the store, someone was going to be bringing it later.  It had been tucked back on a shelf.  "Thanks, guys," she called, waving as they drove away.  She shut the door and found her men on the stairs, and suddenly winced.  "Which one came up yes?"

"They both did," Jigen told her.

"Which is supposed to be impossible," Lupin added.   "Fortunately, they're multipacks.  Want to try again?"

"No."  She shook her head.  "I think I'll wait from a sign from God."  They gave her a look.  "What else would you call morning sickness?"

"What you normally eat for breakfast," Jigen pointed out.  He came down the stairs.  "We can have a professional do it, if you want," he offered.

"This is one time when I wish Fihad was here," Lupin agreed.  He looked up.  "If you're going to put her through this, can't we have a *real* healer?  With all the shit she's been through, she'll need it!"  A crack went off in the kitchen.

"Fine.  He is needed as well.  Thank you for reminding me," a different voice called.

Xander shuddered.  "You!"

"No, not me.  Never me."  It faded away.

"Fucking demons."  He walked into the kitchen, going to wake the healer up.  He didn't look injured.  "Hey, Fihad?" he called.  The healer looked up at him.  "Welcome back to the realm of humans."  She pulled him up, making him frown.  "It's Xander.  It's the choker.  And Janus."

"Oh.  I met him.  He likes you.  The Powers really like you."  He touched the side of her face, smiling.  "Congratulations."  She passed out, making him catch her, making both of them fall to the floor again.  "Oh, no.  Please don't do this.  Not now.  I'm not strong enough to carry you."

"We are," Lupin said, walking in to pick Xander up.  "Definitely?"  Fihad squinted at him.  "We'll get you back to Istanbul later, after she's not pregnant."

"That would be fine, Lupin."  He accepted the help up.  "That really is Xander?"  Both men nodded.  "Shit."  He checked her again, knowing what had felt wrong now.  He tested both of them, then shook his head. "I got brought back for this?" he called.

"Yes," the voice said patiently.  "Do so."

"Fine.  Thank you, my Lord.  Tell Allah I said hello."  He looked at them again. "Put her into her bed.  We have to talk."  They did so, then joined him in Xander's study.  "She is strong enough, both physically and mentally.  She is also marked for a horrible death by Goemon."

"He promised to kill her if she ever got knocked up," Jigen agreed.

"Why?  He's not usually like that."

"She asked him to," Lupin told him.  "Right after delivering Fujiko's first."  He gaped at them and both men nodded again.

"Damn them, how long was I gone?"

"A little over a year.  Ishi will be one in about two months?" Jigen asked.

Lupin nodded. "Two months.  You were gone when she was seven months along."

Fihad sat down, holding his head. "It is the will of Allah that all men persevere with what they are handed in life.  I have done so to date.  I will continue," he told himself.  He looked at them. "You will have to stop Goemon.  You will have to stop him today. Before someone tells him, like Dawn."  They blanched and went hunting for a phone of any sort.  "Then you will have to keep her calm," he called after them.  "Then they'll have to feed her since she has not eaten today and find her a real obstetrician since I am not."  Lupin came back, looking at him.  "I am not."

"You're who he trusts."

"He will not be a he for a very long time," Fihad pointed out.  "I'm still not skilled at women's problems."

"Read up on it," Lupin said.  The healer gave him a look.  "Do you know anyone else who could do this, or Dawn's?"

"She is?"  Lupin nodded.  "You know or you think?"

"I'm pretty sure she is," he admitted, finding the phone finally, tucked near where Xander had been working.  "Found it!"  He called Goemon's cellphone, waking him and one of the kids since they were screaming.  "I need you to hold off on a promise," he said in greeting.  Goemon grunted at him.  "I need you to hold off on your promise to kill Xander if something like her getting stuffed up happened.  Janus did fuck with her system."  He listened to the silence. "Goemon?"  Another long pause.  "Goemon, please don't do this to me."  He got an answer finally, from Ishi, who was babbling about 'dada'.  "Ishi, please give the phone to someone big.  Like mommy or Auntie Dawn."  He heard a familiar voice.  "You're in my house?"  The explanation made him laugh.  Dawn had tied him up and forced them all on a picnic.  "Are you at least sitting down?" he asked patiently.  "Good.  We had a small chat with Janus this morning. He likes you and Dawn, said she needed someone to watch over her.  He's also on a kick to get a new high priest or priestess, and he *really* likes Dawn."  He heard silence.  "Please don't have passed out," he pleaded.  Zenigata's voice came back.  "Yes, I'm sane, no I haven't taken anything nor have I eaten anything.  Do a pregnancy test and tell her Fihad is back and here.  She won't know where here is yet, but...."  A portal opened.  "Never mind then."  He hung up, walking through it.  It closed briefly, then it opened so Fujiko could pull Fihad there to look at Dawn and the kids. And her to make sure the pill was working.  She felt odd.

***

Jigen woke up Xander, smiling down at him.  "Hi."

"Don't grin."  She sat up, looking at him.  "Please?"

"Okay, I won't."  He sat down.  "You missed it.  Goemon passed out."

"He knows?"

"He knows and we let him out of his promise to kill you."  He gave her a kiss when he saw the panic brewing.  "Want to go back to sleep?"  Xander shook her head.  "How about cuddling then?"

"I'd rather go destroy something."

"We can do that too.  We won't let you into one of the mirrored rooms, Lupin broke one and it's all over everything.  The other's been locked from the inside by Dawn, who's doing something magical to ward the house.  We've agreed, you're staying here."  She opened her mouth. "I know.  At least until we can find a safer way to bring you to France.  Got it?"  She nodded, sliding out of the bed.  "You're only a few weeks along," he said quietly.  "Fihad can't tell if they're boys or not."

"They?  I'm carrying a they?  Am I having a fucking litter?"

Lupin walked in and closed the door.  "Fihad said twins, but for some animals that is a litter," he agreed, giving her a hug. "He also said I had to feed you."  Xander opened her mouth.  "We're not the only ones here.  The whole group, including Ishi and Lotus are downstairs," he admitted.  "They don't know where here is, they came with Dawn.  Yes, she is too by the way.  Zenigata and Goemon both passed out when they found out."  Xander smiled a little at that.  "So, let's go destroy stuff and then we can do some planning?  Before you walk outside and disappear on us?"

"The thought crossed my mind but that'd be one painful fucking delivery," Xander pointed out dryly.  Jigen got up to come over and squeeze her between them.  "Anything else I need to know before I start pouting?"

"Fujiko said your tastes were bland and old fashioned," Jigen told him.  "She said you gave her permission to redo the kitchen and she's going to go with some stainless steel stuff."

"Only if she's going to come and polish the shit," he said, walking down the stairs.  "White enamel," he told her.  "No polishing required and you can see the stains."  He walked past her, going to get a beer.  Or something. He found one with his name on it and took it, popping it open to go lay in his back yard.  "I knew I wanted a yard for some reason," he told himself as he laid down.  He heard squealing and looked up in time to avoid being pounced by Ishi.  "Hi, kiddo."  He pulled him closer to cuddle.  "Sit with the uncle, okay? You can chase the animals later."  Ishi cuddled against him, giving him a long hug.  "Thanks, baby Goemon."  He stroked what little hair he still had.  "It'll be okay."

Goemon came to the back doorway, then outside, sitting near them.  "I have heard you want out of your promise?" he asked.

"I'm so fucked up at the moment I don't know what I want.  Right this second, I want to run screaming into the hills and join a monastery."   He laughed, shaking his head.  "You think I'm kidding?"

"No."  He patted Xander on the stomach.  "We will take very good care of you, just like you did to my wife."

"Thanks, but if you're here, won't that draw attention to me?"  He looked down at her.  "Isn't that the plan?"

"I do not know," he admitted.  "If it is, then it is.  If it is not, we will all be checking on you frequently until you are past this and the baby is born."

He took another sip of his beer.  "Fihad said twins."

"Really?  Auspicious," he said fondly.  "I wish I could have done that.  Twin boys to start would have been a very good omen."

Xander snorted.  "We need to find me a pregnant female anime character so I can go to the next con.  Since I'm stuck in this form."

Goemon shook his head.  "The necklace can be removed up to the first stop, allowing you to change your identity."  He gave his stomach another fond pat.  "If they do not treat you right, you will tell me," he said firmly.  "I will have Marcus bother them."

"Thanks."  Xander grinned at him.  "I'll just mood swing on them, that'll teach 'em."  He patted Ishi, making him run off.  He had been wiggling anyway.  "Dawn really is?"  He nodded.  "Did Gramps look like a fish?"

"For many minutes.  He may still be staring at her in awe, as if she were the first one ever to do so."  He chuckled.  "I believe he is having his people force her to marry him, or else there will be a warrant put in for her arrest."  That got some lighter laughter.  "She is upstairs at the moment doing something in that mirrored room."  He looked at him.  "Was that supposed to be something fun?"

"The last owners did it.  They had mirrors on all the hallway ceilings.  It went with the stark primary colors and metal and glass decor."

Goemon gave a look back at the house, then at him.  "In there?"  He nodded.   "Bad taste is epidemic.  Fixing it should get you a reward."

"Apparently they are my reward."

"It is a heady reward," Goemon pointed out.  "To have something that depends and looks up to you for everything.  It is overwhelming and scary, but then your son pees on you and  you realize he will be another human being, just like you."  Xander laughed, giving him a hug.  "If you need more wise advice, simply ask.  I will be seeing you for more lessons in controlling your temper.  You'll need them."

"Will I be training with Marcus?"

"He wants to, I am not sure he is ready to have his focus split again.  When you had him collared, how did you train him?"

"Positive reinforcement.  Little punishments."

"I shall try that.  He seems to have blossomed but he is holding himself back."

Xander put a hand on his arm. "That's fear of backsliding.  I know that one very well.  Trust me, even if he can't see it, he's scared of disappointing you by backsliding or hurting someone."

"That was insightful.  This will be good for you.  Keep it up and you might even make it to wise."  He stood up, giving him a fond look.  "I will see you later.  Ishi, come.  Let us bother the mother some more.  It is nearly time for your sister to eat."  Ishi squealed and ran for the house.  "He seems to love her as much as we do.  He tries to pound her head in all the time."  He walked into the house to make his son quit patting his sister.  "Thank you."  He picked him up, taking him into the study to play.  Dawn was in there and he liked her.  She pulled him over, hugging him tightly.  "Do you need wise advice?"

"I need your sword to kill him," she told him.  "First time with him and this happens."

He nodded.  "It is that way for some people.  Do be forewarned, it is possible to get pregnant right after the last one."  He looked at his daughter as she was brought in by his student. "Thank you, Marcus.  Would you like to sit and hold her?"  He beamed and sat down, holding his future Mistress.  Hmm.  Xander was correct.

***

Lupin and Jigen came out once Dawn had stolen everyone again, sitting beside Xander to stare at the clouds.  "You better now?" Lupin asked.

"I'm still pregnant."

"That's true," Jigen agreed.  "Congratulations, you didn't stutter over that word this time."  Xander swatted him, scowling at him.  "Who made the casserole?"

"The nice lady next door."  Xander laid back down.  "Why me?"

"Because someone thought you'd make an excellent parent," Lupin said firmly.  "And you will. You can play all you want to and then let the nanny take them for the disgusting stuff since none of us will change a diaper."  Xander looked at him.  "Unless you want to retire.  I can see that."

"Fuck you," Xander said firmly.  "I'm not retiring."  Lupin gave him a smile and a gentle kiss.  "Thank you."  She settled in again.  "Did anyone tell Murami?"

"We did.  She was enthusiastic," Jigen agreed.  "Said 'I told you so' and everything."

Lupin coughed.  "Xander, would it bother you if I.... did the cup thing with the others, just in case this one isn't mine?"

"No.  The more the merrier," he said.  "Are we doubting?"

"Jigen has you more often that way," he pointed out.  "It's possible and there's every chance it won't be."

"Plus you have that damn clause so you have to make sure," Xander finished.  Lupin nodded, looking miserable.  "Go for it.  Maybe one of them will go to Gramps, make the world an unbalanced place again?"

Jigen laughed.  "Dawn suggested that and he got the most horrified look on his face."  Xander grinned at that.  "She agreed to marry him so Ray would let her out of the ropes. For some reason he ties people up very well."

"He was taught by a Mountie," Xander said.  "He said so at the con we met at.  Speaking of, I need a new costume.  If I'm going to be a fucking whale, I'll need to find a character I can go as."

"You're not going to be a whale," Lupin said firmly.

"I'm carrying twins."

"So?  Fujiko didn't get *that* big."

"She said she was the size of a mountain," Jigen told him.  "From what I understand, that's normal."

"Okay, I can accept that," Lupin agreed.  He went into the house and came out with a box of chocolates.  "Prepayment on the truckload I owe you.  Nuts and the whipped fruits you like."  He stroked Xander arm, then suddenly moved, flipping her over to work on her back for her.  "I didn't get to do this before."

Xander ate a chocolate, looking back at him.  "If you're really good, I'll let you hold my head while I puke."

"Deal," Lupin agreed. "That won't be for months yet."

"It had better not be. Fihad said I'm underweight," she said.  "He noted you two were too, but that I needed to weigh more for them."  She ate another chocolate, moaning in pleasure.  "Damn, this spoiling stuff is good."  Jigen leaned down, giving her a kiss to the back of the neck.  "And you are going to have to like getting blown more.  Remember, Fuji couldn't have sex in the third trimester."

Jigen shrugged.  "That's fine.  I'll take whatever you can give me."

"Hmm.  Even if I was in male form?" she asked, looking at him.  He paused, then looked indecisive.  "I'm not going back to this thing for a while after I give birth.  I'm going to miss my penis."

"Technically, with the choker on, you can change to your own self," Lupin offered, working on the knots in her shoulders.  "Just think of your normal form."  Xander moaned, making him happier. "I'm sorry, Xander."

"I'm not presently blaming you.  There's a certain two-headed God I want the nuts of right now, but not you yet.  Either of you."  He offered the chocolates to Jigen.  "Want one?"  He nodded and took one, nibbling on it.  Lupin leaned over, kissing the back of her head as he stole one too.  "What am I doing?"

"For now, you're going to finish the house," Jigen told her.  "That way you have somewhere to go when you're frustrated and wanting to run away."

"Then Dawn's camouflaged the driveway to the main house so it's only seen if you're really powerful or know it's there. She also wiped the knowledge of the house from everyone but Mark.  She couldn't.  It would have meant he would have rejected Pops.  Did you know she calls him 'Zenny'?" he said.

"She's like that," Xander agreed.  He got another kiss to the back of his head.  "Where are we going to hide the choker once I'm through this one?"

"In the main safe, which I'll teach you the combination to," Lupin promised.  Xander nodded, eating another one.  He slid off her back, laying beside her to give her a real kiss.  "I didn't want this to happen."

"Make sure it won't again or I'll get the sneak attack castration plans from Fujiko.  I know she's planned on how to do her man when she gets pregnant again."  She gave them each a look and they knew she meant it.  "Good.  Now that we've got that settled, I'll need a cover story."

"Write a book," Jigen suggested.  "A kid's book or something."  Xander looked at him.  "Seriously."

"I suck at it," Xander told him.  "I can't even keep a diary.  I sound dumb and like I'm the most undereducated person on the planet."  He ate another chocolate. "I'm guessing I'm not allowed to drink?"

"Not until after the birth, then we'll have a good beer waiting on you," Lupin promised.

"Maybe *one* now and then," Jigen admitted.  "Not the heavier drinking you're used to." Xander nodded, slumping a little more. "Fihad said it's almost counter-productive to make you give up caffeine," he offered.

"That's one plus.  I won't have to give up chocolate or soda."

"He did want you to regulate it," Lupin warned.  "Less than a two-liter a day if possible."

"Sure, I'll cut back."  She looked at him.  "What else?"

"No more high heels.  No dangerous stunts.  No being in a situation where you can be shot," Lupin told her.

"Which means I'm stuck babysitting," Xander said.  They shrugged.  "Can I at least go on jobs?"

"As long as they're something you would have let Fujiko go on while she was up the duff," Jigen offered.  "Nothing like Germany with Cummings."

"The Cairo job?"

"Is plausible."

"I had another nightmare last night," Xander told them.  They leaned closer.  "I was doing a solo job in Miami.  It was a sniper shot to assassinate."  They nodded, getting that.  "I was going out the window and it was going to have to be a bank shot.  The boss said it had to come from a certain room and all that.  So I'm doing it and I miss.  I hit an innocent bystander.  I try a second one and everyone's scattering.  The bullet bounces off the guy's shields.  So I pack up for a relocate and another try.  Maybe a closer range thing.  As I'm walking out, the cop that harassed you and his crew show up.  They see me, come over to question me since I'm carrying stuff.  This really pretty blonde that works with him is a ballistics expert. She finds my rifle, not the one I had been using, and checks it, then does a swab of my hands.  I tell her I do range practice nearly every day.  Everything of mine has gunpowder on it."  He ate another chocolate and swallowed.  "She confirms this with a few random pieces of clothing, then they ask me why I'm leaving.  My brilliant reasoning: hello, shooter, shooting on the street, who are you going to suspect first?"  His men laughed.

"The redhead tells me I'm right, then heads up to check the rooms while I finish moving out and tell one of them where I'm going.  Which is the truth but it's not where I'm planning to carry out the job.  I dump the rifle through a street broker, knowing it probably won't be traced back for months at least.  Then I head over there.  The blonde is waiting on me.  She starts asking me questions.  Apparently I'm a tame assassin on vacation and she hasn't found any warrants yet.  So I'm showing her my guns and she's really excited over a few of them.  She doesn't get to see many of the European versions.  She looks at my rifle again, then at me, asking if I don't wire brush it to change the rifling.  I tell her no, it fucks the accuracy and she nods, understanding that.  Then she gets personal.  Why did I do this.  How did I get started.  Are there really schools for this.  I was stumped on that one, had to admit I had a personal tutor, a very good one.  She waves it off and leaves me her card, in case I find anything new and neat she might like to see.  Just as a test case of course.  And I'm pretty impressed with her too so I call you guys and ask you to send me a bunch of the out-of-date stuff that we've decided we'll never use.  I tell you why and you guys laugh.  Jigen comes to town, I pick him up after doing that hit, then I take him to meet her at the motel.  He's really impressed with her and even bends enough to flirt."  Jigen shook his head, still laughing.  "She's going all squealy over the weapons.  Sounds like an orgasm in the making sort of thing.  We find some things she's never seen before, including those special .48's that some assassins use.  Apparently one of us had been gifted with one and figured out it wasn't worth making our own bullets."

"I have one," Lupin admitted.  "Gifted even.  You're right, it's not.  It's a pain in the ass to make bullets for it."

Xander nodded.  "I figured as much.  Anyway, we gift her with the stuff, calling it a yard sale charitable donation thing, then Zenigata shows up in town."  He shook his head.  "He busts in, tells her exactly who I am and tries to get her away from him. She tells him off, stating regional jurisdiction, lack of warrants, and the fact that we're giving her information on some weapons that will help her with her work.  I end up capping Pops in front of her in the knee.  Then I look at her and tell her he doesn't mind, it's usual between us.  That's the fourth or fifth time I've shot him, something like that.  His crew comes in and they're vampires."

"Vampire cops, that is a scary thought," Jigen admitted.  "Most crimes are done at night.  He'd have prime hunting."

"Been done on tv.  I've got the series at home," Xander told him.  "Cute guy too."  He shrugged and went back to his nightmare.  "Anyway, they rush in, turn her before I can stop them.  They try to turn Jigen but he resists because it means he'll have to join their team.  They try for me and I beat them off but I'm bleeding from one of their teeth.  Jigen captures Ray before he can leave and has him turn me, but keeps me.  He has to deprogram me heavily but manages it and now I'm like that - flying around during the night, using my nifty Dracula-like skills to help the team break into places, things like that."

"Can all vampires do that?" Lupin asked.

"Dracula could, but none of the others.  Spike can't.  Hey, can I go freak him out soon?"

"Sure," Jigen agreed.  "As long as he can't bite you and Zenigata at the same time and he's not in the house."  Xander grinned at him and he gave a little shrug.  "That one even scared me.  Thinking about him and sex for eternity was nasty."  He laid down on Xander's other side.  "We were thinking about other things."

"If you demand that I marry you, you're in for a battle."

"I wasn't thinking that actually," Lupin admitted.  "But I'll make a mental note of that."  Xander grinned at him.  "We were thinking about names.  If mine's a boy it'll have to be the fourth.  What about Jigen's?"

"I don't want a second, I told you that earlier."  He gave Xander a nudge.  "Only do that if I'm not here to see it and you know I'm not watching.  Give the kid a chance."

Xander nodded, looking sad.  "If you die, I'm going to have to kill half the world.  You know that right?  And if you both die the world's fully toast?"  They nodded, hugging him. "Good.  I'm not kidding either.  I know how Willow did the near-world ending."  She ate another chocolate in the stunned silence. "It'd take some work, but yeah.  Go pregnant woman anger."  He paused.  "Tell me this isn't one of them coming back," he said in disgust.

"Dawn talked to Ethan who of course prayed and begged until Janus got tired of his whining and told him no," Jigen told him, giving him a pat on the arm before stealing another chocolate.  Lupin took one too since Jigen hadn't been hit.  "Anything else we need to discuss?"

"Am I heading back to the house after I'm done here?"

"As soon as you're incapacitated or you're tired of being here," Lupin told him.  "We've got six jobs I got ideas for this morning in the tub."  Xander looked hopeful.  "I still want you protected."

"Fine," she agreed dryly.  "I'll stay here and heft and tote heavy stuff while I renovate my house."

"Do it now 'cause you won't be able to in four months," Jigen reminded him.

Xander nodded.  "Oh, I remember Fujiko falling asleep everywhere.  Can't wait for that part.  That and the constant puking."

"She had it bad and Fihad will be in touch with you every two weeks," Lupin promised.  "There may be something for that."  She sighed and nodded.  "I definitely want you back at the house once you feel comfortable traveling.  Go in disguise of course, but still."  Xander nodded.  "Good boy."  He gave her a real kiss, making her smile.  "I want to see you doing katas like that in another eight months," he told her, stroking her lower back.  "Goemon swears it's good for them.  That it makes the labor easier."

"Yoga makes the labor easier," he corrected.  "Possibly Tai Chi, not the more strenuous stuff."  He capped the box of chocolates and pushed them away.  "Before I make myself sick," he admitted.  They gave him a hug.  "I'm sorry, guys.  I know this has fucked up everything for at least a year."

"Actually, we could use you as backup on four of the jobs," Lupin admitted.  "That means you can sit in the hotel and read name books."  Xander snorted, shaking her head.  "No?"

"No.  No name books.  Not yet.  When are they?"

"Cairo is soonish.  The other four are right after that if what I have planned happens.  Then there's the two you can't do."

"You'll be waddling by then anyway," Jigen pointed out.

"So the bad thing would be Gramps or other assorted things, right?"  They nodded.  "Are we sure Janus won't fuck up to get me alone?"

"If he does, you have my permission to destroy the world," Jigen told him.  "Just save the kids, okay?"  Xander gave him a look.  "I know you would but grief is a funny thing."  He stroked down her arm.

Ethan appeared with a letter, sweaty and bleeding from a gash on his head.  Xander looked up at him and opened his mouth.  "Ripper's tossing a fit," he admitted, handing her the letter.  "He hates being possessed almost as much as you do."  He sat in front of her, placing a hand on her head and muttering something.  She briefly glowed in the darkening afternoon light.  "There, that should protect you a bit better. I've warded you fully.  Those who know see you as someone so protected you're worse than Fort Knox."

"Not that hard to get into," Lupin told him.

"It's a saying," he said patiently.  "To the demonic, you'll still be a consort.  They'll be able to see the real you.  Those who are half may nudge back and forth but not fully."  Xander nodded.  "Most of them have some skills so they should feel you as a bunker of protection. This means people might pull an Angel and come looking to you for help but it will keep away those who would want to kill you because you're like this."  Xander gave him a look. "Like Ripper, which caused the fit he was tossing," he admitted. "He's all for you terminating it because he's decided it's got to be evil.  He thinks you're too tainted to have anything else."

"Will the taint pass on?" Xander asked quietly.

"No, love, never."  He gave him a gentle kiss to the forehead.  "It will not pass on.  Even if you were carrying a clone, it would not pass on."  Xander nodded, looking a little relieved.

Lupin finished the letter, handing it over.  "Information from the heads himself."  He looked at Ethan.  "You will watch over him for us?"

"I'm doing it for many people.  Janus, you two, myself, Dawn, who threatened to kill me if this hurt him.  Try to protect him, all right? I don't feel like dying this month."  He stood up, dusting himself up.  "Xander, no naughty fixtures in the bathroom," he said with a small grin.  "I know you, young man.  Be safe and call on me at least once month for tea.  Otherwise I shall have to get pushy and whine."  He sighed.  "Back to Ripper and his fit. Maybe Janus won't mind if I hit him in the head a few times," he said thoughtfully, disappearing. By the time he made it home later that night, he had learned better. "Fine," he called. "I'll let him live.  You keep your end and I'll keep mine."  He sighed and did the complicated charm, making himself different, then walked into his bedroom to wake up Ripper the old fashioned way, by sucking him down.

***

Xander went back to work the next morning, unhappy with her existence but understanding more of it.  Unfortunately.  This whole thing stunk in her opinion and she was tired of it.  "I'm the perfect representation of Janus," she recited bitterly.  "Yeah, right.  And I'm also Helen of Troy and Ares' love child."  He hammered in a nail, wondering why this shit happened to him.  "I was a good kid, right?  I didn't steal to much candy, and Willow always made me feel guilty and go back to pay for it.  I did a good job helping Buffy.  Is that it?  I sent souls to Hell because they were vampires?"  No answer.  "Fine, I get it.  Because you like me is reason enough.  Like me less, 'kay?  I'd like to be liked less.  Except for by my men."  He looked up again.  "You could have just made one of them like me in male form," he informed whoever was listening.  "That would have solved this whole mess."

The person listening to it frowned and looked at his partner.  "What is he going on about now?" Ray asked Myron.

Myron shrugged.  "Not a clue.  Ask Dawn."  They looked back at where she was 'resting under orders' then shrugged and went back to listening.  The boy was incredibly pissed but it was amusing.  Especially when he hit his thumb.  Not that they knew where he was, but still.

Bored Now.

Xander paced up and down the hallway outside the office.  It was one of those weeks where everyone was annoyed at everyone else and things weren't exactly the most rosy and cheerful around the main hideout in France.  Jigen had torn his neck falling off a catwalk during the last job and he was grousing about the neck brace he had to wear.  Lupin was stressing over this new job and wouldn't let anyone help him.  Xander was bored out of his skull and not even the mini Lupin upstairs was helping him anymore.  Not even going to see the Goemons would help him any.  He finally stopped and took a deep breath before knocking on the office door.

"Go away, Xander."

Xander opened the door.  "Fine, I will.  I'll have my phone on me if you want me," he said with a touch of bitterness.  "I'll be somewhere in the US."  He closed the door and went to do a quick pack.  He knew what he wanted to take.  His closets were neatly organized for quick packs, everything for a suit on the same hanger, each outfit arranged by colors.  He packed a suit bag within three grabs from his closet and his other, 'Xander', clothes in another one within a few grabs as well.  He even remembered underwear this time, something he forgot to grab on occasion.  He zipped up the two bags, then sat down to camouflage his weapons so he could bring them with him.  He spied the badge sitting on his dresser, an artifact from the time Dawn had worked with them, and grabbed it.  He could carry it openly that way and it would fit in with his present plans.  He grabbed his laptop case as well, putting it into his carryon.  He found his trench coat and put it on as his door opened and Lupin walked in.  "Yes?" he asked patiently.

"What are you doing?" he snarled.

"I'm going to find a diversion before I start to snap back," he said dryly, glaring at him.  "Or until you find some damn Midol."  He grabbed his bags and stood up, stepping into his shoes.  "I'll be in the US."  He walked past him.

"Xander, if you leave this house, don't expect to come back!" Lupin called after him.

"Then send my stuff to Geneva," he called back with a touch of humor.  "Either that or get laid soon, Lupin.  You're grumpier than Gramps when Dawn was told she couldn't have sex last month until she popped."  He walked outside, going to attach his bags to his bike, another heirloom from Dawn's thieving days.  He straddled it and kicked it to life as Lupin came outside.  He put on his sunglasses.  "I promise, I'll be good.  I won't get into any trouble and you'll be able to find me.  I've got my laptop so you can email me and I'll meet you in Switzerland once you're over your funk and you've finally planned that job. Until then, I can't take the temper, Arsene.  And you don't want mine to come into play either."  He took off down the driveway, heading for Paris and the airport.   Halfway there, he put on his camouflaging necklace, newly fixed and recharged.  It would get him through Customs easier than being himself since his warrants were all in effect again.

Lupin growled and headed inside again, slamming the door behind him. "Jigen!" he yelled.

Jigen came to the top of the stairs.  "What!"

"Xander left."

"Fine.  And?  He'll be back when you're calm and I'm not ignoring him.  Next time, take up the slack of sleeping with his horny ass."  He went back to his room to hide from Lupin's growing temper.  He knew the signs of it and it was going to explode soon.  The nanny gave him a look as he walked past her.  "Keep the kids upstairs," he said quietly. "He's frustrated."  She nodded, going to tell the children that they were going to play 'sneaking and hiding' games to get into the gardens for their afternoon romp.  They liked those best and there were ever so many delightful hidden passages around the house.  Jigen carefully laid down again, going back to his book.  It was interesting enough, for now.  It wasn't like he could do much of anything else without making his neck shoot pains down his back.

***

Xander sat down in the bar, smiling at the bartender.  "Can I have a Bud?  In a bottle?" he asked, putting down a five.  The bartender got one for him, even opening it.  "Thanks.  When does Tack get here?"

"Probably not for an hour yet.  You know him?"

"Wanting to know him," Xander admitted.  It was true, he did.  He wanted to challenge himself against him.  "It'll be fine."  The bartender gave him a look so he gave him his most goofy grin.  "I'm Interpol."

"Oh.  Wow," he said flatly.  "You're dressed much nicer than their usual, like the other guy."

"Other guy?"

"Some grumpy asshole who came in last week," a tired voice said from behind him.  "And you are?"

Xander looked back at the brunette man, grinning and holding out his hand.  "Alexander."  They shook hands.  "I came to talk to Tackleberry."

"Give it a half-hour. He had to run home for something."  He sat down with a tired sigh.  "Beer me," he pleaded.

"I'll get his too," Xander said, putting down a twenty.  "Bad week?"

"Crime's on the rise again.  We don't know what's going on but it's horrible out there.  I guess you've forgotten what being on the street was like."

"I was never really there, but I know it's hard," Xander commiserated.  "I'm a specialist.  Sharpshooter."

Mahoney looked at him.  "You're recruiting?" he asked.  Xander shook his head.  "Then why did you want to talk to Tackleberry?"

Xander sipped his beer.  "I want to test myself against him," he said honestly.  "A nice, old fashioned shooting contest, dude."

"Ah."  He nodded and grinned.  "I wish you all the luck in the world.  Hey, would you know what's wrong with the other guy?"

"Classic obsession.  Lavelle blew his mind by saving him once."  He finished his beer and waved for another one.  "His boss has one with Lavelle's boss and with Lavelle somewhat but that guy, if it's who I'm thinking of, is seriously in love-hate with Lavelle."  Mahoney looked at him.  He shrugged and grinned.  "So they say."

Mahoney leaned closer.  "Why do you have this little wavy line around you?" he asked quietly.

"Probably because one percent of all people can see through illusions," another voice said from behind him.

Xander looked back and grinned, undoing his illusion.  "Very good, Ray.  The other idiot?"

"Locked in a closet.  I got tired of him."  He put his hands on his hips.  "Why're you here?"

"I want to do a shooting contest with Tackleberry.  I'm bored and Lupin's pissed with himself."

Mahoney blinked a few times.  "You look familiar."

Xander grinned at him.  "Lavelle."

"Oh, shit," he said, standing up to get away from him.

"Not dangerous to those who don't piss me off.  I only hit criminals.  Or else I would have gotten Ray a few years back at a fancon."  He put down a fifty on the bar.  "Get them both one.  Ray looks miserable.  Who?"

"Simmons."

Xander snorted.  "He escaped already?"  Ray nodded.  "He's recruiting?"

"He's taken over two gangs and forcing them to work for him."

Xander stood up.  "Cool.  You want help?" Ray gave him an incredulous look. "It beats Lupin's unreasonable anger at plans that won't work.  I'm bored, he's an annoyance I don't want to have to deal with in three years, and I'm going to be in town until I can bug that one guy into a shooting contest.  Please?"

"Who?" another guy asked as he walked in with a few people behind him.

"Holy shit, you're Lavelle," one tall African-American officer in uniform said.

Xander looked at him, then at his target.  "You, Tackleberry.  I want to have a shooting contest.  In return for the simple firing off happily at paper targets at a range of your choice, I can help with Simmons.  He's a woose with strong weaknesses if you know what they are.  I'm surprised no one's sent in a woman yet."  They all gaped at him.  "Or did you?" he asked carefully.

"She's missing," Tackleberry said.  "You can find her?"

"I can, most likely," he agreed.  "Simmons is a stupid fuck and not worth the angst Interpol gave him.  My boss and his main shooter are the reason he was caught the last time.  He was in our way."  Ray nodded, tossing up his hands and walking away.  "And all I want in return is to test myself against one of the best on a range.  It's validation."

"What's your personal weapon?" he asked.  Xander whipped it out to show him and he grinned.  "Nice.  Very pretty.  Range?"

"Six hundred yards.  This is my usual carry.  If I need for distance I've got a Russian Kalishnakov for it."  He grinned and shrugged.  "This is really nice, it's interchangeable from stock."  He let him see it.  "I heard you're like my boss, old school."

Tackleberry took out his forty-five and let him see it.  "Be careful, it was a present from my mom."  He broke down the handgun to check it out fully.  It was a nice gun.  Xander did the same then they replaced everything and handed them back.  "Done.  The academy.  Ray can referee."

"Tack!" Mahoney said, looking incredulous.  "He's an internationally wanted felon!"

"Actually, I'm a big nerd with a really good aim," Xander told him with a grin.  "Just ask Ray."  He put his gun back in his armpit holster.  "Where is his lair?  He'll be keeping any hostages within three blocks."

Ray coughed as he came back from reporting to his boss.  "I'll show you.  Asshole."  He gave Lavelle a shove.  "Did you bring that damn badge with you?"

"Yuppers," Xander said smugly, walking him outside.  "Did you drive?  I rented a bike."

"You did what!" Ray said, glaring at him.  "Do you know how to ride one of those!"

"Who do you think taught Dawnie?"

Ray gaped at him, then shook his head.  "Fine.  Find it and we'll go.  I want you away from this town as soon as humanly possible, Xander."

"Okay."  He shrugged and found his bike among the three there, then started it.  "Come on, Ray.   We'll be fine."

"I'll never hear the end of this," Ray complained as he walked over and climbed on.  "Where's the seatbelt?"

"Hold onto me. I promise I won't make a pass at you."  He backed out and then took off, making Ray swear and grab him tightly.  "Jigen does that same thing," he said smugly, speeding up some.  "Tell me where to turn?"

"Downtown," he yelled through the wind.  "By the harbor."

"Should have figured that.  He likes boats."  He turned that way, cutting off a station wagon.  It blared its horn at him but he only flipped the driver off.  Once they got to where Ray wanted them, he looked around.  "He's going low rent?"

"He's back with what's-his-name, Kromson.  It's his place."

"Kromson?  Al?"  He shuddered.  "Nasty, slimy fucker."  He looked around, then pointed at a lit window.  "That their lair?"  Ray nodded, looking at him. "Then the hideout would be within line-of-sight."

"We've checked all of them," Ray complained.

"Including boats?"

"No," he admitted.  "None have been stable in the harbor."

Xander grinned at him. "That's the beauty of a boat, Ray."  He headed that way at a walk, checking the window.  He found where it must cross, then found a captain of another boat.  He tapped him on the shoulder, then grinned and adopted a southern accent.  "Hey.  The assholes in the warehouse have absconded with my sister, y'hear.  They're on a boat from what I've been told.  They're travelin' but they come by here at least once every day.  You know which one that may be?"

The captain looked at him, then took a step back.  "There's been two ships.  One's a freighter.  One's a pleasure boat.  Both'a 'em go by each night."  He glanced at his watch, then back at the loon with the silver hair.  He was famous, badly famous.  "Shouldn't be too long."

"Thank ya," he said, nodding politely and grinning.  "Forget you saw me and take the night off."

"My haul."

Xander handed over six hundred dollars.  "Take the crew for a few beers," he said in his usual accent.  The man nodded and went to find his wife, taking her to get cleaned up and to dinner. Xander sat down to wait, watching the harbor.  "Hey, Ray, are they cops?"

"Yeah.  Mostly harder ones."  He sat beside him.  "You got the guy out of your way?"

"I don't want him in the way.  Kromson is an idiot who shoots anything that moves."  He pointed at a freighter, the only one in the harbor.  "Is that one normal?"

"No," he said bitterly.  "Not in the least.  This isn't a shipping harbor, it's more for pleasure boating."

"Good," he purred, standing up.  "Okay.  And there's our pleasure boat probably," he said, noticing one following behind.  "Let's see.  Bosses on the boat, with one or two hostages.  Freighter has the cargo and the drugs."  He pulled open a pocket in his trench coat and pulled out a calculator, punching in some numbers.  "Hey, Ray, can I get a rocket launcher?"

"No!  We want them alive!"

"Okay, don't have a hissy.  I was gonna do a shot over the bow."  He rolled his eyes and put up his calculator, heading down to the marina.  Where he broke into the rental place for water boats and took the nicest and fastest-looking one to give chase.  He headed out before Ray could jump in but found someone behind him anyway.  "Hey."  He nodded and went back to driving.  "Name?"

"Jones."

"Cool.  Xander.  Don't spread that around, okay?"  He made a sharp turn around the starboard of the pleasure boat and pulled his gun, hitting the guard and waving and grinning at the one who came running.  "Morning!" he called.  "I want your boss, he has what I want.  Tell him to meet me with the hostages or I fuck up his son!"  He sped off, going to the freighter to board it.  It was fairly easy, most of the crew was bailing quickly.  The hostages were in a cargo container, freed easily.  Xander even found the bomb and tossed it overboard, watching as it created a new fountain.  Then he looked at his escort.  "Yours?"

"Not here."

"Then she's on the boat.  Okay then."  He went back, going to deal with that.   He'd let them have the freighter now that it wouldn't explode.  The other was gone but he knew where they would be taking the hostage.  He landed a little bit away and walked back the few blocks.  On the way, a scummy looking gang stopped him.  He scratched the back of his head.  "Hey, guys.  Working for Simmons?"  They glared at him.  "Good, I like that in lower level criminals.  It shows ingenuity and common sense."  He pushed past them, heading up the street with them tailing him.  "Guys, I'm going to commit homicide.  Do you *really* want to be considered accomplices?"  He glanced back to find they had disappeared.  "Thank you," he called.  He found the warehouse again and strolled inside, startling the guard.  "Hey, howyadoin'?" he asked, mimicking Ray's accent.  He pulled a small dagger before the guy could pull his gun and got him across the windpipe.  Then he squatted down to look at him.  "Real criminals are like me," he patiently instructed.  "We draw first and then remember fondly.  This is why you want to go straight, have kids, and raise a few future cops.  Yes?"  The guy nodded frantically.  "Good.  You'll live with that injury, I didn't completely puncture your airway.  If you get good medical attention soon, you'll even only have a small scar.  I'd leave now.  There are cops up the street.  You can tell them that I'm cleaning up the small-time problems for them."

"Who are you?" he whispered.

Xander grinned.  "Lavelle, baby.  Fully me."  He stood up and headed up in the elevator.  There was only one socket in the panel that had a button in it so he pushed it.  That took him to a penthouse.  He stepped off and saw the women tied to chairs.  He gave them a cordial nod and a smile.  "Hey.  Friends of Tack's?"  They nodded.  "Cool.  Tell him to email me, Ray's got my addy."  He coughed.  "Yo!" he called.  "I'm here!"  A door opened and a startled man came out with a woman in tow.  "Good morning!" he said at his most cheerful.  Then he drew and hit him right above the heart.  Another nearly-fatal wound.  He looked at the woman, who whimpered and ran off.  "Thank you."  He looked around.  "Kromson?"  One of the women, the smaller, dark skinned, one nodded at a closed door.  "Cool, thanks."  He walked over and tapped on it, opening it and leaning inside.  "Hi," he said cheerfully.  "You do realize that I don't like you, correct? That I find you worthy....I mean unworthy.  Sorry, not enough caffeine," he said with a shit-eating grin.  "I really do find you unworthy.  I did the last time we met and prison hasn't made you any more worthy.  If you live, you might want to think about changing careers.  Maybe you can operate a sweatshop or something."  He noticed the girl cowering on the floor.  "Yours?" he asked.  Kromson, bane and nightmare to two streetgangs, nodded, so scared he was sweating copiously onto his prostitute.  "You're cute," he said with a wicked grin.  "I haven't seen one like you in *years*."  She laughed nervously.  "I'll give you a thousand for a few hours, then you can move anywhere you want and start over.  Get away from this soon-to-be dead man."

She stood up, looking him over.  "Who're you?" she asked calmly.  He wasn't going to hurt her, she could feel it.

He grinned again, adding a touch of leer.  "Lavelle," he purred.  He stepped inside.  "A cool grand for two hours."

She swallowed.  "I've heard of you," she admitted.  "You wear girls out."  He nodded, still looking smug.  She moved closer, touching the lapels of his jacket.  "For three, you can have me all night."

He beamed.  "What a deal.  We'll have to stop at a few ATMs, I only brought eight hundred in cash and six went for information.  That cool?"

She beamed.  "I can run your card."

"Hmm."  He pulled one out and handed it over.  "Let's do that.  Do you mind if I make you pass out in pleasure, babe?"  He followed her out, shooting Kromson in the nuts when he tried to make a run for it.  "You don't deserve sweet little honeys like this one," he said, glaring at the man, but he smiled at the girl again.

"Who are you?" the smaller, dark skinned, cop asked in a quiet, high voice.

He walked over, pulling out his ring of keys.  "Lavelle."  He checked the cuffs.  "Standard American ones," he said, finding his universal key.  He undid her cuff, then patted her on the head.  "I like women with sweet voices.  They're usually very nice women who should be protected from scum like Kromson and Simmons. Have your man spoil you when you get done with the paperwork."  He unhitched the blonde amazon-looking woman, smirking at her.  "You too.  Men like that have no taste.  Handcuffs are so blatantly stupid on a woman like you.  Women like you should be allowed to do whatever they want to you."

"I'm still a cop," she said firmly.

He grinned.  "I know.  I'm not."  He beamed and went back to his playmate's side.  "So, how's it going?  Add your tip yet?"

"Thirty percent?" she suggested slyly.

"Ah-ah!" he chided, grinning at her. "Being greedy like that means that I'll have to make you pass out multiple times for my pleasure."  Her mouth fell open and she gave him a look.  He beamed.  "I've done it before."

"I've heard," she squeaked, handing him back his card.  "I took ten percent as a tip."

"That's cool. Let's see if you can earn that other twenty," he said, gently steering her out of the penthouse. "Got any toys?"

"You're like that?" the amazon squeaked.

He grinned lasciviously at her. "No, usually I go through four girls and a guy."  He beamed down at his companion. "Fill in for all five and I'll pay you five."  She swallowed and nodded.

The smaller female officer butted in.  "There's a nice bar in town for people like that.  I'm sure you can find someone more male down there."

He grinned at her. "If she can't keep up, I might.  Thanks."  He looked at her again.  "We'll try it," he said with a wink, leading her down to his bike.  He found it had been sabotaged and shrugged, going to take one of the cop cars that was sitting around with its lights on.  He winked at her.  "Ever done it in the back of a cop car?  The closest I ever got was making out in the back of Zenigata's personal car.  He got so pissed!" he said wickedly.  She giggled and helped him shift with her own gear shift as they zipped off.

The blonde picked up the phone, dialing her precinct.  "This is Callahan," she said firmly.  "We're free.  There was a guy here.  We need an ambulance and a sketch artist."  She listened.  "I don't know.  Said his name was Lavelle."  She frowned.  "Yes, he did have silver hair," she said, looking at the men with the gunshot wounds.  "Interesting.  Thank you."  She hung up and looked at her partner.  "He was an internationally wanted felon, a gunman."

Laverne Hooks swallowed.  "He's that Lavelle?" she squeaked.  Callahan nodded.  "Wow.  He seemed so...nice!"

"He did," she said grimly.  "And he said he knew Tackleberry."  Hooks scowled.  "We'll have to watch this very carefully, Laverne.  He could get hurt."  The other woman nodded, looking concerned herself now.  Their rescuers sped off the elevator and came to help them.  "We're fine.  Those two are in serious hurt and he took a woman out of here promising to make her pass out."  She noticed an unfamiliar face and glared at him. "Who are you?"

"Easy," Mahoney said, giving her a smile and a hug. "This is Ray, he's one of two Interpol agents after Simmons, Kromson, and Lavelle.  The other's an asshole, you'll want to hurt him."

"Why not, we do," Ray said with a grin and a nod.  "Hey, howyadoin'?" he asked.  "Should we work on gettin' you two ta the hospital too?"

Callahan shook her head.  "We're fine."

"Thank God," Mahoney said, glancing up.  "Thanks."  He gave her another hug then went to hug Laverne.  "What happened!" he asked, looking at the guy with the chest wound that was able to talk.  "Where was he hit?"

"An inch above his heart.  Either that guy's really good or he was really lucky," the paramedic told him.

"No, Lavelle's that good," Ray told him.  "Natural from day one, when Jigen taught him."  He got out of the way.  "You said he left with a girl.  Hooker?"  Laverne nodded.  "Then he'll be down for at least two hours."

"He said he was going to make her pass out a few times," Callahan told him.

Ray beamed and nodded.  "It wouldn't be the first time, believe me.  I've heard shit from that boy's sex life like you wouldn't *believe*!"  Everyone looked at him.  "The last person who broke in on him while he was tryin' ta have sex nearly got his head blown off.  I'm not that brave," he shared.  "I can wait until he's done, it's humane and safer.  Body armor don't cover heads."  He walked behind the women, shaking his head. "I almost feel sorry for the young lady."

"He offered her thousands," Laverne told him.

Ray nodded.  "He'd have to.  He's got a reputation for makin' 'em pass out in pleasure.  Each time he does, the price goes up.  How much she get him for?"

"Three grand," Callahan told him.  "He offered her five if she'd take him."  Ray nodded, making her stop and give him an incredulous look. "He is?"

"Bi," Ray told her.  "Formerly indiscriminate but taken by his bosses from what I hear.   Lupin musta bummed up badly this time."  He grinned.  "My boss'll love this one," he shared with a wink.  "He says all the sex rots their brains and makes 'em easier to catch with each time they go at it.  It never hurts his aim though.  Can't break locks for shit, but his aim's perfect.  When they get in there, they'll probably find the margin's more like half an inch insteada the full inch."  They continued to stare at him.  "Let's go," he suggested.  "Cranky, whiny guy is waitin' and he's got a hard on for Lavelle."

"He said something about an obsession," Mahoney said thoughtfully.

Ray snorted.  "Yeah, tha's puttin' it mildly," he said jovially.  "Say Lavelle's name in front of him, see what he does and how much steam comes from his ears."  He walked past them, taking the ladies to his car.  "In you get," he offered, letting them decide who got the back seat.  "Back to the precinct, then the Academy," he promised.  Someone tapped on his window so he let someone else get in there with them, giving the brown-noser a look.  "You could be so much more," he told him.  "Dump the putz and become a man soon, 'kay?"  He took off, his siren roaring through the night.  "How'd he get away?  I took the cap off his bike."

"He took my squad car," Proctor complained.  "Who was that?"

"Lavelle," the women told him in unison.  Proctor shivered.

Ray glanced back.  "Welcome to my nightmare capture.  I was brought in ta get him."  Proctor whimpered. "If you get sick, I'm gonna make you clean it up with a toothbrush," he warned.

"I won't," he promised.  "Are you that good of a shot, Constable?"

"Inspector, and yeah, I am," he said smugly.  "Not with the fancy shit like Lavelle did tonight, but straight on I am.  Myron too.  If he's not too busy, you may be seeing him soon and the putz'll go home again."  He shrugged, turning into the driveway. "I know it's not your home precinct, but I like this one much better and the putz'll be at the other one," he told them.  "You don't need the exposure to him, he'll make ya sicker."  He got out, letting them out and walking them inside.  The commanding officer looked at him so he waved.  "Yeah, what of it?" he demanded, grinning at him.  "Lavelle was here. He's in town."

"He wants to challenge Tackleberry to a shooting match," Callahan said grimly.

"I'm sure it's all fun for him.  Lavelle's really a big geek.  We have to chase him through all sorts of fandom things each year. He's got some damn good costumes."  He let them into the office, following behind them.  Someone came running so he slammed the door in their face.  He didn't care, he wasn't about to be bothered.  "Sir, they were found and rescued from the clutches of the big international gunman."

The Captain looked at him.  "Inspector, I wasn't aware there was one in town."

Ray scratched his eyebrow.  "Yeah, well, we found out earlier Lavelle's in town and bored.  Don't tell the putz," he begged.  "He'll go ballistic."

"Oh, I'm sure he will.  He was ranting earlier about him coming into the US."  He looked at the women.  "Are you two all right?"  They nodded.  "Are you sure?"  They nodded again. "Good.  I want concise reports of everything, including how you got free," he said calmly.  "This Lavelle is bad for us."

"He shot them," Laverne told him.

The Captain and Ray both sighed.  "Lavelle's known for being a former good guy," Ray told them.  "His friends turned on him and sacrificed him for their own gain.  Hence the silver hair.  They turned him off ever bein' a good guy again, but he always goes after other criminals.  It's his boss's way and Lavelle finds something in that to make himself happy.  He won't hit an innocent and he'll try to wound any cops, as he's gotten me in the past," he admitted.  "He's not a hero.  He's not a nice guy.  He's not a good guy any more.  Back in the day he was one of the best good guys around, but not any longer."

"A cop?" Callahan asked.

Ray shook his head.  "Another sort.  He could've been I guess.  He's only got one good eye though."   He grinned.  "He's damn impressive, but he's a damaged soul because of them.  He's loyal to his friends; wholly, one hundred percent, give 'em a part of his body loyal.  He finds neat guys from time to time too, considers them friends.  Myron and I both get that from him.  Zenigata and he have got some strange game goin' on where he tolerates the old man but loves ta tease him because of Dawn.  The putz was saved by him once, back as a rookie.  That's why he's so fucked in the head.  He will force a showdown with Lavelle and Lavelle will win again.  He's clouded by his anger."

"And Tackleberry's the sort he likes to find who're neat and cool in his book," the Captain finished.  "He's been warned.  Lavelle won't hurt him, ever.  Even if you could get Tackleberry to turn on him and capture him, he still won't hurt him."

"Yeah, he's said often enough that Myron and I are free to arrest him at any time," Ray admitted with a self-conscious grin.  "Hell, we even call truces when we accidentally meet at fan conventions.  He's never there to work and we're there to have fun too.  And as soon as the last event is over, he's out the door and we're chasing him.  Plus our boss pays for 'em now," he admitted sheepishly.  "Of the whole gang, he's the most dangerous, but the best one.   The others have less morals.  Lavelle's still got some good deed of the day thing going.  His last solo heist went to rebuild an orphanage so the kids wouldn't suffer."

"So he's like a bad version of Tackleberry," the Captain told them.  "They'll probably understand each other very well."

Ray nodded.  "Definitely.  I wish I coulda gotten the mountie to meet him.   Benny'd be one of those guys he'd respect too."  He shrugged.  "He's odd that way.  He can put you at ease one minute then calmly draw a gun, shoot someone tryin' ta piss him off, then go back ta puttin' ya at ease again."  He shrugged, then chuckled.  "It drives my boss nuts and his boss doesn't understand it either."

"Let Mahoney handle him," Laverne suggested.  "He and Tackleberry get along best, he can handle Lavelle with Ray."

"Good idea," the Captain agreed.  "Go do those statements.  I know you both want to go home and shower and change.  You've now got the rest of the week off for psych evaluations.  They're mandatory, I can't waive 'em, ladies.  Sorry."  They sighed and nodded, heading to do that.  "You too, Inspector."

"Sure thing," Ray agreed dryly.  "I'm used ta it.  I've done so much paperwork on him that I'm surprised none of it leaks back to his boss."  He went to steal a computer and fill out the necessary forms.

***

Xander looked up as his new friend joined him on the range.  "You sure you want to do this here?" he asked.

"It's my home range," Tackleberry told him.  "Besides, you'll be good training for the recruits."

Xander grinned.  "Sure, I'm all for the best doing the job.  Shall we?"

Tackleberry looked at the gathered recruits. "Today, you'll see an exhibition match," he announced.  "This is Lavelle, a famous gunman.  Since he saved two officers the other night, we're allowing this.  This is not the normal way we do things.  Don't get used to him."  He looked at Lavelle, then pulled out his gun.  "Pick a class of range?"

Lavelle shrugged.  "I don't care.  I do all sorts of range work, including the walk-through, live version every now and then."

Tackleberry grinned at him.  "That's very dangerous."

Lavelle looked over the edge of his sunglasses.  "Me, dangerous?" he asked innocently, then he grinned.  "Short, long, practical, which?"

"Let's start with short."  He walked him over to the short range, the one with the paper targets a mere hundred feet away.  "You cadets have done this one a lot.  Watch and learn."  He put on his ear guards, then his special sunglasses.  "Are those polarized?"

"Yuppers."   Xander pushed his up his nose again.  "I take the right half?"

"Single target for now.  Did you bring more ammo?"

"I brought six spare clips and a box in my pocket," he admitted, giving him another grin.  "Why?"

Tackleberry gave him a look.  "As long as you play nicely."

"I always play nicely.  Ask my companion the other night," he said smugly.  "Ready?"

"Go!" someone shouted. Both of them fired, taking out the center of their targets exactly.  They were reeled in and checked.

"Wow," Tackleberry told him, giving him an amazed look.  "That Kraut gun does that?"

"This Kraut gun does this," he agreed, moving to the longer targets. These were the ones with the human-looking targets out on a hill.  "Hmm.  Six hundred?"

"Shortest," Tack told him smugly.  Lavelle put up that gun and pulled the other one.  "You carry two?"

"I carry two, plus other weapons," Xander corrected with a grin.  "I also carry a mini crossbow, a wooden stake, a few throwing knives, and a bolo.  You?"

"Depending on what I'm doing.  On my bike I've got a bolo, a take-apart rifle, and a few other tricks."

"I leave that one at home unless I know I'm going to need it."  He looked back at the cadets.  "Someone call it."  He put down his gun and shook out his hands.

"Ready, go!" a female voice called.  They both fired at their targets, getting them all.  Lavelle missed one on his off side, only hitting it on the throat.

Tackleberry looked at him.  "Ray said you were blind on one side," he noted.  Xander nodded and shrugged.  "You're still damn good. That would be a killing blow."  He led them off to the walk-through range, letting Lavelle make his own way there.  He was there when they pulled up on the bus.  "You want first or second?" he asked.

"First.  I haven't had to do this in a while."  He took the shotgun, then snorted.  "Impractical."

"It's standard police issue," Tackleberry told him.  Then he shrugged at the incredulous look.  "I know, substandard, but it's what they can afford."

"Shit, dude, let me know where to send the check.  You're risking their lives with these things.  Not only do they recoil hard, but they jam all the damn time."  He handed it over and pulled out his main weapon.  "I'll use mine," he told the examiner.  "It's safer."

"I've been doing this with paintballs."

Xander beamed.  "I was doing target practice out a hotel window with some last month," he admitted.  "My boss got so pissed at me when I sent one behind him to get Myron and Ray."  He nodded and stepped up.

"Sunglasses?" the examiner offered.

"Already polarized."  He tapped his own.  "Trick of the trade."  The examiner nodded and walked him through it, wincing as the man got all the targets, killing blows.  "Can I go through again and wound them?" Xander asked, bouncing up and down slightly. "Please!"

"No," he said, shaking his head.  "Tackleberry is next.  You can shoot paintballs at him later."

"Only if I say so," Tackleberry said dryly, starting his own course.  He got all but one, winging that one on the side of the head.  "Damn it!"

"It's performance anxiety.  Even I get it sometimes," Xander said, giving him a pat on the back.  "Last year, I meant to wound someone on the hip and got them in the stomach.   I was so pissed at myself for weeks."  Tackleberry gave him a look.  "He was holding sixteen kids hostage, it was an alright catch."

"Were the kids okay?" the examiner asked.

"As soon as the ones they had touched got medical treatment," Xander told him, turning serious.  "And they paid a lot for that too.  I got word back to their cellmates."  The examiner whimpered and stepped away from him.  "Child rapists serve the hardest time of anyone."

Tackleberry nodded.  "Good.  They deserve it."

"Exactly!" Xander agreed.  "They do deserve it.  People who do that to kids deserve to be treated just like their victims."  He grinned at Ray and Myron as they walked up to the course.  "Go ahead, guys.  We don't mind in the least."

Tackleberry looked at the recruits.  "Both of those two are Interpol, formerly US cops.  Ray's from Chicago and Myron where were you from?"

"New York," Xander told him.  "Brooklyn."

Myron gave him a look.  "Yes, I know I was," he said dryly.  "Can we?  We need good officers and showing off means we get people who apply."

"Go ahead," Tackleberry told them.  He looked at the recruits again.  "Both of them have over ten years on their own forces, cadets.  These two were the cream of their departments.  Watch and learn."  Ray went first, getting all the targets.  Myron headed afterwards, a little less smoothly than Ray's confident stroll.  Myron had a more street and cautious style, whereas Ray had an over-confident 'I'm better than you've ever dreamed of being' style on the course.  The cadets clapped.  "Now you know why we allowed this.  The other, Ray?"

"Fuming," Ray told him, looking at Lavelle.  "Your boss is in town," he said dryly.

Xander shrugged.  "As soon as he apologizes for his shitty mood swings recently, I'll go back with him."  He looked at Tackleberry.  "Wanna go look at the artillery with me?  That way you can make sure I don't screw up and hurt people?"

Tack's face lit up, then it fell. "You're still a wanted person."

"I can have that stuff erased again," Xander offered.  Tackleberry looked at him, a disappointed look.  "What? It drives their boss nuts," he said with a grin. "It's all part of the game.  Zenigata keeps a very careful record of where we've been.  He's even testified when I had a paternity action against me for no reason."

"You guys get groupies?" one cadet asked as she walked over.  "Why?"

Xander lowered his sunglasses to look at her.  "Because some women and men like dangerous people.  It's the whole 'bad boy' thing.  Yes, I do have groupies.  I've got ones who will hide me, protect me, and even give me things.  I've also got the ones who want to reform me and take care of me.  Then I've got the ones who are a little more indecent and just want to bear my children," he admitted with a grin.  "Myron's got a few of those."  Myron groaned and shook his head.  "Sorry, Myron.  Anything else you wanted us to show you?"

"What brand of gun is that?" she asked.

Xander let her see it.  "It's interchangeable.  I can replace parts from other stock manufacturers.  This one's not good over six hundred yards, I've got to do some funny aiming to hit the target.  My other," he said, pulling it out.  "Is Russian.  I like the Eastern Bloc weapons.  They were made better and more professionally than some of the American ones because they expected their people to want to use them as more than a showpiece and a self-defense item that'd sit in a locked box on the closet shelf.  Tackleberry's was originally meant to be a cop's gun, that's why it's got the extra range.  Mine was meant for military or covert ops uses and it shows."  She gave him a nod and an interested look.  "At home, I've got a small collection started of strange and unusual guns.  There are specialty gunmakers who make certain stylized pieces for show and use.  There's an assassin's gun that's a forty-eight caliber.  It's a pain to make bullets for too," he shared, making Tackleberry snort.  "I've seen one but I don't own more than a picture.  My boss has one, it was gifted to him.  He uses a Walther."  She drooled.  "My mentor and other boss uses a thirty-eight.  Of course, I also use a sword and knives too," he shared.  Ray and Myron both sighed and shook their heads with a groan.  "What!"

"You're a bad man, Lavelle," Myron told him.

"Thank you," he said smugly.  He dropped a smoke bomb.  "Thanks for the playtime, Tackleberry.  If you want to play some more, have Ray write me."  He disappeared in the smoke, heading back to his second rental bike.  Before he left, he dropped a picture into Ray's car, cackling madly.

Ray found the picture later, looking at it.  "Lotus," he said with a snort, handing it over.

Tackleberry gave it a look.  "Who's her father?"

"Goemon.  She's the younger Goemon child," Myron told him, giving him a faint smile.  "Lotus Goemon is fairly strong."  He handed it over.  "I'm wondering if Lavelle staged that."

Ray gave him a look. "You never know, she might actually have been taught ta frown at Zenigata's picture."  They shared a smile.  She was so like her father!  Ray's phone beeped so he pulled it out to listen to the voice mail.  Then he cackled and replayed it, handing it to Myron.  "We were ordered to use you guys to test Lavelle's other skills."

Tackleberry looked at him.  "What else can he do?"

"He's trained with a sword, some martial arts, and some longer distance weapons.  The boss wants him to be tested against a martial artist.  We're not sure how good he is."  He looked at Ray.  "Was Zenigata's voice off to you?"

"He's had a cold," Ray reminded him.  "Either that or it was Lupin again."  Myron sighed and nodded, then rolled his eyes.

"Lupin does things like that?"

"Yeah, Lavelle's got low self-esteem about his skills," Myron sighed.  The others gathered around to listen.  "The boy's so afraid of disappointing his bosses that he doesn't tell them what he can *really* do, even when they order him to."

Ray snorted.  "The kid's taken stuff off anime and learned it," he reminded him. "I've seen a lot of Inuyasha's moves with him and his sword.  Not to mention the other shit he's learned.  The kid's gonna become the Road Runner some day."

"Why not, Lupin's like Wiley E. Coyote sometimes," Myron said dryly.  Ray snickered, punching him on the arm as he shook his head.  "Then again, so is the boss sometimes.  Anyway, do you guys have someone who can do that?"

Jones grinned and nodded. "I think we can."

Ray beamed at him.  "Cool.  I saw a sword exhibition with him as Inuyasha at the last con we went to.  He was damn good."

Jones laughed.  "Don't worry.  We can handle it."  Mahoney snorted and grinned at him.  "Guys?"

"Sure," Tackleberry agreed.  "He's good."

"He is, and thankfully he works in Europe most of the time so we don't have to deal with him," Mahoney reminded him.  He heard an irritated voice and looked over his shoulder.  "Asshole alert."

Captain Harris pushed his way through.  "What is going on here!  I've heard we had a criminal at the academy all morning!  Since when do we harbor fugitives!"

Ray coughed.  "Since we were there and testing him to try and figure out a new way of capturing him," he noted.

"And who are you?" he demanded snidely.

Ray pulled out his badge.  "Inspector Ray Kowalski.  Interpol."  Harris backed away from him.  "Formerly detective in Chicago.  Lavelle is very good, and very harmless to the general public."

"He's also nearly uncatchable," Myron added for good measure.

"Can't you ambush him!" Harris demanded.

"And risk *everyone's* life?" Ray asked.  "He's the one who got your officers out of trouble.  Did you hear how he got that one guy in the chest *on purpose*?"  Harris blanched.  "Yeah, he's *that* good.  Most of the time we only get to trail him.  This time, we got to see him in action when it wasn't against us.   The last time we saw him he got us with paintballs from four blocks away."

"Really," Myron agreed.

"Where are you from?" Harris demanded.

"Brooklyn," he said smugly.  "Narcotics."  Harris took another step back so he grinned.  "Don't worry, I've come down off my lone wolf stepladder.  The stuffy guy is a bad example of modern Interpol and our boss wanted us to come here and recruit."

"From these dirtbags!" Harris demanded.

"Oh, yeah," Ray assured him. "This whole group of officers is more than capable of handling the duties and the life," he said, waving a hand around at Harris' bane.  "Someone like Mahoney is very flexible and able to deal with the stranger assignments.  Hell, last month I had ta go undercover ta stop someone using common smoke pranks ta spread cyanide gas."

"Did you get him?" Hightower asked.

Ray shook his head.  "Not even.  He set one off in my face. Since we're stretched so thin, I didn't have any backup.  I had ta take care of myself.  Lupin got him.  Lavelle got really pissed and Lupin spared him a much more horrible death by killing him before Lavelle could pound him ta a greasy spot on the pavement."  He shrugged.

"He's like Robin Hood, only he keeps all but twenty percent," Myron told them.

"Is that all?" Tackleberry asked.

"Twenty percent of his cut of last year's raids would be about twenty million," Ray told him.  "They busted a bad guy with a diamond mine.  Him personally actually.  He got away with a five-pound bag of expertly cut flawless diamonds of all colors and qualities."  They gasped.  "And killed the person who was using juvie labor to mine them. Even if they discounted for the black market, that would have brought about fifty million Euros, split up to five ways."  They gaped at him.  "And that was one night's work.  He heard about it, went after it, and got it."

"He only split that one with Lupin and Jigen," Myron told him.

"Huh.  Really?"  Myron nodded.  "Why?"

"Because he's theirs and Fujiko said she didn't mind.  Remember, we heard that discussion on the train."

"Oh, yeah."  Ray nodded.  "I'd forgotten about that."  He grinned at the cops.  "Lavelle's the personal love slave of his bosses too.  They're having a spat, that's why he's here."

"A lover's quarrel?" Mahoney asked.  Both Inspectors nodded.  "Why?"

"How?" Tackleberry asked.  "They're men."

"Yeah, and so's Xander," Ray sighed.  "Most of the time.  Trust us, Interpol gives us many strange things to deal with."

One of the cadets walked up to them.  "Didn't he leave the silver bullet?" she joked.

"No, that was last month," Myron told her.

"I still think that was a statement of what he thought that guy was," Ray told him.

Myron shrugged.  "If you say so.  I think the guy was a real demon.  Lavelle does deal in the strange and wacky as he puts it."

The cadet gaped at him.  "He uses silver bullets?"

"Only sometimes," they said in unison.

"Sometimes he switches off, like with his guns," Ray told her.  "Lavelle's one of the most slippery because he's a geeky little kid in a man's body.  He does things like send our boss flowers after giving him a minor graze.  He's definitely loosened up his bosses but they're apparently having a fight."  He looked at Myron.  "He said Lupin's pissed at himself."

"Must not be getting the plans right.  Last time he took out Cairo's syndicate for fun."  Myron shrugged.  "Let him do the town's crooks.  I'm sure it'll be nice to have less crime.  After all, Paris's got scared and mostly retired when they heard he was going to be passing through for a long time off the last time."  Ray grinned and nodded.

"This guy makes other criminals retire?" Harris asked, looking confused.  "Why?"

"Because it's said he thins the herd of the stupid, the casual, and the know-nothings," Ray told him.

"He only goes after criminals?" Harris asked.  They nodded, making him look even more confused.  "And he's that dangerous that you've got a whole squad to catch him?"

"And his bosses.  They're thieves," Ray told him. "Slick, good, fast, and talented. One of ours used to be one of theirs and even with her help we can't catch 'em."

"Each time we get close, their warrants disappear again," Myron finished.  "It's damn annoying."

"Let's get back to the subject of another test," Jones offered.  "Martial arts.  What class is he?"

"Individually trained," Ray told him.  "By a samurai."  Jones grunted.  "No formal belts or anything.  Just a daily workout and sword practice."

"He uses a sword?" the cadet asked.

"Very well.  Almost as good as Marcus Wyndam-Pryce," Myron told her.  "He's as close to a master as he'll ever get, but Goemon knows he's holding back when they practice."

"I'll see what we can do," Jones told him.  "I do most of the martial arts training these days."  He looked at the other guys, who shrugged.  "Besides, it'll be nice to have someone else doing the worse problems."

"Amen," Hightower agreed.  "Will he take out our syndicates?"

Ray shrugged.  "I'll suggest it ta him.  He might.  I know he won't help 'em any."  He looked at his phone, then hit the speeddial for the office.  "Hey, yeah, it's me.  Lavelle's still in town.  Lupin's supposed ta be in town."

"Ask him if he wanted us to test him or if that was Lupin," Myron suggested.

Ray listened.  "No, it was him.  Dawn said it was necessary.  He's updating their profiles.  Oh, hey, bad news.  No wonder he's walked away for a vacation."  He shuddered as he hung up.  "Jigen tore most of the muscles in his neck during their last job."

"So, Lupin's ignoring him, Jigen's too sore to tie him down again.  No wonder!"  He smacked himself on the forehead.  "Wonderful.  So he's playful too."  He walked away shaking his head.  "You guys'll be fine. He's looking for a playmate or three."

Mahoney grinned at his crew.  "I think we can arrange that."

Tackleberry grinned.  "Does that mean I can play in my backyard with him?"

"Sure," Mahoney agreed.  "It'll give us a better idea of how to catch him."

Ray gave them a nasty, wicked grin.  "I wish you all the fun in the world if ya try.  Of course, you'd even get the bounties on his head.  There's about six million Euros at the moment."  He got into his car.  "I'm gonna head back to the Academy, see if I can't stop the stuffy asshole from getting too upset."  He started his car and backed out, heading that way with Myron behind him.

"Guys, this kid isn't our usual target," Hightower pointed out.  "He's better than Tack possibly and very smart if he's eluding Interpol."

"Yeah, but Ray gave us a big hint.  He's a kid at heart.  He probably reads comic books, he goes to fandom conventions in costumes.  He's a geek about his weapons.  To him, this is probably some big game."

"Think what he could have been if he had become a cop," Tackleberry sighed.

Harris sneered at him.  " People like that are bad from day one."

"No, he was a good guy, Ray said his friends turned him from being one by hurting him too badly," Hightower told him.  He looked at Mahoney.  "Should we try when he comes up for that other one?"

"No, I want to see him in action first," Jones offered.  "I don't want to face him down without knowing how good he can be.  He's not our average stupid crook."

"Fine," Mahoney agreed, smiling at him.  "Someone get Ray to write him later.  I'm sure he fights in a different style than the rest of us."

"He's an ambusher," Tack said quietly, looking at his gun.  "Ray said he's got a weakness on one side."  Everyone looked at him.  "That target he got in the throat, it's his blind side."

"He hit a guy a quarter-inch above his heart *on purpose* and he's partially blind?" Hightower asked.  Tackleberry nodded, giving him a look.  "Then I wish Ray and Myron all the luck in catching him."

"Let's suggest that he go for the other crooks in town," Jones offered.  "It'll keep him busy.  That and his sex addiction."  He strolled off, planning his strategy for his match against the boy.

Harris cleared his throat.  "This is very unorthodox.  It is against regulations."

"I doubt we could catch him, even if we set a trap for the match," Tackleberry told him, then he grinned.  "Someone said he's a lot like me, only more well-rounded."  He walked off, heading for his bike.  He wanted to see how good the guy was at ambushing.  It wasn't often he found someone to play with, even if he was a felon.

Mahoney sighed once Tack was out of hearing.  "Okay.  That's the major problem I'm seeing."

Everyone else nodded and Harris gave him a look.  "He'll get over it," he sneered.

Mahoney looked at him.  "I sincerely doubt it, Harris."  He walked off and everyone else followed him.

Harris looked around.  "Proctor!" he snapped.  He didn't appear but he knew the little butt-kisser had been around just a minute ago.  "PROCTOR!"

"Sir, he's not been here for the last twenty minutes," a timid cadet told him.  "He answered his phone and disappeared."  Harris scowled at him so he backed up.  "Sorry, Captain Harris, but he left."

"Fine!"  He stomped off, going to find a ride back to the city.  The Commissioner needed to know about this.  He would stop this perversity.

***

Xander looked up from his backrub as his second toy came in, grinning at him.  "Hey.  Up finally?"  The young man nodded and knelt beside him, giving him a gentle kiss.  "Mmm."  He gave him a deeper kiss, making the woman doing his back giggle.  He grinned back at her.  "You like watching?"  She nodded, working on another knot, making him moan.  "You are so good."

"Only some days," she quipped, moving to work on his lower back now that his upper back was like overcooked pasta.  Her male counterpart, a friend from the street, came up to work on his legs.  "Lavelle, would you teach me more?"

"Sure, babe.  What did you want to know?"  He glanced back at her.  "I can teach you a lot."

"I want to learn how to shoot."

"Cool by me.  Phil?"  The younger man grinned and nodded.  "Good kids.  We'll work on that tonight."  His phone beeped with an auto update from his email account.  He picked it up and smiled at the message line.  "I've got another contest.  Physical this time," he said happily.  He opened his laptop and read the message, making himself very happy.  So happy he shared it with his toys again.  And again.  And again. By the time he got up in the morning, they were both too tired to move but it had been energizing for him.  He had enough energy to even kick Goemon's ass now.  He carefully chose his outfit from the 'Xander' clothes bag and grabbed his necklace.  He blew kisses as he found his sunglasses.  "I'll be back later.  I'm going to be at the academy.  When I get back, we'll do a few rounds of paintball off the window."  They gave him weak waves and he blew kisses.  "You rest, I'll be back soon."

"That man is a maniac," Phil said tiredly.  "How is he still conscious?"

"I don't know, but I want to bottle it and sell it," Kylie told him, giving him a pat on the arm.  "We need to rest.  He'll come back hornier than ever later."  He groaned and rolled against her side, holding her tightly.  "Think of all the money we're making," she soothed, patting him on the back.  "And all we're doing is making all of us feel really good."  He let out a small laugh.  "What are you gonna do with your share?"

"Leave the city," he said, looking up at her.  "You?"

"I was thinking about the academy.  He makes it sound really neat."  She shrugged.  "I don't know.  Maybe if he gets caught I'll ask one of the cops."  She rolled to hold him, thankful for the cuddling now.  "I want to find the woman who gave him that level of stamina and see if she's been committed."

He snickered.  "If she caused him to have that sort of staying power, she's probably unresponsive and asexual.  It had to have come from her not getting any higher than medium warm."  He closed his eyes again.  "Gods, Ky, I ache and I only topped."

She kissed him on the forehead.  "I know you do.  So do I," she vowed.

***

Xander walked into the academy's gym in his disguise, noticing the extra cops standing around.  He snorted and shook his head, looking at Ray and winking.  "You rang?"

Ray frowned at him.  "Asshole," he muttered, pointing at the mat.  "Out there."

"Going," he agreed happily.  "I've had the best night," he told Mahoney as he walked past him.  Mahoney choked.  "Sorry.  Practicing the art of disguise."  Jones looked at him and he bowed, careful to keep him in sight the full time.  "Morning."

"You don't bow properly?" he taunted.

"I'm always on the lookout for an ambush," Xander reminded him.  He did so again and Jones bowed back.  He took up his usual first stance.  "I also don't attack first usually," he noted when nothing happened.

Jones gave him a look.  "Why not?"

"Because I'm like that.  Now I'm a Dark Knight."  He grinned.  "Come on."  Jones shrugged and started with a simple series of kicks and hits, which he blocked and returned as soon as he was done, driving the other man back across the mat.  "How good are you?  In relation, to say, a master?"

"Third degree blackbelt."

"Cool.  Then I won't have to hold back very much."  He hopped up and did a spinning kick, making Jones duck and attack him harder.  They moved back and forth, Jones nearly pinning him against some of the recruits but he flipped out of the way.  He grinned and waved him on again.  "Come on."  Jones came at him so he switched to his more usual style, attacking from the sides.  Jones got him once or twice on his blind side, but he was compensating well he thought.  He suddenly did a backflip and got out of the way of the guy jumping down onto the mat.  "Your doing?" he asked.  Jones shook his head.  He looked at this new guy.  "Cop?"  He sneered and nodded.  "Fine, I won't hurt you too much then.  No death strikes."  He shrugged and attacked him, going at him harder.  Jones had to move out of the way before he got hurt accidentally.  The other cop was getting pummeled and he winced.  "Sorry 'bout this," Xander said, kicking him down and then leaning down to do a perfect Vulcan Neck Pinch.  He looked at Jones again.  "I believe we were going at it?"

"I believe we were," he agreed, smirking at him.  "You're good."

Xander winked.  "Thanks.  I like hearing people say that.  What little ego I have is stroked very well by the compliments."  He did a front flip, landing in front of Jones, attacking immediately this time.  The other man huffed and ducked under his wild swing, but got back into it.  "So, should I bother to clean up a little more of the crime in the city?" he asked quietly.  "I know it's been bandied about.  It usually is." Jones gave him a surprised look.  "Really.  Zenigata hates us for being alive but we save him so much work," he said dryly, ducking a good blow.  "Nice one."  He swept the other guy's feet, then moved out of his balance correction.  Jones frowned and went at him again, making Xander grin.  "What's wrong?"

"You're not even breathing hard," he complained.

"Well, no.  I do a full morning of working out with Goemon whenever he's around at least once a week, and another afternoon with Marcus to keep him in shape.  Plus," he said, ducking another swing, "I do this professionally.  Chuckie Norris I'm not, but still."  He grinned and got him down, sitting on his waist, and he was sweating and breathing harder than usual.  "You okay?"

"I'm good, but get off me," he said.  Xander laughed and pulled him up, bowing to him again.  "He's damn good," he told Ray.

Ray nodded.  "I know."  He put down his video camera.  "For the boss.  Behind you."

Xander turned, finding his nemesis behind him.  "Hey!"  He grinned and waved, taking off the illusion necklace and putting it away.  "What's up?  You wanted to try me too?"

Zenigata's first rookie, the man most obsessed with Xander, pulled a gun. "No.  I want to kill you."

"Hmm.  Hard to do," Xander noted, stepping away from Jones and the kids.  "Recruits are squishy targets.  If you want to do this, you do it away from them," he noted coolly.  "We can take this onto the lawn so no one else gets hurt."

The inspector snorted.  "I doubt it!  I'm not letting you get away this time."  He sneered and pulled out a pair of ancient shackles.  "You are mine!"  He moved forward and Xander grabbed him, flipping him over and getting him down onto his stomach.  "Let me go!"

"Stop moving before you shoot yourself, you dumb fuck!"  He grabbed the gun and tossed it out of the way.  Then he got off him and flipped his hair back, looking down at him.  "You need professional help, man.  I may be a crook and a gunman, but your obsession is way worse than Zenigata's ever was.  You're discrediting your badge and you need help."  He turned and started to walk away, watching Ray.  He shrugged.  "I was nice, you saw me being nice," he reminded him as he walked past him.

"I did.  Thanks for not killing him."

Xander stopped to look back at him.  "Ray, I don't hurt cops unless there's no other alternative.  Crooks are one thing, cops are more important to the world.  Even when you guys chase me, I don't hurt you guys that badly.  He's bordering on that line though and he needs help.  I doubt even your boss will understand this one."  He continued to walk out, heading back to his bike.  He needed to sit and stare at some water.  It'd make him feel better.  He heard running feet and ducked out of the way of the blow, getting the guy rushing him in the chest.  "I told you to calm down, but I guess this is as good a place as any."  The cop growled and tried to attack him again, this time with a knife in one hand and the gun in his other.  He kicked at the gun, dislodging it, and the knife was taken from him.  The cop pulled another gun and gave him a smug look, and Xander was too far away to disarm this time.  "Fine, I'm here.  Got cuffs?"

"Why?  You don't handcuff dead bodies," he sneered.  "Not even yours or Lupin's."  He cocked the gun.  Xander stood there, arms crossed over his chest.  "That won't stop the bullet."

"No, it won't," Xander agreed.  "But I doubt you'll be hitting me."  He had noticed Ray's camera and Ray filming from the gym.  "Your boss will be told.  What do you think he'll say?"

"He has no right to say anything!  His own obsession is as bad!  Only he never realized the ultimate end to all this!  One of us has to die!"

"Go ahead and shoot yourself then," Xander encouraged.  The hand shook and the cop's eyes lit with unholy glee.  Xander sighed and shifted his weight. He might get one good strike if he could move to the side and have the bullet hit his arm instead.  "You do realize you're about to shoot an unarmed man?" he suggested, buying a little more time.  He could see Myron out of his good eye moving closer.

"Like I care whether or not you have a gun," he sneered.  "You're never fully unarmed."  He steadied his shaking hand.  "I just watched you take out two cops.  That's more than enough reason for me to do this."  He tightened his grip and started to squeeze the trigger but Xander lunged and caught him around the waist, pinning his hand to the ground.  "Get off me, you buggering little monster!"

"Gee, how sweet," Xander said snidely.  "You do realize that you just stepped across the border to bad guy?  You're now a legal target?"

"I'm an Inspector with Interpol!  Not some filthy crook!"

"If you say so," Xander said dryly.  "But you're still an attempted murderer and others saw you."  He broke his wrist, making him howl in pain.  "Next time, don't try it."  He stood up and backed off.  The gun was tossed off to the side.  "I mean it, kid.  You're not that good and you need mental help quickly."  He turned and jogged off, heading to his rental bike.

Myron pulled the cop up, shaking him.  "What the hell was that!  That is not the Interpol or the cop way!"

"Let me go, you heathen!  You can never understand!"

"Sure we can," Ray said dryly.  "And I'm sure the boss'll understand too when he comes to pick you up and give you your exit interview."  He looked at Myron.  "He's already on his way here.  He picked up Lupin's trail in Paris and just landed a half-hour ago."

"Then let's put him into a cell and let him rot," Myron suggested.  Their coworker got away from him and ran off, laughing maniacally.  "Shit!"  They ran after him, hoping to catch him before he did something even more stupid.  Or before he found Lavelle and forced Lavelle to do something to hurt him.

"And that, cadets, is why you never let yourself get personally involved in any criminals," Mahoney instructed.  "Because your mind can make you do funny things and then make you go insane with an obsession."  He looked back at his Commandant.  "Do we have a cell here, sir?"

"We do," he said grimly.  "Why didn't the criminal shoot him?  Most of them would."

"Because he's not like that, sir.  Lavelle only wants to hurt other criminals."  He shrugged.  "Ray said he was once one of the good guys and got turned bad by his friends."  He looked at the cadets.  "Dismissed back to your dorms.  Stay there for the rest of the day.  We'll come get you to walk you to dinner."  They filed out, Hightower accompanying them.  "Should we help chase, sir?"

"No, let them," the Commandant said firmly.  "He is their responsibility."   He shook his head.  "It always hurts to see good officers go so very, very wrong."  He walked off, going to commune with his fish.  His fish always made him happier.

Mahoney looked at the remaining teachers, then shook his head.  "Do you feel like you're in an episode of the Twilight Zone?"  They all nodded.  "Good.  It's not just me.  I'm all for a night out tonight."  They all nodded, heading to do a building check, just in case.

***

Xander was sitting in the park drinking a soda when someone sat next to him.  He glanced at the guy, then snorted.  "What?  You can't see through illusions."

"No, but I knew you'd be here."  He held up a tracker.  "Ray."  Zenigata put it away.  "You broke his wrist?"

"You'd rather have me shoot him?"

"No.  Thank you for that."  He pulled out a pair of handcuffs.  "I should really arrest you."

"Try," Xander offered with a grin.  He took another sip of his soda.

"I figured that you'd try to get me humiliated so I won't do it here.  Your fellow crooks went to Chicago."

"I know, Jigen emailed me."  He finished off his soda and recapped it, tossing it at a nearby trashcan and barely making it inside.  "Two points."  He stood up, then hauled the cop up beside him so he wouldn't have to make pathetic pain noises when he stood up on his own.  "If they wanted my help, they'd ask for it.  Until then, I'm going to make Tack's life a little easier. Then I'm going to go back to my new *friends* and wear them out some more.  If your rookie doesn't get help, he'll end up dead soon.  Either from the frustration or from someone having to stop him.  I nearly killed him earlier and I held myself back.  If he corners me next time, who knows."  He shrugged and walked off.  "See ya, Gramps.  Pat the preggy Dawn belly for me.  I'll expect baby pictures."

"I'm sure you will," he said sourly.  "I want you out of this town, Lavelle!"

"Yay!  In a few days," Xander called back with a wave of his hand.  "Laters."  He found his bike and got on, heading back to his lair.  On the way, he dropped off the bug into a convenient volvo wagon and chuckled at the kids who were staring at him while their mother was inside the store.  "Hey.  Nothing major, just some cops," he said with a wink.  He zipped off, heading for some soothing comfort.  He'd rather have his guys but they were apparently still pissed at him and the world in general.

***

Xander walked out of his hotel later that night, shaking the fuzziness from his head.  He needed more of a nap but he wanted to do something more meaningful tonight too.  He straightened his tie as he walked out the back entrance, looking around.  Up the alley, he heard a battle yell and a lot of screaming and grunted, taking off running in the direction of the gunshots.  He counted as he ran, figuring he had at least six bodies down by the time he got there.  He saw what was going on and where the guy was aiming, so he got between them, drawing his own weapon and taking the opportunity.  That's when he realized who it was.  "Shit!"  He walked over, checking him.  He was still living; he had unconsciously went for a stomach wound.  He pulled out his cellphone, pulling the antenna with his teeth so he could call the cops.  "Look after the wounded!" he yelled.  "Now!"  The remaining civilians went to help.  He dialed 911. "Listen carefully," he said calmly.  "There was an officer-started incident outside the Tropical Hotel.  He opened fire on a crowd.  He's been shot by a bystander and there's about ten other injuries around too.  He was going to shoot at some kids next.  You need to give that message to Mahoney as soon as you dispatch ambulances and other cops."  He hung up and put pressure on the wound until he heard the sirens.  He looked down at his nemesis.  "I feel really sorry for you, kid.  Not even you deserve the hell you're about to go through."  He stood up and walked off, heading into the shadows of the night.

One of the cops pulled up and jumped out, going over to a standing and crying older woman.  "What happened!"

"That man!" she said, pointing at the downed inspector.  "He opened fire on all of us and this one guy stepped out and shot him!"  She clung to him, sobbing pitifully.  "He saved us!"

"Who was it?" he demanded.  "Who saved you!"

"He had silver hair," she said, looking up at him.  "I don't know him, that's all I saw, it shined!"  She saw her friend and ran over to check on her, crying on her now that she knew she was all right.  "You're okay!"

"I'm fine," she soothed, patting her on the back.  "The guy with the silver hair saved us," she told the officers arriving.  "What's his damage?"

"He got fired earlier," the cop said grimly.  "He was Interpol."

"No wonder."  She walked her friend over to an ambulance, letting them check on her.  She was too hysterical to calm down without something pill-like.

Mahoney jumped out of his squad car as soon as it stopped, looking around.  "What the hell happened!"

The first cop on the scene looked at him.  "Witnesses say a silver haired man jumped out to keep that one," he said, pointing at the former cop, "from killing everyone."

"He was aiming for some kids when he got here," someone else called.   "The guy stepped into the line of fire and capped him good!"

Mahoney swallowed.  "Okay.  Good.  Get the injured to the hospital.  Cordon off the area.  We've got slugs to test against Lavelle's guns."  The officers nodded, doing as he said.  He had trained some of them and the rest followed along because he looked like he was in charge.  He pulled out his radio.  "Dispatch, this is Mahoney, I need a location on the other Interpol inspectors.  It was their guy who went rogue.  Lavelle fixed it."  He let the button go, listening to her gasp.  "Just get them here," he ordered once she was done stuttering.

"Yes, Sergeant," she agreed.  "I'm routing them your way now.  Crime Scene too."

"Thank you."  He tossed the radio aside and went to help check bodies.  There were ten dead already and a lot more injured. Who knows how many had fled with more minor injuries from this.

***

Xander found the bar he was looking for and stepped inside.  Everyone stared at him.  "Hey," he said weakly, giving them a weak smile.  He walked up to the biggest guy there.  "Please tell me you're a top?" he pleaded.

The guy grinned but shook his head.  "Not me.  That's my guy," he said, pointing at another big guy.

Xander gave him a hug.  "Thanks."  He walked over to that one, giving him a sad look.  "I only want to be held.  My life sucks ass and I need comforting, stronger than my own, arms.  Can I buy you a few beers?  I can even dance," he offered pitifully.

"Sure," he said, pulling him closer.  "You a cop?"

"Bodyguard.  I just had to shoot a cop," he admitted quietly. "He was aiming at a group of kids."  The guy squeezed him.  "Thanks.  My guy's in Chicago."

"He won't mind?"

"No.  We're pretty open and he'll understand this one."  He let the guy dance him around, clinging to him.  It was nice to be held that way, for no other reason than the other person wanted to.

***

Lupin looked up as a news flash interrupted the regularly scheduled commercials, leaning forward when he saw where it was.  "Turn it up," he demanded.  Jigen hit the remote, and they both listened to the announcer.

"Tonight there was an incident involving a rogue Interpol Agent and a crowd.  Many people were injured until a civilian stepped in and shot him.  The gunman known as Lavelle is wanted for questioning in the matter.  More at eleven."

Lupin leaned back, closing his eyes.  "He had to shoot him," he said firmly.

"He did," Jigen agreed.  "You know how he is."  He looked over as Goemon and Fujiko walked in with the kids.  "Hey.  Xander had to shoot the rookie."

"Why?" Goemon asked.  He set his daughter down, watching as she walked over and crawled into her Uncle Jigen's lap.

"Where is your little toy anyway?" Fujiko asked.

Jigen flipped to the all news station, it was running a live feed from the scene as predicted.  It was a slow news night.  "There."  He looked down at Lotus.  "Hey."

"Babababababababa," she babbled happily.

"Think you're a sheep or do you want a sheep?" he teased with a grin, tickling her.

"She wants a sheep, she found a stuffed one she liked," Fujiko said, giving her daughter a disgusted look.

"Then we'll have to steal you a very nice sheep," Jigen promised.  "Maybe even a live one."

"No animals at the house!" Fujiko said sternly.

"Puppy?" her son pleaded, giving her the same begging look she had used on Lupin for years to steal from him.  She whimpered and looked at her husband.

"Karma," he said smugly, patting his son on the head.  "When you are older, we shall see."  He sat down next to Jigen, taking his daughter.  "I have already procured her a stuffed sheep. It's in the trunk of the car."  His daughter beamed at him and kissed him on the cheek.  "Thank you." He held her gently, letting her stare at her uncles.  "Is the boy all right?"

"Fine, apparently," Lupin noted. "We should go pick him up."

"We should," Jigen agreed. "If we could find him."  The news people came up with more information, making them all frown.  "The rookie killed twelve people and injured another thirty.  Wonderful!  I'm sure Pops is really pleased with his fricken' ass."

"Hopefully Xan left him some to yell at," Fujiko pointed out.  Goemon nodded.  "How are you so sure?"

"Because the news just showed them loading him into an ambulance surrounded by guards."  He looked at Lupin.  "You should retrieve him.  He'll be feeling miserable."

"He probably does," Lupin agreed dryly.  "We don't know where he is though."

"That's easy enough to find out," Fujiko snorted.  "Ask the local Don, see who he's sleeping with now."  Jigen glared at her.  "Please!  Do you really think that you two are taking good care of him right now?  Of course he's got a few pros stashed away for his stress levels."  She sat down, taking Ishi to hold.  He got free and walked over, sitting next to his father.  "Fine, be that way, son.  See if I make you dinner the next time we're home."  Goemon glared at her.  "Then I'd teach him manners.  He does that to me all the time."

"Son," Goemon said gently.  "She is your mother."

"Hug 'oo," he said, hugging him as hard as he could.  "Hug him."  He hugged Jigen's arm too.  "Xan-Xan?"

"He's not here right now," Jigen told him, giving him a pat on the head.  "He's off having to be naughty."

"Oooo," Ishi said, wincing.  "Poor him.  Grounded?"

Jigen laughed.  "Not quite, kid."  He gave him a hair ruffle.  "Lupin?"

"Tomorrow.  If he wants us sooner, he'll call.  He knows he can call if he wants us."

"If he thinks we're mad at him," Jigen started.  Lupin glared at him.  "Fine.  Tomorrow.  After the job."

"Why are we kidnaping this CEO anyway?" Fujiko asked.

"He's the guy who insulted Murami."

"And she'll do what?  Pat you on the head and get you better interest?" Fujiko asked.  He glared at her.  "Fine," she sighed, rolling her eyes.  "You're Lupin the Third and your word is law on all jobs."  She looked at her husband and children.  "Why are they hogging you again?"

"Momma," Lotus said sweetly, grinning at her.  "Hi!"  She waved.

"Hi, dear," she said patiently.  "It's her new game."

"It's a very good game," Jigen told her, giving her a smile.  She hugged him again.  "Thanks, Lotus."

"She'll make someone an excellent wife someday," Goemon told him.

"She will," Jigen agreed dryly.  "If she doesn't go bad like the rest of us."

He looked at his friend.  "It will not happen."

"Okay.  If you're sure."

"I am."

Lotus concentrated and brought the candy dish to her, clapping happily when it landed in her lap.  Her brother pouted so she gave him a piece.  "Or oo," she said sweetly.

Jigen laughed while Goemon groaned.  "You'll be an excellent thief, Lotus Blossom.  We'll find you some really good partners."

"My sissy!" Ishi demanded.  No one was taking her anywhere, she was his to torment and protect!

"Fine, you can go with them," Goemon told him, giving him a pat on the head.  "Daughter, when did you start doing that?"

"Last week sometime," Fujiko said absently, watching the news feed.  "Why can't the cops find him?"

"Because they're a little tied up at the moment," Lupin said dryly.  "I'm sure someone will turn in the silver haired loon."

Jigen tossed a piece of candy at his head.  "If they do, then you can't get any and neither can I."

Lupin gave him a look.  "We can always break him out."

"Sure we can," Jigen agreed dryly.  "Because Pops and his *whole* team aren't there?"

Lupin groaned, watching as Zenigata walked across the camera's view to join Ray and Myron bending down to take a statement from someone. "Shit!"

"Bad word," Ishi said happily, nibbling on his candy.

"You may not say that one either, son," Goemon said firmly.

"Shit!" Lotus said happily, grinning at her father.

"You either, daughter," Fujiko said firmly.  "If your brother can't say it, neither can you."  Lotus grinned at her and gummed another piece of candy.  "Don't let her have more than two more, Jigen.  She'll never sleep."

He put the candy dish next to his seat.  She pulled it back into her lap.  He gave the mother a smug look.  "I'm sure you can enforce it," he said sarcastically.

"Lotus, no more candy or no sheep," Goemon told her.  She handed him the piece she was gumming.  "Thank you."  He put it and the dish aside, taking Ishi's too.  "Much nicer."

"Ry!  Ry!" Lotus chanted, bouncing in her uncle's lap.

"Okay, I don't know that one," Fujiko noted.

"Story," Ishi told her, giving her a look.  His mother glared at him.  "Xan-Xan story."

"He's not here," Goemon reminded him.

Ishi scowled at him.  "Get him!"

Jigen chuckled and Lupin looked at him.  "Tomorrow!" he answered in the same tone of voice.  Ishi adopted his 'emperor' look again and glared at him.  "Tough.  Deal with it.  The rest of us could tell you stories if you'd like."

"Xan-Xan," he demanded, crossing his arms to add to his scowling power.

"Son," Goemon sighed, rolling his eyes.  "You are not royalty.  You may not demand things."

"Xan-Xan!" he repeated.  Lotus started to sniffle and he patted her.  "Shh!"  He glared at Lupin again.  "Xan-Xan story!"

"Now you know why I have problems with him," Fujiko said smugly.

Jigen tipped the little boy's face up.  "We can't find him yet, Ishi.  Can I tell you one?"   Ishi shook his head.  "Then we'll have to find Xander and we can't until tomorrow."

Lotus scowled at him.  "Ry!" she demanded, the same look on her face.

Goemon groaned.  "Children!  Desist!"

They both started to cry and bawl like the kids they were, making the adults feel really sorry for them.

***

Proctor answered his cellphone and grunted.  "Thanks."  He hung up and looked at Mahoney, his superior since Harris wasn't there.  "He's at the Blue Oyster."

"Why?" Tackleberry asked. "I don't understand that at all."

"It's the area's gay club," Hightower told him.

"Okay.  Another thing I don't understand."

Mahoney looked at him, choosing his words carefully so he wouldn't upset the sometimes naive young officer.  "Remember how you didn't understand what you and your wife do now and then?"

"Yeah, and then I asked you and you told me," Tackleberry reminded him.  "So now I'm asking again.  How would they even do anything?  It's not like there's an opening."

"Um, yes, there is," Proctor told him.  "Everyone has one, they're like opinions."  He looked at Mahoney again.  "He walked in and asked to be held."

"Wouldn't that hurt?" Tack asked.

Mahoney squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.  "Not after the first few times, Eugene.  Later, okay?  I'll explain it all to you later."  Tackleberry nodded, happy with that answer for now.  "We should go get him."

"I'm not sure I want to walk in there in my uniform," Hightower told them all.

"They won't hurt you," Proctor promised dryly.  "Let me."  He walked away, heading to his car.  The guy had shown himself not to hurt cops and all the straight people would only cause trouble by walking in.  He wouldn't have that problem.  He got away before anyone could stop him, heading to his favorite rest spot.  As soon as he walked in, everyone smiled and waved.  "Hey, guys."  He walked over to where Xander was lounging in a booth with the top he had chosen to hold him, sitting across from him.  "We need a statement from you."

Xander looked at him, then finished his present beer.  "Why do you stick with the asshole?"

"He takes care of me."

"That's not taking care of you.  That's abuse.  There are laws against it, you should know that," Xander pointed out dryly, giving him a dry and bitter look.  "Been there, done that too, but maybe you should find someone more like you and heal.  Then you'd be a good cop, like you could be."

"I'm a fuckup," Proctor told him.

"No, Harris is a fuckup.  You're mildly quirky and being repressed by his innate shit- carrying nature.  Find a better lover.  End of statement," he said with a small smirk.

Proctor shook his head.  "Not a statement on my love life, Lavelle.  On what happened earlier."  He gave the other guy a long look.  "How did you know?"

"Harris has all the earmarks of being like my father, an abusive fuck who chains his lover to his side for his own perversity and validation.  I think they're cousins or something."  He shrugged.  "It happens."  Proctor smirked at him.  "Yes, I'm an Alexander if that helps."

"I know you are.  I recognized your eyes from a picture of his nephew."  He stood up.  "Come on."

"Nope.  Tomorrow.  I want to be held and comforted tonight."  He snuggled back into the tight arms.  "Sorry."

"Not a problem.  He was shooting at civilians to apparently draw your attention.  He aimed at little kids."  The door opened and Mahoney and Hightower walked in, getting a warm and friendly reception.  "Oh, really?" he called.

"Well, yeah," Mahoney agreed, grinning at him. "How else did you think I knew where this bar was?"  He took Proctor's former seat.  "Sorry, big guy, but we need you downtown.  Zenigata said he wants a statement from you before he tries to arrest you again."

"I've been being good," Xander defended.

"True, and while being very good, you are a notorious gunman."

"You are?" the top asked, looking down at him.  Xander looked up and nodded.  "Which one?"

"Lavelle."

"Oh, wow.  That's pretty cool.  Who's that chick who travels with you guys?"

"Sy?  She's cool.  She's Jigen's girl.  I'm more Lupin's bed bunny," he admitted with a grin.  The guy gave him another squeeze.  "Can't we just forget it?"

"Nope, sorry," Hightower told him.  "Come on, Lavelle."

"Fine," he sighed, standing up.  "You guys are really nice.  If I was still a good guy, I'd want to be like you guys."  He took one last shot before stumbling out the door, putting down four hundred dollar bills on the bar.  "For whoever needs it," he said with a wink.  They got him into the back of the squad car without handcuffs and drove him off, letting him pass out in peace back there.

Proctor sighed and relaxed, grinning at one of his favorite dance partners.  "You okay?"

"Just fine, Proccy.  He's right you know. You do need to dump the jerk and move on."

"Yeah, but right now I've got job protection. If I do that, I lose it."  He grinned more.  "He's very afraid of anyone finding out."  The top laughed.  "So we've got an understanding."

The top nodded.  "I understand.  Job security is important in today's economy."  He waved for another round. The bartender brought them their favorites and he grinned at him.  "Thanks.  How much?"

"The kid just overpaid his tab by nearly three hundred dollars.  Don't fret," he said with a wink.

***

Xander woke up in a cell, wincing at the bright light.  "I hate fucking morning afters," he muttered as he stood up.  He found himself fully dressed but he had obviously been patted down.  His pockets were inside out.  He shoved them back where they belong and took off his left shoe, taking out the small pick he had put inside the tongue for such emergencies.  Then he undid the lock on the cell door and walked off.  He used a small spell to bring his things to him as he made it outside through a fire exit, heading off with his illusion choker on to facilitate his escape.  By the time anyone came to check on him, he was already at his meeting from last night.  He walked boldly into the local Don's dining room, smirking at him.  "Sorry, had a small problem last night.  The guy was firing on innocents and kids."  He sat down across from him, putting his hands on the table.  "So, we were gonna talk."  He considered what he wanted to say.  "I've got a good friend in the police force.  You're driving him insane."

"You're telling me this now?"

"I was going to show up last night but that whole fight with the cop got in the way," he said, removing his choker.  The man gasped and backed away from him.  "Yeah, so," he agreed, glancing at himself to make sure he was himself.  "Hey!"  He fixed the small magical leak and returned to his normal look.  "Sorry 'bout that. It happens sometimes."

"Ho...how did you do that?" the Don ordered.

Xander grinned.  "Magic."  The man gave him a bug-eyed look so Xander grinned at him.  "I don't get much chance to use it, but it's damn handy for escaping and things. Now, like I was saying, we've got a small matter to discuss about my friends. You're bothering them and making their lives a living hell.  I like them, and if I was still good I'd probably have been one of them.  Seeing the problem yet?"

The Don nodded, eyes still *very* open.  "Yeah, sure, anything you want, Lavelle.  What did you want me to do?"

"Retire," he said simply.  "Move to Florida or something.  Take your guards, take your puny dealer network, and go."  He stood up.  "If you'd be willing to do this for me, I can even have a word with Don Isnia about letting you stay in his resort for a while until you can find a new house."

"Thanks.  I've got an open invitation," he admitted. "Just me?"

Xander beamed.  "Well, now that you mention it...no.  All of you guys are bothering my buddy Tackleberry.  Let the new blood come in."  The man nodded as quickly as he could.  "Good man.  Thank you for your cooperation.  In return, I'm leaving after a short jaunt to see my buddy and play in his backyard."  He strolled out, heading that way.  He stopped to get his things from his hotel room, finding his two toys playing with each other.  "Maybe I'll play with him later," he decided, grinning at them.  "Can I help?"  They nodded, letting him get behind her and help Phil tease her.

***

Eugene Tackleberry looked up as his perimeter alarm went off, smirking to himself.  He knew who that was.  He had been expecting it.  He grabbed his night stick and walked outside, going to jump the guy.  "Ha!" he said, capturing him.

Xander grinned at him.  "Hey.  Can I play too?"

"Why do you like me?"

Xander got free and grinned at him.  "It's from a lack of decent playmates when I was younger.  I only got to play with girls."  He shrugged.  "It sucked, but there it is."

"Okay.  I can handle that," Tackleberry agreed.  "Should I hide first?"

"Sure!" Xander agreed happily, turning around while he went to hide.

***

In the observation van, Ray and Myron both sighed.  This was going to take a while.  Four hours later, Ray perked up when he heard them talking.  "I don't believe this!"  He looked at Myron.  "He's explaining the gay thing ta Tackleberry."

"He'd know," Myron pointed out dryly.  "He say anything interesting?"

"Yeah, he likes his tops stronger," Ray said, rolling his eyes.  "Something about lack of good paternal role models."

Myron chuckled, shaking his head.  "The boy's studying psychology now.  Interesting."

"Oops!  He's just said he's heading to Tucson."

"Why?  Lupin's in Chicago.  Even the kids are there."

"Yeah, well, apparently he's still upset with them, or thinks they are at him."  He burst out in giggles.  "He thinks they're mad at him."

"Hey, all the better for us.  Lavelle being with them makes them three times as hard to catch.  Him alone is usually easier.  Plus, maybe we can find a top to capture him again."

"Yeah, but this time we strip the sucker and put him in the cell naked," Ray said firmly.  Zenigata was still mad at himself for not fully body cavity searching the boy and finding his hidden lock picks.  "Where do you think it was?"

"His shoes.  Probably a Get Smart move and it's in the soles."

"Great idea, thanks guys," Xander called as he walked past the van, locking the back door on them.  He ran over to his bike, getting on and starting it so he could head off into the sunset.

***

A week after Lavelle had left, Proctor walked up to where Harris was sitting at the bar and waved the bartender.  "He'll need another," he said.  "I need a coke."  The bartender nodded and got it for them.

"What do you want, Proctor?" Harris asked, sipping his new beer.  "I was perfectly fine with one."

"Sir.  Captain Harris.  You have a cousin named Tony, correct?"  Harris gave him a dirty look and nodded.  "Isn't his son's name Alexander? The one in the picture on your desk?"

"It is.  Why?  Is this something important?  If so, get on with it, Proctor."

"Sir, what was your cousin's middle name, Alexander's?"

"Why?"

"It's important."

"It was Lavelle.  He was named after his grandfather if you must know.  Why?"

Proctor put a folder in front of him.  "He was the one who was just here.  Lavelle, the gunman."

"He had silver hair."

"It's from radiation.  I got that from Ray.  The Chicago Interpol Inspector."

Captain Harris flipped it open then sighed and drank the rest of that beer.  "It's him?"

"Ray say so, yes, sir.  He says he's from Sunnydale.  That's where you said your cousin was before that quake.  Apparently the silver hair dates to three years after that."  He put a hand next to his.  "He wanted me to tell you privately when he found the connection.  I thought I recognized the boy's eyes from the picture but he found the full connection."

Captain Harris shuddered and closed the file, pushing it away.  "Whatever."  He waved for another beer.  "My career is over now."

"Not necessarily, sir.  You probably can't advance any farther if others find out, but there's no saying that they will.  Ray didn't say he'd tell anyone."

"He was here as a child, Proctor.  I had him the summer after Tackleberry and their group graduated."  He put his head down with a moan.  "I'll have to tell Internal Affairs about this.  My career is over."

"Sir, we'll stick up for you."

"No, don't worry about it," Harris told him.  "You're already implicated because you found him at the Blue Oyster."

"That was a tip, sir."

"If you say so."  He gave him a long look.  "You shouldn't have told me."

"I could have went to the Commissioner, like I'm supposed to as a cop, Captain Harris.  We both know it."  He took the folder and put it back under his glass.  "I'll leave you with that for proof."  He put down a twenty and nodded at the bartender.  "Make sure he gets home.  That's for the cab."  He left him there.  He met Tackleberry outside.  "He's destroyed."

"How do you think I feel?  I remember the kid and helping him learn to aim."  He shrugged.  "It happens. I've already went and admitted to it.  They were stunned but understanding."

Proctor stepped closer.  "Tackleberry, you're a good cop.  Of course they were easier on you."  He walked around him and headed off into the night to make some hard decisions of his own.  It was amazing how one man could make so much of a difference in just a week.

***

A few months later, Eugene looked at two of the newest recruits, watching as they fired at the targets, smirking when he realized where he had seen that style before.  "Interesting," he told them.  They beamed and blushed.  "Not like we'd hold it against you two."  He patted them on the back.  "Good job."

***

Xander walked around the fandom convention, smiling and waving at his new buddies in anime.  It had been a great weekend.  It was nearly done but he was still in costume.  His last few months had been very profitable for him and for some others.  Those nuns had been really nice to feed him so he had helped them with a small donation.  He had also sent a donation to Tackleberry's department with the instructions that Tackleberry was to choose the rifles the rookies would carry from now on.  He had made it so they couldn't return it and didn't know the source.  He turned the corner and ran into a familiar slouching figure, giving him a smile.  "Hi, Jigen."

"Xander."  He looked the boy over.  "Coming?"

"Sure.  Let me grab my clothes."  He led the way up to his room, grabbing his bags.  "Did you guys have fun working alone?"

"No," he snorted.  "We missed you, you loony little creature."  He patted him on the back.  "Wear that, I wanna see Goemon's face."

Xander held up his special choker.  "I've got one better," he said happily, going to change and change clothes. He came out of the bathroom in a proper kimono as a proper Japanese geisha without the makeup.  Jigen chuckled and shook his head.  "Too much?"

"No, not bad," he admitted.  "Grab your gear and let's head.  Fujiko's downstairs.  Lotus is still pouting at her because you've not been there to tell her stories."  He took the two bags and walked Xander down the stairs, letting him keep his sword.  He opened the back of the sedan, letting Xander in first.  Fujiko quit breathing and he smirked at her.  "Neat, huh?" he asked as he slid in to hold his woman.

"Lupin is going to shit," she said firmly, starting the car.  "Do we need to make any stops?"

"One," Xander told her.  "I've got an order at the local comic shop who sponsored the event."  She sighed and nodded, heading that way.  He ran inside and came out with a large box and a set of keys.  When he climbed in again, he was all smiles.  "I'm done.  Where are we heading?"

"Phoenix."

"Cool!  There's another comic convention next week!" he said happily.  "I can lounge and browse while Lupin plans."

"I don't think he's gonna let you out of his sight," Jigen pointed out dryly.  He took out his handcuffs and locked her to him.  "Me either."

"Does that mean you're going to help me use the bathroom?" she asked with a grin.

"If I must.  You're not escaping again, Xander.  Drive, Fujiko."

"Yes, Master," she said sarcastically.  She got them moving again.  "Everyone's missed you, Xan.  You should see how the kids have pouted.  And Lupin had to masturbate last night."

"I told him to call me when he wanted me back," Xander defended.

Jigen snorted.  "I knew it.  Instead we've been chasing after you."

"You have?" Xander asked, her whole face lighting up.  "Really?"

"Really.  We made it to Sacramento the morning after you left.  Maybe a half-hour after you had checked out of your room in Vegas.  Which was dumb, but it's still driving them nuts."  Xander leaned against his side, making him very warm.  "We've chased you since you left Tackleberry's house.  Though, I really did like that guy."

"He's okay, right?"

"Yeah, he's fine.  He's neat, a lot like you."  He stroked her hairdo, making her purr.  "I've even missed that and your drooling while you sleep on my shoulder," he said quietly.  She smiled up at him.  "We've chased you for months. I've never seen Lupin so frustrated at losing you.  You remind him about telling him to call you, kid."

She leaned up and kissed him.  "Take off the handcuffs and I'll do you right here," she whispered.

"Not while I'm driving!" Fujiko complained.  "I don't need to see that!"

"Tough."  He unlocked the cuffs and got Xander into his lap, teasing her bare thighs.  He reached up farther and smirked.  "Naughty.  Even geishas wear underwear." Fujiko groaned.  He undid his pants and moved the voluminous folds of cloth out of his way, taking what was his by right of having gotten to her first.  She moaned and settled herself onto him, kissing him hard.

"Guys!" Fujiko complained.  "Goemon's withholding sex from me, don't make me watch."

"Oh, Gods," Xander hissed, tossing her head back.  "More, Jigen, please."  He smirked as he nipped her on the neck, letting her have whatever she wanted.  It annoyed Fujiko to no end and he had missed her too.

***

Lupin looked up as their hotel room door opened, taking one look at the woman being walked in by Jigen before picking her up and carrying her off.  "You naughty little pain in my ass," he growled, kicking the door shut so no one could save her from his lust.  "Why didn't you come back!"

"You never called," she reminded him, giving him a smile.  "Jigen said to remind you of that."  He growled and pounced her, opening her kimonos to get to the bare flesh.  "Jigen was very attentive in the car," she purred, letting him have whatever he wanted.

"I'm sure he was," he said, licking up her stomach until he got to her breast.  "But you're mine now and he's going to have to kill me to take you away from me."  He kissed her gently.  "I like this look.  Is this how you got the things in Vegas this time?"  She nodded.  "Wow."

"Reversible," she said, showing him the double layer kimono.  "I switched it out and changed my look just enough to be confusing."  She stretched, letting him grab her breasts again.  "You really chased me?"

"Hell yes!"  He pulled back to look at her.  "We chased you all over, Xander.  I'm not letting you out of my sight again.  You're too damn precious to lose."  She gave him the sweetest smile and he felt an unfamiliar warm-fuzzy feeling.  "Damn it.  I'm getting mushy and I hate that."  He went back to his molesting her mouth and feeling up her tits.  It was more his style anyway. "You're not getting out of our sight again.  Ever again."

"Jigen's got handcuffs," she teased.

"I've got emerald encrusted ones," he taunted, pulling them out to show her.  "Goemon saw them in a magazine.  They belonged to a Pasha so he could keep his favorite harem girl near him."  She moaned and arched up against him.  "If you're a good girl, I'll put them on you before we leave the bedroom so you can read to the kids."

"I don't read to 'em, I tell them stories," she corrected. She arched up again.  "I'm getting chilly, Arsene, please?"  He growled and went down on her, making her so mindless she was willing to do anything for him, including not leaving again.

Outside the door, both Goemon children were scowling at the doorknob, trying to will it to turn. Xander was theirs!  No one else got him but them!

Chicago.

Note: happens before the end of part 12, when they're chasing Xander.

Inspector Zenigata, one of the top people in Interpol, walked into the bullpen he had been told to go to by the Chief of Police.  He cleared his throat when the Civilian Aid didn't immediately acknowledge him.

"Yeah, what'd you want?" she asked, looking up at him.  She frowned.  "Aren't you famous?"

"More or less," he said bitterly.  "I need to see your Lieutenant.  I got told I'm working with you."  He pulled out his badge.  "I'm Inspector Zenigata, from Interpol."

"He's in his office.  Welsh!" she yelled.

He came out to door and frowned at her.  "We have an intercom and a phone system, Vecchio.  Use one of them."  He looked at the waiting man.  "Inspector Zenigata?"  He nodded.  "Come this way."  He let him into his office and closed the door.  "What can we here at the 27th precinct do for you this week?"

"Lupin's in town with most of his gang.  He's been in town for a few days.  I've chased him through the local bars but I'm stumped now."  He sat down, looking at him.  "I'm unfamiliar with your city and he's evading me in the morass of buildings."

"It happens to even us sometimes," he admitted, sitting behind his desk.  "Can't the guy of ours that you stole help?"

"He's chasing their second gunman, Lavelle.  The main group is here, complete with two of their children.  Lavelle split off for some reason.  He's in the Midwest somewhere."

"That's fine, Inspector.  I think we can help.  Stanley's former partner is still here and so is the person he was subbing in for.  Let me get him back here.  Do you have a hotel?"

"A small one at the Canadian Consulate.  They've been very nice to us."

"I know one of their Constables.  Fraser works with us."

"I haven't met him yet," he noted.  "He's been absent and working here I guess."

Lieutenant Welsh stood up and opened his door.  "Vecchio. Saves me from calling you.  Both of you, in here."  He went to sit down again, nodding at the door.  "Shut it."  Constable Fraser shut it then took off his hat.  "Constable, Detective, this is Inspector Zenigata with Interpol.  He's the guy Kowalski went to work with."

"Where is Stanley?" Ray Vecchio demanded.  "He hasn't answered his email yet and Ma wants ta see him."

"He's bad about that," Zenigata admitted, standing up to shake their hands.  "It keeps him from reading the memos from our boss."

Welsh snorted.  "Yeah, he wasn't fully one for all the rules."  He looked at Fraser.  "The Inspector is staying at your consulate.  I want you two to help him find this Lupin guy and his gang."

"I've got everything you'll need to know," Zenigata admitted, pulling out a rolled up folder. "I've had to brief a great number of people."

"Isn't Stanley here in town?" Fraser asked.

"No, he's off searching for Lavelle, their second gunman.  He's in the Midwest at some academy at the moment.  I'm not sure which.  I'll leave him a message on his voicemail to check his email for your letter, detective.  I stay in contact with him and the others on our team."

"Good.  He's a wild guy sometimes."  He sat down to read the folder.  "Benny?"

"I've already been briefed by Inspector Thatcher this morning," he admitted.  "She said two children were traveling with them?"

"The two Goemon children.  Lupin usually leaves his offspring at home but Goemon hates to be without his children and they cause Fujiko problems when he's not there."   He scratched his eyebrow.  "I don't know why they're in town.  There were in town a few months back to scare an investment manager who insulted theirs, but I couldn't attend to it because I had a member of my unit going rogue.  Stanley's back for his trial at the moment.  Then he and Myron Banks will be off after Lavelle again."  He grimaced.  "I'm glad they're not here.  Having Lavelle with them makes it harder to catch them.  Lavelle's got a sixth sense about being chased."

The Detective stood up and handed back the file.  "You don't know what they're after?"

"I had a guess that it's the art show that'll be going on at the Canadian Consulate next week, but I can't be sure," he admitted.  "They don't often go after artwork.  I do know he'll announce himself before it.  I know it'll be in a letter, it always is."  They both nodded.  "Other than that, I've been chasing them through the seedier bars.  They're looking for information on Lavelle themselves.  I keep getting lost."

"That's fine, we know most of the seedier bars in this section of the city," Ray promised.  "Come on, we'll go weed down the list with where you've been."  He led him out to his desk, pulling out his list of bars to check for information.  He had given it to Benny a few years back.  "Okay, where have you been so far?"

Zenigata put up the folder and pulled out his notebook, opening to the right page.  "Here," he said, handing it over.  "I need my glasses and I couldn't find them this morning."

"Diefenbaker probably found them by now," Fraser assured him.  He took the notepad to look at, then marked names off the list.  "Ray, aren't these all in the same relative neighborhood?"

Ray took the list to look at.  "It is. It's all near where Ma lives."  He grimaced.  "Art show my ass.  There's a Vatican exhibit coming to the area's biggest church in a few days with a holy relic."  He looked at the inspector.  "Sound more like their thing?"

"It does.  Lupin's taken some commissions to get some Holocaust victims' artwork back in the past.  I wouldn't put it past him this time either."  The civilian aid brought over an envelope, ignoring everyone else but the constable.

"Thank you, Francesca," Fraser said, taking it to open it.  He frowned and handed it over.  "When was this delivered?"

"About an hour ago," she told him.

"Fine, thanks, Frannie," Ray said, taking the note to read.  "The Vatican exhibit," he said grimly.  "The church isn't that well fortified."  He stood up.  "Come on, I can get you there pretty fast.  We've got services tonight but the widows won't mind."  The inspector followed him out.  "Did you drive over?"

"I did rent a car," he admitted, pointing at it.  "They increased our budget this year, I can afford to rent something that runs now."

"Congrats.  They cut ours again," Ray said bitterly.

"Yes, but I've been in seventeen countries so far this year.  It's only July."  Ray shuddered.  "Exactly.  In all that travels, we've caught thirty thieves, six assassins, and nearly an assassin's convention.  Some of them got away but we know where and when so we can go in.  It's just Lupin and his gang that evades us," he said sadly.  "It's my life's work and I can't stop him."

"Hey, it's all right," Ray said, patting him on the arm.  "It happens to the best of us.  There's always one guy who's better than your best."

"True," Zenigata agreed.  "When it was just me against the three or four it was harder.  Now that I've got Stanley and Myron it's much easier, even against six of them.  I have no idea where Marcus is at the moment, but I'm assuming he's at the main hideout or off at some college studying.  Myron's supposed to be getting him but this trial got in the way."

"Eh.  You'll get 'em.  Or Stanley will in your memory if you have ta wait until they're all old and slow," Ray said with a small smirk for him.

"True," he admitted, lightening up again.  "Sorry.  I didn't mean to wear you down too.  I'm tired and my second son is being born next month.  I'm going to be lucky if I get a week off."

"That's the beauty of a broken leg," Ray told him.

"I've done that before.  I've also chased after them like that," he admitted.

"You were probably younger then," Fraser reminded him.  "I thought about applying to Interpol once but I decided it wasn't really worth it personally.  I'd rather have a small village and a circuit to work instead," he explained.

"I wish I had stayed in Tokyo," Zenigata told him.  "It's nice if you like to travel, but the force is moving on and I'm still stuck back a few years ago."  He got into his car, heading out after them.

Ray got in to drive, shaking his head.  "That's why I wanted to stay in touch with Stanley.  That way he doesn't turn out that tired."

"I doubt he will.  Stanley's only been there for a few years."

"Let's hope so.  Maybe he'll show up for this chase?"

"Maybe," Benny agreed, sounding hopeful.  "I've missed him."

***

Zenigata looked up as the priest joined them.  "Father," he said respectfully.  "We've been warned that Lupin the Third, an international thief, is going to try and steal three things from this collection," he said, handing over the letter.  "May we please discuss your security arrangements?"

"Of course, my son," he agreed, walking him to the room those pieces were being shown in.  They crossed into the school portion of the church but it was after hours so it was quiet.  "How long do you think we have?"

"Maybe two days at the most," he admitted.  "If I may ask, why are you hosting this exhibit here?"

"To raise money for a new roof," he sighed.  "The school's gym is nearly bare up there and it will cost over six thousand dollars.  We've set up a donation box and have a few hundred so far."

"I'm sorry to hear that."  He looked at the open room, frowning at the big windows and the open, unlocking doors.  "Do you have a guard?"

"We do," he admitted, whistling.  The guard came to check on them.  He handed over the letter. "This is Inspector Zenigata from Interpol."

The guard read the note, then nodded and handed it back.  "What's their usual method?"

"They don't have one.  Sometimes it's subterfuge, sometimes it's regular thievery.  Sometimes it's a mask," he said, grabbing the father's ear and pulling.  "Ah-ha!  I've got you now, Lupin!" he said when his face was exposed.

"Pops, I didn't write the letter.  Someone got me here too."  He handed over a letter and managed to get him in the handcuffs he had pulled.  "Laters."  He and the guard, Jigen, ran out.

"Hey!" Ray called, pulling his gun. "Freeze!  Chicago PD!"  They continued to run so he ran after them. "Fraser, some help?" he called.

"Coming, Ray!"  He ran as well, after glancing in the room.  "Be right back," he called.

Zenigata sighed and looked at this second letter.  The first had fallen to the floor too.  It was the same handwriting.  "What is this?" he muttered, pulling on the end of his tie to get to his hidden handcuff key.  He finally got it out and unlocked himself, grimacing at the two letters.  He should have seen it, this wasn't Lupin's usual letter.  It wasn't smug.  It wasn't bragging.  There weren't any 'greats' or 'astoundings' when Lupin described himself.  He stood up as Ray and the constable came back.  "I'm fine."  He dusted himself off.  "He was right, he didn't write this one."  He handed over both letters.  "Someone sent him one to get here."

"Wonderful," Ray said dryly.  "What sort of dive do they prefer?"

"High end.  Usually a suite."  He followed them back to the parking lot.  "Where do you think the real priest is?"

"Probably back in the library, he's like that," Ray sighed, heading that way.  "Father Philip!" he called from the doorway.  Philip came out of the shelves.  "Good, you're alive.  Someone pretended to be you just now."  He came out and took the notes, then groaned.  "Do you know something?"

"No, but I know why."  He led the way to a locked room and opened it, letting them see the small gold box. "It's a perfectly healthy piece of two thousand year old thorn."  Ray stared at him.  "It's here to be carbon dated."  He shrugged.  "It sprouts now and then.  That's why I came in, to guard it."  He opened the box and dropped in some water, then bowed to it and shut the lid.  "It's still there."  He led them back out so he could lock the door.  Ray gave him an approving look.  "What can I do to help?"

"A lot," Zenigata told him.  "This isn't Lupin's thing.  He doesn't do holy relics.  They only do strange things when Lavelle's with them these days.  He handles all that stuff for them.  Unless it's supposedly magical, then Lavelle and Marcus both work on it."  He grimaced.  "This doesn't make sense.  He said he was lured here after he got me in the handcuffs."

"It's possible he was.  Someone could want to set them up," Benny suggested.  "Making them a scapegoat would keep them out of trouble."

"Until Lupin found them and took it from them, probably killing them in the process and handing it back," Zenigata told him.  "It's happened twice.  Last time was four years ago.  Lavelle beat the poor bastard very coldly and left him laying in the middle of a field and personally delivered the ruby back to the former owner."  He rubbed his wrists.

"Could this be Lavelle?" Ray asked.

"No."  He shook his head.  "Lavelle would never screw his bosses.  He's loyal to a fault.  Lavelle's one of those odd people.  If you're a friend, you'll be a friend no matter what you do to him.  He's got some that hurt him badly, that's why he's got the silver hair, and he'll still rush off to help them if they need him to.  Lupin and Jigen have both earned his support and he'll never betray them.  He'd probably let them kill him before stopping them."  His grimace turned into a frown. "I have no idea who this is.  No one's come up on our radar recently."  He looked at the priest.  "Do you guard the artifact or are you local?"

"I changed to local but I have guarded it in the past.  That's my area.  Who is Lavelle really?"

"Alexander Harris.  He's from Sunnydale."  The father said something in Latin then stomped off. "He won't be here, Father.  He's in the States but I know he's not here."

"Thank you. I'll be right back."  He walked into the office and picked up the phone, dialing an old friend.  "I just got a location on two of the ones you sent out an all points on," he admitted.  "One Alexander Harris, now known as the gunman Lavelle.  He works with Marcus Wyndam-Pryce.  Yes, him too, Derek.  Fine.  No, he's not here.  They don't know where he is.  Why?"  He shuddered.  "You're sure?  Fine.  Thanks."  He hung up and turned, finding Ray in the doorway.  "Lavelle and I have similar interests in the strange and unusual.  Something in his area just appeared in LA.  They've been looking for him now for weeks."  He went to talk to the Inspector.  "Can you find Lavelle?  He's needed in LA for something that appeared out of the blue.  Something like what caused his silver hair."

"I can't, but my guy Stanley has his email address.  We use it to try and ambush him now and then.  What happened?  Dawn Summers is my wife."

Philip smirked.  "It figures.  I'm Philip Callahan.  Tell her I said hi."  He nodded.  "I don't know what appeared, but something *appeared* in LA and he's needed ta deal with it, probably with Marcus."

"Fine.  I'll pass it back to Ray and he'll deal with it."

"He still goes by Ray?" Benny asked.

"It's his middle name and Myron hates calling him Stanley and Ray hates Stan.  Said it reminds him of his exwife."  He shrugged. "It's shorter under fire anyway."  Ray coughed.  "Sorry.  You're the guy he filled in for?"  Ray nodded.  "Wonderful.  Let's see if we can't solve this.  I don't like this one's timing."  He walked outside, going to grab his phone from the car.  "Stanley," he said when it was answered.  "Good. Are you done?"  He listened to the long rant about lawyers.  "Stanley.  Someone duped Lupin and the gang into coming to Chicago.  Also, your friend Ray here wants you to read his email and answer him back, plus we need you to write Lavelle.  Philip Callahan is here and called someone who said *something* appeared in LA and he's needed."   He listened to the repeat as Ray wrote it down.  "Good.  Yeah.  I could use you here.  I'd rather not have either of you involved if it's a something.  Interpol is not equipped to deal with demons.  As soon as possible is fine," he agreed, hanging up.  He called his wife.  "Philip Callahan said hi and that Lavelle's needed in LA for a something that just appeared, he thought Marcus might be needed to.  How are you feeling?"  He broke into a smile. "Of course.  Thank you, Dawn.  You be safe and I'll be home soon.  Yes, I promise.  Even if I have to hang out at a stupid convenience store and get shot in the leg again.  Love you too."  He hung up.  "All right, both problems have been taken care of.  Ray's on his way here with Myron.  We should probably start with hotels."

Ray nodded and checked his watch.  "Are they gonna do anything tonight?"  He shook his head.  "Then let's go back to the station, divide up the phone book, you give me a list of their aliases, and we'll call around tonight while at home."

"That sounds nice," Zenigata admitted.  "I haven't gotten a full night of sleep in months."

"I figured as much, you look tired," Ray said, clapping him on the arm.  "Benny?  When we get back, you can probably ride back with him since he's staying with you guys."

"Of course, Ray.  Maybe we can exchange some stories?"

"Sure, constable.  You've probably got a much nicer beat than I've got.  My boss doesn't believe in paternity leave.  Last time I had to be shot in the thigh."  He grimaced.  "You can ride back with me if you want."

"That's all right, my wolf is in Ray's car.  We'll meet you back there?"  The Inspector nodded and got in, heading back.  "Ray?"

"I think something's going on.  A something?"

Benny groaned.  "There are things that your faith calls Demons, Ray.  They do exist and LA is a spot of mystical convergence.  It has been for a while now. That's why so many odd things happen there."  He got into the car. "I'd hazard a guess that he's run into a few of them in the past and doesn't want his people injured."

"Prove it," Ray snorted as he got in to drive.

"Fine.  On the way home tonight, go past the Southside Graveyard.  Go past that warehouse and watch the children in there. Some of them aren't children and they aren't living."  Ray stared at him.  "Seriously.  I know the name of Alexander Harris.  One of our local Mounties was activated as a slayer a few years back.  He came to get her.  He was on the side of good once," he said sadly.

"Benny, are you feeling all right?" Ray asked as he started the car.

"I'm fine, Ray.  Ask Father Philip, he deals with the same thing.  I believe he's the one who did the exorcism the other day."  Ray groaned and drove really fast to get away from this stuff. That night, he did cruise past that neighborhood.  He got out to break up a fight and nearly got attacked.  He believed then.  Fortunately the gun drove them off.  As soon as he got home, he called Father Philip and had him come over to calm him down and rebless him.  Just in case.

***

Stanley sighed as the judge ordered the prosecutor to present the person who had saved the civilians in the line of fire.  This was only making this whole thing last way too long.  His phone beeped and he looked at the message.

"Inspector, did I not tell you to turn that off?" the judge snapped, glaring at him.

"You did, ma'am, but I'm still on call.  That was my voice mail warning."  He turned that off too.  "Sorry, I forgot."  He stood up with a groan of exhaustion. "Your honor, I can't find the gunman known as Lavelle and he was the savior of the civilians. I can't find him to bring him in.  I know he's got an email address and I used it but I haven't gotten answered yet.  If it were at all possible, I'd gladly bring him in here in handcuffs and present him. I can't though.  Neither can the prosecutor.  We can't find him."

"You will find him then!" she said hotly.  "We need him to testify."

"Your Honor, we've had sixty different people testify as to what he did that night.  Having him here won't add anything new," the prosecutor told her.  "Can we please wrap this thing up so he can serve his lawful sentence?  Even his lawyer doesn't protest that."

"I don't," the defense attorney noted.  "We've already rested our case."

"Still.  I believe we should hear him out."

Ray groaned as his phone vibrated, then walked outside to answer it.  "Yeah?" he asked bitterly.  "You're sure?"  He smirked.  "Fine.  Someone go to that bar and see if he's down there.  Yeah, that one."  He walked back into the court room.  "He did answer.  There's been a sudden fleeing by the lower class criminals in town," Ray announced.  The prosecutor sighed in relief.  "I still might not be able to bring him into the court room.  I'll try but really."

"Fine.  Find some way."  She banged her gavel.  "Recessed until tomorrow."  Everyone stood up as she stomped out.

Ray shook his head and looked at the prosecutor.  "You know her.  Is she a groupie?"

"Probably," he said bitterly.  "Are you sure?"

"Yeah.  Criminals seem to flee him like ants before the hose down their hill."  He headed out to give his boss an update and then to call Myron.

***

Lavelle walked into the judge's house, putting his skeleton key set up again.  He whistled as he strolled into her kitchen, making her shriek and put her daughter behind her.  "You wanted to see me?" he asked.

"This is not my court room!" she snapped.

"No, but this is as close to your courtroom as I'm getting.  If you really *must* have my testimony, then I'll do it by video link.  Not that I can help any, but I will do that if you absolutely insist."  She nodded, staring at him in fear.  "Get a good look?"

"What happened to your forehead?" the young teen daughter asked.

He touched the bandage.  "A really big claw."  He looked at her.  "You're a Slayer."  She nodded.  "Try to get stationed somewhere in Europe.  There's more work but it's safer."  He rolled his eye.  "We just had a major occurrence in LA.  One of the Princes appeared and started to bellow for me, much like your mom.  Now, I'm gonna go catch a nap with a pro and then stretch out.  I'll call Ray tomorrow afternoon at two.  I won't expect myself to be up before then."  He strolled out the back door and out through the fence, letting the security guys pulling up out front go in the front door.

"Lavelle," the judge said, pointing that way.  "He just walked in!"

"It's all right, your honor.  He won't hurt you," the cop with the security guys told him.  "He never hurts non-criminals."  He nodded at the daughter. "Maybe you should get her sitting down."  Her mother turned and took care of her while he went to look at the lock and start his report.  On the way he called Ray and told him.  He laughed.

***

Zenigata finished his half of the list and put down his cellphone.  "Nothing," he said bitterly.  The constable helping him shook his head sadly.  "Where are they?"

"Could they have broken into someone's house?"

"No, not likely.  That's a desperation, being chased and without ammunition move for them," he said bitterly.  "They might sleep their way into someone's home but I doubt it.  Lupin's got to be jonsing for Lavelle by now. It's been two months."  He grimaced.  "Or maybe they've left town."  He put his head down as someone knocked.  "I don't want to know," he admitted as the young constable went to answer the door.

"Constable Fraser?" the courier asked.

"No, I'm Constable Turnbull," he noted.  "I can sign for it and hand it over.  He'll be back soon.  He took his wolf for a walk."

"I guess that's fine."  He held out the clipboard, letting him sign it.  Then he handed over the thin mailing envelope, like used for CDs.  "Have a nice night, constable."  He checked the signature.  "You've got good penmanship.  It's a nice change."

"Thank you kindly."  He smiled and politely closed the door once the young man had left.  He set it on the receiving desk and went back to the work table.  "Inspector?" he called.  He heard the snore and smiled.  "That's fine.  I'll come get you in a few moments," he said, sneaking out to make himself some tea.  The wolf came in first.  "Constable Fraser, there was a delivery for you, sir.  I put it on the receiving desk."

"Thank you, Turnbull."  He gave him a smile as he walked past him.  "How is our guest?"

"Asleep on the work table a moment ago.  I figured I'd give him a few minutes before I woke him."

"Excellent.  I'll do that.  You finish making your tea."

"Would you like some?"

"No, I'm fine," he said, heading in to get his envelope.  He found it where it was supposed to be and opened it, frowning at the CD inside.  "Is it audio or video I wonder," he said, heading to the DVD player in the Inspector's office.  It played music ones as well.  He put it in and turned on the tv.

"Constable, go get the Inspector up.  Pause this, it can only be watched once."

"Inspector," he called.  Zenigata stumbled in. He rewound it, starting from the beginning.

"Constable, go get the Inspector up.  Pause this, it can only be watched once," Lupin instructed.  "Good to go?  Good."  He looked down at someone.  "What?  No, you can wait," he said before looking back up.  "Sorry, I've got helpers."  He sighed.  "Today was not us.  That was not me at the church, none of it."  Zenigata snorted so the camera panned out the window, showing him the Alps.  "I know you know where this is."  The camera panned back.  "It wasn't us.  We chased Lavelle over to Lucern for a convention and we're just now leaving.  That wasn't us who wrote the note, wasn't us at the church, though I did hear of it.  I would suggest that it's some copycat.  I would also suggest he's younger than I am, it sounds like he's using my first few cases instead of the later ones since I've heard it's only the two.  I don't know names, sorry.  This shit bothers me and I'd like you to stop it."  He cackled.  "You are the expert on me after all.  It can only make you look good.  About that paternity leave thing, got it started for you.  Even if she won't agree, it's covered.  Don't worry about it."  Someone under the camera complained.  "Fine, come up here," he sighed, picking up Ishi.  "Say hi."

"Hi!" he said, waving.  "Dawnie and baby?"

The Inspector laughed.  "She's fine, Ishi.  Just fine."

The baby laughed. "Sissy too!" he said, going to get his sister.  She came in and sat in Lupin's lap, frowning at the camera.  "Not frownies. Smile at 'Spector and Dawnie.  She have baby."

Lotus smiled.  "Baby?" she asked happily.  "Mommy?"  She looked up at her uncle. "Mommy baby?"

"No," Lupin said, shuddering.  "No more babies."  He put her down.  "As you can see, it really wasn't us.  We travel like royalty anymore," he said dryly.  "Marcus is out of town so the whole brood is here."  The camera panned until they could see the other babies, a set of twins, two other mini Lupin's, and one little girl he wasn't sure of.  "Don't worry about her, we're babysitting."  The camera panned back.  "I wish you all the luck.  Have fun.  If you see Lavelle, swat him for us.  We keep missing him."

"Call him, you stupid prick," Zenigata muttered.  "He'll come if you call."  The DVD went blank.  "Well, that was informative at least."  Someone knocked and walked in.  "Ah, Myron," he said happily.  "Myron Banks, this is Constable Fraser.  He's our local liaison."

"Hey, nice ta meet ya."  He shook his hand.  "Sir, Lavelle just showed up where Stan was.  He walked into the judge's house, scaring her horribly.  He identified her daughter as being one of Buffy's proteges then left again.  He'll be calling Ray tomorrow from wherever.  Also, we've gotten together and gotten a suite for us.  You're more than welcome to come stay with us, sir.  Ray will be in tomorrow night."

"Thank you, Myron.  I take it our travel budget got refilled?"

"Just this morning, sir.  I had to go have a chat with our boss about that.  She was not happy that you had to beg a room."  He gave the constable a look.  "It's policy, that way it doesn't look like we're going to favor one country over another."

"I understand. That makes sense," he agreed.  "Do you need him tonight?"

"I'm leaving that up to him.  I'm headed out for a drink.  I made it to LA before I got your message, sir.  It was a Prince who had tortured young Lavelle."  Zenigata's eyes widened.  "He walked up to him, backhanded him, beat him brutally, then killed him."

"Lavelle?"

"No, the demon.  Lavelle let out some of his very impressive anger on the thing that had molested him at one point in time, talking to it the whole time.  He got clawed a few times but nothing serious.  Marcus got there after him and cut off it's head, freeing the captives.  Including that vampire and David, sir."  Zenigata shuddered.  "They're all fine, they were bait.  I'm happy to say that David went to a church afterwards and prayed for quite a while.  Marcus healed some of the worst cuts and decided to stay in town for a day or so to make sure everything settled again.  I didn't think I needed to be there and we all know I'm not equipped to deal with demons without some serious bowel action."

Zenigata patted him on the shoulder.  "I understand," he agreed.  "We've got a copycat here.  Lupin just sent a single use DVD showing he was in Lucern and leaving soon.  All the kids are with him so I doubt he's going somewhere worse.  Lotus wanted to know if her mother was having a baby like Dawn was."  Myron shuddered.  "That was Lupin's reaction.  Ishi said hi."

"Cool.  He's a neat kid," he agreed.  "Anything else yet, sir?"

"Lupin said it was a copycat, there were two people from what he's heard, they're using the older methods, and he thinks they're younger than him," the constable told him.  "How did they make it a single use DVD?"

"It's some sort of coating they developed," Myron said with a shrug.  "He's done it to us in the past."  He stretched and groaned.  "Okay, what first?  The criminal bulletin boards, sir?"

"Yeah, do that after you get a single drink.  I've got the half-dose sleeping pills in my thing.  Constable, tell your inspector I said thank you.  I'm going to go back with him so my boss can't bitch me out about this as well.  Where are we, Myron?"

"Holiday Inn, sir.  Room 1215, under my name, Constable.  Call whenever you're ready for us tomorrow.  We'll be up late checking the online underworld."  He went to help his boss pack, stopping only to pet the wolf.  "You're adorable."  He walked on.

Constable Fraser leaned out to look at his wolf.  "You're not going with them, don't even think about it.  You can see them tomorrow."  He went to put the envelope and DVD into an evidence bag then make the office look like they'd never been there.

***

Ray walked in the next morning, avoiding the bandage on his neck.  "What?" he snapped when someone looked at it.  He sat down at his desk and put his hands on his head.

"Gee, Ray, that looks really bad," Stanley said as he walked out of the office. "Want some holy water?  I've got some in my car."

Ray looked up, frowning at his fill-in.  "Smartass."

"Yeah, ain't it great?" Stanley said smugly.  "My boss?"

"The Consulate."

"Then Myron's probably got him."  He came over and carefully lifted up the side of the bandage.  "It's healed, you can take that off."  Ray nodded so he did so, handing him a mirror.  "It'll scar, they always do," he said, rolling up his sleeves to show him his many bite marks.  "Lavelle deals with it too."  He sat down, putting back down his sleeve. "So, anything new?"

"I don't know, I just got in.  Call Benny, see if they found anything."

Stanley grabbed the phone, calling the consulate from memory.  "Hey, Turnbull," he said happily.  "Yeah, it's me.  I'm working with Zenigata.  Yeah, sure.  Thanks."  He grinned.  "Hey, Benny.  When can we get you today?"  He smirked. "Myron should have warned you about that. I'll explain it to her.  Don't worry about it.  We've had to replace others.  Yeah, sure.  That's fine.  No, my cell's there so Lavelle can do the testifying thing for the groupie judge.  Otherwise I'm good.  No, my backup's with me.  Yeah, that number.  Sure.  Love ta take ya out ta dinner.  I haven't eaten real food in *ages*.  Cool. See ya in a few."  He hung up.  "He'll be over in about an hour.  With Thatcher so I can explain why her DVD player no longer works.  It's a copycat."  He got comfortable.  "Lupin sent a single use DVD from Lucern, Switzerland.  He likes to do that, but it fucks the laser on 'em.  We've got a duo pretending to be Lupin, using his earlier cases, and Lupin doesn't know who but gave Pops the go ahead ta catch 'em and make 'em suffer."

"Pops?"

"It's Lupin's pet name for Zenigata.  He is a father but Lupin's always called him that."  He shrugged.  "Lavelle and Marcus call him Gramps since they're the second generation.  He does growl at that one when I slip and use it."  He smirked. "So, I finally got to my email.  Is Ma feelin' any better?"

"Much.  The medicine's finally working.  You'll have to come for dinner some night this week."

"Sure.  Like I said, I've had so much fast food I'm surprised I'm not bloated."   He groaned as he stretched.  "Twenty-six countries since last December without a break."

"Your boss said seventeen."

"He goes after the bigger bad guys.  He's got rank.  Myron and I get sent after half of all the bad guys.  We also get to chase them toward him.  He's probably did nineteen but doesn't count driving across it.  I do."  Ray shook his head.  "It's interesting.  I've seen shit like you wouldn't believe.  Last year, we had this topless set of assassins.  I thought I was Bond on Octopussy's island there for a bit."

"Stan!" Francesca yelled, coming over to hug him.  "Are you back!  Why don't you write!"

"Nope, not fully.  Here to help my boss.  I do write, I just never have the time to mail."  He pulled out a stack of postcards.  "Here, since December. Ray's invited me for dinner, we'll talk then."  She nodded, taking the postcards back to her desk to read through.  Stanley grinned.  "I have groupies," he admitted.  Ray whimpered.  "Really.  I've only got three, but one of them stalked me on my cases last year.  It reminded me to get her postcards."  Ray snickered, shaking his head.  "Yeah, it's pitiful but we never get vacations.   Even when Lupin takes one, we've still got putzes out the wazoo.  Oh, the assassin's convention has moved. It'll be here next month. So will Myron and I, but Pops'll probably be at home with an injury so he can see his new kid.  Our boss has denied the rumor that we get paternity leave."

"He said someone shot him the last time."

"Someone did shoot him the last time.  Inches off his artery in his thigh.  Grazed the bone.  He had to stay at home with his leg propped up for two months.  Lavelle got him from across a rooftop before Lupin or Jigen could."  Ray let out a moan again.  "Yeah.  It's like some weird family thing between them.  Pops is obsessed with Lupin.  The guy who went bad and shot at the civilians where I was had been one of us and he was obsessed with Lavelle.  He got given life in prison this morning and they sentenced him to a max facility so he'd be safer.  Then I caught a flight out here and here I am."  He waved a hand around.

"No you're not," Stanley said from the doorway.  The other one stood up and waved, then drove out a window.  "Fucking lunatic," he said, following him out.  "Lavelle!  Get your mangy, silvery ass back here!"

"That was Stanley," Ray noted when his boss came out. "The first one was Lavelle, sir."

"Good. Wonderful.  Fill out a report and have it on my desk.  What happened to your neck?"

"I broke up a fight.  Someone bit me."

"I don't wanna know.  Put a report on my desk by the time Kowalski gets back here."  He went back to his desk and took some antacid.  It was going to be one of those days apparently.

***

Stanley saluted his boss, now in cleaner clothes.  "Sorry, sir.  Had to try and catch Lavelle again.  He walked in here pretending to be me and no one noticed."

"Shit," Myron muttered.  "Ray, bathing?"

"I haven't made it to the room yet, Myron.  I changed in the bathroom and put on more deodorant."  Myron pulled out his room key and handed it over.  "Thanks.  Holiday Inn?"  Myron nodded. "Cool. Sir, do you need a report on the silver loon's actions?"

"No.  How good was he?"

"Had me down pat, down to the height," Stanley said grimly.  He walked away, heading down to his car to go back there and shower this time, then change again and have some laundry done.

Zenigata looked at Ray.  "Really?"

"Really.  He talked ta Benny too and he couldn't tell the difference either.  How does he do that?"

"His boss taught him the art of disguise."  Myron pulled out a picture and handed it over.  "That's Lavelle too."

"How?  He's a guy, right?" Ray asked, looking at a picture of the notorious gunman dressed in a short school girl outfit.  "You can't tell," he said flatly.

"No, you can't," Zenigata sighed.  "He and Stanley are about the same height though."  He grimaced.  "What did he call me?"

"Pops."

"That wasn't Lavelle," Zenigata said firmly. "He only calls me Gramps."  He picked up the phone and dialed Stan's backup number. "Stanley, he called me Pops.  No, shower.  You stink.  It could have been our copycat.  That means I'll want a full verbal report.  Yeah, I'm sure. He called me Pops."

"He mentioned that a Marcus and Lavelle both call you Gramps, but that you get pissed when he slips and calls you that, or when Stanley slips and calls you that."

"Did you get that?  Yeah, that's a big lead," he admitted.  "Hurry back."  He hung up.  "Even better.  Very few people know Lavelle and Marcus both call me Gramps.  Not even some of their groupies."

"He handed Frannie some postcards for Stanley," Ray told him, pointing at the bagged stack.  "He had information on the case Stanley just finished testifying at.  He also said he had some groupies. Said one of them chased him all last year."

"Oh, he does," Myron said dryly.  "That means they know a lot about Stan, sir, but not me?"

"Probably," he admitted. "You're harder to imitate though.  Lupin can do me.  Lavelle can do me and Stan.  You're harder."  He picked up the post cards, looking at each one.  "That is Stanley's handwriting.  It may have been stolen from his room.  Can we get these fingerprinted?"

"Sure," Ray agreed, leading them to the appropriate lab. "Hey.  We need these fingerprinted.  There's a possibility Kowalski's prints are on there too."  He handed over the stack.  "The other is probably our copycat thief."

The technician smiled.  "Sure.  Frannie said something about some post cards.  Do you think they were stolen?"

Ray nodded.  "We do.  He'll be back soon but we should have his on record."

"All right, Detective.  Give me a few hours?"

"Sure.  Thanks.  Oh, this is Zenigata.  He's Interpol, Stan's new boss."  He waved and walked out.

Zenigata nodded politely.  "Whenever you have a moment or three," he suggested kindly.  She was obviously pregnant, like his wife.  She smiled and nodded.  "Thank you."  He headed back up after Ray. "I need a desk job," he complained.  "I got to miss all the kicking and stuff this time."

Ray gave him a look.  "So have a third and get injured before the birth."  He shrugged.  "Or retire."

"I might," he said bitterly.  "I'm in my third decade of chasing Lupin."  He sat down, looking around the office.  "This is nice.  Our office is a hole with fake walls and Dawn's posters.  Even when we get dirt, we get a cleaner in almost immediately.  I think they have sensors and come in to make sure we all feel repressed by the walls being so clean.  You can eat off our desks because they straighten stuff on us."

"Did you have to train 'em?" Ray asked.

"Very much.  They threw out notes and things.  I lost six cases one cleaning fit."  He grimaced. "Now they straighten and tidy."  He smirked.  "Did he say anything else?"

"Yeah, he said he answered my email, asked how my mother was.  It was something I wrote in my last letter to him."

"I'll have him get in there and weed things out again. It can only help us.  I still think it's a groupie but the last I knew he didn't have a male one.  Though, a groupie being a copycat would get him the attention of Stanley and Myron."  He considered it.  "We're dealing with a sick and diseased mind, I know we are."  Ray grimaced. "It'll be fine.  He won't come for you."  He glanced around again, enjoying the dirt and nastiness of the peeling paint. "Maybe I should have us moved out of headquarters.  She's wanted our offices for the new profiler corps anyway."

"Hey, if you can manage it, why not," Ray agreed.  "Will they pay for it?"

"They'll have to.  Lupin costs us too much annually.  Oh, did anyone tell you yet?  The biannual assassin's conference switched to here next month?"

"Yeah, the imposter did," Ray said, thinking back.  "He had bite marks on his arm, he checked mine like a pro and showed me his.  They were on his forearm.  He used the word 'wazoo' about the strange stuff he's seen.  Said at one point in time he felt like Bond in Octopussy because of some topless thieves or something."  He shrugged.  "Hey, did anyone bug my desk yet this week?" he called.

"I did," his sister, the civilian aid, admitted.  "Why?"

"Did you tape this morning?"  She nodded.  "Good, pull it for me so he can hear."  She went to do that.  Ray leaned closer.  "Don't expect it to be great.  Frannie tries but she's not always successful.  Last time it was so loud you almost couldn't hear."

"I'll keep that in mind.  We've had the same problem a few times," he admitted.  He looked over as the Lieutenant came out.  "We're waiting on fingerprints and brainstorming about the crook this morning."

"Fine, not a problem.  How are you liking our city?"

"I enjoy the dirt," the Inspector said honestly.  "Our offices are scrubbed so clean there's no charm, no life, not even a germ in the bathroom.  I missed having a real office like this one."  He shrugged.  "It's quirky, but we have cleaning people who come in and scrub our floors each night so we're made aware of how bad we are for working there.  I think it's psychological conditioning of some sort."

Welsh chuckled.  "I'm sorry."

"Eh.  It's not a problem.  Last year I got to run though the cardboard city on the edge of Calcutta.  Where the poorest of the poor live.  The thief ducked into a shanty where they were doing illegal abortions and tried to take the mother hostage.  My job is not for the nicest of all folks.  Regular cops routinely quit when they get assigned to our duties.  If I ever saw the inside of my office, I might hate it more, but all I know is it's depressing when I'm there."

"Maybe it'll get better soon," Ray soothed.

"I hope so.  This is my third decade of this.  I've got crooks all through my career but I get laughed at because I can't catch this one set."  He groaned as hands came over to work on his shoulders.  "Dawn!" he said, looking up at her.  "What are you doing here?"

"I came to help.  I know Lupin nearly as good as you do."  She hugged him.  "Poor baby.  His thirty-second anniversary is coming up in a few days."

Ray winced.  "I'm retiring after twenty," he told her.  "I'm Ray."

"I know.  Stan's got a great picture of you on his desk."  She shook his hand.  "Dawn Summers-Zenigata."

"You're a thief," Ray said.

"Former and the statue of limitations has run out already," she promised.  "He made me turn good and now *forces* me to help him."

"Sure, I force you to help me.  Who was it that rearranged our office so you'd have a desk?"

"I had to.  You won't let me use yours.  Ray growls at me when I use his.  Myron's got porn in his that his don't want to know about.  I'm not sure what adult watches anime porn, but it's scary," she told this Ray.  "Speaking of other Rays, where is ours?"

"Showering.  He chased a not-him out of here and through a few dumpsters."  He stood up and sat her down.  "Stay there."

"Yes, dear," she sighed, shaking her head.  "I'm not broken, really."

"You're eight months pregnant, sit there," Myron ordered.  He frowned at her. "I got rid of all that."

"Sure you did," she said dryly.  "The cleaning lady found a whole package of it with your name on it.  I think Lavelle thought you were bored."

"Fucker," Myron muttered, shaking his head. "That's it, the next fancon we find him at, I'm challenging him and shooting him."

"Psyeah," Dawn snorted.  "I'm sure you will.  Because Stan will *so* let you do that.  We've got about as much chance getting one of Buffy's proteges in Europe."

"That's another thing he said.  He said Lavelle identified the judge's daughter he broke in on as being like that.  Used those same words."

"Andrew," Dawn sighed.  She looked up.  "You remember Andrew, right?"  He nodded.  "I can almost bet one's him and he would be able to mimic some of this stuff.  Plus, you know, big geek.  Probably found Ray at a con."  She leaned back against his chest.  "I wish someone hadn't brought him back."

"I'm sure she's very sorry, no matter where she ended up," he soothed, working on her shoulders.  She moaned.  "Myron, will we have enough beds?"

"Sure, boss.  Not an issue.  Ray and I have curled up in the past."

"I know," he said dryly.  "And each time you do, he has nightmares and screams."

"There's a couch.  He can curl up out there if he's bothered by it," she soothed, stroking his hands.

"What the hell are you doing over here?" Stanley said as he walked back in.  "You are not supposed to be out of the office!"

"Love you too, Stan," she said dryly, blowing a kiss.  "I was warned to get out of Paris by an anonymous email.  I'm guessing our boy wanted me over here too."  She held up her arms and got a hug.  "How are you, big brother?  You smell better than they said."

"That's because I finally got a shower," he noted, smirking at her.  He looked at Ray.  "You know how I always complained about dumpster duty when I was here?"  Ray nodded.  "Bombay smells like that most of the year."

"I take it you sent out laundry too?" Myron asked dryly.

"Hell yeah.  Otherwise I'd be stealing clothes."  He looked at his boss.  "Life in a super max, sir."

"Good.  Maybe they'll give him some help," he said bitterly.  "Bombay smells worse than most dumpsters, Stan."

"Maybe," he admitted.  "All I know is that I smelled like one by the time we left last time.  Then we came back to the nice, clean office and they were very nice to freshen the air for us."

"I'd still rather have dirt."  He looked at the guy.  "Stanley, when did you start getting dark roots?"  Ray lunged and caught him.  "Thanks.  Let's make sure."

"It's not Andrew, but he might be the second player," Dawn noted, stroking her stomach.

He looked down at her.  "Ishi and Lotus said hi last night on the DVD Lupin sent to tell us it wasn't him.  She wanted to know if her mother was going to have another baby just like you."

"She'd better not," Dawn said firmly.  "That woman is a disaster for us.  The first one she interrupts while we're having sex so you can talk Lavelle out of a panic and through the birth, then the other lands you on a train for nearly a month."

"Why did they call you?" Welsh asked.

Dawn snickered.  "They were trying to do a job on a cruise ship but it was aborted because Fujiko went into labor with her first child.  That and another group of thieves used the old gas and grab trick at dinner the first night.  Anyway, Fuji went into labor on the ship.  The doctor was shot in front of them all by one of the remaining thieves while she was in labor. Then everyone decided they couldn't bear the horrors of watching a pregnant woman push out a kid so they nominate Lavelle to do it.  He has them call him," she said, nodding back at her husband, "because they can't think of anyone else to call.  They interrupted us having a teasing contest, the only sex I got from him for months on end, to have him walk them through the birthing process.  Then he gives them a week before he goes after them again.  Her second one they found her in Tokyo, alone because everyone else was doing something to help Lupin impregnate his chosen mothers.  He finds her, goes in.  Lavelle pulls a gun on him and makes him help.  The asshole who broke and went bad gets locked in a closet.  Now, understand, a newborn can't travel by plane.  They're in Tokyo.  Japan is an island.  So what does my best friend Lavelle do?  He gets them on a train.

"Myron got the first leg, Myron and Ray got the second leg.  Myron, Ray, and the hubby here get the third leg.  It's decided that they can't arrest Lavelle with the newborn in the way, it'd be horrible if the baby got hurt.  They decide to wait until the whole group gets there to arrest them.  It's also nearer to home, less shipping and handling on them.  Lavelle and Jigen escape the morning they were to be arrested before anyone realizes they're gone.  Lupin allows himself to be caught but escapes on the way to the station, and we weren't even going to try for Goemon with his newly delivered wife and newborn.  He would have killed us without a second thought."  Everyone nodded.  "So what does my husband do?  He starts off on another chase of Lupin, chasing him around Switzerland.  This was the night he was supposed to come home and propose to me. Instead he's chasing Lupin around the Alps.  Four days later, I send the kids to the sitter and go after him, kidnap him, sending Lupin a dirty note on the way, and carry his butt back home so Ray and Myron can continue the chase.  And what does my adoring husband do?"

"Complain," Zenigata told her.  "Like any good cop would."

She frowned at him.  "I feel a mood swing coming on."

"Sorry, Dawn."  He gave her a kiss on the forehead. "I'll try harder."

"You've done very well since then," she assured him, giving him a gentle pat on the hand.  "You learned to delegate, I'm damn impressed with you.  You might even get sex after I push out this one."  He laughed, giving her a smile. "You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.  Remember the last time?"

"Yes, I do, and I'm quite glad we didn't pull a Fujiko."

"Oh, yeah.  If that had happened, I would have asked her for the sneak attack castration plans she's drawn up."

"She'll never use them."

"She hasn't gotten pregnant since the second one.  Just wait.  The seer saw in another three years."  He shuddered.  "When she's getting close, you're going to be at the house, with me, and your guys are going to be guarding us in case a real apocalypse happens this time."

The real Stanley walked in and Dawn grinned at him.  "We got one."

"Do the words 'boat trip' mean anything to you?" he asked her, giving her a hug.

"Yeah, but I was warned to get out of town by an email.  So I came here.  Besides, if I give birth here, we're all in trouble.  We are too damn close to Cleveland and my sister might show up."

"I've always wanted ta kick her in the head," Stanley said, ruffling her hair.  "Naughty cat burglar."

"Hey, I stole art, thank you," she said seriously.  Then she giggled. "This is the real Stanley."

"Good.  We like that.  Report, Kowalski?" Welsh asked.

"Sure," he sighed, following him with his boss.

"Some things never change," Fraser said.  "He still hates paperwork."

"At least we found them a good translator program so they don't have to struggle with foreign dictionaries most of the time," Dawn noted.  "You'd be amazed at how much more paperwork there is in Iran than there is Paris - all of it to be done in Iranian."

"Times sixteen," Myron added with a shudder.

"Poor baby," Dawn cooed, giving him a hug.  "Does my other big brother need a secretary?"

"Yup, sure do," he agreed with a grin.  She pinched him on the nose and he frowned.  "When did you start doing that?  That's a Lavelle move."

"I saw him do it and it looked cute," she defended, pouting at him.  "I'm me, Myron."

"Maybe we should check just in case," he said dryly.

She grimaced then kicked him on the shin.  "Meany."

"Sorry, Dawn, but I am paranoid like your old man sometimes.  It happens with how good Lavelle is."

"Still a meany," she pouted.  "I'm gonna go call you names while I'm in the bathroom."

He helped her up and watched her walk that way.   He was still frowning.  "We really should check to make sure it's her."

"Lavelle is that good?"

"Yeah," he groaned.  "He's that good and he knows her.  She is his best friend."  He shook his head, going to tell his boss the bad news.  He tapped on the door and stuck his head in. "Sir, Dawn just pinched my nose."

Zenigata frowned.  "When did she start doing that?"

"That's a Lavelle move," Stanley pointed out.

"Maybe I'm paranoid," Myron said with a shrug.  "We all know how good he is at disguise and he would know what being pregnant was like."

"Where is she now?"

"The bathroom, pouting that I'm a meany, sir."

Zenigata headed that way, tapping first.  "Dawn?" he called.  He walked in, checking around.  He turned and found Lavelle behind the door, as himself.  "What are you doing?"

"Dawn's fine.  I just heard the most neat rumor.  Lupin took your boss hostage over your leave.  She didn't appreciate it, she canceled all leave.  So we're back to square one."  He pulled out his gun and blew out his hip.  "Sorry, you need longer this time.  It'll heal quickly, it'll be a few bone screws at the most and they won't hinder anything, not even sex."  He blew a kiss.  "Pat the preggy belly for me."

"Lavelle!" he groaned, clutching a wall.

"Shh, Pops," he whispered, helping him to the floor.

"No!  Help!"

"Shh, I mean it," he warned.  Ray came in.  "Who're you?" he demanded.

"Your worst nightmare?"

Stanley popped his head in.  "That's not Lavelle.  He's a rightie."  He went to call someone for his boss.  "The not-Lavelle capped him in the hip," he announced.  "He could probably use an ambulance."  People went rushing to help him.  Stanley picked up his cellphone and sighed as he dialed Dawn's.  "It's me," he said.  "The not-Lavelle just got your hubby in the hip.  We're in Chicago."  He winced.  "Oh, damn.  Um, hold on, let us come back," he told her.  "Just hold on, okay, Dawnie?"  He hung up.  "My, she's in labor.  Lupin took our boss hostage over Zenny's paternity leave.  We need ta get home."

"Going," Myron agreed, heading out to the car.  "Wrap up here, stay with the boss.  Bring him home as soon as possible."  He jogged out to his car, heading for the hotel and then the airport. There were higher priorities.

Stanley went back to the bathroom.  "Hey," he said, brushing some of the older man's hair off his forehead.  "I called Dawn.  She's in labor, our boss is being held hostage by Lupin over your paternity leave.  My went."  His eyes widened and he smirked.  "I'll call.  He'll be here tonight," he said quietly.  "You behave, young man.  I think Lupin had a knee shot planned so you'd get some time to play with them too."  He left, following the ambulance, all the way to the hospital, then he took off his illusion choker and became Lavelle again, heading for the airport. "Poor Dawn," he sighed.  He picked up his phone and called Stanley's.  "Hey, it's me.  Your boss was just shot in the hip by a not-me.  No, not too bad.  He wanted your attention it seemed.  That's okay because everyone already thinks you were there.  Dawn's in labor, I sent Myron to her.  Your boss is presently being held hostage by my boss over your boss's paternity leave.  He'll be fine though.  No, you were here according to them.  You know I do you so well, Ray.  Now if only you'd let me *do* you, you'd be one really happy guy."  He smirked.

"No, I'm off for a spring break week at Disney, then another con.  Your boss will need help getting home and Ray really would like to see you.  You need to check your email more often.  Oh, you also promised to have dinner with his mother in a few days and by then the laundry I had sent off for you will be back.  Sorry, but she is ill."  He laughed. "Sure you will.  Hey, I could have become Myron, consider it a compliment," he said, then he hung up and put his phone down, speeding up a little bit.  He put on his choker one handed so he matched his driver's license, pulling over to accept the ticket gracefully.  "Thank you," she said, batting her lashes.  "I love a man in uniform.  Can I do anything to help you write that little old ticket for me?"

"No, ma'am, just your license and registration," he said firmly.  She dug them out, checking the ID before she handed it over.  He tried very hard to ignore her flirting, he really did.  In the end, she was just too much for him and he had to give in.  It was very good.

***

Lupin hung up his phone.  "That was Dawn.  Pops was hit in the hip while apprehending the copycats."  The ICPO's top person groaned in misery.  "It's a small bone wound, it should be fine according to what she was told.  Lavelle was there as Stanley and passed well enough even his friends and former partner didn't realize."  The boss started to cry.  He looked at her. "So it looks like we can let her go, as long as she signs the order for future paternity leaves.  Even cops like to hold their children.  Now just sign the nice paper and you can go free," he told her.  She gave him a cold look of hatred. "If not, I can have Jigen start to sing again.  He's been listening to Barry Manilow all night to help you remember your humanity."

"He makes the whole world sing," Jigen agreed.

She grabbed the pen and signed it without reading it.  "There," she spat. "Now untie me, you heathen!"

"Okay.  All you had to do was ask nicely," Lupin told her, undoing the ropes.  He bowed and kissed the back of her limp hand.  "You have a nice day, my lady.  Thank you for your wonderful cooperation.  Let's go."   He and Jigen backed out, heading off into the early evening.

She walked to her desk and plugged back in her phone, starting to cry when she heard that song playing over the hold music.  "Why me?" she asked when a voice answered.  "Help, please?"  She hung up and put her head down, allowing herself to cry.

***

Xander left Disney World a very happy camper.  He had slept. He had played.  He had even done some shopping and sent some presents to the kids, both big and little, at the house.  This morning he had heard of a fantastic exhibit he wanted to see in Vegas, and maybe do a little shopping there too.   He climbed on top of his rental bike, his main one was only ridden on European roads, and zoomed off humming the Top Gun theme.  He had watched that last night while he had made his plans for the new Vegas job, in between the conventions of course.  He only needed one stop before then.  It would blow his allowance for the month but he could handle that.  If he had to, he'd go out of his clothing account or call their wonderful money person Murami.  He stopped at the first payphone he saw and did that, smiling when she told him she'd add some more money to his shopping account for disguises, and reminding him to be good and careful.  He agreed and hung up after a kiss, heading for the comic book store he had seen the sign for.  The world's largest?  Really?  He'd have to go there and make sure it wasn't a lie.

***

Lupin pulled up in front of the resort Xander had been at and went inside.  "Hi.  There's a person here by the name of Alexian Larvis.  Is he still here?"

"Oh, no, sir, you just missed him.  He said he was going to a convention but I'm not sure which."  She checked the computer, he didn't leave any notes for anyone.  "I'm sorry, sir, but could you please have him call us?  He left some things in his room."

"Sure," he agreed, writing out his address.  "This is his mailing address.  He's my man."

"Ohh, I bet you two are so cute," she cooed, smiling at him.

"Thanks.  Go ahead and send that there.  There's no indication of which one?  He said he was going on vacation and didn't tell me where so I couldn't tell his coworkers when they called to have him come back to work."

She shook her head. "Not in the least, sir, sorry."  She shrugged.  "I wish I could, but I don't know anything."

"That's fine," he said, heading out to his car.  He zipped off again, heading for downtown.  Surely Xander would be flying?  He saw the signs for the comic shop but decided he probably hadn't stopped.  He was running low on his allowance by now. After all, he hadn't done much yet.

***

Xander woke up from his most vivid dream ever, shaking his head to clear the mental images of him being sent back to the Feudal Times in Japan with Goemon and him in female form so they had to pretend they were married when Xander had to run to his family for protection because she had been injured.  "Damn, that was bad," he moaned, holding his head.  He felt the extra hair and smiled, getting up to check the artifact he had stolen last night.  He carefully finished packing it up and put on his dual kimonos and proper slippers, then remembered to tie his obi before walking downstairs to FedEx it.  They really were a thief's best friend.  He padded back up the stairs and packed, heading out of the hotel.  "Goemon would get a kick out of that," he told himself.  It had been listed as his family's portrait.  He had even included a brochure for the exhibit in case the big guy wanted to come look at it.  He got into his car and took off, leaving Vegas far behind.  On the way out of town he took off his illusion choker and let down the window.  At the first rest stop he pulled in and changed into the more male version of the kimono.  He was sweaty and it was thinner than anything in his bag.  Then he headed for Dallas and the comic and anime convention down there.  He had his favorite outfit already in the trunk.

This was so cool!  He had missed this sort of fun with Lupin being so grumpy recently.  He had done tons and remembered to share it as well.  Jigen would be so proud of him.

***

Lupin came back from his mission, shaking his head.  "The evidence guys are very strict around here.  I can't beg, borrow, or steal a copy of that surveillance tape."  He flopped down and Lotus climbed into his lap with her stuffed sheep.  "Morning, Lotus."

"Babababababa," she said, dancing her sheep around on his chest and stomach.

"Yes, it's a very nice sheep," he said patiently.  "Goemon?"

"There's a piece missing," he admitted.  "It's listed as a family portrait, circa 1639."  He grimaced.  "Early Shogunate."

"I bet that's what our loon stole," Jigen said with a smile for the precious daughter.  "Lotus, why don't you go let your sheep graze on the bedspread.  It's stuffed, it should eat cotton."

"Tay," she agreed, grinning at him for the brilliant suggestion as she went to do that.

"Thank you, Jigen," Lupin said dryly.

"I noticed your patience has been a bit short for the mini-uses since the Smithsonian incident," he said.

Lupin groaned, shaking his head.  "How did five kids take apart a rocket capsule?"

"I still like how they suggested we put the dinosaur back together," Jigen told him.  "With the head under the tail."

Goemon grunted. "My favorite was the Natural History museum with all the pretty gems that Lotus decided we should have to make us quit having a headache."

"Goemon, not to be rude, but don't your kids have a home?" Lupin asked.

"They do, but it is being fumigated from the cricket invasion," he reminded him, giving him a look.  "Marcus will be with us shortly."

"At least they listen to him," Jigen said in disgust. "So, boss, this exhibit, then what?"

"Then we find him again and go pounce him until he begs for mercy and to be taken back home," Lupin growled.  "Possibly with handcuffs, leather cords, and a paddle."

"This revenge fantasy of yours is getting more ornate," Goemon pointed out.  "I'm starting to get worried about you."  He returned to his review of the exhibit's contents.  "It's quickly turning into an obsession."

"It is not!" Lupin said angrily.  "I'm not obsessed, just upset at the loony bitch."

"Call her," Jigen ordered.  "She'll come back."

"No she won't, she's pissed at us," Lupin said miserably.

"At you, not us," Goemon reminded him.

"Fine, at me then, happy now?" he asked, getting up to go sulk in his room.

"If you called, she'd come back on the first plane out," Jigen reminded him.  Lupin threw something at the door.  "He would."

"I agree, he would, but Lupin removed his number from our phones and I don't know his."

"Neither do I," Jigen admitted.  "What about Fujiko's phone?"

"She's having a slight case of temper and is sulking at the baccarat table."  He shrugged. "She can only spend her own money.  We have to double sign any checks from the joint account."

"Very wise of you," Jigen agreed.  "Can she forge your signature?"

"Not on these checks.  It takes a thumb print as well."  He gave Jigen a smug look.  "It helps."  He went back to his review.

Jigen got up to answer the door, letting Marcus inside.  "Thank you."

"It's not a problem. I was heading home anyway," he noted, smiling at the children.  "I heard someone's gotten presents at home," he teased, picking up the children to hug.

"You spoil them," Goemon said dryly.

"They're not from me.  I only brought more pictures of demons to show them, Master.  Xander apparently spent a great deal at Disney World."

"Oh, Gods, no, not a singing Goofy doll," Jigen moaned.  Lotus and her sheep came over to cuddle him. "Thanks, Princess."

"Bababa," she offered, holding it out to him.

"I'd rather hold you than the sheep.  You hold him while I hug you."  She smiled and snuggled in.  "That's a good girl.  You're very comforting."

She reached up and pinched him on the nose like her mother did her father.

"Until you do that," Jigen told her.  "No nose pinching, Lotus.  That's your mommy's thing."

Lotus giggled and hugged her sheep harder, making him squeeze her.  She danced her sheep around.  "Babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababbabababababababababbababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa babababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababababa bababba."

"Lotus," Marcus called.  "Sweetling, please.  I had to deal with drunken people on the plane.  Give it a rest, all right?"  She smiled and showed him her sheep. "Yes, it's a beautiful sheep, precious, but Uncle Marcus had a headache. Come cuddle me, make it all better?"  She slid down and came over to hug him, letting her sheep dance around on him. "Thank you, love."  He gave both kids a squeeze.  "I missed you while I was in the city of Hellbeasts."

"Marcus," Goemon warned.

"Sorry, but it was."  He gave them both a kiss on the head.  "May I tell you two a story?"

"Xan-Xan," Ishi said firmly.  "Xan-Xan story."

"Ah, I see the problem."  He smiled at them.  "He'll be back soon, poppet, can I fill in until then?"

"Your phone has his number on it," Jigen figured out.

"Yes, why?" he asked.

"Lupin erased all of ours where we had his number stashed."

"Ah.  He's headed for Dallas for the comic convention, then to Sacramento for a weekend convention, then to that city in Arizona that's not Phoenix, the one I can never remember.   Oh, drat, it's nearby and everything."

Lupin came out of his room. "He's headed where?"

"Dallas and then Arizona, that city near Phoenix that's not Phoenix, the one I can never remember but it's very close by.  Commuting distance if I remember right."

"Conventions," Goemon noted.  "Very predictable of him."

"Hey, he went to see Dawn's new baby too," Jigen pointed out.  Lotus was now humming nursery rhymes at her sheep.  "Lotus, please," he begged.

Marcus used the oldest trick in the book, he handed out extra-large, unswallowable lollipops.  All day suckers actually.  Jigen and Goemon both gave him looks, one pleased, one not so pleased.

"You'll rot their teeth," Jigen told him.

"She quit humming, I'm happy with that," Lupin told him. "When are these conventions?"  Marcus shrugged.  "Can we find them online?"

"You should be able to. I'm not sure how Xander does but I know he finds most of them online."

Lupin smirked and went to hack into Xander's email account, satisfying himself on some things.  He found an email confirmation of receipt.  "Goemon, he sent it to your house. Fuji signed for it," he called. He checked the mailing list folder, finding two lists listed.  One was apparently for conventions so he clicked on a message about the Dallas convention, noting it was already done with.  He got out of there and did a search for Dallas's website.  Surely the arena or someone had listed it.

***

Jigen woke up when Lupin crawled in beside him.  "Our loony bitch is missing," he said bitterly.  "I even went and pounced Myron and Ray, they don't even know where the Dallas convention is.  They always know where they are because they get Pops to pay for it under cover of looking for the loony little assmuncher."

Jigen gave his head a shove.  "I'm trying to sleep.  He's fine, Lupin."

"He's not fine!  He's been out by himself for months!  He could start to enjoy it!"

"He'll never enjoy it while he has to pay for sex," Jigen reminded him. He yawned and closed his eyes.  "We'll go to the one in Tempe or wherever.  We'll catch him there on the last day, long before he can leave."

"Yeah," Lupin agreed, lighting up. "We can.  We know where and when that one will be."

Jigen nodded, mostly asleep again. "Yeah, and then we can fuck like bunnies.  If you'll let me sleep."

"Jigen, can I cuddle?"

"As long as you don't grope."  Lupin sighed bitterly and curled up against him.  "Thanks."  He drifted off with a small smile on his face.

Lupin laid there and added to his revenge fantasy.  Xander was now naked, covered in butterscotch after being paddled satisfyingly and tied down. Damn, he needed his woman.  He stroked Jigen's stomach.  Maybe he'd bend him over his bike and take him that way?  No, tying him across the desk at the main house to paddle him and then take him hard and make him beg was the better option.  That would be much more satisfying than butterscotch and he liked the office.

"Unless you're planning on bottoming for me, don't do that," Jigen warned.

"Fine."  He got up and went into the bathroom.  Jigen smirked and shook his head, letting himself sleep.  Soon Xander would be back and he could quit wearing the anti-invasion underwear.  The really weren't comfortable but he didn't trust Lupin a bit.  Lupin moaned Xander's name from the bathroom and he undid the top latch, giving himself some room to expand.  He felt the same way but he wasn't the horniest of all living bastards either - he wasn't Lupin.  Though he would get to Xander first if he had his way.  That way he'd get some untainted Xander in.

Bampires!

Notes: 2 years have passed.

Xander looked across the room, shaking his head.  Something was very wrong and he still couldn't get a feed from the stupid wire.  He was listening as hard as he could but all he could hear was breathing.  Goemon was somewhere in there and his lack of talking was upsetting some of them.  He finally heard a sigh and a soft mumble.  "Louder, dude."  He winced as a loud 'clang' happened in his ear, turning back down the sensitivity on the microphone, listening as the guard came in with water for him.  Someone else said something from the hall, something about another prisoner.  This was the first they had heard about this.  He raised his hand, making a note when Lupin came over to see what was wrong.  Goemon was saying something, threatening the person in front of him.  He winced when he found out he didn't have his sword, making a note of that as well. He glanced but Fujiko wasn't in the room so he pulled the headphone plug and inserted a speaker one instead.  Goemon's calm voice came out.  He sounded tired.  Considering he had been up for three days straight it wasn't surprising.  The guard said something about the other prisoner again, then left him alone, the door clanging loudly in the speakers.  Goemon mumbled something else.  "I'm not sure he wants us to hear that," Xander told him.  "He's done that twice now."  He looked at Lupin.  "All I make out are the kids' and her names."

Lupin nodded, patting the younger man on the back.  His hair was starting to go grey now and it was a little less thick, but he still ran his hands through it.  "He sounds injured," he noted.  Xander switched back, robbing them of the breathing sounds.  He looked back at Xander, who nodded at the balcony of their room.  "Thanks."  He walked out, dragging Fujiko inside.  "He was just threatening some guards," he told her.  She broke out in a smile.  "They've got other hostages.  We still haven't heard anything yet."

"Why isn't he cutting himself out?" she demanded lightly.

"Because he doesn't have his sword," Lupin told her, making her glare at Xander.  "It's not his fault.  All we know is that the guy wants him, not why."

Xander, not the most patient of creatures ever created, stood up.  "Then let's go find out.  Shall we?"

Jigen shook his head.  "Not yet.  He's making the rules and he could get upset if we break them."  Xander frowned at him.  "He said tonight."

"And I'm sure he expects us then," Xander told him.  "For all that he told me to come alone."  He looked at Lupin.  "If we go now, or at least start making a plan now, then maybe we'll have something better to do then than wait."

"We need to know the layout," Fujiko told him.  "Would this guy have Goemon's sword somewhere?"

"Probably in his hand," Xander told her.  "He seems like the arrogant sort."  He crossed his arms.  "If he has been up for three days, we're going to need someone who can use the thing.  Can you?"  She shook her head, looking away.  "Lupin?"

"Somewhat," he admitted.  "The same as you can, Xander.  Calm down, we're working on it."  Someone knocked on the door and he waved Xander to get it.  If it was a messenger he'd have to take the message anyway.  The creatures this guy sent didn't seem to see anyone else.

Xander walked over, opening the door.  "Oh, the plot just got thicker," he said, letting in Dawn and Zenigata, along with one of his people.  "Who do they have of yours?"

"Ray," she said, frowning at him.  "Goemon?"  He nodded.  "Fuck."  Myron Banks blushed and stepped away from her.  "Lupin, plan?" she demanded.

"Let's share information first," Zenigata said firmly, stopping her.  She was still too apt to jump into situations without looking.  He and Lupin shared a look, then shook their heads.  They hated it when they had to work together.  "A letter," he said, tossing it over to Jigen.  "From my boss to yours."  He looked at Lupin.  "He took Ray yesterday.  They're both injured?"  Lupin nodded.  Fujiko's breath caught.  "Sit."  He sat Dawn down, handcuffing her to his side.  A futile gesture but he should be able to feel her picking the locks and stop her from rushing off.  "He took Ray last night.  Got him on the street, shot him in the shoulder."

"We think Goemon's got one in his side," Jigen told him, handing over the letter he had just finished.  "She wants to spoil our fun."  Zenigata groaned.  "Didn't read it?"

"It wasn't my place to."  He looked at Xander, raising an eyebrow.  "You're going to vibrate through the floor.  Sit."

Xander gave him a scowl, going back to his listening.  He smiled and gave Fujiko the headphones.  He was talking about her now.  A feverish ranting sort but she would appreciate it.  She sat there, hands clutching them tightly.  "He's infected.  It sounds like a fever rant."

"Fine, we'll go early," Lupin agreed, looking at him.  Xander nodded, he could hold onto his violent urges until then.  He looked at Dawn, then smirked at her.  Her old man was still handcuffed to her but she was pulling a lock pick with her cuffed hand.  He read the letter, frowning.  "They're going to what?"  He looked up, looking disgusted.  "Where's the fun in that?"

"I think that's the point," Dawn said, scowling when Myron took the lock pick from her, then pulled her up to pat her down, taking them all from her.  "Meanie."

"Every day.  This time we work as a team, Dawn, not as backup when you need us.  Ray is one of us, not just your near-big brother."  He glanced at Xander, who was giving Dawn a look.

Dawn shrugged at him.  "He's neat.  It's like talking with the goofy, normal you sometimes."

"Hey, I like Ray and Myron.  I'm happy that they like you enough to fuss," Xander told her.  He looked at Myron.  "If something ever happens to me, you and Ray get custody of her.  Her husband can soothe her depression but you guys get to take my spot."

"Of course," he agreed, looking at him.  "Are we expecting it?"

"We never expect it, but I have been hurt in the past," Xander told him.  He looked at the letter, frowning as he read it sideways.  "They're doing what?"  He took it to read, shaking his head.  "Idiots."  He handed it back.  "I don't care if they do take us off the list, we can always put ourselves back on there."

"They'll ignore it," Dawn told him.  "She said so.  This new one's a psych major."  He shuddered.  "This is her way of discouraging you, to take away all your notoriety.  To take you off the list and publically announce it was because you guys have done so much of their work for them."  The whole group shuddered, even Fujiko.  "The only people higher on the universal shit list is a terrorist and she said if you wanted to take him out, she'd be really thankful," she noted.  "But otherwise you guys are forever on her good side."

"Damn it," Lupin sighed, shaking his head.  "That'll just make it harder on the little fourth to do the work."

"By the time she's old enough, there will a person in the job who believes crooks should be locked up," Zenigata said firmly. "She's only four and a half."  He looked at Lavelle.  "Why does he want you and Dawn?"

"Thus proves the Sunnydale axiom 'if you haven't seen someone in a while, there's a plan in place'," Xander announced.  "Sunnydale occurrences?" he asked her.  She nodded.  "The Key?"  She nodded again.  "Think or know?"

"Pretty sure it's related," Dawn admitted.  "You're a power store, I'm a power store.  You notice he didn't call for Marcus or Ethan. He probably wants me and figures you can transfer it into him."

"Interesting as this is," Jigen noted, "he's not into that."

"Sure, because his messengers haven't been zombies," Dawn told him.  He looked stunned.  "I'm surprised we haven't seen them being deheaded by Xander yet."  She leaned back, finally getting her wrist free.  Her husband took the paperclip from her and recuffed her.  "I'm not running off."

"Sure you're not," he snorted.

"Because you didn't already try that once this morning," Myron agreed dryly.

"Twice," Zenigata told him.  "That's why we're here.  She knew they were here, we followed her."  He looked at Lupin again.  "Plans?" he asked.

"Standard," he admitted.  "Go in, kick his ass."  He looked at Xander and Dawn.  "Let them go in alone for now."  Zenigata shook his head.  "They won't hurt her."

"I know they won't, because we'll be there behind her," Myron told him.  "We don't let our people out without backup."

"Backup, that's a nice thought," Xander said, looking up.  "Ethan?  Can you please yank Marcus' leash?" he called.  Marcus appeared a moment later, buttoning his jeans up.  "Morning," he said dryly.  "Phone still broken?"  He nodded.

"Who has the kids?" Lupin asked.

"Dawn's nanny," Marcus said, looking at him.  "What's wrong?"  He shook his head and pulled something out of his pocket, handing it over.  "Here, from Ethan.  He said he thought you would have called sooner when you realized the man was calling zombies as slaves."

"I was hoping he was one too," Xander noted, reading the short note.  He went to look him up on the 'who's-who' website. "Got our slime," he admitted.  He backed away, letting everyone else see it.  He looked at Jigen, who held up Myron's handcuffs.  "Fine.  Not moving."  He stood there, considering his options.  This guy was smug, he was arrogant.  He was in the way. He was also ill.  He looked at Dawn, who was out of her handcuff to her husband but now cuffed to the couch.  "He's sick," he told her.  She looked thoughtful, then shook her head.  "Not the reason?"

"Not the reason," she agreed.  "He wants to go out with a bang?"

Xander shook his head.  "Doesn't fit.  Declare himself a higher being?"

She grimaced.  "Thinks that if he's a higher being, he won't be sick?  He'll be immortal?"

"Probably," he agreed, that made the most sense to him.  "Someone needs to find out why the seventies created so many egomaniacs."  He sat down, thinking out his plans for the night.  He caught Dawn's eye and she rolled hers.  He smirked slightly at her.  She blinked.  They'd be going in first. He went back to his planning, Dawn let him plan when it was the two of them.  He knew what he was going to do, something bold, yet stupid.  Walk right up to him.  Be the best diversion he could.  He glanced around, finding Jigen watching him.  He smiled and licked his lips, making the other man shake his head.  As soon as his back was turned, he and Dawn left, going on their own.

"That was faster than I thought," Lupin noted.  He looked at Zenigata.  "I'm assuming you know where he is."

"It's a fortress.  The old one outside of town."

"Marcus, if you wouldn't mind," Jigen ordered, picking up his extra bullets.

"Of course.  Anything to spare my mentor a possible death."  He concentrated hard on the portal spell he had learned so long ago.  He couldn't read very well now and hadn't been able to study magic since his head injury.  He could use what he already knew or what someone told him verbally, but he could no longer pick up new spells from the books without getting a brain-altering headache.  Fortunately, he had learned the portal spell a long time ago to get out of his former caretaker's house.  He concentrated on the pictures Myron had of the courtyard, creating a portal to there.  "There are guards," he announced.  Jigen and Myron moved up to take point and Marcus pulled his sword and gun, just in case.  They stepped through and the fight was on.

***

Xander and Dawn landed where the asshole had told them to, walking down the hallway.  Dawn looked up at the high ceilings.  "Damn idiot took over a palace," she snorted.

"It probably suited his ego," Xander pointed out.  He opened the door for her, letting her inside.  "After you, my darling little sister."  She swatted at him but walked in, taking point.  He could kill from behind her, she would duck.  He followed her down this hallway, feeling the wrongness growing.  "I think we got it backwards," he noted.  She glanced at him.  "Switch the roles."  She stepped back, letting him take point.  He walked into the throne room first, giving the man sitting on the throne a bored look.  "You wanted to speak with us?"

"Yes, I did," he agreed, smiling at them.  He pulled out Goemon's sword and Ray's gun.  "You give me what I want and I give you them."

"Then I'd be bringing them out," Dawn told him.  "We don't negotiate with idiots who hide what's ours."

He snapped his fingers.  "Bring them," he ordered one of his minions.  He stood up, walking down to stand near them.  "I want what this one has," he said, pointing at Xander.

"My bank accounts?" Xander asked.  The man gave him a look.  "Oh, you want my gun," he said, pulling it.  "This one or one of my others?"  He pulled a second one.  "Like this one?"

The man snorted.  "No, young man, I want your gifts.  The ones your consort left in you.  That way I can start my own ascension."

Xander put back up one of his guns.  "Tough."  The man gaped at him.  "It's not like I can *hand* it to you.  Half of it's etched onto my skin."

"I've heard of those," he admitted.  "I don't want those. I want the raw power and the knowledge you carry about Hell's minions.  I will make them mine."

"I seriously doubt it," Dawn told him.  "What could he possibly know that would help you?"

"He knows the name of the Most Unholy."  Xander looked at him like he was insane.  "It was whispered into your ear, young man.  That is what caused you to take so much damage."  He reached over to play with a strand of silver hair.  "What caused this while he was raping you."  Dawn looked at Xander so he let the hair go.  "Wasn't it?"

Xander shook his head.  "No."  The man looked stunned.  "I had silver hair long before he butted in."  He shrugged and gave him a look.  "Anything else?  Demands up front and then we'll check on the condition of your hostages.  The more hurt Goemon is, the worse of a mood I'll be in to bargain."

He nodded.  "Fair enough."  He went to bring in the hostages, sitting them on their knees beside his throne.  "Look them over."  He watched Dawn.  "Not you.  Him, Key."  She raised an eyebrow.  "Yes, I do know. It is very apparent to some of us.  Unfortunately, you are of no use to me except as a filtering and exchange service."  He looked her over.  "Though you are very pretty in your own White way."

She snorted. "Fat lot you know."  She looked at Goemon, catching his eye.  She called his sword over to her, catching it in her hand.  She pulled it, looking it over.  "Wow.  You dinged it."  She looked at him. "Figured it doesn't work with someone who doesn't know?"  She walked it over to its owner, handing it over.  "Here, yours," she said softly.  "They're coming."  He nodded so she looked at Ray and gave him a grin.  "Weird stuff coming."

"Hey, fine.  I'm used ta weird around you," he said weakly.  He coughed.  "Doctors coming too?"

"Damn it, I hope so," she admitted.  "'Cause I don't know why I can't heal you."  She patted Xander on the back, catching his eye.  "Xan?" she asked quietly.  He gave her a small smile.  Then he turned and walked back to the man's side, leaving her there.  "We'll do whatever we have to," she promised. She walked back to Xander's side.  Until everyone else got there, she was his backup.

Xander looked at him.  "You don't touch them ever again," Xander said quietly.  The man crowed.  "Not to change them like you did your messengers, nothing."  The man nodded.  "Good.  Then let their friends come in and get them.  Otherwise you're going to be sucking my energy out of their bodies after *I* heal them."   The man laughed, smiling and waving at his minions to drag the hostages out to where the gunfire was.  Xander looked at Dawn, who was scowling.  "Now, precious.  Give him exactly what he wants."  She shook her head.  "I mean it, Dawn, exactly what he wants and nothing more."

She frowned but had to trust him.  She knew he had a plan.  She had no idea what it was, but she knew he had a plan.  She laid a hand on his chest, feeling the hiding pendant come undone under her hand.  She looked up at him, eyes wide, and he smirked.  "Xander," she whispered.  He gave her a kiss.  "Fine."  She took the idiot's hand, starting the power transfer.  The knowledge took a little longer, then the man stepped back, screaming as his skin ripped open.  She got out of the way, she was still a fragile human.   She found his necklace in her hand and looked at him, turning away from him.

Xander calmly took off his jacket and shirt, making the demon flinch.  "Come on," he said.  "You're mine now.  Before you can unleash yourself, you just made yourself my legal target."  The demon chuckled and lunged forward, trying to hit him.  Xander was fighting hard, taking the demon on.  Then suddenly, his pants were left when he shifted himself, making the demon roar in outrage and turn to face him.  Xander's back was to him and he was howling in pain, holding his eyes.  "You should know what you ask for before you ask," Xander said, turning to look at him.  "You really should."  He kicked the demon, making it look at him.  "Look at me," he ordered, compelling him.  The demon groaned, eyes bleeding now.  "See me," he hissed, stepping closer.  The demon's eyes were drawn to the marks on his chest.  There was nothing that could stop that.  The demon batted at him, getting him in the head with his fist, but it wouldn't save him.  The tattoos marked on his body were set in a certain way, guaranteed to draw the demon's eyes to the final one on his left hip, where his pants waistband would have hit.  He screamed and flailed around desperately, hitting Xander's limp body again before falling down, bleeding from his eyes and ears.

Dawn came rushing over, holding Xander's head gently.  "Xan? Come on, Xan, wake up," she pleaded.  She tried to heal him but her powers weren't working.  This place was going to make her hurt soon, it was too dark.  She put her jacket on him and drug him out to the courtyard.  The zombies screamed and ran off, in pain from his markings.  "The demon got him.  Marcus, demon, make sure it's dead," she ordered.  He ran back that way, going to make sure of it.  She looked at Jigen and Lupin, both of whom looked stunned.  "He took two good blows to the head."

"How?" Jigen asked.

"He made him vulnerable by giving him what he wanted," she said bitterly.  "Once he became a demon, it was easier to kill him."

Lupin looked at the marks.  "What do they do, Dawn?"

"They're marks to kill, compel, or hurt demons," she said quietly.  "They've been there since before he got back."  Jigen nodded, he had seen them.  Marcus came back. "Is it dead?"

"Fully," he agreed.  He got down to check Xander, shaking his head.  "I can't heal him."

"I couldn't in there.  It's too corrupt."  She knelt beside him, trying to work on him again.  She could feel the energy drain and plugged it, stabilizing him.  Then she looked up again.  "He'll live.  I'm hoping he wakes up."  Her breath caught as Xander's energy started to flow again, he was fighting her.  She traced it to Goemon, making her hit him.  "I can fucking well do that, Xander, let me!"  He went limp and Goemon screamed in pain, grabbing his injury.   She walked over to check him, finding it healing.  "It'll be fine," she promised.  She checked Ray's, his was much the same.  Then she went to break Xander away from the energy.  Marcus was already working to do so, but she was stronger.  She ripped his connections to it, falling to her knees, panting hard.  "Stupid asshole."

"Him or the thing in there?" Marcus asked, giving her a look.  "You had to know he was going to do that."  She glared at him.  "He *is* Xander Harris, Dawn.  You should have realized that from the start."  He picked the young man up, wincing at his weight.  "I believe we should adjourn to somewhere that has medical facilities," he suggested blandly.  "Head injuries are notoriously tricky and they are still running high fevers."  He created a portal, heading Xander back through to his favorite private hospital.  They liked him there.  "He was knocked in the head," he told the nurse.  "Twice.  By something with fists the size of your average compact car."  She got him onto a gurney and Marcus leaned against the side.  "Those marks are very old," he said.  She nodded, marking them down.  Dawn walked through, handing over his hiding necklace.  "This conceals them."  He put it on the boy and the marks disappeared.  The nurse looked at him, mouth open to say something.  "Think about the boy," he said dryly, turning away to help with the others.  Lupin and Jigen had Goemon, Myron had Ray.  "Plus, they're being healed from a gunshot wound each," he told her.

She rolled her eyes.  "Do you not ever have easy problems?" she snapped in imperfect english, going to get some help.  They were a small, private clinic, they didn't staff a full emergency department.  A surgical one, but not an emergency one.

Lupin grabbed Marcus by the arm, leading him away.  "Explanations," he ordered calmly.

Marcus winced, shaking his head.  "I cannot.  I promised."  Lupin scowled.  "You'll have to ask either Xander or Dawn."

Jigen came over.  "Let me guess, he's went back to his roots?" he asked with mock- sweetness.  Marcus gave him a look.  "Both of them?" he asked flatly.  Marcus nodded.  "Fucking hell.  Dawn!"  She jumped, giving him a guilty look.  "Does your husband know what you do when you take those sudden vacations?"

"Um," she said, edging away from her people.  "Hopefully not."  Her husband looked at her.  "So we've found a few things that needed slayed," she said with a shrug.  "It's helping the good fight."  She backed away from more, but her husband caught her, making her look at him.  "I'm sorry, but it was necessary.  My sister has all the younger ones over there.  There aren't any in Europe at all right now," she said honestly.  "I had to.  So did Xander."  She nodded and he scowled, a look only Lupin usually received.  "I was very safe.  We had Marcus going through the databases and everything," she offered.  "The whole vampire army in Sweden is gone now," she tried.  He growled.  She swallowed.  "I *had* to," she reminded him.  "We're it here."

He shook his head.  "You could have asked for some help, Dawn.  You are not alone in that duty.  There are people who are *supposed* to be doing that sort of thing.  You are not."

"Gee, now you're sounding like the sister," she said bitterly, getting free of his restricting hand.  "You want to know what I've taken on?  I took out the vampire army in Sweden.  I took out the one building in Japan under the guise of a cult.  I took out half of the underground in Paris, collapsed it totally so there's only a few solo ones, no more family groups, and only a small cult building.  I took out the ones in Moscow as well, most of them died running from me," she said, staring into his eyes, her own burning pits of rage.  "I am not, nor have I ever been, a helpless little woman, Zenny.  You'd better get used to it right the fuck now.  Yes, I've done more than Xander has.  He had a real job, something that takes up his time.  He did them as they came up for the most part.  It's amazing, the Don in Istanbul thanked him for cleaning up her problems for her last year.  Promised him *anything* for doing so.  Moscow's Don said the same thing to me.  The one that the other families listen to, the old guy in the wheelchair who wants to be Hitchcock."  He went pale.  "Somebody had to and my sister, the bitch, has all the juniors over there to train.  The US is *uber* covered and Europe and Asia have had me and Xan.  And guess what?  If he survives this and is better in time, we're going to Carnival this year in Rio.  There's supposed to be a powerful uprising and no one seems to care that the world isn't being protected.  Hello, are you going to hunt with me?"

"If you had asked," he said bitterly.  "I'm not that old."

"No, you're not, but you're needed in ways I'm not."

He grabbed her again, this time by the shoulders.  "And our children?" he hissed.  "Do you think they don't need you?"

"They have you, the world has *no one*," she countered.  "Hell, even Ethan and Faith have said that it was necessary since she got so badly injured and didn't healed right."  She got free of him again, stepping back so she could cross her arms.  "You wanna know what restarted this?  One coming up to our door *expecting* to be let in.  The herd is thick in Western Europe and if there's only two hunters, it helps some.  Especially when they're very good hunters.  I've already gotten a paranormal kill ratio beyond what my sister had in her prime.  For that matter, who do you think has been teaching Little Tara how to hunt?"  His mouth fell open. "That's right, me and Xander.  Mostly him recently, but sometimes me.  She's taken to it like you wouldn't believe, and knows it's necessary without enjoying it.  Now, you can accept, you can bitch me out *later*, or you can walk away now and come back when you're ready to yell.  Your choice."  She turned, heading in to check on Ray.

Zenigata glared at the doorway, then at Myron when he got between them.  "Did you know?" he asked coldly.

"I caught her staking one but she swore it wasn't a habit," he admitted gently.  "You need to talk to her, boss.  She'll walk away.  You'll go home and find her and the kids on a sudden vacation."  Zenigata pushed past him, going in there to fight with his wife some more.  "Dawn hates to fight with him," he explained blandly.  "The same way Xander refuses to fight with you two."

"Marcus," Jigen asked, sounding smooth and calm.  "Give."  He turned but Marcus was no longer there. "Ethan," he snapped.  A file appeared at his feet, complete with pictures. "Thank you."  He picked it up with a small groan for the pain in his back, looking through them.  "How long has this been going on?" he demanded.

Lupin looked over his shoulder, pointing at something.  "That was either three years ago or last month.  We weren't there then and he hasn't taken a long vacation recently."  He took the folder, flipping through it faster.  It was very telling, especially when the last note was file 3 of 5.  He looked up.  "The rest?" he demanded.  More files fell at their feet, letting them see what their lover has been up to.  "Fucking hell," he said in awe.  Xander had never stopped hunting it looked like.

Ethan appeared with a tired sigh.  "He's had to now and then," he admitted.  "He didn't start hunting for real until a year ago.  When a vampire had the audacity to step up to him on a street during his watch and demand that he blow him before he killed him."  He looked toward Xander's room, then at the worried lovers.  "Dawn was quite correct, there is no one in this part of the world.  Miss Summers has all of them with her.  The vampire to human ratio in Paris is 1:47.  When you first took on Xander, it was 1:250 or so."  They winced.  "The vampires were winning everywhere but in the United States.  I and Faith have aided and abetted them as needed.  As has Ripper.   Before it was something he had to do now and then, now it's become a calling.  He *has* to because it's either him, Dawn, or a child."  Lupin let the files fall from his fingers.  "That's why his ribs were bruised last month."

"He didn't say anything about that," Jigen told him.  "We would have noticed."

"Would you have?" Ethan asked.  "That would depend on him not having them treated, wouldn't it?"  He gave him a look, then a tired smile.  "Xander is magnificent when he's fighting.  Both for you and against the paranormal. Speaking of, he also seems to have picked up the nasty habit of cleaning out paranormal treasures and hiding them.  He's only let you see part of them."

"He's been keeping it from us," Lupin said in awe.  Xander wasn't that sneaky.

"No, he's been keeping things best left far away from other humans away from everybody.  He told me once he was going to suggest you two help him if and when you ever retired to destroy or remake some of them. "

"Remake?" Lupin asked.

"Melt them down, pry off the stones, such things," he admitted.  "Turn them into something useful somehow."  He shrugged. "I have no idea.  I have not understood anything since Ripper was turned last year by Spike."  They shuddered.  "I believe he staked him rather quickly at that, taking my planned torture, but he did it out of remaining feeling for Ripper."  He shrugged, giving them a lopsided grimace.  "He is who he always was.  People are safer because he exists."  He walked in to look down at Xander, plugging the energy leak he could feel. "If you quit, I'll go help them," he whispered in his ear.  "But you've got to stop.  Unless you want to spend a symmetrical amount of time in a coma as you spent in Hell."  Xander sighed and shifted, quitting.  "Thank you."  He walked to the next bed, laying a hand on Ray's shoulder.  "Relax, it will hurt," he noted, healing the gunshot wound and cleaning it out.  "This way Xander doesn't have to.  It will make sure he wakes up sooner."   He went to the other one, looking down at him.  Then he looked in the hallway.  "This is going to be one hell of a fight.  Are you going to get in the middle?" he asked as he healed his side.

Goemon grimaced, wincing as his flesh heated up. "I owe the boy my life a few times."  His eyes closed as he felt the magic removing the taint he could feel spreading throughout his cell from his body.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome.  As I told the other stubborn one, Xander would die doing it otherwise."  He walked out, heading home to report and soothe Marcus.  "I healed him," he noted.  The boy gave him an adoring look.  "Xander was still trying to.  His powers from Hell are going to be a bit weaker soon."  He flopped down, putting his feet up.  "Marcus, get me some tea, dear.  Now."  Marcus nodded, heading to do that for him.  "Thank you."  He took a long sip, giving him a smile.  "Chamomile, perfect," he praised, giving him a smile. "Go help them.  They'll need someone to keep their tempers in check."

"The older two will go drinking tonight," he noted, sitting at Ethan's feet.  "That is what they do when they are mad at Xander these days.  Dawn will be lucky if she isn't chained to her bed for the rest of her natural life.  Her husband is feeling very hurt because he feels she doesn't trust him.  Also because she said she doesn't have a real job, but that won't occur to him until later I believe."  He leaned forward, giving him a hug.  "Shall I go take watch at Xander's bedside, Ethan?"

"Please," he agreed with a small smile.  "They'll be sending everyone else away soon and you know how Lotus can be about her uncle."  Marcus nodded, heading to do that.  Ethan sighed, sipping his tea.  "This is a tangled mess.  Maybe I should send them to his bunker."

"Let them find him when he's gone," Faith suggested from the doorway, leaning on her cane.  "It'll be good for them since no one will let them steal anything anymore."  She walked in, sitting on his lap. "Ripper's having another Janus fit.  I tied him down again."

He gave her a smile.  "I know how much you adore these times, Faith.  Have fun with the poor thing."  She beamed, kissing him gently.  "Thank you.  Go play, be a good girl for me."  She nodded, standing up and heading into their bedroom.  Ethan smirked at his library, finishing his tea.

***

Xander woke up, groaning at the bright lights.  He batted at one, muttering something.  It only darkened slightly.  "Fuck me," he said, closing his eyes again.  He rolled onto his other side, pulling out the IVs and tossing them away.  "Fucking hospitals.  Hate them."  He let himself drift off again, liking this sleeping thing.  It was kinda nice.  For now, then he'd have to get up and do something.

Goemon looked over from his book, shaking his head.  "If you would get up, I could take you to where they are drinking," he suggested quietly.  Xander grumbled something else so he let him go for now.  "You will wake soon.  The children are coming."  His wife walked in, giving him a look.  "He woke up long enough to protest the lights, swear at the hospital, and pull out his medication."

"Sucks to be him," Fujiko snorted.  "Lupin's pissed that he's been holding back again."

"He has not.  Things that we do individually are not usually shared with the group," he reminded her.  "He's the one who told the boy that."

"He's panicking, do you think that's going to have much weight?" she asked.  He shook his head, returning to his book.  "Dawn's nanny will be bringing the kids over tomorrow.  Can we get him up before then?"

"Hopefully," he agreed.  "I would hate to see Lotus' reaction to him being unconscious for her visit.  She may sit on his chest and pout until he wakes up."  She had done it the last time Xander had gotten hurt, when she was three.   "Where has he been storing such artifacts?"

"Probably near his house in Geneva," she offered.  "He's spent some time there recently," she said when he looked unsure.

He shook his head.  "Not unless it is a hidden entrance.  We have been all over the house looking for our son. He would have found it by now."  He turned the page on his book.  "You could sit beside me," he offered, giving her a look.

"I'd rather nap beside you," she told him, giving him a look.  She leaned down, giving him  a kiss.  "The nurse said you were in bad shape."  He nodded.  "Are you okay now?"

"Mostly.  The castle tainted me but Ethan removed all that he could," he admitted as he put his book aside.  "I am back to myself again if that is what you wanted to know."  She slid into his lap, snuggling against his chest.  "I missed you as well."

"I was so worried about you," she whispered.  He stroked her back, soothing her, but she needed to make sure he was really all right.  "We need to go back to your room."

"If we leave this one alone, he will leave," he pointed out, looking into her eyes.  He smirked when he saw the look in her eyes.  "Let us handcuff him.  He is not the most proficient in that skill still."   She nodded, doing that for him.  Then she led him back to his room, making sure he was fully fine again.  The nurses smirked at their door, they had seen such intense needs before.

***

Lupin and Jigen wandered in the next morning, finding Xander still in his bed, still sleeping, and a note beside his bed.  Jigen picked it up and snorted.  "He's justifying himself," he said, sitting beside the bed.

"See, I knew it was safe enough to sleep outside in Geneva," Lupin read, frowning at the man on the bed.  He balled it up and threw it at Xander's head, waking him.  "How dare you do this and not tell us!" he said angrily.

Xander yawned, looking at him.  "I was gonna tell you," he complained.  "You wouldn't let me."  He closed his eyes again.  "Have a headache.  Need to sleep."  He looked at Jigen, then reached behind him and turned off the annoying beeping machine.  "There, better.  You can yell later too," he told Jigen.

"Why would we want to do that?" Jigen asked dryly, getting comfortable. "Because you've

endangered yourself unnecessarily for about three years now?"  Xander winced.   "Oh, really?" he asked.  He looked at Lupin.  "He winced at that figure."

"Xander, I want answers," Lupin demanded, coming over to roll the younger man onto his back, staring down at him.  "When did you decide you were a slayer?"

"Five years ago," he sighed. "While I was resting."  Lupin's mouth opened.  "I was protecting the kids, Lupin.  Really.  That one sneered, saying that they were going to take the little ones for the fucking army they were building under Paris.  I couldn't let it endanger them."  He sat up with a small groan, holding his forehead.  "What did you want me to do?  I tried to tell you and you said you were too busy to listen to me then."

"And later?"

"Later was the fucking Swiss job," Xander said bitterly.  That had been a beautiful fight.  "I didn't do anything for a few months, until I had to.  Then I got forced back into the life.  Again, not able to let everyone be killed because Buffy can't fucking share the wealth of Slayers."

"You mean, not able to stop fighting," Lupin told him.  Xander shook his head.  "Really?  You sure?"

"Very sure.  Do you think I *like* this?"  They both nodded and he snorted.  "No, I don't like this.  This is a damn duty.  No one else but Dawn and I are capable of doing this.  Faith can't fight with her weakened hip.  Marcus can't fight most of them.  His eyesight is too bad and a liability.  Dawn and I tried our damndest to get Buffy to send one over here and she said they needed them over there more.  Even pointing out that we had fucking armies massing didn't help it any.  Therefore, Dawn and I *had* to step in and solve the problem.  As soon as someone else more capable comes along, we're handing it over.  We both know we're not young anymore and slaying is like SWAT teams: for the young, unattached, and gung-ho.  We're two old-ass veterans who got recalled into service."  He laid down with a groan.  "If you're gonna bitch me out, at least give me a damn shot to kill the pain in my head."

Jigen handed over his flask.  "Take some."  He looked at Lupin, who was still nearly glaring at the boy.  "I remember him throwing a fit about Buffy a few years back," he admitted.  "Something about her and her selfish ways.  I thought it was about the boys."

"No, that one probably was.   The armies were taken out almost four years ago," Xander admitted, taking another swig from the flask before handing it back.  "Thanks.  Can I have some tylenol too so I can complete the cure?"

Lupin pushed Xander back into the bed, making him wince.  "You endangered all of us by doing that."

"When?" Xander asked.  "When I removed them before they could eat Fujiko and Goemon a few months back?  When I got the slime demon hunting Jigen?  Or how about when I capped the siren heading for you again?" he asked bitterly.  "You guys were tainted by the paranormal long before Jigen met me.  They've come for you for years, that's why all that shit falls into your laps.  I've been keeping it from killing you, even when you didn't know, for years now.  There's a great thought running around that you and Jigen would make wonderful vampires in the paranormal criminal underground.  Fortunately, the head over that one died too."  He looked him in the eyes, giving him a bitter look.  "What did you want me to do, let you fucking die?" he demanded at the shocked look.  He sat up again, moving Lupin out of his way as he climbed out of the bed.  "Excuse me, I've got to pee."  He headed in there to do that, giving them the chance to talk behind his back openly.

Lupin looked at Jigen. "*He's* the injured party here?"

Jigen nodded.  "Probably. He's always been one of those guys who did what had to be done without bragging. Buffy taught him that."  He shrugged.  "I'd rather chain his ass to my side now."

"He'll bring them to us," Lupin argued.

"Like they're living?" Xander snorted from the bathroom, coming out.  "They're mostly dead.  They can't come back without someone like myself or Dawn saying so."  He climbed back into his bed, looking at him.  "How would they come for you, Arsene?"

"Don't call me that," he snapped.  That was for their special moments and they weren't having one then.

"Fine."  Xander shrugged.  "Fine with me.  Should I come pack my stuff now or would you like to do it for me?"  Lupin gaped at him.  "It's clear you don't want me around anymore.  So I'll head to my house and let you fucking well sulk until something happens.  Then you can deal with it yourself.  That should be after this year's maze."  Lupin's gape got broader.  "Your choice.  I trust you to pack for me."

"Xander, don't be stupid," Jigen sighed, scratching his eyebrow.

"No, if he wants to go, let him," Lupin said, turning and walking out.

Jigen sighed, standing up.  "I'll calm him down."

"He'll calm down whenever he's ready.  I'll be at my house and he can come and fucking apologize to me for his crap," Xander told him.  "All of it." Jigen gave him a look.  "You're welcome to come do the same," he agreed.  Jigen gave him a look.  "It was obvious you were thinking it, Jigen.  Go catch him before he runs the Benz into another tree."  He slid down, laying on his side facing the other wall.

"Fine.  When you've both quit pouting, we'll get together again."  He walked out, heading after his best friend.  He could bring Xander around later.  He looked at the nurse. "Don't let him check himself out.  He's not ready yet."  He strolled on, finding Lupin pacing in the parking lot.  "Stop it," he ordered, stopping him.  Lupin scowled at him.  "I can walk away too," he pointed out.  "I'm not putting up with either of you pouting."  Lupin glared at him so he backed off.  "Fine, you pace and whine.  I'm going to go home."  He headed for the car.  He had the keys.

"My car, Jigen," Lupin said firmly.

"Then I'd get your ass in gear before it leaves you here to pout at Xander some more," he called back.  "Because I can also lock you out of *your* house and away from *your* kids."  He opened the door, sliding in.  By the time he had the engine started, Lupin was heading his way.  Lupin slid into the passenger's seat, glaring at him.  "Good.  Do you think you should calm down now?"  He pulled out of the parking lot.  "We could even *ask* someone if they've seen them coming for us.  Ishi would know."

"He's a kid," Lupin snorted, turning to stare out the front window again.  "What would he know?"

"Who watches Xander all the time?" Jigen asked.  Lupin grunted.  "Besides us," he said tolerantly.  "Lotus was saying something about a stake being dirty the other day.  You thought she was talking about something in the garden."  Lupin slumped a little.  "He's been protecting us, Lupin.  If we rant at him, we won't see him again."

"It'll make it stop," Lupin said firmly.

"Yeah, because we didn't touch a golden mask that made you see hieroglyphics for days before him.  Or anything that nearly sucked us into another realm.  Or even anything that was magical before I took him in.  Are you fucking losing your mind?"

"No," Lupin said quietly.  "Things were going so well."  He sighed and looked out the side window.  "Then Geneva happened."

"Shit was going wrong before the Swiss job," Jigen reminded him.  "You were ignoring Xander while you planned that caper, and he was desperate for affection.  I'm surprised he didn't go searching for it somewhere else."

"He went to you."

"No, I was a bit busy with my ripped neck muscles," Jigen reminded him.  "The kid handled it on his own, Lupin.  I'm damn impressed that he didn't cheat then.  Or maybe he did.  He did have those three days far from the house.  Either that or that was when he was fighting."

"Shit, I thought he was off getting an abortion," Lupin snorted, looking at him.  "We left him back there thinking we didn't want him."  Jigen nodded.  "Turn the car around."

"We know where he'll be.  He told us to show up when we were ready to apologize."  He glanced at him.  "I can easily take us to Geneva right now."

"I hate Geneva," Lupin told him.  "You two should buy houses somewhere else."  He leaned his head back, considering it.  "Four years?"  Jigen grunted.  "When did he have time?"

"Those midnight walks he started to take.  The times he volunteered to go scout the hotel first," he offered.  "Probably some of those shopping trips when he came back rosy cheeked and smiling."

"He always had stuff when he did that," Lupin pointed out.  "Did he really take out an eight-foot demon last night?" Jigen nodded.  "After letting it suck his energy?"

"Probably," Jigen agreed.  "As a human he would have been harder to kill.  I think only Marcus expected him to do that."  He shrugged, passing the exit to the house. "You know, now that we're not internationally wanted, we've only got a few country warrants."  Lupin snorted, shaking his head.  "They're all gone?" he asked, sounding pissed.

"Very.  All gone but the ones in Africa. And the one in Mexico is still around I think.  The US even went with Interpol this time.  I got a message from somewhere over there asking if we wanted a legit job doing what Dawn's doing."  Jigen groaned.  "I sent back a polite 'hell no'."  He smirked at his friend.  "We'll be off the list as of next week sometime."

"I'd like to cap the bastard on top of us," Jigen noted.  "Go out at number one."

"We can do that.  He's in Paris.  Then again, we're the top of all thieves, he's a terrorist."  He shrugged.  "If you want, we can do that.  It would be a nice one to end on."

Jigen turned the car around, taking them back to Paris to do that.  It would be nice to go out as number one most wanted.  Besides, one last chance for Zenigata to arrest them, it was perfect.  Xander might even come help them.

***

Dawn woke up in her own house.  She knew she had been drunk the night before and she hadn't been planning on coming home.  The kids didn't need to see her that way.  She tried to sit up and found herself tied to her bed with long strips of velvet cord, and sighed.  "Let me go," she called.

Ray strolled in, smirking at her. "Fuck no," he told her, still grinning.  "You two fighting means the boss doesn't get anything done, and if he can't work neither can we.  Therefore, you're a pretty sacrifice for him.  We even hosed you off and helped you brush your teeth.  Vodka breath is nasty," he shared, strolling back out, closing the door so none of the kids could go let her free.  He tapped on the study door, walking in at the irritated grunt.  "Myron and I found her, sir," he reported.

"Where is she?" he asked, not looking up from his paperwork.

"Upstairs waiting on you, sir."  Zenigata looked up at him, dropping his pen.  "We cleaned her up.  She was kinda drunk so we did you that favor."  His boss gave him a look and he gave him an impish grin.  "This means Myron and I can go to Paris Con," he said happily.  "That fine with you?"

"Fine.  Untie her and go," he sighed, going back to his paperwork.

"Sir, if you go talk to her, it might make both of you feel better," he offered.  The Inspector shook his head, sighing in defeat.  "Fine, but I can't release her.  I don't know how to do those knots when I'm not in them."  He walked out, going to talk to Myron.  He found Myron and Lotus staring out the front window at something on the sidewalk. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Bad people," Lotus said simply, pointing for his benefit.  "Bampires."

"Vampires," Myron corrected gently.  "Inspector!" he called.  "We're about to have a problem."

"Why?" Ray asked.  "We're here."  Myron turned and vamped out.  Ray took the baby from him, forcing her to walk away.  "Tell me you didn't turn the baby," he pleaded.

"No, I'm normal," she giggled, patting him on the leg.  He glanced down at her and she gave him a smile.  "He's not fully bad.  Auntie can do a soul restory."  She trotted off to get her uncle and tell him.

Ray looked at his friend, shaking his head.  "Am I supposed to stake you now or should I let you live?"

"Oh, come on," Myron said seductively.  "We can do all sorts of things, Ray.  We can eliminate all the criminals in the world.  Who could stand against us as a team?"  He could see the younger cop falling under his spell.  "It would be so great.  The cons would be more fun.  The criminals would wet themselves in fear of us, man.  We could do it all," he hissed, giving him a kiss.

"I did not need to see that," Zenigata said as he walked into their living room.  Myron hissed at him.  "What the fuck are you doing?" he demanded.  "This is no time for you to try out a new costume."

"It's not one," Ray said absently.  "The teeth are real, sir."  He moved closer. "What about ethics and the good fight, Myron?" he hissed.  "Where is that in you now?  The need to capture the bad guys and make them pay?"

"I'll make them pay," he promised.

Lotus giggled.  "Not like that, silly.  Do soul spell," she told her uncle.  "Auntie know how."

"Ray, go release Dawn," he said, handing over the baby.  "Take her with you."  Ray backed out, leaving them alone.  "Myron," he said, sitting down, his gun in his hand.  "When did this happen?"

"Last night," he admitted, grinning at him.  "People want you in the underground, Zenigata.  We will win."

"You won't win," he swore.  "You can't."

"We can.  The Light has almost no warriors and the two who were called back into service are injured," he cackled.  "Who is to stop me?"

"Me," he said, pointing his gun at him.  "They're wooden before you ask, I found her stash," he noted.   "Don't move.  We'll see if Dawn can fix you first."

Myron laughed.  "Why would she be able to?  I bit her last night.  She's *weak* now," he sneered.  "No one can touch me but Harris, and he's injured from his last fight.  There are no slayers in Europe.  There are no potentials in Europe.  There aren't even many trained civilians in Europe.  Who's going to stop us!" he laughed.  "You're an old man.  Your hair is turning white.  I'm going to be this age forever!"

Ray came back with Dawn.  "Him," he said firmly, pointing at him.

"Dawn, were you bitten?" Zenigata asked.  She nodded, moving past him. "Dawn," he warned.  "Get out of the way.  You're too weak to do the spell."

"I'm not," she said firmly, staring at Myron.  "I have the thing memorized," she promised.  "If I can't, Marcus can and will.  Ethan can and will if you get near Xander."

Myron chuckled.  "Why would I want to do that?  I have no desire to get near *him*.   Others will turn him, you're my duty."  He lunged and she caught him, holding him in place with a shield spell.  She was sweating nearly instantly and he was taunting her about being weak, singing the word over and over again.  Finally, the shield gave and he lunged, but the bullet caught him on the shoulder.  "You're not that good, old man."

Dawn shrugged.  "Neither am I, on *humans*."  He looked stunned as she pulled a stake.  "But you're not human."  She moved but he jumped out the window, getting away from her.  "You see," she told her husband, falling down onto the couch.  An arm came through it so she staked it, earning a whining grunt.  "Ray, did he get you?"

"Nearly," he admitted, looking down at his feet.  "Boss?"

"I'm fine," he said softly, looking at his wife.  "What will stop that?"

"Killing them," Dawn told him. "As many of them as possible.  Each one can turn at least fifty a week if we let them.  If we can get the head, then we might be able to take out some of the cohesion but it'll still leave the minions there."

"Isn't there some rumor about killing the master freeing the minion?" Zenigata asked.

She looked at him.  "Only if they're in thrall."  She shrugged and stood up, going to pull out her weapons trunk, kicking it open.  "Someone call Fujiko to come get the kids.  With Goemon.  I don't want her here alone.  If we're doing an Alamo, we'll need them out of harm's way.  Otherwise, kids are snacks."  She pulled up her favorite crossbow, stroking it gently.  "Come on, precious, let's go hunt some."  She loaded the clips, heading out the door.  "Stay," she told Ray when he tried to follow.  "Guard the kids."  She stood on her front porch, shooting as many as she could see.  "You are not driving me back to the US," she said firmly.  "I'm not leaving."  She got a few more, then had to head back inside before they got her in their big rush on her position.  She heard a motorcycle up the street and swallowed, hoping it was Xander.  Or even Fujiko.  That girl could stake.  It went past her location and she stepped into the house, firing at them.  A few were brave enough to step up.  "My house, Myron can't invite you," she told him.  It tried to cross and she shot it.  "I said no, get a fucking dictionary."  She slammed the door, leaning against it.  "I need holy water," she told Ray.  He nodded, going to get it out of her trunk.  "Get the bundle of herbs too," she called.  He came back with them, bleeding from a cut on his hand.  "Ow. You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he agreed, eyes glazed.  Dawn splashed him with some and he whined, wiping at his face.  "What was that for?  That's not buddies," he said angrily.

"No, but it's necessary!" she told him. "Zenny!"  He came down the stairs.  "They've bitten Ray, he's not turned yet."  She turned, working on the uninvite spell as fast as she could.

He stopped Ray, looking him over.  "You okay?"

"No!" he said, pointing at Dawn.  "She splashed me with acid!"

"Holy water," he sighed.  "Wait for me in the dining room, Ray."  He gave him a panicked look.  "If you're not turned, we'll be fine," he pointed out, taking him that way.  He hated to do it but they needed some help, badly.  He called Fujiko's cellphone himself.  "We're in the middle of a standoff and your kids are here," he told her.  "Come get them all."  He hung up, tying Ray to the chair he was sitting in.  "Stay there."  He went back to help his wife, finding her nearly unconscious from the strain.  "Dawn," he said, leading her away from the door.  "What do I have to do?"

"We need someone to cast," she told him, looking in his eyes.  "We'll be fine in a minute.  Keep them from coming in."  He nodded, going to do that.  She slumped, then pulled up more of her energy, enforcing the house's shields with her own energy.  She even tapped into the necklace she had stored energy in so many years ago.  Then she prayed like never before.   She'd even welcome her sister showing up right then.

***

Fujiko hung up and went running through the house until she found her husband. "The kids are in danger."  He looked at her, scowling.  "Zenigata just called.  They're in a stand- off situation but the kids are there. He didn't say where they were!" she said, grabbing him by the kimono.

He gave her a hug. "He's at home.  I know he is."  He picked up the phone, dialing Jigen's.  "Where are you?" he asked, sounding calm even though he wanted to be rushing into that situation.  "Zenigata just called, said the children are in trouble.  I believe he's at home."  He winced when he heard the squeal of brakes.  "Thank you.  We'll head that way as fast as possible."  He hung up, looking at his wife.  "We must hurry to Dawn's," he instructed.  She nodded, taking him out to get on her bike.  It was faster than the car would be in Parisian traffic.  He made sure he had his sword and that the gates locked behind them.  The other children were upstairs with their nanny.  They should be protected in there. He grabbed on as his wife took a turn sharply, but couldn't reprimand her for it this time.  Things were very critical if his children were in danger.

***

Jigen walked into Xander's hospital room, bending down to wake him. "Xan, wake up," he hissed.  Xander looked up at him, looking confused.  "Vampires are surrounding Dawn's house."

"Fucking Janus," he muttered as he stood up, wobbling a little.  "He wants us to pray so he can have us for eternity.  I heard him," he said when Jigen looked at him.  "Find me comfy clothes," he ordered, holding his head.  "Find me a crossbow too.  I can't take them on manually like this." Jigen nodded, going to get his clothes from the nurse.  Xander calmed and centered himself, taking his bloody clothes when they were handed over.  "Thanks."  He slid them on, wincing at the crusty nature of the blood on it. "Demon blood, ick," he muttered, putting on his shoes.  He accepted the hairband, tying his hair back.  Then he accepted the crossbow.  "Go there the regular way.  I can hit her house in my sleep.  I have in the past," he admitted at the worried look.  "Go." Jigen nodded, rushing back to the car.  Xander took a deep breath and activated what little magic he had left, heading that way.  He landed on the back lawn, looking at the vampires. "Damn it, I thought we got rid of the fucking Parisian army," he said bitterly, shooting as many as he could before running inside.  "I need ammo," he called.  Zenigata came out of his dining room to give him a look. "What?"

"You're injured," he said firmly.

"Fucking yay. Can you shoot a crossbow?"  He grabbed Dawn's, checking the clip in it then the spares she had.  He handed back the empties.  "Load those, arrows with the arrow on the side," he ordered. "Then go guard the kids."  He walked out to the front, firing out the broken window.  He was quickly out but someone handed him a few reloaded clips.  "Thanks."  He fired some more, realizing that no one should be down there with him.  He glanced back, grinning at Myron.  "Hey.  Howyadoin'?" he asked.  He grabbed him, hip- tossing him and standing on his back.  "Stay down," he ordered.  "Never make me do this again, Myron.  You won't like it when you become Angel."  He continued to fire, taking out the minions.  "Shit, we need to get the big guy."  He knew who it was.  They were targeting them hoping to get Buffy called for.  He dialed her, letting her make her own decision.  "Hey, me," he told the Slayer who answered.  "Yeah, me, Tara.  Why?"  He grimaced.  "Really?  Well get her bon-bon eating ass to the phone.  Paris is presently overrun with vampires.  Yes, I said Paris," he reminded her.  "That place where we've been training you?"  He rolled his eyes.  "Yes, you are *exactly* like your fucking mother," he sneered.  "Now put her on!"  Buffy came on.  "Buffy, your sons are in mortal peril at the moment from the vampires surrounding your sister's house because you couldn't get off your ass to send anyone our way.  Dawn's injured, I'm injured.  I called to cuss you out one last time.  If they live, I'll have someone send them back."  He hung up, firing some more.  If she came, she came.  If not, then not.  They'd handle it.  They had in the past.

***

Lupin and Jigen came up behind Zenigata's house, getting out to go help with the ones in the backyard.  They had stopped to get some crossbows, not being bad shots.  Not exactly expert, but not horrible.  Half their shots weren't hitting the heart but it was incapacitating them.  They got the yard cleared and headed inside, going to help whomever was moaning in the dining room.  "Ray?" Jigen asked.  Ray looked up at him and shook his head. "You already gone?"

"Not fully," he admitted, holding up the ropes.  "I can't get free to go help."

"It's better that way," Lupin decided, heading for the living room. "Xander?"

"Running out of ammo," he noted.  "Myron's turned, he's in here."  He glanced back, then had to turn back around and duck as someone tried to throw a pointed garden stake at him. "That doesn't work on humans," he noted, sending it back.  It was a girly throw, but it made a few run.  He accepted the extra ammo with a smile and a kiss for Jigen. "Thank you, bless you.  Janus wants us to be his for eternity.  This is Dracula trying to get Buffy."  He felt magic going off and winced.  "That's not Dawn," he said, pointing behind him.  "In Dawn's study."

Lupin headed that way, stopping the young redheaded woman from moving.  "Who are you?" he asked.

"His goddaughter," she said firmly, getting around him.  "He called for help.  Buffy's a cunt."  She walked out, opening the door, sneering at them.  "I am a Slayer, here to stay," she announced.  "You can all leave now."  A few more ran off, but most of them moved to try and get her.  Lupin moved up behind her, firing over the young girls' shoulder. "Thank you, uncle."  She stepped out, closing the door behind her to take them on.  She turned on her video feed, letting the others see what was going on.  Weren't there any humans left in Paris?

Lupin caught Xander as he came around a corner, panting and shaking his head.  "What?"

"Jigen.  Myron bit him.  I staked him."  Lupin headed that way while Xander went out to help his goddaughter.  "Fuckers," he hissed, letting his temper come into play.  He got more of them than she was.  She glanced back at him, then went back to fighting, giving him a little smile.  He snorted. "Pay attention, Tara.  It's important in a battle."  She nodded, going back to her wide swinging moves.  "Try not to hurt yourself either," he suggested dryly.  She changed styles, kicking ass better now.  "Good girl."  He hit a few more, making the remaining vampires run.  Then he turned and found two other Slayers standing behind him.  "Oh, hey, rebelled?" he asked, getting out of their way.  "Go for it.  There's an underground here in Paris.  It's about seven miles in town.  Tara knows where it is."  They nodded, taking the younger slayer off with them. "Be careful with her.  You're all little kids but she's smaller."  They gave him a look and continued on.  He walked back inside, closing the door, finding Buffy staring at Ray.  "He'll be fine once your old enemy is gone," he sneered.  "Thank you for finally noticing the fact that there's a world outside of the US."  He went to check on his lover, finding him bandaged and getting slightly drunk.  "He all right?"

Lupin looked up at him, shrugging.  "Is he?"

"He'll be fine, even if he got force-fed some of the blood," he promised, bending down to look at the bites.  Jigen kissed him, hard, probing, like he would his female self.  Xander moaned, letting it go now.  "Thank you," he whispered, touching him gently on the cheek.  "You rest, I'll be back in a while."

"Xander, you're injured," Lupin told him.  "Three of them went."

Xander looked at him.  "The last time Dawn and I went to clear it out, it wasn't even a meeting night and there were hundreds.  We lost count after the first half an hour."  He heard a door slam and looked outside, pointing up the stairs.  Fujiko and Goemon ran up the stairs.  "Take all the kids with you, back to Japan," he ordered.  "Your house is safer.  We'll gather there in a few days, as soon as possible."  Goemon looked at him. "I mean it.  You take care of them for us."  He nodded, hurrying to find his children to hug them.  He turned to look at Lupin.  "Get him headed with them. They'll need help."

"Goemon could help," Jigen said weakly.

Xander gave him a kiss. "I know, precious, but I want him with the kids.  Fujiko might be able to stake someone but I want someone *good* with them and you're injured more than I am.  It'll take days to feel better."  Jigen looked at him.  "Really.  I'll be there soon."  He pulled him up, holding him tightly. "You be safe," he whispered.  "Take the other kids with you.  Take my black box off my dresser.  It's got a few things in it that you can use."  He gave him a desperate kiss, then sent him off, turning to look at Lupin.  "I'd rather you went too.  We could die."

"We could die each time we wake up," he said, grinning at him.  "It's not working, Xander, I know you."  Xander slumped.  "Good job, I hadn't wanted to do that part."  He watched as Goemon gathered Jigen and the kids, taking them away.  Then he popped his wrist and his neck.  "Where are we going?"

"The underground."  Xander and he sat down, loading more clips.  "With the arrows," he said.  Lupin unloaded that one, doing it right. As soon as they were packed, they headed out to take the bike Fujiko had left when they had taken the Benz.  "Buffy, coming?" he called as they walked out the door.

"Do I have to?" she asked.

"Do you really want *me* to slay Dracula?"

"Coming," she agreed, hurrying out to ride behind Lupin.  "When did you learn how to do this?" she asked.  She squealed as they took off, grabbing Lupin as hard as she could. "Slow down!"

"We sent Tara with the others," Xander told her.

"Shit!  Go faster!  I only sent one!"  He went a little faster, heading down to the opening in the train station he knew.

***

Zenigata treated Dawn's injuries, making her look at him.  "Will you be okay?"  She nodded, biting her lip.  "I'll come back," he promised. He walked out, running into Goemon with the kids.  "Take good care of them," he ordered, touching his own daughter on the head.  "You behave in an acceptable manner."  They nodded, letting him take them down the stairs.  He listened, but everyone was clearing out.  The fight was in a different spot now.  He went to find the rest of his bullets, going to help however he could.  He found a confused looking girl standing in Dawn's study.  "Who're you?" he demanded.

"I'm Demara.  I'm a Slayer," she said, looking at him.  "Demara Lupin."  He shuddered.  "Where is my father?  I can smell his aftershave."

"He went with Lavelle to help them slay the vampires."  Her face hardened.  "Lavelle said something about an underground."

"I put a tracker on Buffy," she said, pulling out the tracker.  He took her to his car, going to help her.  Lupin could shit.  He didn't know he had a daughter this age.  "You're Zenigata," she said, looking at him.  He nodded.  "My father is helping you?"

"He is.  His other daughter was here."  He started the car, pulling down the driveway.  "Dawn was here too," he admitted, heading the way the detector said to go.  "Where is that?"

"If he said underground, I'd hazard that it was a real place," she said, frowning at the device.  "They're heading down into the Tube."  He groaned. "Hurry up."  He sped up, braking the traffic laws this time.  She glanced behind them as a cop car lit up, leaning out the window to throw something back at him.  The cop car flipped over so she sat down again.  "Sorry, but they're unharmed."  She composed herself. She hardly ever got to see her father.   He was not going to be happy to see her this time.  As soon as the car stopped, she hopped out.  She could feel the wrongness.  She headed down the stairs at a run, hopping the turnstile.  The attendant started to scream so she tossed a sleep gas grenade into his booth, making him pass out.  She ran down to the lower levels, backtracking to a maintenance door, opening it to find the fight on.  "Fuck me," she announced, pulling two stakes and jumping in.

"Demara!" Lupin shouted. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Hi, Slayer Demara," Xander called, waving before he punched someone with the fist he had wrapped around his broken stake.  Then he staked it.  "Lupin, pay attention," he called.  "Go back to back with her, you can yell later!"

"Fine," he agreed, doing that.  "Daughter."

"Father," she agreed lightly.  "I've missed you.  You forgot to send me something for my birthday this year."

"I did, it was going to hit your hands tomorrow," he said patiently.

"Kidding, daddy.  Give me a backrub and Lavelle's autograph if we make it out of this."

"Dear, he might as well be your step-father," he said impatiently.  "When were you going to tell me?"

"Um, never?" she suggested lightly, staking and kicking someone.  He stuck with her, impressing her.  "Gee, dad, do much fighting this way?"

"A few times," he said dryly.  "Usually I like to take them out with the Walther."

"Speaking of, can you teach me how to shoot soon?  You did promise when I was six."

"Sure.  If we both make it.  If not, demand Lavelle do it."  He looked over but he couldn't find Xander.  "Xander!"

"Living!" he called back, clearing a few more quickly.  He grinned and flipped back his hair. "Pay attention," he mouthed, going back to his fight.

"Usually it's us telling him that," he groaned, getting a few more of his own.  "This is horrible."

"I'm imagining this is what the final fight in Sunnydale was like," she agreed.  She squealed as Buffy cleared a few of hers.  "I had them!" she said.

"Fine, find Tara."  Demara nodded and took her father with her.  "He isn't needed," she called after her.

"Fuck you, that's my daddy you're talking about," she called back.  "Far from the normal human."  She caught up to Lavelle, giving him an adoring look, even when he and her father kissed.  "You are damn cool," she told him.  "Why does Buffy hate you?"

He took a deep breath. "I'm Xander."  Her mouth opened.  "Let's go.  Target?"

"Tara.  Now."

"Good."  He looked around, breaking a new path to her side.  She was bleeding and holding a shoulder.  She fell before they got there but was still living.  Lupin got her out, silently promising to take care of his little girl for him.  Together they made an impressive combination.  She fought like him. Just opposite enough to be able to cover his blind side. "You're good.  Didn't train with Buffy?"

"Daddy got me private trainers, he said I needed self-defense lessons," she panted.  "Damn it, I'm tired," she complained.

"There's at least an hour left, Demara.  Welcome to the war."  He was getting tired too.  Their group fell to some gunfire and he brought her to the floor to get her out of the way.  "Shit.  Reckless assholes."  He looked up, panting hard.  "Jigen!  Aren't you supposed to be gone!" he called, helping her up.  She was bleeding from a few spots, including a graze.  "You okay to go on?" he asked.  She nodded, firming her stance again.  "Good.  Jigen got bitten earlier, go guard him.  Take out the edges."  She nodded, heading to help him.  He headed for the main area, Buffy and Dawn with him.  He gave her a look and she nodded, giving him a look.  "We go then," he agreed, kicking in the door.  They rushed in, finding the smug bastard sitting there drinking wine.  He felt a wave go over him and sneered.  "I'm not who I was then," he said bitterly.  "You can't make me your minion."

"Or me," Dawn agreed dryly.

Buffy stalked around the table.  "You did this to get me here, let's go."

He stood up and pointed a small derringer at her.  "I've learned better," he said with a smile.  It was shot out of his hand by Xander, who gave him a smug look.  "Who are you!" he demanded.  "This is my battle."

Xander bowed.  "Xander Harris," he said.  The man backed away from him.  Xander smirked, moving closer.  "Fight or run, Draccie-poo, you're gonna die.  I'm not the nicest of people, nor have I ever been."  The vampire tried to get around the other side but Dawn stopped him. "Buffy," he snapped. "Sacred duty and all that."  She moved, staking him.  Xander and Dawn chanted something, tossing some salt onto his ashes.  Outside someone screamed and Xander's concentration broke, making him run that way.  "Tara!" he called, fighting back to her side.  She was losing it.  She was crying.  Something bad was going on.  He made it to her side, not finding Jigen.  "Where is he?"

"Your other partner has him," she cried, leaning against him.  Her left leg was broken in a few places, the bones were sticking out on each side.  "I couldn't get him, Uncle Xander."

"Shh, Tara, I'm taking you out of here."  He walked her away, going back to where everyone was gathering when they retreated.  He turned her over to a paramedic, then frowned as he looked at him. "Who called you guys?"

"The nice men who gave me this," he said, handing over the stake.  "Why do I need it?"

A vampire ran past them and Xander tripped and staked him, then handed it back. "That's why."  He went back to the fight.  "Tell them to meet me at the kids," he called as he ran off.  "I'll be there."  He found Demara, stepping in to help her.  She gave him a tired look.  "Outside.  Slayers, mop it up," he called.  "Now!  We've got normals on the way!"  They glanced at him, then went into overdrive, killing the rest of the vampires.  A few of them were dead as well, he said a silent word on their behalf, then led Demara outside.  He found Dawn waiting on him with an injured Buffy.  He turned, leaning against the hood of the Benz.  "Fuck, I ache," he noted.  Dawn hummed and nodded.  "Husband?"

"Fine," Dawn told him.  "Small bite, not bad. Yours?"

"Fuck if I know.  I left Tara with Jigen."  He looked at Demara as she came back out after checking with the paramedics. "Jigen?"

"Left," she noted, coming over to give him a hug.  "Take me with you?  I think I need some more training."  Buffy snorted.  "He did more than you did, even blind on one side, with a recent head injury, and limping."  She led him back to the Benz to let him get in. "Come on, Mrs. Zenigata."

Dawn looked at her. "I'll hitch a ride back with the hubby.  Say hi to the kids for me.  Tell mine that I'll come get them later this week.  Consider it an extended sleepover."

Demara nodded, getting into the front seat and putting her head down.  "Soon, Xander.  Then they can whine at us."

He grinned.  "Not at me.  Jigen gave me a look like I was God," he shared with a grin, starting the engine.  "Move, Buffy."  She moved and he took off, heading to take his special cargo to Japan.  That's where everyone would gather.  Goemon had the safest house.  He found tickets waiting for them so they took the time to clean up in a nearby hotel and change clothes before heading over there.  He grabbed his head as the plane started to accelerate, feeling himself pass out.  "Japan," he slurred at her firmly.  She nodded, agreeing to make sure he got there.  He let the darkness overtake him.

***

When Xander woke up again, he was back in a hospital bed but the nurse was Asian.  It was a good sign.  "Morning," he told her in Japanese.  She looked startled and he shrugged.  "I like anime."  She frowned and left to tell someone he was up.  Lupin strolled in, handing him a soda.  "Body count?"

"None of ours.  Myron on Dawn's side," he admitted, kissing him gently.  "You okay now? It's been a few days. I was about to let Lotus in to sit on you again."  Xander gave a weak laugh before sipping his soda.  "How do you feel, really?"

"I'm okay.  My head doesn't hurt now.  How's Jigen?"

"A few steaks and he was fine," he promised, sitting beside him.  He looked at his younger lover.  "You've done that before?" he asked.  Xander nodded.  "Recently?"

"Dawn and I used light spells," he admitted.  "He used to have mirrors in there."  Lupin nodded.  "How's the girl?"

"Demara's good," he admitted with a grin.  "Goemon loves to teach her.  Unlike you and Marcus, she absorbs his wisdom.  Tara's with us too by the way.  He's working around her broken leg.  She's a plucky little thing."  Xander grinned and nodded, handing back the soda.  "Had enough?"

"Of hospitals.  If you get me sprung, I'll let you fuck me back into unconsciousness," he pleaded.

Lupin chuckled. "I knew you'd say that.  You can't have sex until you don't get a headache for days.  Your medicine is in the IV."  He nodded at it.  Then he smirked at Xander.  "Which means you can show us the treasure you've been hoarding, Pirate Xander." He gave a light laugh at that.  He leaned over, kissing him again.  "I'll spring you as soon as they'll let me.  Goemon's house is a big love-in right now. It's sickening.  Almost as bad as Fujiko's throwing up.  She started early this time."

"It's probably nightmares," Xander admitted, giving him a look.  "Were you hurt?  I can kiss it and make it better."

"You can't, not for at least another week," Jigen said as he walked in.  "Time's up, my turn."  Lupin sighed and stood up.  "The doctors won't let us at the same time.  He thinks we're odd."

"Gee, what a shock," Xander said dryly.  He pursed his lips and got a deep kiss, one which made him moan and shift.  "You'd have to do that to me when I'm not allowed to have sex," he complained.

"It's a promise for when you get out," Jigen vowed, giving him another one.  "How's the head?"

"Sore.  How's your neck?"   He reached over to touch the bite marks with a shaking finger.  "Am I having a Parkinson's day?"  Jigen nodded.  "For real?"

"No.  They said you'd probably shake for a little while.  Your blood sugar's a little low and you haven't had caffeine in days, Xander."  Xander gave him a little look.  "You're good.  Your head will be fine within weeks."

"Weeks?  I have to go without for *weeks*?" he asked.  "Na-uh, no way in hell!" he said, sitting up with a moan.  "I am not going without sex for *weeks*.  Nurse!" he bellowed.   She came running back.  "I'm leaving now, right now.  There is no way I'm going without sex for weeks, I'll turn violent and homicidal."  She said something rapidly and Xander raised an eyebrow.  "I'll have you know I'm a world renowned assassin, Lavelle.  This man and the other one keep me from killing people.  Would you rather I go on a rip through the city?"  She shook her head, her eyes very wide.  "Then let's get me checked out with the appropriate medicine so I can go have sex and calm down again.  I don't care if I end up hooked on advil for my head."  She said something, giving him a pleading look.  "So?  I've had other concussions!  Move, woman!"  She hurried out, going to talk to the other man.  Jigen was laughing beside him.  He looked at him and grimaced.  "I have."

"I know you have," he agreed.  "That's what they were worried about."

Lupin stuck his head back into the room.  "One more day, Xander, all right?"  Xander scowled.  "I promise, one more day and then I'm going to find your choker.  Got it?"

Jigen looked at him.  "Why?  Will you be needing it?" he asked.  Xander gave him a delighted look.  "Hell, I'd miss you if you were gone," he admitted dryly.  "I figure I can try it once.  That's it though, no promises."

"Hey, none needed," Xander agreed, giving him a long kiss.  "No, I'm not staying," he told Lupin.  "I want out now."

"I'm not gonna back out," Jigen soothed, helping him lay back down.  "You rest, babe.  We'll work it out between us on how you're best to get it."  Xander gave him a smile.  "Good.  You be a *good* boy.  No more terrorizing the nurses."  He gave him a fond pat and an extra kiss.  "Look in the mirror soon too.  You've got a dark streak in your hair."  He walked out, following Lupin to the car.  "How is Pops?"

"He's in a blind panic.  He won't let Dawn out of his sight.  I think she's going to have another too," Lupin said dryly. "I'm still not sure if it was the vampires or Demara's existence though."  He got in to drive, smirking at Jigen.  "Nice job," he praised.

"Hey, he needed to stay and I am willing to try," Jigen told him.

Lupin started the engine.  "Top or bottom?" he teased.

"For him, maybe.  For you, never," he said with a smug look.  "My ass is his property. He proved he's the better warrior."

"Hell yeah," Lupin agreed.  "I never want to do that again."

"Me either," Jigen agreed, nodding.  "Think we can talk him into giving it over to the girls who are staying?"

"Hopefully.  Pops has made Dawn brief them, while he listened no less," he said smugly.  "He's very impressed with his wife.  She's got that dangerous touch again and you know how much dangerous people turn him on."  He pulled out of the parking lot, heading back to their hotel to tell Goemon and everyone the good news.

Lotus could sit on his chest once they got him back to the house.

If they let him alone that long.

Dangerous people turned them on too.

The Long, Strange Trip Home.

Xander looked up as Goemon joined him in the restaurant, giving him a smile.  "Morning," he said pleasantly.  He was presently in female form as Melody, the half-Asian looking disguise with long, straight black hair and a modestly built body.  They were meeting so Goemon could go over her manners since she had asked him to.  Fujiko was bothering him most of the time and he had needed the practice anyway.  She looked at him as he cleared his throat.  "Did you want a kiss?" she teased.

"No," Goemon said firmly.  "Why are we eating here?"

"Because I like the food here," she said quietly.  "It's a nice place and fairly safe."

"Someone might think I was cheating on Fujiko."

"Someone might think that, but would they be stupid enough to tell her that?  Besides, she knows you're here to help me today, right?"

Goemon nodded.  "That is true," he admitted.  "Fine.  What did you like on this menu?"

"The fish is pretty good.  The burgers are great.  The salads are really big if you're going to go off on my diet again," she said, giving him a sideways look, noticing his smug look.  "It's usually pretty decent but I've only had those.  The cheesecake isn't as good as some I've had but the shortcake is excellent."

"Very well."  He took her menu.  "What are you having?"

"I think I'll have the steak."  He gave her a long look.  "I'm hungry.  Sue me, I was up late last night."  She gave him a smug look.  "Someone had me working out most of the night."

"I'll chastise him later," Goemon said firmly.  "You still need to sleep."  He looked over as the waiter came over.  "I'll have the lunch salad with chicken."  The man nodded and wrote it down.  "She'll have the side salad and the steak."  The waiter glanced at her.  Goemon gave him a long look and he smiled and bowed before leaving quickly with their menus.

"Shoot, I need more soda," Xander sighed, sipping the last of hers.

"You need to drink more water."

"I hate water."

"Obviously."  Goemon glanced around, noticing the people staring at them.  Then he looked at Xander again.  "This was a very kind diversion, Xander.  Thank you."

"Welcome."  She smiled brightly.  "I figured you probably needed it with the brat your wife was becoming again.  One of these days I'll even have to resort to fighting like a woman against her."  Goemon smiled and shook his head.  "Seriously.  She's being worse of a brat than Lotus is on occasion.  Plus she's encouraging bad habits in Lotus and Ishi.  I don't like that.  They're spreading."  She finished her soda and put the cup aside, shifting to cross her feet in the other direction.  "I caught Demara having to correct the others from pouting like Lotus and demanding like Ishi."

"She has spoiled them," he agreed sadly.  "I don't know how to counter it."

"Easy, find her a long job and spend that time with the kids." Xander retorted gently.  "You're the only one who can undo her damage."

"Perhaps," Goemon agreed, gently smiling at her.  "You are getting more wise as your own grow older."

"I should.  Look at all I've done in my life."  She beamed at the waiter as he brought their food and her another soda.  "Thank you," she said in Japanese.   He nodded and left again.  "Think he's the cop or is it someone else?"

"He is," Goemon noted, pushing through his salad.  The listening device was tossed over his shoulder, as was Xander's.  "We should work on your deportment.  Most Japanese women aren't as aggressive as you are."

"Most of them don't have the reason to be aggressive that I do," she quipped, smiling at him.  "But I can be a bit more demure and proper if necessary."

"It might be helpful, yes," he agreed, digging in.  "Would you like to help me shop for presents for the children later?"

"Sure," Xander said happily.  "I'd adore that, you know I like spoiling the kids.  The two Mini-Lupins and my twins need new ones anyway."

"Hmm.  Probably not, but then again they are more spoiled than my own."  She kicked him under the table and he smirked. "You do spoil very often."

"I might, but at least mine don't throw fits that make whole museums full of people upset."

"Thankfully or we'd never have any work."  He ate another bite, spitting out the piece of wire.  "They really should figure out how to not do that."  Xander chuckled and dug for wire in her salad but didn't find any and shoved it over for him.  "Thank you."  He ate a bite.  "Yours is fresher."

"He was flirting earlier," Xander admitted coyly.  "Apparently I look good to him."

"You do look good like that," he agreed, looking over her tasteful outfit.  It was amazing, he couldn't see a bit of cleavage.  Much different from his wife's clothes.  You could tell she had on a regular dress under the outer kimono from the way the fabric bunched around her neckline.  "That is a nice outfit, where did you find it?"

"Paris.  The designer is *wonderful*.  She even helps compensate for weapons."

"Good."  He smiled at her.  "It's always important to hide those."  He ate another bite, thinking of a new topic.  They didn't often sit down and talk politely like this.  "I think the children should get new kimonos.  Fujiko is protesting."

"I'd toss out her clothes and only leave her kimonos," Xander offered, smirking at him.  "She can't run around naked in front of the kids.  She won't do it in front of Jigen or Lupin."

"Hmm.  An interesting premise," he agreed.  "Logical.  She might do it anyway."

"At which point in time you take her out to the treehouse and tie her up in it until she knows better."

"Another idea," he agreed dryly.  "I like your idea of sending her away on a job better."

"Yeah, me too.  It's amazing, I did more work than she did last year.  Marcus even did more work than she did last year."  Goemon grunted.  "I mean in the field work.  She didn't even help plan stuff."

"I hadn't thought of that," he admitted, putting down his fork.  "Maybe we can find something for her to retrieve.  Or perhaps send Lupin and Jigen with her?"

"Maybe," Xander agreed.  "They could use something to do that's not playing with the kids.  I caught Jigen singing to them the other day."

"He doesn't sing."

"I know.  He's tone deaf.  I still caught him singing.  I didn't recognize the tune but he had this look like he was some grandpa in Florida with the grandkids down for a visit."  She sipped her soda.  "I think they're bored."

"Perhaps.  It could be paternal feelings come out more firmly however.  The twins are nearly old enough to potty train."

"Yup, they just did that," Xander said proudly.  "Got the point over a weekend due to the candy.  Had a really big stomachache because they did so well.  They've even got the nighttime stuff mostly down already."

"I'm impressed, it took nearly three weeks to teach Ishi," Goemon noted.

"He learned it in a few days, it was that peeing off the back porch thing that kept hanging him up," she argued.  Which she had taught him but she wouldn't mention that since it had upset Goemon so much.

"I still don't think it's appropriate."

"Hey, he got the basics, he didn't use a diaper," she said with a smug look.

"Yes, but his mother was not happy when she was peed on."

"Maybe he figured it had made you wiser so he was trying to help her.  Speaking of her," he said, nudging him under the table again.  They both looked up as Fujiko stormed in.  "Join us, Fuji?"

"No!" she spat.  "I know you're trying to steal my husband."

Xander sipped her soda.  "Fujiko, think about who you're addressing before you make outlandish claims.  I've got two men already."  She glared at him.  "Yes, it is me."

"I knew it was you before then," she said snidely.  "You and your manners lessons and all that shit need to go to hell!"

"Fine, we'll quit figuring out what to get you for your birthday," Xander said with a one- sided shrug.  "It's not like we can't find something spectacular and give you a map."

"My birthday just passed."

"Yes, but all *good* presents require some careful planning," he pointed out.  "All my best ones have started at least a few months before.  But hey, if you don't want a map for your birthday, we don't have to do that.  I can simply get you something nice and cute, like a silver hairbrush or something."  She glared at him again. "Up to you, Fujiko.  We both know I'm not taking your husband.  I like the guy, but he'd never put up with me."

"I wouldn't," Goemon agreed dryly.  "You still bounce."  He looked at his wife.  "This is not whatever you are thinking.  Your mind has led you astray yet again, wife."

"Stuff it," she spat.  "I know what's going on."  She stomped out.

"This sort of situation is why wish demons are so bad," Xander noted, cutting into her steak for a new bite.  "If we end up in Hell, or somewhere else, it can be fixed I'm sure."

Goemon gave him a long look.  "If we end up in Hell, I'm letting you destroy them."

Xander beamed.  "Okay."  She ate that bite of steak, looking out the window.  "When we get done, why don't we go shopping for something for her to do?"

"Definitely.  We can stop by the kimono shop on the way," he agreed.

"Cool.  My present one is getting a bit heavy.  I decided to wear a new one.  Like it?"

"I do," he admitted, looking over the decorated fabric.  "It looks heavy though.  Is that for summer?"

"Yup.  It's just heavy."  She shrugged and ate another bite.  "Modern designers."

"Ah."  He nodded.  "They seem to want to change some of the finer traditions.  What is that in?"

"It's in a linen/cotton mix," she said, letting him feel it.  "The dress underneath is in a pure cotton."  He nodded in appreciation.  "I simply liked it a lot."

"As do I.  The patterns suit you."  He ate another bite of salad.  "Perhaps I should be home more often.  Being there would help both children calm down and learn appropriate manners."

"It couldn't hurt.  Lotus is still tweaking noses."

"Hmm.  I wish she would quit that," he agreed.  "It is distressing."  He shuddered.  "She's too much like her mother for her own good."

"Well, not really.  It's just that her mother's had complete control of her so far.  When you're there, she's much different from when she's with her mother."

"An excellent point," Goemon agreed, realizing it was true.  "I should take the rest of this year off and work with them and Marcus.  You could use the practice as well."

"I could," she sighed, putting down her fork.  "Want to go?"  He nodded so they paid their tabs and left, heading down to the kimono shop.  As they walked over the threshold, a powerful wave of magic hit them, sending them off kilter and into a woods.  "Okay," she said, looking around.  "Not where we intended.  It's not Hell, but it's not where we intended."  She looked at Goemon, who was grimacing.  "Recognize it?"

"I do.  That mountain was on the other side of where I trained as a boy," he noted, pointing it out.

"So we're near Iga?"

"We're just outside of Iga," Goemon corrected.  He pointed.  "Iga should be that way."  He looked at her.  "Stay here, do something with your hair and hide your underdress."  She nodded, pulling down the elaborate hairdo to turn it into a braid.  "Hide if anyone comes," he instructed as he walked away.

"I can handle myself," she called after him, frowning at his stiff back.  "I'm not helpless," she reminded herself.  "Even though we're in Japan, and it looks and sounds like ancient Japan by the noises and the horses coming this way."  She stepped back into the trees, her hair undone and falling down her back.  She hoped the riders didn't notice her, even though one turned to look in her direction.  She looked behind her, squeaking at the demon standing there.  "I should have felt you."

"You are not from here," he said.

She switched to the most common demon language.  "No, we're not.  My friend and I were transported here, probably by a wish demon because his wife is a jealous bitch.  Goemon and I work together."

"A Goemon?"

"The thirteenth."

"Ah.  The present one is the fifth."  She winced and groaned, shaking her head.  "You are far from your time, Consort."  She gave him a long look.  "I can tell.  It radiates off you."

"It was done against my will," she said firmly.

"I have no doubt of that, the chaos of it shines as well.  I shall go stop your friend and bring him to the camp of the other Goemon's.  I am the protector of this wood and they are here now."

"Thank you.  Should I wait here?"

"Yes.  Do something about your hair.  You look like a maiden and those are in short supply around here."

She got to work braiding it.  "Technically, I'm married to someone else, kinda.  Promised and all but married."  He nodded, watching her work.  "He's married to someone else as well.  Shit, the kids."  She looked up.  "Not fair to them."

"You have children?" a rough voice said from behind them.

Xander turned, looking at the older man.  "I do.  As does my traveling companion, a member of your clan."  The guy looked just like her Goemon.  They had to be related.  "We're not supposed to be here though.  I'm not quite sure how we got here."  The demon said something and she looked at him.  "I can understand you," she said in Japanese.

"Fine."  The guardian walked into the open.  "She is a guardian of her own time.  They were transported here.  Her companion comes from further up the line."

"I see."  He nodded.  "Take her to our camp.  Where is the clan member?"

"He headed for the town to find out what year this was and things," Xander admitted, getting the braid done to her neck and hitching it up.  "I'll finish it later.  My arms are tired."  The man on the horse gave her a long look.  "I'm more than capable of taking care of myself.  Thank you."

"I see."  He looked her over.  "A woman such as yourself traveling alone is a bad thing."

Xander looked up at him, giving him a bland look.  "You'd be surprised.  I'm an assassin in my own right, only with the weapons the Westerners use instead of yours.  Though if you have a crossbow, I'm fairly good with them.  I've hunted enough things in my life."  The demon said something again.  "Yes, them too.  I learned by hunting vampires."

"Hmm."  The Goemon member nodded.  "Fine.  Bring her to our camp.  We will watch and look for the other."  He rode off.

"Is he a good member or is this before the family split?" she asked the demon.

He groaned.  "Just before.  We've seen signs of it already.  Come."  He walked off and she followed him, making sure her clothes didn't catch on anything.  "Those are odd fabrics for your clothes."

"Modern times have people who change some of the basics to suit themselves," she said with a shrug.  "I've got some more proper ones at home but we were having lunch out to help me with my manners."

"It must have been hard, changing that way."

"That is my choice," she noted.

"If you can, change to be more Asian."

"I have trouble with height."

"Then that is fine.  You look enough like us part of the time."  He watched as she did something to her necklace and turned more Japanese looking.  "Much better."  He nodded and led her on.  "We can say you're farm folk."

"Sure.  Not that I am.  I'm more warrior stock actually."  He looked impressed.  "I am an assassin and a gunman in my own right, plus I know some martial arts and some sword work.  Goemon taught me those."

"Ah."  He looked impressed.  "Very interesting, Consort.  What is your name?"

"In this form, it's usually Alexandra.  After the great Greek General who made it all the way to the Indus river back in his time."

"We have heard of him," he noted.  "A strange name but nothing too out of the ordinary for a warrior's daughter."  He walked into a clearing, startling some women, who screamed and ran.

"Don't do that," Xander begged in Japanese.  "I'm not evil, really."

"They screamed due to me, Consort."

"Sorry."  She gave him a look. "You're damn helpful.  Are you around in my time?"  He nodded.  "Name?  So I can look you up and thank you when and if we get back?"  He whispered something in her ear.  "After the big guy, huh?"  She smiled and bowed properly to him.  "I thank you, guardian spirit."  He bowed back and left.  She turned to look at the women.  "Sorry.  Goemons'?"  They nodded and one old woman stepped forward.  He noticed she was looking particularly hard at her chest.  "It was against my will.  A friend gave me for his own power.  A member of your clan protects me now."

"The one we felt coming home," she said.  Xander nodded.  "That is fine. Sit, girl."

"Alexandra."

"Then sit, Alexandra.  Can you cook?"

"Some.  I don't usually poison people."  The others stared at her.  "I mean you no harm.  Don't worry about it."  She sat delicately on a log, putting on water for tea.  Goemon had made sure she knew how to make real tea as soon as she had picked out a form that had any form of Asian leaning.  Just in case it was necessary.  Men came riding up with her Goemon with them and she nodded at them politely enough while guarding the older woman.  "Are they yours?"

"Family retainers," she said, patting her on the arm.  "Ah, the new one," she said, bowing to him.  "We will talk."  She looked at the head of the clan, who nodded, giving the new woman a look.  "She came with him.  He protects her from those who would want to hurt her again for their own uses."

"I also teach her," Goemon said as he slid off the back of the horse and walked over, checking her over.  "You've changed."

"It was suggested."  She stood up and bowed to the obvious head of the family.  "I'm Alexandra."

"I see."  He looked her over.  "Your clothes mark you as not being local," he said in English.  "As do your manners."

"My clothes and my manners state I'm from a time far in the future, as is this member of your clan."

"Speak so the rest of us understand," one of the women complained.

"Hush," the clan head told her, glaring at her.  "Impudent woman."  She threw a rock at him.  "I will punish you for that later."  He looked at them again, going back to English.  "How far?"

"This is the thirteenth name carrier."

"Really?  I'm only the fifth," he said, looking at Goemon.  "Interesting.  Which side do you take after?"

"The dark one.  I and my children are the last of the line.  So far one son and one daughter, who takes after Grandmother's side," he said, nodding at the older woman.  "Alexandra is my student and friend.  I've trained her for a few years now.  We thieve together."

"Very interesting," he grunted, looking at her again.  "You use a sword?"

"Definitely.  Not as good as Goemon does, but I do use one.  I also use some of the Western weapons."

"Hmm."  He smiled.  "Then you can help around the house and hunt?"

"I'm better with a crossbow than a regular bow.  I grew up hunting the legions of darkness."  The man looked impressed.  "This isn't my natural form."

"I can tell.  The necklace looks out of place, is that the reason?"  She nodded.  "Very well then.  Are you normally female?"

"Sometimes, only with the necklace on.  I was born male.  I also have silver hair in my usual form."

"Stay in this one then," he ordered.  "It will cause fewer problems."  He looked at his relative.  "You will come with us?"

"If you desire it to be that way," Goemon said formally in Japanese.

The head of the clan nodded.  "I do, though I do not think the others need to know."

"A good idea," Xander agreed.  She got down to test the pot of water, then took it over to where the tea cups were being prepared.  "I'm not doing the full ceremony, right?"

"No, Xander."

"Thank you."

Goemon rolled his eyes.  "Women in my time are much more fierce and opinionated.  She grew up among the Westerners."

"Ah.  That explains the stiffness."  He nodded, looking at the other men.  "He is not from here, but he is a member of our clan.  She is under his protection and his betrothed."  Xander looked at him and he gave her a long look back.

"My wife would probably not like that very much," Goemon said in English.

"Perhaps, but was she the one who sent you here?"  He nodded.  "Then it serves her right for being such a shrew.  That one obviously needs someone to calm her down."

"Her men do so, just not recently."  He sat down, watching Xander as she did what she was supposed to.  "Didn't get your hair finished?"

"My arms got tired."

"I'll work on it later."

"I can, just not yet," she pointed out, bringing him over a cup of tea, and one for the clan's head as well to be nice and generous for their help.  "Here you go."  She sat down at Goemon's feet, looking up at him.  "I added a bit of sugar to yours."

"Thank you."  He sipped and nodded.  "Too much sugar."  They traded cups and hers tasted better to him.  "Thank you, Xander."

"Welcome."  She yawned, then shook her head.  "That late night in the museum was not helpful."

"You do work with him?" one of the men said.  She nodded.  "You steal things?"  She nodded again.  "A woman?"

She stood up and handed off her tea cup.  "If you wish to challenge me, you may.  I can hold my own against everybody but him and his other, full-time student.  I've put some ninja on their backs in the past."

"Xander," Goemon said calmly.  "Leave him be.  He is young and impatient.  He knows not who he is addressing."  She sat down again, taking her cup back.  "Thank you."

"Fine."

"She will have her chance.  We will see her in practice, as we will you," the clan head told him.  He nodded.  "Your sword?"

Goemon pulled it out of his kimono and tossed it over.  "The one your generation was making, father."

"Ah."  He pulled it, looking it over.  "Very fine work."  He tested the balance, then put it back and tossed it back to him.  "It's good to know that one is so good and well-loved.  You honor it?"  He nodded, sipping his tea.  "Excellent.  And hers?"

"She uses many blades.  None of them are special to her.  Her other weapons are more her usual.  Including those guns that the Westerners like so much."  He grunted in annoyance.  "They serve her well, and are easier to hide than a sword."

"I take it they've gotten better?"  She pulled hers out and made sure the safety was on before walking it over.  "This is one of them?"  She nodded, ejecting the clip and clearing the chamber for him.  "Well.  These are not like the modern ones at all."

"Mine is more accurate and much more deadly," Xander said quietly.  "The bullets come out faster."  She reloaded the clip and put it back in, then put the gun back inside her outfit.  "If you need my services, all you have to do is ask.   I do not mind fighting for his family.  He fights for mine sometimes."  She went back to her spot, sitting down to finish her tea.  "I'm going to have caffeine withdrawal soon," she told her Goemon.  He gave her a long look.  "Seriously."

"We'll manage."  He patted her on the head.  "Work on your hair.  You look like some maiden."

"Yes, sir."  She took down the clip and regathered the trio of hanks of hair, braiding it further.  "Why did I give myself hair this long?"

"Because your men like it that way," he reminded her.

"Oh, yeah."  She got halfway down her back then pulled it around to finish it off, reclipping it.  "There, done," she said proudly.  "Unless I need to wind it up?"

"No, that should be fine."  He patted her on the head again.  "At least this is you and not Marcus.  He would be most put upon."

"He'd never make it," Xander pointed out.  "He's very obviously British."

"You dare teach one of them our secrets?" the young man who had challenged Xander said angrily.

"He came to me after being infected with the soul of a spirit like the forest guardian who found me," Xander said coldly.  "I asked permission and he needed it.  He lives over here now and is his nanny."

Goemon cleared his throat.  "Xander, temper," he said quietly. She frowned at him.  "I mean it."

"Sorry."  She looked down at her cup, picking it up to look at it.  "This is a very interesting pattern.  I've never seen that one before."

"It's unique to the family," the older woman shared, coming over to sit next to her.  "Truly you are the daughter of a warrior."

"And one in my own right," she shared with a smile.  "With a temper as hot as his is cool and collected."  She laughed and patted him on the back.  "Thank you.  I'm sorry to be so bold but people like him annoy me."

The old woman gave the young idiot a look.  "He annoys many sometimes."  He had the grace to look away.  "You know of magic.  Do you heal?"

"Not often.  I only know a few spells that way.  Destruction is more my thing."  She smiled at her and patted her on the knee.  "I wouldn't mind leaning more toward that.  My own children get into some horrible mischief."

"It's your nature shining through," Goemon said dryly.  He looked at his line's father.  "I have pictures of mine.  Pictures won't be created in your time for many years," he said in English, offering them to him.

The man looked at them.  "Like very lifelike portraits," he noted, smiling at the young girl.  Goemon nodded at the older woman.  "Ah.  And the son?"

"The fourteenth," he said proudly.  "A bit of a handful still."

"He's young, we were all handfuls."

"It's mostly his mother's fault," Xander told him.  "Want to see mine and my step- children?"

"If you wish."  Xander pulled out her wallet and tossed it over to him.  He looked at the picture of the twin girls and then the two girls who looked alike but weren't twins.  "Interesting.  I know someone with this face.  He's a pirate who just left the life."  He tossed it back to her, watching as she caught it and put it away.  "Are they good children?"

"Mostly," she said with a faint smile.  "The twins are a handful.  They're mine.  The others are my man's children.  He had to have them with someone more appropriate for his grandfather's will."

"Ah.  Those are often odd situations."  He glared at his own wife.  "I inherited her."  She glared back.

Someone in the woods walked out and sneered at them.  "Isn't this cozy?" he sneered.

Xander picked up a rock but the grandmother stopped her by shaking her head and grabbing her hand.

The clan head looked at him.  "You're interrupting a family meeting.  Did you need something?" he asked, his hand moving to his sword.  "I didn't think you were a member of the family."

"A member of this family?  I'd rather be killed."  He sneered at the larger than average woman.  "Farm bred servants now?"

"No, one like me," the grandmother said.  "A warrior's daughter."  She removed her hand from the girls' arm.

"Really?  I'd like to see that."

Xander shifted, then threw the rock, hitting him and breaking his nose.  "Let me get out of this kimono and grab a sword then."  She stood up and took it off, taking the sword Goemon handed her, not his but the other he had been carrying for whatever reason.  He pulled his and she waved him on.  "Come.  I don't go for showy moves."  He lunged and she had him disarmed in three moves, then down on the ground with her sword against his crotch.  "Men like you shouldn't breed so the bad manners can't be passed on.  I should do the world a favor.  You'd better beg my protector to save you.  He's the only one who controls my temper."

"You are no female," he spat.  "Women do not fight."

Xander leaned down without moving her sword.  "Yet, I am female, am I not?  Some of us were forced to learn to fight.  It was necessary.  When the spirits of the dead kill your relatives you learn as well."  He went pale.  "Now, you can yield, and I'll let you up, or you can die if no one speaks up for you."

"Leave him," Goemon said.

She looked at him.  "You sure?"

"I am."  He finished his tea.  "Come here, your hair is already coming down."

"Okay."  She used his shirt to wipe the blade then handed it back properly and took back her kimono.  "Sorry, this thing is not built for fighting.  It's a new design in our area and it's really heavy."

"It looks it," the head of the clan noted, giving her a long look.  Then he looked at her Goemon.  "No battle yell?"

"She doesn't go in for showy tactics most of the time."  He shrugged.  "She meets up to my bottom standards for students.  My other student is better."  She sat down in front of him and he undid her hair, working on it to make it a tighter braid.  "You should be able to do this by now."

"I don't usually do my own hair, Goemon."

"Hmm.  I had forgotten about that.  That and Lupin likes to have you leave it down."  He finished and clipped it.  "There, better than I usually do with my daughter's hair."  She settled herself beside him.  He looked at the stunned man on the ground.  "You're still here?"  The man got up and stomped off.  "An hour and you already have enemies."

"Be thankful I'm not having caffeine withdrawals," she pointed out.

"I'll wear that out of you," he said firmly.  "To spare the rest of the family."  The grandmother laughed.  "She can be quite horrible without her caffeine boost.  She bounces."

"I can tell."  She looked back at her son.  "Are we done here?"

"Nearly.  We need to bargain for the chickens still."  He looked at that young woman again, then at her 'betrothed'.  "She is well trained."

"Thank you.  She is how I learned patience for my son."  He burst out laughing, shaking his head as he turned his horse around.  "We will wait here if you want."

"Please.  I trust you to protect the women."  They rode off again, going back to the village.

Goemon looked at Xander, then shook his head.  "We'll have to figure out how to get you new clothes."

She pulled something out of the inside of her kimono and handed it to him.  "I never travel without a backup."

He looked at the ruby.  "That is very nice, Xander."  He handed it back.  "A wise move.  Universally accepted."  He nodded, looking at the grandmother.  "Would that be acceptable?"

"It would be," she agreed.  "You'll have to say it's her dowry and do it for her of course."  He nodded.  "You are well trained."

"It's a matter of my life's work," she said sheepishly.  "That and it helps me control my temper."

She patted her on the hand.  "Then we'll set you to helping the men half the time and us the other.  Can you do anything homey?"

"Very little, but I can do some," she admitted.  "I'm good at simple cooking."

"We'll watch you the first few times," she assured her.  "Just so you can't make us sick."  She looked at one of the other women, who blushed and looked away.  "We fixed her, we can fix you," she said, looking at Xander again.  The man came back.  "Again?"  A few of his friends came back.  The young woman stood up and took out her sword, along with the new clan member.  The friends and the young idiot were duly injured but graciously not killed.  An amusing tactic but probably necessary because they couldn't know who they would have spawned in their time or how the future would change.

***

Goemon came back from his trip to change her ruby to local currency, and to buy her some proper clothes.  He walked in and handed over the package, making her squeal and hug him.  "Thank you.  Change."  She went to do that and he went outside shaking his head and wiggling a finger in his ear.

"Excited?"

"Extremely.  She likes to spoil others but no one seems to spoil her."  He shrugged.  "Her men are amiss about such things sometimes.  We need to remind them to treat her better."  He picked up the axe and went to the wood pile to do his share of the chores.  He was good at chopping wood.

"Don't worry about it, "one of the men said.  "Your betrothed did most of that earlier."  Goemon looked at him.  "She was quite efficient."

"I didn't know she knew how to chop wood."

"Once we showed her," another man told him, "she did it fairly easily."  He shrugged.  "It kept us out of trouble by challenging her."

"Hmm.  Perhaps I should work on her training some more.  Her excitable nature is showing."  She came out of the house wearing an informal kimono and her hair pulled back into a ponytail.  "We should work on your fighting in such clothes."

"At least you got ones I can fight in," she noted.  "The other I couldn't."  She loosened the fabric a little and picked up a stick.  "Shall we?"

"If you wish it that way.  I promise not to get your throat this time."

"Good idea," she said dryly.  He put down the axe and took his own stick from one of the men.  They gathered around, having heard from their women about what he could do.  Even the higher warriors in the family came to watch them.  She looked at them.  "You might want to move back," she offered.  Then she looked at Goemon.  "You know I don't like to attack first," she said, her stick loose in her hand.  He lunged and she firmed her grip, going at him with a one-handed swing, then she spun and grabbed it with both hands, going after him for real this time.  He was enjoying showing off for once, she could see it in his eyes.  So she helped him show off.  She wasn't that great, but a good testament to his teaching prowess.  He had her 'killed' in sixteen moves and she bowed to him and backed off, attacking first this time.  This time she got him onto the ground and beamed but had to backflip out of the way of his swing up at her legs.  He got to his feet, growling at her.  "If you lose your temper on me, I'll tell Jigen," she taunted.  "He'll pick on you again."

"I'm not," he said firmly, going after her again.  She ducked under one blow and came up between his arms, her 'sword' sticking in his stomach.  "Interesting move.  Learned that from Marcus?"

"Yeah, I did," she admitted, getting free.  "But it works for my style, don't you think?"

"I do think.  Go for it," he said, seeing the hesitation.  "They'll appreciate your wilder style."  She smirked and waved him on, looking cocky now.  He lunged and she ducked one blow, leapt another, and then came at him from the side.  He barely got out of her way and countered in time, she was going for blood this time.  He had to duck a blow and ended up grabbing her by the arm at one point and tossing her onto the ground, stepping on her back.  "Yield?"

"Sure.  If you rub the sore spot on my shoulder."

"If you'd like."  He got off her and helped her up, bowing to her, which she returned.  "You are still in practice.  I'm impressed."

"Me too.  All those day-long practices are really helping me stay in shape."  She brushed herself off then beamed at the stunned men.  "What?  I'm his student.  Have been now for a few years."  She bowed to them.

"An ambushing style, a good choice for one such as her," the clan head noted, nodding.  "Very well done, young one."  He looked at Goemon.  "Not as technically proficient, but for a woman not bad at all."

"Her passion is not the sword, but the gun," he said lightly.  "With that she is flawless.  In this, she challenges me to teach her.  My other student is better in the traditions I was taught in."  He bowed to him.  "Xander, go cool down by doing some katas in the back of the house."

"Yes, Goemon."  She handed over her stick and went to do that.

"You have her trained to obey too, very nice," one of the men quipped with a grin.  "Can you show us how to do that with our women?"

"Treat them better," Xander called back.  "If you treat them gently, they're more likely to like you in return and to respect you."  The other men laughed and snickered.  "Seriously, guys.  They will.  Bards and sensitive men get women by the score because of how they treat them."  She found a nice spot and started work on her first kata, going slowly to get used to doing it in this sort of outfit.  She had never done katas in her kimonos at home.

Goemon shook his head.  "She is fierce sometimes.  Very strong willed."  He shrugged and tossed the second stick to one of the warriors.  "I would learn from this time as well."  He beamed and stepped into the circle, letting their elder get out of the way before attacking with a yell.

The women went back to their work, talking about this new woman and what she could teach them.  They were coddled and taught nearly nothing by the men.  She could help them fix that.

***

Lupin looked up from playing with his older daughter Demara as his cellphone rang.   He grabbed it, looking at the number.  "Sorry, kitten."  He answered it.  "Lupin."  He listened for a moment.  "Of course we can.  We're in town anyway.  Just me?"  He glanced around.  "Of course.  Thank you.  Sure."  He hung up.  "Jigen, we've got to visit the local Don.  He's got news on Xander?"  Jigen looked up from teasing the little kids with a string toy.  "That's what he said.  We're to meet him there in an hour."

"Sure," Jigen agreed, gathering the kids up.   They pouted and complained but he was firm on gathering them and their things up.  Demara came over to help and they chatted at her about the park they were in, pointing out all the neat things they had seen.  It sounded like they were one head speaking in tongues, but he enjoyed it when they did that.  He looked at Lupin.  "Xander?"

"Xander," he said, looking confused.  "I thought she was supposed to be meeting with Goemon for lunch."

"She was."  He shrugged.  "I don't know.  Fujiko?"

"I doubt she killed them.  We would have heard that already, he was dancing around the subject."  That got Jigen moving faster.  The man only danced around odd things, like magic and those sort of things.  Demara drove the kids back to their hotel room and they took a cab to the Don's house.  Lupin straightened himself up and rang the doorbell, letting the guard let them in and pat them down.  "We have an appointment."

"He said to bring you right in," the guard said quietly, leading him to the study.

"You didn't bring the children?"

"No, they're back at the hotel room," Lupin said, sitting across from him.  "You didn't say you wanted to see the kids, but we can bring them over to play later."

"I would appreciate that, as would my youngest two children.  They've been bored."  He looked at them and sighed.  "It is bad news for the most part."

"Fuji went psycho and shot them both?" Jigen asked.

He snorted.  "I wish.  That would have been easier.  My wife felt something going wrong."  He leaned over and rang a bell.  "Bring us some water and biscuits," he ordered the maid.  She went to do it for him, bringing it back quickly.  Then she disappeared again.  "My wife felt something was off.  She keeps track of Lavelle since he has the ability to mess up certain works of hers."  They both nodded, Jigen coming over to sit down as well.  He cleared his throat and reached for a glass of water.  "Please, drink."

"Spit it out," Lupin sighed.  "How bad?"

"Fujiko sent up a wish and had them sent back in time."  He quickly drank his water.  They both stared at him, mouths open. He put down his glass when they didn't lose their tempers and start shouting at him.  They were known to be quite fierce about their Lavelle. "My wife felt the wish demon take hold of her wish.  She wished that they be sent back to a time when their manners were more suitable.  She contacted a guardian spirit up near Iga, it's been around since before Japan was officially a country of its own.  He said they're back with the fifth and sixth generations."  Their mouths closed in unison and he nodded.  "I'm sorry to say so, but they're back there."

"I'm going to kill her," Jigen said calmly.  He scratched the back of his head.  "Have a convenient lime pit?"

"Two, and a coal mine."

"We might need it," Lupin agreed, blinking a few times.  "Can we get them back?"

"If you can get the wish demon to reverse himself.  Or if they find a temporal device back then.  I know from the legends there was one.  The Emperor had it in his possession so I doubt they could steal it, but one never knows about your Lavelle and Goemon is fierce."

"Very," Jigen said, licking his lips.  "Was she in female form?"  He nodded.  "Then Goemon will probably protect her."

"They're with his family from what the guardian spirit said.  I don't know anyone who can pull off that sort of magic, except that wish demon."  They nodded and stood up.  "I wish I had better news for you."

"We're going to go kill Fujiko," Lupin told him.  "Thank you for warning us."  He patted Jigen on the arm.  "If you hear anything more, tell us."

"It said that they were pretending to be betrothed."

"It's probably safer," Jigen agreed.  Then he shuddered. "I can't see him putting up with her."

"I can't see her dealing with the myriad household tasks that women did back then," Lupin noted.  "Maybe she'll be a better cook when they come back."  He led the way out, going out to get a cab back to the hotel.  They grabbed the car and headed for Goemon's house, going to face down Fujiko.  They found her lounging in the front yard getting some sun and walked up to her.  "Fujiko, did you make a wish?" he said dryly.  She looked up and nodded.  "You do realize that you sent your husband and our wife back to Imperial Japan?"  She nodded, going back to her book.

"What makes you think you're gonna live through this one?" Jigen asked calmly.

She stood up.  "He wanted to be with her, now he can," she said venomously.  "That way she can practice her manners and I don't have to deal with the disapproving looks and glances he and the kids give me.  They're my kids, now they'll really be my kids!"

"No, now they're our kids," Lupin said calmly.  "You're going into a psychiatric hospital."  She let out a bitter laugh.  "Get whatever wish demon to reverse it or else, Fujiko.  Leaving them back there means that history changes, including the Goemon family history.  Which means that Ishi could become just like his father."  She shrugged.  "Fine.  Jigen."  He waved a hand and turned away, going to find the kids.  He carried them out to the car, letting Jigen finish locking her in the trunk.  "They were napping."

"Fine," Jigen agreed.  "That means they won't have to see her when we drop her off."  He got them hitched into the baby seats, then got in to ride in the passenger's seat.  He'd watch while Lupin drove.  "We should send her to Pops.  He gives good lectures and he can out stubborn her into giving up and reversing it."

"He does," Lupin agreed, trying to sound like he was having fun.  "Can't we just kill her?"

"No.  The kids would miss her for a few hours."

"Damn.  We'll let Goemon handle her."  He started the engine, waking both kids.  "Hi.  We're taking you to play with the other ones."  They smiled and babbled at him about what they could be doing.  "Sure.  Demara's there too."  They squealed in delight, they liked her.

"Your daddy will be home in a few days," Jigen explained.  "Your Ma had ta go help him with something."  They smiled at him and nodded.  They expected such things.

Lupin took off down the driveway, but stopped to go back and lock the house up.  Then he came back and got back in to drive, heading for the local airport.  Once they were there, Jigen kept the kids occupied while he drugged Fujiko and got her onto a private plane back to Paris.  No one asked too many questions once they were told she was sick.  On the way out, he stopped to call Dawn.  "Dawn, I'm sending a psychotic Fujiko to you," he said quietly.  "She just made a wish and sent Xander and Goemon back to visit with the fifth and sixth in the family lines," he told her.  "She's coming in on a private flight, drugged up for your convenience.  Please, yell at her enough so we don't kill her."  He hung up before she could retort.

***

Zenigata hung up the phone and looked at his wife.  "He thought I was you."

"Was he under a lot of stress?"

"Yes.  He said Fujiko sent Xander and Goemon back in time to visit with the fifth and sixth in the family line.  He's sending her here on a private flight and heavily drugged so we can yell at her."  He shifted, laying down next to her, his magazine forgotten.  "He sounded stressed."

"Hmm.  Do you want first yell?"  He gave her a look.  "I know you don't like them, but think about how much history Xander can change without trying, just by being Xander. Even a female Xander.  Or maybe especially a female Xander."  He shuddered.  "So, do you want first yell or second yell?"

"I'll take second.  That way you can yell and then call your contacts to see if anyone can reverse the stupid spell."

She beamed.  "What a brilliant man I married."  She kissed him gently.  "Are they coming from Iga?"

"Only her and yes."

"Fine.  We've got nearly ten hours then."  She shifted over, stretching across him to take him the way she liked.  He groaned and rolled her under him, reminding her he liked her underneath him.  "Having an old-fashioned moment?" she teased.

"Yes.  I like looking down at you."  He kissed her again, getting into it.  One of the kids knocked on their door. "Yes, Jerry?"

"Water?" he called.

"No, we're fine," Dawn called back.  "Go ahead and get a drink from the bathroom."  The kid padded down the hallway, going back to his room.  "My nephews are a little odd," she told him.  He smiled and nodded.  "It's the Buffy influence."  She kissed him again, trying to take control but he kept her firmly on her back.   Not that she would complain, she didn't mind going on her back for him.  He always pleasured her very well when he was having a dominant moment.

***

Marcus Wyndam-Pryce looked up as his name was yelled by an irate Lupin, then looked at his mentor.  "I'll be right back, Ethan."  The other man nodded so he sent himself there.  "You yelled?" he quipped as he appeared.

Lupin grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him closer.  "Fujiko made a wish and sent Goemon and Xander back to Imperial Japan," he hissed.

"He's going insane," Jigen informed him, getting the poor guy free.  "Fujiko's heading for Dawn.   Have any good ideas?"

"Ethan!" Marcus yelped.  He appeared, giving his student a long look.  "Fujiko made a wish and sent Goemon and Xander back in time."

"Xander was female," Jigen said helpfully.  He got Lupin laying down on the couch with a cool compress for his head.  "They're with the fifth and sixth of the line."

Ethan shuddered.  "Oh, damn, the world will end because of that boy."  He looked horrified.  "Why?"

"Because she's an evil, jealous, manipulative bitch," Lupin said angrily, but he stayed laying down.  His blood pressure was up, he was dizzy.

"Anyanka!" Marcus yelled, bringing her.  "Do you know which demon granted Fujiko's wish?"  She shook her head slowly.  "The one who sent your ex back in time?"  She shook her head even slower, looking more confused.  "Can you find out so we can *encourage* him to change his mind?"  She nodded, going to do that, still looking very confused.  She came back a minute later, her mouth open and one finger raised.  "Yes, she made a wish.  Sent Xander and Goemon back into time."  She shuddered and went to fix that.  That was a bad thought.  Marcus looked at Ethan.  "Can we do anything?"

"Perhaps.  There were spirits around back then that are still alive now.  I'm not sure if they'd help or not however."  He grimaced, looking up.  "Janus, I know you love the boy, but really."

Lupin let out a bitter chuckle.  "Would we even know if this changed anything?  Or if he and Goemon were going at it?"

"I doubt they would.  Goemon has that honor thing," Jigen reminded him.

"He would never cheat, even though she did this to them," Marcus said firmly.

"I'm having an 'only Xander' moment," Ethan announced.  Everyone looked at him.  "Ripper told me about them.  They're moments when only Xander could do something.  Like only Xander could fall in love with a soul-sucking mummy and then stand up to her about her necessity of survival while offering himself in that twat's place."  They all groaned.  "Ripper said he used to get them fairly frequently.  He had them when Anya showed up in a permanent manner quite often."  He shook himself free of his thoughts.   "Come, Marcus, we've got a lot of pleading and praying to do.  Janus will hopefully want the world to continue."  They disappeared, going back to pray to Janus as hard as they could until they annoyed him enough to get his help.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "I wondered what those moments were called."

Jigen snickered.  "I didn't.  It's the only title that made sense."  He went to get them some more aspirin.  They'd obviously need it before this crisis was over with.

***

Xander sat on the fence, looking up at the stars.  They weren't in the right spots.  It was unnerving.  He heard someone coming up behind him and glanced back.  "They're not in the right spots."

"The universe does expand," Goemon reminded her quietly.  He gave her a pat on the back. "Are you all right?"

"Fuck no."

"I understand."  He sighed as he too looked up.  "Even though they have changed, they're pretty."

"They might be, but it's wrong.  Everything feels really wrong."

"It will until this is solved.  If it doesn't then we're getting accustomed to it and are in danger of staying," Goemon reminded him.  Xander slumped.  "We'll figure out how to get home, Xander.  I won't let you stay here with me."

"You're staying?"  Goemon gave him a look.  "It sounded like it."

"It might have, but I have no plans in that area."  He gave the younger one a hug.  "I am just as upset as you are.  Even though I'm not throwing a fit, the wife and I will be discussing her continued existence in my house when we get back."  Xander relaxed into his arms, and he suddenly understood what Jigen saw in her that drew him like a moth to a flame.  He let her go with an awkward pat to the back.  "You should go rest.  Day starts early here."

"Yeah, and I need to hunt down a local demon to see if there's anything they can do to get us home," she sighed, sliding off the fence.  "Thanks, Goemon."

"You're welcome.  Go sleep."

"You do realize they put us in the same room?"

"I do, but I won't be in for a while yet."  Xander nodded, heading inside as quietly as she could.  She made sure there were two beds, but they were close together.  The grandmother had been nice enough to help her with that when she explained things to her.  She stripped down and laid down, covering up her underthings with the light sheet and blanket.  She faced the opposite way from his bed when he came in so he could have some privacy.  "You arranged for two beds?"

"Yeah."

"Thank you, Xander.  That was incredibly nice."  He got down to his loincloth and laid down on his bed, getting comfortable on the hard surface.  He switched to his side and found the worn spot in the mattress, getting comfortable with his sword under his hand.  Raiders were all too common in this time period if what he had read was correct.

***

Fujiko woke up in a stunningly white room, strapped to a bed, and Dawn sitting beside her.  "What the hell are you doing?"

"This is a psychiatric hospital, Fuji. You're here until you tell us which demon you used."

She snorted.  "Fat chance.  They deserve each other."

"Fine.  You'll be in here.  They think you're having hallucinations and you don't really look like yourself at the moment," she said calmly as she stood up.  "You'll be in here, drugged up and chained down, until you tell us."  Fujiko laughed again.  "At least give us a name."

"I didn't take it down for future use."

"Male, female?  Tall, short, dark, light, bald, hair, beard, no beard?  Anything?"

"Him."  Then she laughed at the sour look.  "Oooh, isn't that good enough?"

"No, Fujiko, it does narrow it down.  Anya?"  She appeared.  "She's not cooperating."  The demon put her hands on each side of Fujiko's head, reading her mind.  "Anyone?"

"Oh, yeah, it's Scott," Anya said confidently.  She beamed at Fujiko.  "Don't worry, I weakened her wish.  After all, if they're back there permanently, then the world could end."  She disappeared.

Dawn smirked at her.  "You fucked with Xander and you knew better, Fujiko Mine.  You were warned when you first met him by me.  Nobody fucks with my family and gets away with it.  From now on, your daughter is now mine until we get your husband back.  Don't worry, I'm sure Zenny can't turn her into a cop overnight, but I know he wants to try."  She started to scream abuse and thrash. "If you fight, they give you more drugs," she said, getting out of the way of the attendants.  She slipped out of the room, nodding at the doctor.  "Don't worry, she'll be fine eventually."  She left the ICPO's mental unit and headed home to tell Ethan what they now knew.  He was making brownies in her kitchen while he thought since his stove was broken and they needed to pool resources.

He was not going to be amused by this.

***

Xander looked up as a man came riding up with a child in his hand, babbling about needing the old witch healer.  She jogged over.  "She's still in bed.  Someone get her up," she snapped.  They went to do that while she took the child to look at.  "My, you had a nasty fall," she soothed, easing the child's fears.  "Do not worry, I learn from her.  I'll start this while she puts on clothes."  The child sniffled and she sat down with the child, pulling the pure energy from the ground. She wouldn't dare taint a child with the nature of her power, natural power was better and wouldn't taint him as much.  She soothed the bigger hurts, including the one in his shoulder where it was dislocated.  Once the pain blocks had been applied and she knew they were done properly, she looked him over with an eye for larger injuries.  He wiggled his toes when she tickled the sole of his feet, so that was a good sign.  She found a few broken bones and the dislocated shoulder, working on that first.  "Easy, it will hurt while I put this one back in place," she said.  She looked up, finding the old woman looking at her. "He has a broken femur, a broken fibula, two broken ribs, a broken collar bone and a dislocated shoulder.  Hold him so I can put in the shoulder."  The old woman nodded and got down to help her, holding the child still.  The shoulder was put back in with a small cry, and they worked to partially heal the other injuries, as much as they could.  Then they each kissed the poor thing on the head.  Xander looked at the father.  "He still has some healing to do," she announced.  "His arm, his collar bone, his shoulder, his thigh."  She pointed at each injury.  "At least one more month in bed, until nothing hurts when he moves."  She handed him back carefully.

"What was he climbing?" the old woman asked.

"The oxen.  It kicked him into a tree," he said, holding his son tightly.  "He will live?"

"His back was not hurt, but he will have weather aches as he ages," the old woman told him.  "Have him rest for at least one moon.  He'll know when he's healed, he'll be ready to go play."  The father nodded and bowed deeply, heading home.  She turned and helped Xander up off the ground.  "Very well done."

"Thanks.  I've had to do that with a few of my own injuries."  She dusted her seat and legs off.  "I was plucking a chicken."

"Let the children do so.  That is their job."  She led her inside, taking her to speak of herb healing.  Something that Xander didn't know much about.  A few lessons would go well and the other child came to help learn, she would be following in her footsteps.

Goemon looked at the other men.  "I've never seen her do that.  Usually she destroys."  He shrugged and went back to practice with the older men.  They were good and some skills had been lost over time.  This was good for him.  Possibly even for her.

***

Goemon went with the men into town the next time they went.  He needed some things and Xander needed something to do before she went more insane.  She was already looking for something to help them, taking practice in the mornings to settle her moods, then helping around the house all afternoon, but she was still going insane.  He could see it in her eyes.  She was getting desperate for something concrete to do that wasn't house work, practice, or magic.  She had been learning quite a lot of that recently, but nothing that could help them.  He saw the forest guardian and veered that way to talk to him.  "Has she found you?"

"She has and there is something that can help you, but the Emperor has it in his possession.  He fiercely guards it."  Goemon nodded solemnly.  "I doubt he would bring it to you and you can't steal it.  He will be bringing it around to show off in about six moon cycles."  Goemon nodded again.  "It is a wish stone."

"Thank you," he said quietly, kneeing his horse to catch up.  He considered it.  If the demon said he couldn't steal it, it was probably heavily guarded.  They probably couldn't get near it and it would dishonor his family if anyone found out.  His line's father looked back at him.  "An interesting bit of news."  He fell back to ride beside him.  "The Emperor has a wish stone," he said quietly.

"Hmm.  Guarded?"  Goemon nodded.  "Will it be coming out soon?"

"The forest guardian said six months," he said sadly.

The older man patted him on the arm.  "You're both very handy, we don't mind if you stay around.  Even if it is permanent, though you will have to marry the girl sometime."

He looked at him.  "I doubt my wife at home would like that."

"True, but since this is her fault, perhaps she is giving up on you and leaving?  Maybe even committing sepikou?"

"If she is, then I hope she was humane enough to move the children from the house.  Otherwise, I would have to have her called back to berate her.  Possibly even let Xander deal with her.  He is a fierce protector of innocents."  The older man nodded.  "I do not know what to do.  He can't find anything that can send us back, not even the wish creatures in this time."

"Then perhaps it was meant to be."

Goemon looked at him.  "That leaves my son and daughter without a suitable teacher. My student is good enough but he is still British and not wholly suitable.  My own teacher is dead.  I have enemies as well.  My friends would keep them safe, but they could never teach them."

"Then we'll work on getting you back.  The line must carry on.  Try to have one with her," he said with a wink.  "They would be strong and durable children who had enough energy to conquer the world."

Goemon laughed.  "You should see his twins with one of his mates.  They are forever moving.  Even while they sleep."  He shook his head sadly.  "They teach my own son bad habits and his mother is only enforcing them.  Xander also spoils them but he does it in a way I don't mind as much. He spoils them with things and attention at the same time."  The elder nodded.  "My wife," he sighed, "is simply spoiling them.  My daughter pouts.  My son disobeys.  My children are rotten because of her.  My daughter is mimicking her mother's way of telling me she wants relations.  It bothers me."

"It would bother me too.  Why did you marry that wench?"

He gave him a sideways look.  "We were stuck in a cell for four months.  I got to know her and found her suitable most of the time, but recently she has been having problems that I'm not sure where the cause lies.  Why do women suddenly change from someone nicer and sweet enough into a raving psychotic?"

"I don't know," he said.  "Women are a mystery to all, even to the Emperor's greatest scholars.  Not that they would ever think about figuring out women, they consider it beneath them.  How long was she sane for?"

"Our whole marriage.  We had our fights about what she was teaching them before but nothing like this.  My daughter crawls into my lap and pinches my nose like her mother does when she wants affection.  Not even Xander can make her stop it."

"Girls are perverse beings.  Is she powerful and strong?"

"She is like the grandmother," he admitted quietly.  "Very strong with nature.  Lotus is one of the stronger witches born recently in Japan or anywhere.  We believe it's because her two guardians had to keep her alive with magic before she was born.  Her mother was normal after that though so I'm not sure what her problem is."

"Do you pay attention to her?"

"I try.  When I do try, she rebuffs me if it's not her idea."  He shrugged.  "I have tried many times to take a walk with her, or to sit quietly with her.  She refuses."

"What did she do before you were married?"

"She was a thief as well, but even that does not hold her interest."

"Perhaps she is disenchanted with aging then.  She is near your age?"

Goemon nodded.  "A few years younger."

"Then she is worried about aging too much and you finding your fancy taken in with something younger.  Were I you, I would take her home and mate her into the mattress, then make sure she is with child and keep her locked in the bedroom for a few months."

"She made sure it cannot happen again," he said sadly.

"Really?  Your time has something to prevent that?  Something foolproof?"  He nodded. "Why?"

"Because in our time there are many, many thousands of people in the world.  It is getting overcrowded.  Chin has instituted a policy that says each family may only have one child."

"What do they do with the girls?"

"Horrible things," he said sadly.   He shook his head.  "Even Japan is that way.  Many families stop with only one or two children.  She had herself fixed so it could not happen again."

"Is it crowded where you live?"

"No, not really.  Everyone moves into the cities because there is more work there and more to do when you're not working."  He grimaced.  "We live off the great peak on the opposite side looking down at the valley."  The elder looked impressed.  "We have a large yard for the children to play with.  My first house had no yard at all and neighbors very close by."

"That sounds dreadful.  Packed like fish in a barrel for a voyage."  He shuddered.  "I am glad I live now instead of then.  Women have no manners and work outside of the home, they don't have enough children to make sure the family prospers, and there are too many people around."  He shuddered again and shook his head.  "I wish you well if you go back.  You must find some sanity in that mess."

"I have," he admitted.  "In my children and originally in my wife.  Then she started this aberrant behavior.  I almost think she is possessed."

"It is possibly.  Possibly a Fox Fire Spirit?"

"Possibly.  It would make sense.  I'll have Xander check her over when we get home."  He looked ahead when he noticed they had stopped.  "A log blocks the road.  Should we cut it up?"

"If you wish.  It is unworthy but I'm sure you've had to do that a few times," he said dryly.  The younger one gave him a long look.  "I figured as much.  Your friends appreciate your skill and Xander picks on you about it so they must see you use it quite often."

"My temper comes out as well," he admitted, pushing his horse to move forward.  He dismounted and pulled his sword, chopping the log into three parts before anyone could say anything.  Then he got out of the way so the others could pull them out of the road.  He said a silent apology to his sword as he got back into his saddle, making his horse trot on.  He needed to get his ....Xander something nice for her continued good behavior.

***

Xander looked up as the women gathered around her and put away her sewing.  She was getting pretty good at the few things she had been taught. She'd only had four knots in her string so far today.  "Yes?" she asked calmly.

One of the younger wives blushed.  "How do you stop your husband from sleeping with you?" she asked.

"Ah."  Xander got comfortable.  "Mostly, he knows better.  We are only betrothed here."  They giggled.  "Seriously."  She smirked.  "The next best thing to him cooperating is usually to hurt him.  Do you play with him with your mouth and hands?"  They nodded.  "Then you can always pinch or bite."

"They'll hit us."

"I doubt he'll be in much shape to do anything if you do it hard enough and you'll be far out of reach if you move fast enough and tell him you do not want to touch him. If he forces you anyway, then remind him that you won't be sleeping for a long time and he will be.  That you can and will use a knife.  I find threats to cut off manhoods tends to make them go down and stay down around me."  They looked awed.  "There's also the sneaky way.  Don't clean yourself very well.  Watch him complain of the smell and go bother someone else.  If all else fails, you don't have to sleep in your marriage bed.  Go sleep with grandmother."  They all looked on in awe.  "You do have the right to not be touched."

The two men who were left behind to watch them walked in and laughed.  "They are wives.  They have no right to anything that we don't give them."

Xander looked at them.  "Shall we speak of this outside?" she suggested, standing up and grabbing the sword she used.  "Women have the right to treat their bodies like the temples they are.  We procreate, you do not.  We have cycles that refresh our bodies and our spirits.  You have nothing of the sort.  Men are weaker beings who have no right to do anything but beg."

One of them looked at her.  "Does your mate know you speak thus?"

"Yes, and he usually laughs.  He respects me and I respect him back.  That's why I don't have these problems.  He knows if he tried anything like you did with your wife, he'd wake up without his manhood in the morning."  The men's eyes widened.  "Trust me, women know all forms of cutting things, we do so every day with food preparation and in the fields as we cut flowers and herbs.  What makes you think your pitiful manhood would be much different?  We could flay it open without you knowing it had been done then cut it off and decorate it with carvings before you had time to do more than scream.  All that decorative food preparation comes in handy for such tasks."  They backed away from her.  "Your wives have the right to tell you no and to shove you out of their beds.  They did not agree to be your whore. They agreed to be your wives, there's a difference."  The girls clapped and hooted.  "Now, if you don't like this idea, then go complain to my protector about it.  I'm sure he'll tell you the same thing.  If not, I can always show you how easy it is to cut those dangly things off."  They ran out screaming.  "Good!  Stay out there!"  She sat down, brushing her hair back over her shoulder.  "I suggest cutting it off as a last resort.  Grandmother would get very peeved if they never created children again, but you do have the right to say no even about that."

The women nodded and went to make plans.  Their men had been getting demanding around her recently, proving that they were still men who were virile and tough.  They were trying to be better men than her and they had already lost.  They had seen her other form one night and knew that she had *chosen* to be female.  It was a light in their dismal world of work and serving their menfolk.

Xander sat down to sharpen her sword, just in case some of the men took offense to it.  She'd be that kind and make it a quick decapitation.

***

Goemon came back and found the women gathered in a knot, ignoring the men completely.  He groaned.  "Xander!" he yelled, heading for the house.  "What did you tell them?"

"They asked me how to defeat an amorous husband who forced himself on them," she said coolly.  "I told them how, in all manners, up to and including cutting it off."  She walked out and patted one girl on the back.  "Let us work on that move again. You have to be able to protect the home if more raiders come and the men are away."

"We always leave them with men," one of the warriors pointed out.

Xander looked at him, then pointed at the three bodies tied in the wood pile.  "We know.  They're hiding.  They didn't like the fact that women have complete control of their bodies, including whether or not you use them for your gratification and pleasure without their consent."  She looked at the women again.  "It was a very pretty chop you did with the axe, Priva.  You used the mundane weapon you were used to very well.  Are you all right now?"  She nodded, straightening up.  "Are you sure?  No more sickness?"  She shook her head.  "Good.  Then we'll start on the minor way of throwing the axe next since you all know how to use it to chop and swing it at people."  She gave the elder a long look.  "Your warriors are hiding in the bathhouse.  I was out back when they showed up.  Priva defeated the one missing part of his leg.  The others were gotten by me."

"Very good," he said, patting Priva on the back.  "You make me proud, daughter."  She smiled at him.  "Do you wish to learn some defense for the house?"  They all nodded.  "Then we shall do that.  It is not right that you were left alone."  He looked at Xander, who shrugged.  "What were you doing?"

"I was in the privy."

"Ah."  He nodded.  "I have been caught as such before.  It is understandable."  He walked the women away, talking about all they could do with all they already knew.  Their weapons skills were already very advanced, as shown by some of the fancy knife work they did in the kitchen.  One of the younger girls giggled and he looked at her.  "It was not funny, daughter."  She whispered to him.  "Xander!"

"What?" she called.  "They have the right to tell their husbands no, the same as the men can complain that they're too tired to satisfy them."  She went to the wood pile and started to chop wood, making the men very afraid and whimper.  "Shut up," she sneered, giving them a cold look.  "Unless you want to be the practice dummies?"  They all shook their heads and cowered further in the wood to get away from her.

"Xander, I know that it is deplorable the way some men treat their women, but that was a bit much," Goemon said firmly.  The others would expect him to take her in hand.  She gave him a look.  "They needed less counseling than that."

"I told them to cut it off as a last resort," she offered, smiling sweetly.  "After all, before that is biting, hitting, pinching, kicking, using a blunt object, going to sleep in another room with the other women, and all manner of other dodges."  Then she turned and split a piece of wood in half.

He stepped up behind her and took the axe, walking her off.  "Xander, are you feeling all right?" he asked gently.

"No, I'm having one of my rare bouts of PMS."

"Ah."  He nodded and hugged her.  "I brought you honey treats.  If you calm down and keep the women from harming their men in a permanent fashion, I'll allow you to have some."  She sucked on her bottom lip.  "It's all right," he promised.  "You were right to counsel them that way.  I agree, men should respect their women's bodies and do their best to please and honor it.  We simply think you went a bit too far in telling them how to carve into it and how to take it off."

"Yes, Goemon."

"Thank you," he said, pulling out a piece of the treat to hand her.  "Now go finish scaring the raiders."  She beamed as she went back to chopping wood with her treat.  The men in the wood pile shrieked and cowered as she grabbed a new piece of wood to cut.  He looked at the elder and pointed upwards, getting an understanding look.  Then he watched as Xander suddenly picked up a rock and threw it at someone on the road, hitting them as they started to leap over the wall.  "Good shot," he called, going over to save the poor man from her wrath.  "Hmm. A tax collector."  He helped him up and brushed him off.  "Excuse my betrothed.  She isn't feeling well and we had raiders earlier."

"That is fine," he said, holding his injured eye.  "She is very good."

"She is the daughter of a warrior."  He smiled at her as he led him to the elder's side.  "She has a very good aim."

"She does," the elder agreed.  "What did she do to those three?"

"She described in detail how she would decorate their manhoods with the axe, then showed us how to carve the designs on some wood," the youngest girl said with a sigh of hero worship.

"In my time, they make medicine for these times," Goemon said quietly, making the elder laugh and pat him on the back.  "Are there special precautions?"

"We send them off to the little house in the woods with some handiwork," he explained.

"Then she'll be going tonight."  He went to tell her that and she nodded, going to gather up some books and some stuff to practice her new arts - calligraphy and embroidery.  He sighed in relief as one of the women escorted her off.  Then he looked up.  "Thank you for keeping those rare," he said wholeheartedly.  The other men gave him an amazed look.  "What?"

"She was having a cycle?"

"Nearly.  I would ask your wives' permissions tonight were I you."  He went back to help with the captives.  He found the carved pieces of wood on them and nodded.  "She is very good with the axe.  I wonder how she would do with a dagger."  They all paled and passed out.  "Good."  The elder came over and looked at them, then at him.  "She did it with the axe."

"Ah."  He took them and put them into the fire, before anyone else had to think on that prospect.  He patted his wife on the head as he walked past her.  "Do not get any ideas."

"I know how to stop you now," she reminded him without looking up.  "I will harm you if I do not feel like it."

He stopped, looking at her. "If you do, then you can live out in the woods and fend for yourself, woman."

She gave him a long look.  "We do that here anyway.  You haven't hunted in a long time, husband, and I don't have any new furs."

"If I brought you one, would you feel better about me?" he asked finally.  She nodded, going back to her decorating of a new plate.  "Then we'll go hunting tomorrow."  He went to tell the men that their wives might relent for pretty presents, especially if they made them themselves, and they all hurried to find something they could do for their wives.  Except the new one, he was contentedly sitting in lotus meditating on the trees.   "Do you not please your wife?"

"When she is in the mood I do so greatly," he admitted. "I find pleasuring her to be a great joy in my life.  It makes her more willing to do anything I could ever want to think up."  He looked at the youngest of the men.  "Perhaps they should be taught how to enjoy making their wives feel pleasure."

"That would work as well," the elder agreed, going to give that advice.  Even their women appreciated being touched with love and affection instead of it just being done nightly.  The older pillow books came out of storage and they all looked for tips and tricks to try that night.  He made sure grandmother had a good store of muscle rub just in case they got too energetic tonight.

She looked at him.  "If the women want, it could lead to more children," she pointed out.  "Six of them are in season."

He smiled.  "That is good news.  Thank you.  Try to work on the women?"

"They would be satisfied with the men asking their permission and treating them with respect instead of less than their swords."

"I'll pass that on.  They should treat their women like their swords."  He went to tell them what she had said and many wives found themselves stroked and handled with great care that night.  It got rather noisy but it was enjoyable.  The next day Xander even helped the men hunt for their wives so most of them quit giving her looks like she was an evil being sent to destroy the family.  The few who hadn't gotten to make noise still glared at her but they did it behind her back.  Just in case she took offense and decided to help their wives punish them further.

***

Dawn looked up as Marcus walked in with a dusty book.  "An idea?" she asked hopefully.

"A small one," he admitted, putting it down in front of her.  Ethan appeared and came over to read over his shoulder.  "If someone who has power pleads with the head of all demons, they can grant the wish be dissolved.  That someone would have to be able to withstand Hell however."

"Which would about be Xander," she pointed out.

"Or someone already dead," Marcus told her, staring her down.  "Someone who is very remorseful and would see this as a way to make up for some of his stupidity in life."

Ethan gave him a look.  "You want to bring your father back for a few moments and have him ask?"

"Why not?  He's the reason that Xander had the twins," Marcus said dryly, frowning at him.  "I think he would do it if we could tell him what was going on."

"It's an idea," Dawn noted, looking at Ethan.  "We can easily call his spirit back and ask him.  That wouldn't hurt.  If not, maybe we can ask Willow?"

"Perhaps, but I know my father felt remorse before he died.  I've been told he begged and pleaded with the Powers to heal Xander from his stupidity."

"Then it's worth a shot," Ethan decided.  "Here, Dawn?"

"I don't want him anywhere near my children."

"Very well.  The park?"

"Done," Dawn agreed.  "What will we need?"  She took the book, going to gather the things she had, Ethan would bring the rest with him.

***

Lupin paced around his bedroom in the hideout, yanking on his hair.  "I'm going to go insane," he noted.

"Too late," Jigen said dryly.  Lupin frowned at him.  "You're also gonna go bald."

He smoothed down his hair and sat down, then stood up and started to pace again.  "I wish we had some way of knowing what they were doing.  Are they all right?  Are they sick or hurt?  Are they getting along with Goemon's family?  Is he taking what's ours?  Is she having fun learning from them?  Have they made her pretty for him?  Are they all right or are they changing history horribly?"  He groaned and sat down, holding his head.  "Where is the medicine for my migraines?"

"Here," Jigen said, tossing it at him.  "Goemon would never have her that way, Lupin. We both know that."

"We don't know how long they've been back there.  He's more used to it now.  He might break and take her and we all know she get desperate without any for a long time.  It could have been *months*."

"It could have been weeks, like it's been here," Jigen pointed out.

"It could have been *years*.  She could come back with kids," he countered, starting to panic.  "I won't lose her to him.  I'll kill him if I have to."

Jigen sat up, giving him a pat on the back.  "That's a fight I'd like to see, but Xander would kick both your asses," he said gently.  He got out of the bed with a groan.  "He's fine, Lupin.  I'm sure of it.  The same as I'm sure he's not having sex with our little prize.  That would impinge on his honor and he won't do that while Fujiko lives."

Lupin looked at him.  "He doesn't know that we haven't killed her yet," he pointed out.  "He probably expects that we have."

Ishi pushed open the door and walked in, thumb in his mouth.  He climbed up onto the bed, looking at his uncles with his best 'serious big boy' look on his face.  "Where's daddy?"

"We're not quite sure, sprout," Jigen said, tipping his chin up to look down at his eyes.  "We know he's safe and all that stuff, but he's doing a job with your Uncle Xander.  We have no fricken' clue otherwise."

"The Mommy?" he asked sadly.

"She a bit sick and contagious," Lupin said, giving him a hug.  "That's why you haven't seen her.  The doctors said you could catch what she's got so she's resting and your Auntie Dawn is checking on her since she can't catch it."

Ishi nodded.  "Okay."  He blinked at them.  "Can we go home then?  Maybe daddy will go back there?"

"Sure we can," Lupin agreed.  It would be just as easy to wait over there.  "Go tell the nanny to pack for everyone and we'll head over there."  Ishi grinned and gave them both hugs before going on his task.  Lupin laid back on his bed.  He fished out a pill and took it without any water, then closed his eyes.  "Wake me when this tragedy is over.  I don't like this play."

"Me either, boss." Jigen went to pack for them, knowing Lupin would be asleep soon.  The medicine did it to him every time.  He found the nanny looking confused.  "We're heading back to the Goemon's to wait on them."  She handed over the phone.  "Who?"

"Dawn."  She walked away, going to find the children.

He dialed her cellphone.  "Yeah, kid?"  He listened.  "Won't that not work?"  He listened to the fuller version of the plan.  "Tell me you're not callin' back the cunt."  He sighed and then groaned when he heard who.  "After what he did?"  She said something important and he calmed down.  "Fine.  If you do, I want to be there.  We're taking the kids home to wait.  Ishi asked.  Sure, tonight at eight."  He hung up and went to check on Lupin, finding him already asleep.  He hunted down the nanny.  "He's nappin' on his meds, let him.  We'll leave tomorrow."  She nodded, smiling at him.  "I'm gonna go help Dawnie."  He left, heading out to the garage, not noticing he had a shadow who was almost as good as her brother at sneaking around.

***

Dawn looked up as Jigen pulled up, then looked behind him.  "Hi, Lotus.  Stay there."  She shook her head and walked up to Marcus' side, hugging his leg.  "No, you can't help this time."

"Can so," she retorted.  "Will."  She glared at Ethan.  "Bad man helps."

"He's helping your dad," Jigen said, picking her up to hold her.  "This isn't your form of magic, kid.  That was a good job of sneaking around though."  He stepped back, letting them do their thing while he sat there and watched, guarding them from any unnecessary interruptions.  She tried to get free at one point so he held on tighter, covering her mouth so she couldn't join in.  When the spirit appeared between them, he hissed.  The guy did look nearly exactly like his son.  He had the look of some scholar.  You wouldn't think he had done something like that.

Wesley Wyndam-Pryce looked at the trio.  "Why was I summoned back?" he asked calmly.  He looked at his son, then groaned.  "Son.  Chaos?"

"Yes, father, and I'm damn good at it.  As well as my martial arts and my thieving skills.  Aren't you proud?" he sneered.

"Not the point of this chat," Dawn said firmly.  Wesley looked at her.  She bowed a little with a sneer.  "Xander's in major trouble.  He and his friend were sent back through time by an ill-timed wish."  Wesley's face fell.  "He's presently in female form in Imperial Japan with the same samurai who's been teaching your son and Xander.  Also that one's father," she said, pointing back at Lotus.  "The only way we can find to break the wish and get them back is to have *someone* go talk to the lord over all demons.  We can't summon him."

"Interesting."  Wesley looked at Ethan.  "You protect him still," he said sadly.

"I've had to.  Xander has taken to his new life like it was meant for him but he is still a brash youngster.  He still rushes in to solve problems.  He still gets injured doing so.  Now he works for the dark thanks to you, but he manages to take out some of the darker elements by doing so."

Jigen stood up, putting Lotus down and giving her a look.  He moved closer.  "Xander is mine and our friend's.  We care for him in ways that no one ever has.  All he has to do is ask and we're there for him."  Wesley sniffled and nodded.  "You fucked up badly, but you gave us a great gift in him.  He's one of the best gunmen there ever was and he's a damn good crook.  He's taken down families all by himself."

Wesley wiped his face off.  "I tried to help him after I found out my mistake.  I went to the Powers to try and free him while he was there and they laughed at me."  He looked at Dawn.  "You were incredibly brave," he told her.  "I will go talk to the head over us all for him.  The world needs more like him."  He looked at Lotus, then at Jigen.  "Make sure she never follows my son's path," he said quietly.  "It will bring everyone harm and she will become Rosenburg."  He disappeared, traveling back to his area of punishment, calling out for the head demon.  He appeared after a few hours.  "Lord, I need to inform you of something.  The people who pulled me to the world again told me Consort Alexander had been taken by a wish demon."  The demon looked stunned.  "They sent him and his companion back into time.  I will beg, I will serve more punishment, but please get him back," he pleaded.  "He is too important to lose to petty childishness from the companion's wife."

The top demon gave him a look.  "Fine.  The wish can be broken.  Who was it?"

"They did not tell me, Lord.  Ethan Rayne knows who.  He and the Key called me back with my son's help."

The demon Lord laughed.  "So, a son?"  He looked him over.  "How did *you* produce a son?"

"The Watchers demanded it of me," he said bitterly.  "I wasn't there and my son turned to Janus and a sword."

"Ah, Marcus is yours.  We had noticed the similarities.  He is very strong, but now handicapped so he could not become you."  Wesley looked miserable.  "Fine, we will check with the future demon Rayne.  You will stay here."

"As you will it, sire.  I am at your disposal," he agreed, bowing his head.  He knew what he had put himself in for.  He would suffer as the one he had made suffer had.  The demon lord tipped his chin up.  "If that is what you want, I will serve," he repeated.  "It is only right with what I did."

"It is," he agreed.  "You should suffer for what the boy went through and you should suffer more than he did."

"That is fair," Wesley agreed.  "I was stupid and blind, Lord.  I realized that afterwards and nothing I did could correct it."  He looked up at him.  "I tried."

"I know.  Which is why you were allowed to go back."  He snapped his fingers and the wish demon who had done it appeared.  "Undo the wish on the Consort Alexander and his friend Goemon.  We do not need him to destroy the fabric of the world."  The wish demon looked stunned.  "Also, whatever is wrong with his wife, fix it."

"S...ss...sshe's possessed," he stuttered.

"Good, fix that.  Go to the Key and undo it as soon as humanly possible."  The demon nodded, going to do that.  He looked at Wesley.  "Does that soothe your conscience some?"

"No," he admitted.  "Nothing will do that.  Not even seeing Xander's new mate and reading how happy he was with Xander will do that."

"Hmm.  You speak well.  Come, plebe."  He took him back to his quarters to serve for this new boon.  Through his year of servitude, he would see whether or not he was cured of his addiction to power.

***

Lupin answered his phone, listening to the quiet voice on the other end over the hum of the plane's engines.  "Are you sure?" he asked, nearly pleading.  "When?" he relaxed. "Thank you, Dawn.  We owe you three.  Let me know."  He hung up.  Jigen reached over and tapped him on the shoulder.  "The wish will be reversed.  Fujiko was possessed.  Dawn's taken care of that."  He looked at him.  "Within three days.  He'll be home within three days."  He broke out into his first smile in weeks.  "Who did they ask?"

"The twat who offered him.  He's remorseful."

"Wonderful," Lupin said dryly.  "At least he was helpful this time."  He patted Ishi on the head, making the boy look up from his reading.  "Your father's on his way home and he'll be back within a week."  The boy beamed at him.  "Your mother will be home within months."

"Thank you, Uncle Lupin," he said seriously.  "I'll be a good boy."

"You're usually a good boy," Lupin promised, stroking over his hair.  "All kids cause some grief.  Just look at the twins."  Ishi beamed and went back to his book.  Lupin looked at Jigen. "Whoever gets there first?"

"Sure," Jigen agreed.  "How's your head?"

"Hurts," Lupin admitted.  "But getting better.  No more stress."  He tipped his seat back, getting comfortable.  "Wake me when we get there."

"Sure, Lupin."  Jigen grinned at Lotus, who was pouting.  "Your dad will be home soon."

"Want daddy, not mommy," she said.

He gave her a hug.  "I think that can be arranged for a few days at least," he promised.  She beamed and went back to her coloring while she listened to a book on tape.  He got comfortable as well, watching the other kids plan something.  "Behave," he called.

"Our kids?" Lupin asked dryly.  "I don't think that's possible."

"Yes it is," one of the twins told him.  "We're gonna pounce daddy and take him away from you."  She glared at him. "You losted him, he's all ours now."

"I'm sure he'll share with us," Jigen told her.  She pouted but her eyes were still glaring.  "Behave," he repeated, putting more weight behind it.  "Your father won't want you to do that."

"Fine.  Grumpy prat!"  She turned around, arms crossed over her chest while she continued to pout and scowl.

"We've got to stop Marcus from doing their spelling lessons," Jigen said, looking at Lupin, who was giggling.  "Sure, it's not your daughter who just used the word 'prat' in a sentence."

"No, mine called me an asshole last night," he admitted, grinning at him.  Then he winked and closed his eyes again.

Jigen tipped his hat down, tipping his own seat back so he could nap too.  It was a private fight and someone would stop the kids from taking over the plane and making them crash into the Himalayas.  Hopefully.

***

Xander looked up as someone yelled that soldiers were coming.  She finished her braid and put on her best kimono, the only one that was clean, before grabbing her sword and heading out.  The elder had given her a special sword as well, one just for her use.  She walked out to stand beside Goemon, leaning against his arm.  "Do you feel the energy?" she whispered.  He nodded.  "Maybe it's the wish stone?"

"Perhaps," he admitted, noticing it was the Emperor's banner that was coming their way.   A herald came forward and read a proclamation saying that the Emperor wanted to see the new witch healer about his daughter's illness.

Xander stepped forward, letting himself be led to the canopied litter.  He climbed in and looked at the girl, recognizing it by how she looked.  "What happened?"  It was clear she was depressed, struggling with something bigger than she could handle.

"I will not marry that animal," she hissed.  "I have heard of him."

He put a hand on her calf.  "While you have, have you heard the truth about him?" he asked.  She looked stunned so he removed his hand.  "The truth and rumors hardly have anything to do with each other, princess.  You could try to ask.  It would ease your mind and depression if you did so."

She shifted, giving her a look.  "I could ask the courtier he sent ahead," she admitted.  "I have heard he is a smelly barbarian."

Xander opened the curtain.  "Did you bring her betrothed's man with you?" he asked.  They nodded and went to get the soldier.  Xander climbed out and helped the princess out.  "She is suffering from depression.  She has heard horrible things."  He saw how her face lit up and then looked at the warrior, noticing he wasn't dirty, smelly, and he had on *really* good armor.  "Hmm.  Perhaps you could ease her mind about your Lord?"

"I could," he agreed, looking down at her.  "How did you know?"

"Your armor.  It's folded like a katana and has gold and jewels on it.  Of course you're him."  The princess' face lit up; apparently she really liked this one instead of the Lord she had supposedly been betrothed to.  It helped matters greatly.  "Tell her."  He walked away, going to the other litter.  "It was a simple disease caused by rumors."

"I had heard you were spoiled and willful, I wanted to see you myself," he told her.

"I heard you were an unwashed barbarian who ate raw meat of humans."

Xander glanced at the Emperor, who was shocked.  "It was the armor.  How many people have armor that's folded like a good sword, had gold and jewels, and fits properly?"

"Good point.  What must we do for this in the future?"

"It's called depression.  You handle it by working on the problem that is upsetting her.  Now, I believe they wanted some time alone to talk," he announced.  "Let them lead the way back."  She climbed up behind him and they trotted off with a single guard for her protection.  He looked at the Emperor.  "You meant it about any boon?"  He nodded.  "You have in your possession a giant pearl, a wishing stone.  We need to get home.  We would like to make a wish.  My companion and I," she said, nodding back at Goemon.  "He is my protector."

"Your husband?"

"My betrothed," she lied.  "My warrior family needs me."

"Fine," he agreed with a wave of his hand.  "Everyone wants that instead of jewels or riches."

"I have jewels and riches at home, m'lord.  What do I need with more?"  She walked back to Goemon's side, giving him a faint smile.  The pearl's box was brought up and opened so they could touch it and make their wish to get home.  They felt a tingle and Xander suddenly knew how to do it.  She whooped and hugged Goemon, heading to talk to the elder.  "I know how to do it."

"Good.  How?"

"It'll take three days to charge and six pure crystalline forms.  Gems, crystals, whatever.  The purer the better, and the more precious the better."

"We have that," he noted, leading her into the storage room that was always kept locked.  "Pick, Xander."  She picked out five but hesitated over her last one.  "Nothing there suits?"

"A few would, but I'm looking for the most pure."  She changed one out, then picked that one as the sixth.  "It will be joined, a truly rare piece of gem," she told him, going to work at the hearth since it needed fire to help it go.  Goemon came in, sitting beside her.  "I need to concentrate, big guy."  He moved farther away.  "Thanks."  He worked on joining and charging them.

"The Emperor wants to know if you can cure his problems now, Xander," one of the wives said from the doorway.

Xander looked up.  "That depends."

She came over and whispered the rumor she had been told.  "That."

She blinked a few times.  "We're centuries before that can be cured, but grandmother has something for it.  Ask her for the blue bottle and charge a lot for it.  It takes forever to make and it stinks badly."  She went back to charging the stones.  "Praise be to Janus and all the others who left me with my powers when I was brought back.  Any God, demon, or otherwise is hereby prayed to for that nice gift.  I don't think I could do this without it."

***

Three days later, Xander put on the kimono she liked best and walked out to the stone implanted on the hearth.  Goemon was already beside it.  She grabbed her sword and took his hand, putting their joined hands on the stone.  "Home," she prayed/whispered.  The world twisted and they were outside the robe shop in Goemon's hometown.  She looked at him and smiled as a car went roaring past.  "Home," she said happily.

"I'll go check on the children," he said, hurrying off.

She patted herself down and found her wallet and checkbook, heading into the robe shop.  Her men would find her when they were ready. Or when they got here.  Whichever came first. She bowed properly to the man behind the loom.  "I am looking for kimonos both for myself and for my children and those children I adore."  She moved closer, pulling out pictures.  "These children."  She tapped the two Goemons.  "They are from here, their father is a fierce warrior who is teaching them."  He nodded.  "They are about five and four I think."  She glanced at the calendar on the wall.  It had been six months here.  She looked at him again.  "Five and five.  Lotus just had her birthday and Ishi's is in another month.  These two," he said, pointing at the Mini-Lupins. "These two are special.  This one," he said, tapping the Fourth's picture.  "She has a destiny as a great and grand jewel thief from a long line of them.  The other will be a cop I think.  The twins, the blonde will also be a cop but the other will be just like me."

"Yes, ma'am," he said respectfully.  He had recognized two of the children.  "I had ordered something in their sizes a few months back when their father came to me."  He went to get them all something, letting her see the patterns.  "Did you need more than one?"

She pulled out her checkbook, checking the balance.  "Do you take check or can you run a credit card?"

"I can do both.  We have a service to make sure checks don't bounce."  She smiled and waved a hand.  "More?"

"Get them whatever you feel is appropriate.  This is your art, not mine.  I simply enjoy wearing them.  And get a few for Lavelle too if you wouldn't mind.  His last few were done in America and he wanted something more authentic."  He looked impressed and did as she said, coming back with most of his stock of children's and women's kimonos. She mentally added it up.  "Fifty?"  His eyes bulged and he nodded.  "Thank you."  She wrote out the check and handed it over.  "Can you separate them out?"  He nodded, doing so, wrapping them into nice packages for her.  "Thank you."  She bowed and took them with her, going to the toy shop.  There she found some more things for the kids and one last stop got her some fresh fruit.  She had missed berries back then.  It was a nice berry year.  She was nibbling them as she walked up the hill to the house, walking in to find Goemon hugging his children as hard as he could.  She handed over the packages with a wink and went to find her own, finding them out in the yard.  "Hey!" she called, reaching back to change back into Slyvia.  They came running to get their own hugs and presents.  "Love you guys too," he said, giving them all grins.  "I got you real kimonos."  They all oohed and took them to try them on.  She walked out, heading to help Goemon's kids with theirs.  Apparently their mother had never gotten them any.  Theirs had neat drawstrings on the sleeves so they could grow into the full length.  She adjusted them both then sent them to help their father change, pinching Lotus on the nose.  "No more of that, young lady.  It is not appropriate."

She nodded very solemnly.  "I understand, Uncle Xan-Xan," she promised, giving him a hug.  "You change too?  We go eat?"

"Sure.  Should I wear blue?"  She nodded, grinning at the older person.  She went to change, doing her best to look presentable.  Even her hair was fixed with the help of a small spell.  It was a lot faster.  She walked out, letting Lotus see her.  "Good?"

"Very good," Goemon agreed, smiling at her.  "You stopped to spoil them?"

"I figured my men weren't here yet since I hadn't been pounced.  Who wants to eat?"  The others came out and they were formally dressed as well.  "Sierra, put the berries into the fridge, don't smoosh them into your new clothes."  The mini-Lupin did as ordered and they walked out to the car, getting everyone into the back and down the hill to the local restaurant.  Each adult took a side and an end, letting the kids pick otherwise.  They kept the kids from ruining their new clothes with the food, but a few spots were inevitable.  "I'll pay for dry cleaning too," she shared as they walked outside once they were done.

Goemon chuckled as a car skidded to a stop beside them and two men got out, grabbing Xander and taking off with her.  "I suppose they were desperate."  He ushered the kids back to the car and headed them back up to the house to sit and hold his some more.  They needed the attention and he needed them.   He would deal with his wife later.

Ishi came out of his bedroom in his workout clothes.  "Father, may we please go exercise?" he pleaded.

"Later, at sunset, son," he said, giving him a fond smile and a pat on the head.  "For now, let us sit and enjoy holding you."  They both curled up in his lap, letting him hold them tightly.  "Were you two good for your uncles?"

"What's a migraine?" Lotus asked.

"It's a very bad headache.  Who had those?"

"Uncle Lupin."

"Ah."  He nodded.  "That was from missing your Uncle Xander, dear.  Now that they have him I'm sure he won't have another for a very long time."  He gave them a squeeze, pleased to be home and the other children were letting them cuddle alone.

***

Xander looked up as she was carried into this new apartment.  "Where is this?"

"New hideout," Lupin said, turning her around to take off her obi.  "I like this one.  Back then?"

"Today.  I let Goemon go ahead to hug the kids."  She turned in his arms, kissing him, then Jigen so he'd quit pouting.  "I missed you guys."  She sniffled.  "It was horrible.  They didn't have caffeine.  I had to teach the women how to hurt the men so they wouldn't force themselves on their women again."  She sniffled again. "Not even a piece of chocolate in the whole country."

"Shh," Jigen soothed, stroking down her arms as he helped her out of her kimono.  "We've got you some chocolate and some soda," he promised, pulling her closer for a long kiss.

Lupin kissed the back of her neck.  "We won't be mad, Xander, but did Goemon and you get it on?"

She gave him a look.  "Are you insane or high?"

"It's the migraine medicine.  He was hit with that meteor on the commercials."  He kissed her again, making her moan and go limp.  "Don't expect to be walking when we're done."  He picked her up and took her into the bedroom, stripping off so he could have her first.  She was making the squeals and noises he liked so he wore himself out before letting Lupin have her.  Then they all rested and had her together.

It was Lupin who noticed her taste had changed.  "Xan, I think you may be fertile," he noted carefully.

She pounced him, kissing him hard.  "Then I can take the pill pack."  She looked over her shoulder at Jigen.  "Isn't it your turn to switch around?"

"We're both tired," he soothed, stroking her back gently.  "Let's take a bath together and then we'll go again."  She nodded and kissed him, making him go pliant in her arms.  "I missed you," he groaned, pulling her closer.  Damn his age, he felt like he was twenty again and his dick felt like it was sixteen.  Lupin came up behind her and took her other hole, sliding into the slickness Jigen had left there the last time.  Together they made her limp and smiling, and they were too tired to do more than cuddle.  "We're staying here for the next month," Jigen said quietly, stroking the sweaty and sticky back.

"We got the message on the way back that Fujiko was possessed," Xander admitted.  She barely lifted her head up to look at him.  "I don't think it matters much to him at the moment."

"We'll be here for him, no matter what," Lupin promised.  He hugged her tighter.  "I had nightmares about you coming back and pouting about having to leave him."

She reached back and pinched him.  "I consider myself married, guys.  Why would I do that to you?"  Lupin growled into the back of her neck, making her turn to look at him. "What?"

"I like that idea," he said, kissing her hard and climbing on top of her.  "I might need viagra by tonight, but I want you again."  He went down to kiss and lick her, making her squirm.

"Hey, let her rest," Jigen complained.  "She'll be too sore to do anything otherwise."

"No!  Get your own!"

"She was mine first," Jigen reminded him.

Lupin pulled back to glare at him.  "I had him first.  You were in denial."

Xander sighed and worked herself slowly, watching them argue.  They finally stopped and looked at her, then moved her hand and kissed and licked anyplace and everyplace.  She finally came in Jigen's mouth, with Lupin in hers.  Then she went limp again.  "Damn, you're good."

"Good," Lupin agreed, smirking at her.  "No more dirty thoughts about Goemon?"

"I didn't have a single one, but apparently you have," she noted, giving him a long look.  "Are we suddenly bringing him in to soothe the ache of the bitch doing this to him?"

"No," Jigen told her, stroking her stomach.  "He's obsessed now."

"No shit," she said dryly, giving him a look, then she looked back up at her boss.  "Arsene, except for one night where we both hit the saki pretty hard, we slept in different beds, and that night I woke up fully dressed, down to the kimono and my socks.  Nothing happened between us.  Not a damn thing.  If you doubt it, I'm sorry for your continued migraines, but I didn't touch the guy beyond helping him work out some stiff muscles in his back and helping him with his hair. Which I do when you're around," she said at his opening mouth.  "Trust me or not, babe.  It's the truth and I'll gladly hog Jigen until you come to that conclusion as well."

Lupin grabbed her, sitting her on his lap so he could kiss her.  "I'm sorry, Xan.  It's just that I kept seeing it happening because you were back there so long."  He nibbled his way down to her neck.  "I'm sorry."

"Shh, it's okay.  It's a reasonable thought, even though you know I wasn't.  I certainly wasn't going to come home pregnant by him."  Lupin blushed and put his face against her shoulder.  "Shhh," she soothed, stroking his back.  "It's all right.  I know why you thought that.  I understand.  Not that it's true, but I do understand why you thought that."  She pushed his head back to look at him.  "I'm sore," she said to stop him from moving anywhere. She tightened around Jigen's finger as he checked her.

"She's swollen.  Let's get us into a bath," Jigen ordered.

"Can I maybe have the soda and the chocolate too?" Xander asked hopefully.

"I haven't spoiled you in a while, have I?" Lupin asked thoughtfully.  She shook her head, looking very serious.  "I'm sorry, Xan.  I should take better care of you.  Let's get you into a bath, and then we'll work on spoiling you like you deserve."  He and Jigen lifted her together, not letting her do anything for herself.  Not even bathe her poor swollen parts.  They were very gentle with her and left her in there when the kids came back to get their support for her idea. Lupin looked at their kids, smiling at them.  "I guess you know your mom's back?"

"She stopped and got us pretties," little Arsene Lupin the Fourth said, holding out her arms.  "You like?"

"I think it's very pretty," he promised, kissing her on the head.  "But you need your sleeves adjusted."  He did that for her, making her beam and grin at both of them.  "Your mom is really tired and she's in the bathtub so we're gonna let her soak while we make a great new plan, okay?"  They all cheered and gathered around to help him.  "What should we spoil mommy with?"

"Anime?" Jigen suggested dryly.

Lupin looked at him.  "Already on its way."  He looked at the kids again. "You guys have very good taste, what would mommy like?"

"More of us," the Fourth said happily. The others nodded.  Jigen chuckled and went to get them bottles of water.  "She likes babies.  We need more."

"I'm sure that'll happen some day," he soothed, giving her another smile.  "How about something we can get her right now."

"Babies not come right now?" one of the twins, Melissa, asked.

The other brushed back her silver streak and gave him a curious look.  "Where do babies come from Uncle?"

"Well, Savanna, they come when a man and a woman get together in a certain way and have a lot of fun.  Then, if they're not careful, or if there's magic involved, then there's a baby in nine months."

"Ooh," Savanna said slowly.  "Can Lotus have one?"

"Not until she's old enough to have a boyfriend," Jigen told her. "It's only done by adults and people who think they are."  He patted her on the head.  "Don't worry, mom'll explain it more later."  She nodded, accepting that answer.  "Jewelry?"

"She doesn't have very much of that," Lupin agreed.  "New weapon?"

"Nah, I think she likes her old one," Jigen pointed out, sipping his water.  "Maybe something pretty to wear out for our pleasure?"

Lupin smirked at him.  "Dinner out, like the last time?"

"Without the riot if possible," he noted dryly.

"Hmm.  Forgotten about that.  I was a bit preoccupied by having her under the table getting her dropped fork."  He leered.  "I'm all for that.  We can get Goemon to babysit."

"True, we can," Jigen agreed smugly.  "That good with you guys?"

"Mommy needs ring," Savanna told them.  Then she beamed.  "She needs pretty ring.  Ring is something you get when married."

"It is," Lupin agreed, giving her a long look. "How very astute of you," he praised.  "Where did you pick that up?"

"Mommy said the house was like marriage only without the bad stuff before she went to work," the Fourth offered.

"Okay, we'll plan a great wedding and you guys can help," Lupin decided.  "Then we'll steal her all sorts of presents and stuff."  They all beamed at him but Sierra.  "What's wrong, daughter?" he asked the second mini-Lupin.

"Mommy not have stolen stuff," she pouted.  "Have pretty stuff that not get her 'rested by Uncle Ray or Uncle Zenny."

"That is a point," Jigen noted.   "She always buys the important presents."

"She does," Lupin agreed, getting comfortable.  He looked toward the bathroom at the splashing.  "I think she dropped a chocolate."  He looked at the kids again.  "That wouldn't bother you guys?"  They all shook their heads.  "Then we'll work on that tonight and you guys can help us tomorrow."  They all beamed at him.

"What're the others doing?" Jigen asked, finishing his water.

"Playing in the yard," Savanna pouted.  "They do exercises and stuff."

"You can help them tomorrow," her father promised.  She and her twin grinned at him then at their other father, one of them tipping his hat back to kiss him on the forehead.  "Thanks."  He patted her on the head.  "Isn't it nap time?"

"No," the kids said in semi-unison.  They giggled.

"You guys go get a story book and we'll read to you," Lupin promised.  They hurried off to do that and Lupin gave Jigen a kiss.  "That okay with you?" he asked quietly.  He nodded, looking very serious.  "You're sure?"

"I'm fine with the idea.  You're the one who chases every skirt in existence."  He blew a kiss.  "We should spoil her rotten to make sure she knows we appreciate her."

Lupin beamed at him.  "True, we should.  We'll figure out with what tonight."  They both shook hands, knowing that it was going to turn into a contest to see who got the best squeal from her. That was fine with them.  The kids came back with a book and they settled down to read to them.

***

Xander looked up from her reading with the kids when someone coughed, sitting up after kissing Savanna on the back of the head.  "What's up?" she asked.  The messenger held out an envelope.  She signed for it and gave him a nice tip then opened it to read it.  "Huh."  She looked up.  "Yo, Marcus?"  He appeared and she handed it over, then went back to reading.  Her kids shared her like of trains.

Marcus read the letter, then groaned.  "Bastard," he said firmly, going to whine at Ethan.  "They decided he should come back after they turn him into Xander," he said, handing over the letter.

"Who?" Ethan said, reading the new book he had just gotten.  He loved a good mystery.

"My father."  The book fell onto the floor and Ethan picked up the letter to read.   "Can I go kill the hosts of hell for their stupidity?"

"No," he said, looking up.  "The Light obviously wanted more powers on their side again.  They're desperate."  He pulled the young man down into his lap to hold him.  "It will be fine.  If he makes a single move toward you, it is more than acceptable to chop him into fish bait."  Marcus nodded, sniffling a little.  "Shh, it's fine," he soothed, stroking him gently.  He appreciated his student and Marcus did need him.  "Come, we'll nap," he soothed, letting the younger man help him into the bedroom.  He needed to be held.

***

Xander looked up as her reading was interrupted again, this time by a smiling mad man.  Or at least Lupin looked like one.  She blew a kiss and turned the page, going on with the story. "Why are you so happy?"

"Because we have a new plan," he said, laying down behind her to cuddle.  He kissed the back of her neck, making her pause in her reading to shiver.  "Finish up Thomas and we'll tell you all about it."   She moaned and kissed him for real, then forced herself to go back to her book.  The kids took the book from her and ran outside with it, going up the hill to the Goemon's.  Ishi could read and if not, his father liked to read stories.  It was clear their daddy needed time with the mommy.  Lupin helped Xander turn over and kissed her gently.  "We've been thinking about what you said when you got home.  That you consider us married."  She nodded, kissing him again.  "Pay attention," he chided gently, kissing her again.  She stared into his eyes.  "Jigen and I have agreed, we're kidnaping you until you agree.  We're finding a very pretty dress and the perfect ring, or you can do one of those perpetually cute ones where we're all naked behind a screen to shield the kids."  She looked awed.  "Not a good idea?" he asked when she didn't say anything for a few minutes.

She latched onto his mouth, making him moan.  "You sweet, adorable, fuckup."  She kissed him again and again, making him roll her underneath him.  "If this is what you want I'm not protesting."

"Good.  We thought we'd ask you if you wanted one where you were naked or not."  He moved down to play with her collarbone, making her hiss.  "Sorry, still sore?" he asked, licking across it.

"Yes."  She went pliant beneath him, making him move farther down to please her more.  Someone knocked and walked in.  "Hey, Goemon."

"Hey," Lupin said, moving her shirt to get to her chest.  "What?"

Goemon blushed and turned around.  "I'll keep the children with me for a bit."

"He just proposed," Xander told him.

"It's about time," he noted, heading back up the hill to his house.  No wonder all the children had been giggling.  "We must find her a present," he announced.  "You may help us."  The girls all giggled and followed him inside to figure out what to get the happy trio, and his son claimed his lap first thing.  He kissed him on the top of the head and gave him a squeeze.  "What should we get your uncles for their wedding?"

"Something precious, like Lotus," Ishi told him, being perfectly serious.  His sister was annoying him again.

His father chuckled. "I think they can take care of that need on their own," he explained.  He kissed him on the temple.  "What else would she like?"

Jigen walked in carrying Lotus.  "She was trying to sneak down to the village.  They going at it already?"

"On the floor.  She told me the wonderful news.  It's about time."

Jigen chuckled.  "We'd figured you'd say that.  You want us or her?"

"I probably should stick up for you and have Marcus or Ethan stick up for her.  Are we doing something...indecent?"

"I don't know.  That thought came to us earlier," he admitted, sitting down with the kids.  "You guys need to help us all figure out what to get Xander and us when we get married, okay?"

The girls all nodded and Ishi gave him a look. "You can have Lotus," he offered again.

Jigen ruffled his hair.  "Not a chance.  You need her more."  He winked at Goemon.  "Trust me, she'll calm down soon."  Lotus shoved him out of the father's lap and took her rightful place in it.  "Hey, share," he ordered.  He patted her on the head.  "Ishi loves him too."

"So?"  She grinned at him. "I'm sneakier.  I find present already."

"Did you?" Jigen asked.  "Can I see it?"  She nodded, climbing out of the comforting spot to get it for him. She came back with the badly wrapped lump.  "Can I open it a bit and see?"  She nodded and sat on the open thigh, letting her brother have the other side so he'd quit pouting.  Jigen looked inside, then blinked and looked at Goemon.  "She has good taste in sapphires."  He carefully put back that corner and handed it back to her.  "It's very pretty, Lotus."  He patted her on the head.  "Now all we have to do is to have our kids figure out what we're getting her."

"Clothes," the Fourth said immediately. "She needs more clothes."  The girls all nodded.

"True, she could use some clothes," Jigen agreed, smirking at them.  Maybe not what they had in mind but he had found a darling outfit he wanted to see her in.  It was in the trunk of the car actually.

Savanna sucked her thumb while she thought, playing with her hair.  Then she suddenly smiled and quit.  "Mommy needs more stuff to work.  Pretties to make her seem gorgeous to people who don't know her."

"Hmm.  That is also very true," Goemon agreed.  She had a spectacular body and her men dressed her like they appreciated it.  "Perhaps some new jewelry?  She hardly has any that she wears.  Plus, you could put a locator in it."

Jigen chuckled.  "Yeah, we could," he agreed.  "We're making a list of stores right now but we are buying her wedding ring according to her own tastes for the important presents."

"Cartier?" Goemon suggested.

"She likes someone in Beverly Hills better," he noted.  "We might have to go in wearing disguises but it'll be fine."  He patted the kid sneaking into his lap gently.  "Wanted a cuddle?"  She nodded.  "What else should we get her?"

"Spa," she said happily.  "Long treat."

"That is an excellent idea," he agreed, giving her a hug.  "We hadn't even thought about that."  He grinned at the girls and they went on about what they would want to get their mommy, all sorts of fantastic things were mentioned.  Including a dragon and a unicorn.

"Apparently that's to go with the bird that Lupin ignores," Goemon shared.  Jigen chuckled, swatting at him.

"Hey, my daddy," Lotus complained.  "No hit him!"

"Sorry, precious.  I was playing."

"That's okay then.  Do you tickle him, daddy?"

"No, dear.  He doesn't like it," Goemon said seriously.

Jigen gave him a look.  "You're as odd as Lupin."  He stood up.  "You guys behave for a few hours?"  They gave him astonished looks.  "I mean it."  They sighed and nodded.  "Thanks.  We'll take everyone out for dinner if you're good."  They all smiled and settled in to read. He looked at Goemon.  "At least Lupin is over thinking that you and she did stuff."

Goemon blushed.  "I'd never have survived it."

"True," Jigen said smugly.  He headed down to get his share of Xander attention.  They should be done and rested by now.

***

Two weeks later, Inspector Zenigata looked up as a paper hit his desk.  "What's that?"

"A report," Ray said dryly, heading back to his desk.  "I thought you'd want to know.  I have no idea what to get them."  He sat down and put his feet up.

The Inspector picked it up, reading it with a fair amount of trepidation.  If Ray looked that  smug it must be something odd.  He frowned and reread the opening.  "They're *buying* presents?"  He looked up.  "Why?"

"This is for Xander and she buys the important ones."  He shrugged. "Who knows.  They haven't bought them all."  He made 'turn the page' motions.

The inspector turned the page, reading on.  He finally groaned and put it down.  "Fine, okay."  He looked up.  "We still can't arrest them?"

"I asked a judge that and he said it was unethical and that we couldn't without a warrant.  Since we're not taking complaints against them."  He shrugged.  "There is one left in Africa somewhere but I can't find it."  He beamed and tossed over an envelope.  "It came in the office mail."

Zenigata opened it and sighed.  "We're invited as well."  He looked up.  "What does one get the well-dressed crook this year?"

"Spa time?" Ray suggested.  "Somewhere far, far away?"

Zenigata chuckled.  "I like that idea. Does Dawn know?"  His coworker shook his head.  "Fine, I'll tell her."  He picked up the phone and hit the button marked 'home'.  "Dawn," he said, smiling at the sound of her voice.  "We got an invitation to a wedding today.  Your fellow crooks are finally making it semi-legal."  He listened and smiled.  "Really?"  His smile got colder.  "Is he available?"  He hummed.  "Good.  You tell me if there's anything I can do about that."  He hung up.  "Someone so very thoughtfully brought back Marcus' father as a warrior for the light. He's bothering that vampire putz in LA."

Ray's mouth fell open. "I thought Lavelle killed him in the most horrible manner."

"He did.  The demons decided he had suffered enough and had him sent back."

"Huh.  I pity the vampire then."  He shrugged and popped his neck.  "I have no idea what to buy for wedding presents for normal couples.  What do you get for trios?"

"It says they're going to be doing two ceremonies, one for each."

"Which would be polygamy, but we can't really arrest them on it," Ray pointed out.

"True.  We'd need proof."  His eyes lit up.  "We could use the wedding certificates."

"I doubt you'd get them," Ray said dryly.  "Xander will defend them even more now."

"Good point," Zenigata sighed, looking defeated again.  "I'm not sure we should attend."

"Of course we should, we're about the only friends Xander has."  His boss gave him a look.  "Think about it.  They might need the extra witnesses."

"Hmm.  They did come to mine," he agreed. They were in disguise but he knew they had been there.  He had heard Lupin laughing his trademark cackle and they had left an ornate present for them.

"I'm wondering if they're making her wear white," Ray put in, breaking the happy thoughts his boss was having about his own wife.

Zenigata looked shocked.  "I'd hope not.  They stole that prize years ago.  The twins prove that if nothing else does."

Ray giggled.  "True, but you know them.  I'd be surprised if Marcus didn't have some potion to return it."  His boss looked horrified.  He giggled harder.  "Do we get to call her Mrs. Lupin or Mrs. Jigen?"

"I'm not sure I want to call her either," he said, shuddering.  "That's a nasty set of thoughts, Ray.  Keep those to yourself or I'm not giving you time off for this year's convention in Paris."  He looked contrite, but he knew it was an act.  Ray wasn't that innocent.  He really wasn't.

***

Xander bounced up to where Ethan was reading in his garden, climbing into his lap to give him a hug.  "They proposed," he said happily, hugging him as hard as he could.  "They even *bought* my ring!"

Ethan grabbed the wiggling beast in his lap to hold her still before he got more aroused.  "I'm proud," he said, smiling at her.  "Am I invited to the wedding?"

She kissed him on the head.  "I'm guessing you're about as close to a father as I'll get."

"That is a horrible thought considering what I used to do to you when you were mine," he said dryly.

She kissed him on the forehead.  "Yeah, but you're my big protector and it's as close as I can get."  She pouted.  "Give me away?"

"Of course I will," he said, smiling and teasing her out-struck lip with the tip of his finger.  "None of that now.  They'll have to put you into a good mood."  He grinned.  "Good boy, Xander.  I see you finally returned to being male."  He touched the choker.  "Oh, dear, one of the clasps is gone again.  Again?"  She nodded.  "A good idea then, you're probably sore."  She nodded, harder this time.  He chuckled and hugged her.  "Very well then, I'll give you away to those two thieves who keep you sane and happy.  What would you like as a present?"

"I don't care," she said happily.  "I'm good.  They're spoiling me by buying me things instead of stealing them."

"Then I'm doubly impressed," he soothed, giving her a short, friendly kiss. "Off my lap before you make me forget you're not mine."  Xander stood up with a blush.  "Find Marcus and tell him."  He nodded, heading into the house.  Ethan shook his head, watching the pert butt walk away.  Then he said a silent prayer to Janus for this blessing before going back to his mystery.  Marcus hadn't been letting him read recently.

Marcus looked up from his sulk and milkshake when arms went around him.  "What, Xander?"

"I'm getting married."  Marcus gave him a shocked look.  "To both of them."  The younger man burst out in giggles and hugged him back.  "Now, tell Uncle Lavelle what's wrong."

"I don't want to burst your happy mood," he said, touching the soft skin.  "You need to clean that off."

"It's sweat, Marcus."  He wiped off his face.  "We're sweating over names already."  He sat down, letting Marcus sit again.  "What?"

"The demons and the Powers finally found a new warrior for the light to take Angel's place once he's atoned enough."

"Your dad?"  Marcus gave him a shocked look.  "Dawn told me."

"Ah.  The sad thing is, I can't kill him."

"Hey, he's immortal again, you probably could," he noted.  "Over and over again. Or you could talk to the man.  Your problems with him aren't all his fault, they're the Watcher's fault.  He might even be able to help you find peace with his shitbagness."  He shrugged. "If I have to see him, I'm going to kill him again and again until I feel better."

"Thank you, Xander."  Marcus gave him a gentle hug.  "What did you want for a present?"

"I don't care," she said happily, beaming again.  "I'm good on presents.  They're *buying* me things."

"Well.  You do rate high in their affections then."  He punched him on the arm.  "Go tease your men.  We'll want you to wear something spectacular."  Xander beamed and headed back to the new hideout near Iga.  Marcus shook his head.  "Such a simple answer," he noted.  "Perhaps I should talk to him."

"Yes, you should," Ethan yelled.  "That way I get to read."

"Yes, Master," he called, heading to do that.  He had been meaning to see David again anyway and this was a juicy piece of gossip for him.  He took his milkshake with him, heading to LA via his teleporting spell.  He landed with a moan of pain for his legs.  They were still cramping from his last practice.  David and his father both looked up at him.  "David, some excellent news," he said happily.  "They've finally gotten off their asses and demanded that Xander marry them.  Plus, she's having sons this time."  David smirked at him so he walked closer.  "It's so good that they're *buying* him presents."  David lost his smirk, looking stunned.  "Indeed.  I just talked to Xander.  He's bouncing and giddy, though a bit sore at the moment.  That time out of time must have really panicked them."  He leaned on the table, taking another sip of his milkshake.  "I can find the place if you wanted to attend."

"Please," David agreed.  "Formal?"

"I have no earthly idea," Marcus admitted.  "If it is, we'll deal with that then.  I have a few spare outfits and we're still about the same size.  You can borrow one."  He shrugged and took another sip.  "Gunn, how are you?"

"Fine, Marcus.  Thank you.  Is Xander happy?"

"Mostly.  There are things that are bothering him, but nothing that he's going to concern himself with at this moment."  Gunn nodded, understanding he was talking about his father.  "Speaking of problematic hellbeasts.  Where is he?  Xander suggested I should swear at him for leaving me with the Watchers."

"Upstairs resting.  He had a bad headache."

Marcus smirked.  "Good. I enjoy that state."  He and David shared a look.  "Ethan's giving him away.  Said he was the closest the guy got to a father figure."  David snickered.  "Reminded him he was his protector so it was only fair.  Ethan said that was icky with what they used to do together."

"Eww," the elder Gunn noted, going to do something else while the younger generation gossiped.

"Is it what you and Ethan do together?"

"I doubt they did much spell work, but otherwise probably.  Ethan praised me, said I was nearly as good at blowing him yesterday.  It was a very nice compliment.  Xander's renowned for his skills in the bedroom."  He leaned closer.  "Lupin got so jealous he was having migraines.  He kept thinking Goemon was taking what was his.  He even had nightmares about Xander coming back pregnant or with a baby Goemon in tow."  David burst out in loud giggles, shaking his head.  "Indeed," he said with a smirk.  "If they had, one of them would have died.  Probably my master."  He finished up his milkshake.  "How are things going over here without the Great Pouf?"

"Just fine.  We've got a ton of things that we're working on right now.  Connor's been a really big help recently."

"Good.  Remember, if *you* need me you only have to call."  They shared a look and a smile.  "I believe he also invited Zenigata and Ray."

"It's only fair; Gramps loves him like some odd son and is still obsessed with Lupin.  Ray and he are buddies.  I saw his Ray impersonation last year and it was damn good."  They shared another smirk.  "I also saw him a few years back when he was hitting all the area conventions while on vacation from the group.  He was too hyper.  You wouldn't believe what that guy did while he was in town."

Marcus leaned closer.  "Do tell.  I need some blackmail material on the boy."

Wesley came down the stairs, giving his son a look.  "Is there an apocalypse?" he asked quietly.

Marcus looked at him.  "No, David and I are gossiping and I'm ignoring some advice at the moment to kill you repeatedly until I'm no longer pissed at you and can stand to be on the same planet."  He looked at David again.  "Which costume was he in?"

"One of them he went as one of those little school girls.  He teased the guest to no end until he blushed and gave in, laughing at the antics of some of the fans."

"He does play a school girl very well," Marcus agreed dryly.  He noticed his father moving closer.  "Speaking of Lavelle, father."

"That's fine.  He changes gender?"

"With the Deermere choker," Marcus told him.  Wesley looked stunned, then slowly nodded.  "It suits him.  He's very good at playing all parts.  Welcomes his future husbands that way all the time."  He looked at Marcus again.  "Do we have any more groupies coming from the anime adventures?"

"We had two or three Lavelle's and a few Jigen's, but nothing like it was the year after it came out.  That is dedication.  That silver dye had to fry their hair."  Marcus nodded, grinning at him.  "Aren't you coming to the next one in town?"  He nodded.  "Good.  We can catch up then.  I can hear Connor complaining again.  I'd better go alleviate that."

"An interesting way of putting it," Marcus said smugly.

"Hey, I figured Xander had a point when he took up with two men."  He smirked as he walked of.  "Dad hates it."

"Good for you," Marcus called after him, turning to look at his father. "I really do hate you enough to kill you repeatedly."

"I understand.  If I could have taken you from the Watcher gits, I would have," he said calmly.  His son gave him a look of disbelief.   "I would have, son.  I didn't want them to keep you.  I wanted you to have a happier childhood than I did."

"Well, I finished having one in a happier state.  Lupin and Jigen and the rest made sure of that after you infected me with that warrior's spirit."  He stood up and grabbed his glass.  "Not that it hasn't made my life complete but it's not what I wanted from you, father."  He waved a hand and disappeared.

Wesley slumped.  "I did it to protect you," he said quietly, heading back to his bedroom.  He noticed Connor in the doorway.  "Marcus was just here."

"I saw.  You did what to him?"

"The Powers told me to infect him with a demonic warrior's spirit, that it would save him and keep him from following my path.  Instead he took up with Xander, Janus, and Ethan."  He trudged away, going to sulk some more.  He was nearly as good as Angel had been.

Connor looked back at David.  "He did what?"

David nodded.  "He did.  It's why Marcus trains with Goemon.  That's why Xander took him in, which has saved his life and made it very full and fulfilling.  I went because of my stunning skills at breaking into places."

Connor looked impressed.  "Cool.  I wondered why Marcus was so good with his sword."  He shrugged.  "I'm guessing full time training with it has helped him a lot."  He pulled David closer and claimed his mouth.  "That's better," he growled, then he stalked into the kitchen to get something to eat.

"Wow.  The fight must have been good."  Connor only attacked him like that when he was happy after a good fight.  Marcus had done the same thing.  He briefly wondered if Jigen and Xander fell into bed after a successful job in the same manner but shook himself out of it. He didn't want to know that much about Xander's sex life.  He stalked his boyfriend to the kitchen and pounced him in there while they waited for his eggs to cook.  A simple blow job was fast enough to not overcook his breakfast.

***

Lupin tapped on the red door and was admitted.  He bowed and waved at the study door.  "He in?"  The guard nodded and let him back that way.  He knocked on the study door and walked in.  "Hey."  He grinned as Tokyo's don looked at him.  "We're getting married on your turf."

"I had heard you were buying things."  He got comfortable.  "Is she happy with you?"

"Xander?  Yeah."

The don laughed.  "I had heard an unnamed woman.  It is better this way, we won't have to hide your bodies from her.  What of Jigen?"

"Him too."  He sat down, getting comfortable.  "So we're doing it around here somewhere.  We've invited Zenigata and Ray."  He nodded wisely, it had been polite to warn him.  "We were thinking Goemon's lawn but we're not sure if Xander would like somewhere more formal."

"I'm sure wherever you pick will be fine with her.  Have you told her?"

Lupin smirked.  "She's been squealing for days.  When she's not getting sick.  We're certain it's boys this time."  The Don laughed and reached over to pat him on the arm.  "The only flaw in the ointment is Fujiko.  She's on her way back."

"I had heard she was possessed."

"She was, but I'm not sure Goemon's going to deal all that well with it.  We might need that lime pit after all."

"If so, you may use it," he agreed.  "Such actions are often unforgivable."

"Yeah, but Goemon seems to have found some sense of peace and happiness from back there.  He didn't even try to take Xander."

"Good.  Goemon is a man of honor, I'm sure it never crossed his mind."

Lupin gave him a look. "I haven't met a man that the thought didn't cross his mind," he said dryly.  "Including you."

"She is rather pretty in that Asian form," he admitted. "But my own wife would castrate me should I be caught looking."  He spread his hands and smiled nicely.  "It happens.  She is beautiful and pleasing to the eyes.  Women such as she becomes were highly treasured for centuries as favorite concubines."

"True," Lupin agreed.  "Did you want to attend?"  He stood up.

"If it pleases you, I will.  If not, I'll send a present."

"Either's fine with us.  She likes you."  He gave him a long look.  "Though you'll never take her from me."

"I would never dream of trying.  My wife is a scary woman, she would harm me in many interesting ways."

"Good."  He looked smug.  "She's the one possession I'm very controlling and possessive about."  They shared a look then the Don nodded.  "If you want, it'll be next week sometime."

"I'll send a present.  We're having that stupid summit."  Lupin cackled. "Please, feel free to come liven it up."

"Oh, we will," he said smugly.  "That's our honeymoon."  He walked out, going to find the ring that would suit his love.  It had to be spectacular yet stately, like his princess.  He said a silent prayer to his grandfather for some help finding the right thing; he had found six different totally suitable wedding rings in his life. He felt drawn to a shop and headed that way, finding the ring as soon as he walked in.  "I want that one," he said, pointing at it.  Then he nearly gave the clerk a heart attack by putting down his credit card.  "Such important presents should never be stolen," he said.

"That is so romantic!" he sighed, smiling at him.  He pulled out the ring in question, holding it up.  "Are you sure?  It's a very odd ring for a wedding ring, Mr. Lupin."  It was a black diamond and blood rubies on silver.  A very odd combination.

"I'm sure.  It fits Lavelle to a 't'."

The clerk smiled and went to wrap it and run the card.  When he came back, he was smiling.  "You should do a commercial with that sentiment.  It would only boost our sales."

"Only among the anime fans," he said dryly, taking the bag and his card.  "Thank you."  He signed the slip and handed their copy back.  Then he looked around.  "And I'll take the rest too."

"Of course you will," he agreed smugly, having expected this.  He went to find a large bag for him to carry everything else in and to call his boss.  "Lupin the Third is here," he announced.  His boss groaned.  "He bought the wedding ring he wanted, that black diamond ring, but he's stealing the rest."  His boss advised him not to protest and just hand it over, they had insurance.  He went and handed over the bag and the keys, watching what he picked out and what he left.  He had exquisite taste.  He wished he was getting jewelry like that from his love.  Lupin looked at him and smirked like he had heard his thought.  "My wife would never give me jewelry."

Lupin found a pretty stud and handed it to him.  "Wear it in remembrance," he suggested, grinning as he walked out.  He had the important gift and something for his girls.  He had also put a tag on the ring box, just in case someone tried to pickpocket him.  No one would take something marked with Lavelle's name.  That would be dumb.  They'd be dead and *all* the crooks knew it.  Most of them even recognized him.  The one punk who did try to steal it ran after him and gave it back.  "Thank you," he said, handing over a necklace in reward.  He looked at the ring. "It's his wedding ring."  The crook looked stunned and bowed before running off to spread the news.  He heard him yell at his friends that Lavelle was getting married, he wouldn't be so cranky anymore.  It made him laugh and shake his head.  "I doubt it," he said fondly.  "Not with mood swings coming."  He got into his car, heading back to the hideout, smiling the whole trip back.  He found Jigen playing with the kids and nudged him, handing him the box.  Then he sat down with the girls and parceled out the other stuff, saving the truly adult stuff for his princess.

Jigen looked at the ring, then nodded. "It'll suit him.  The right size?"

"Perfectly sized," Lupin admitted.  "The clerk was very helpful and didn't seem to mind in the least when I helped him lower their inventory afterward."  He looked up and gave Jigen a smug look.  "That looser warning that I was going to rob the jewelry store I found the wedding ring in was very handy, thank you for helping with that one."

"Welcome."  He took it to Goemon to keep safe for them.  Lavelle couldn't get it out of them and she wasn't going to see it until the ceremony.  Goemon looked up from teaching his son and daughter a new move as he moved closer.  "He found it."  He showed off the ring and Goemon looked impressed.  "He also cleaned out the store."  Lotus gave her father a pleading look and he waved so they went to see if there was anything left of the presents.  "It's your job to keep it from him until the ceremony."

"I'll do my best," Goemon said, tucking it inside his kimono.  "It does suit him."

"It does," Jigen agreed. "Lupin has good taste."  He shrugged and went back to helping the kids play tag.  They were so cute when they were frustrated.

Goemon shook his head, smirking at the other man's back.  He heard Xander sneaking up on him.  "No," he said firmly, swatting at the reaching hand. "You must wait.  Learn patience, Xander."  He turned and found his wife standing there.  "Fujiko," he said blandly.  "It's Xander's wedding ring."

"Oh."  She moved her hand away from it.  She wouldn't touch that.  "Can you ever forgive me?"

"I haven't decided yet," he announced, going to get a drink and to hide the ring in his special spot.  Not even Lotus got into it since there was a spider who lived in the hole.

She pouted at him.  "I didn't mean to do that, I was possessed," she called after him.  He didn't answer.  She had some major apologizing to do and went to start with the easier one.  Lupin wouldn't ignore her if she apologized.  He looked up. "I'm sorry."

"That's nice."  He went back to helping his daughter put in her new earrings. "How's that?"  She beamed and went to look at them in the water.  He looked at Lotus and handed over the things he had saved out for her, making her squeal and hug him as she went to show her father.  Ishi was looking interested so he waved him closer, handing him the heavy box he had stopped to pick up.  "Not jewelry but I didn't think you'd want any."

Ishi sat down to open his present, grinning at the puzzles.  "Thank you, Uncle."  He hugged him as hard as he could.  "I love it."  He went to show his father, ignoring his mother totally.

Lupin looked up as Jigen joined him.  "Fujiko, I know we've had our problems, but that was unforgivable.  You stole our greatest treasure from us.  You're damn lucky there's any excuse at the moment."

"We're still pissed in other words," Jigen told her.

She nodded, looking upset.  "I understand. I'd hate me too.  I couldn't stop that thing from doing it.  It got so jealous and mean!"  She sighed and sat across from Lupin.  "I didn't want to do it and I worried the whole time they were gone that he was going to find Xander more to his liking."

"Us too," Lupin admitted, "but that still doesn't excuse your actions and we're still quite pissed at you.  You can attend the wedding but you are not to go near my daughters.  You are not to go near Xander unless he wants you to.  If your husband lets you back into the house I'd be surprised as well.  Ishi and Lotus have been turned around fairly quickly fortunately. All it took was a week of their father and Xander."  She nodded, looking even more miserable.  "I'd have a damn long think, Fujiko."

She looked at him, eyes wet with tears.  "I have been," she admitted.  "I have been since that thing took me over two years ago." Jigen looked surprised.  "There wasn't much I could do except think and wince at what she was doing.  I'm so sorry."  She got up and went to cry.  She was found by her husband. "I'm so sorry," she whispered when he grabbed her, hiding her face against his chest.  "I've been sorry since she took me over two years ago, Goemon.  I didn't mean to do those things."

He held her tightly.  "I do not blame you for that," he promised. "I can't blame you for what you did not really do."  She looked up at him, eyes puffy and red, nose running. He wiped off her cheeks.  "You have hurt the children and they are not going to understand.  Xander explained that you had something inside you that was evil who had done those bad things.  They would like to talk to you eventually but not today."  She nodded, stepping back.  He pulled her closer again, kissing her, and she responded like she always had before things started to go bad.  "I have missed you as well."

"I'm sorry."

"I understand.  It was not you."  He stroked her back.  "We will work it out.  Hopefully in time for the wedding since it's on our lawn."  She sniffled.  "She is also carrying males this time according to Marcus."  He was the one who had figured out the twins were girls when the healer thought they were boys.

"Even if they're yours, I'll still love them," she promised.

"They're not.  I would never survive a night with her and she is not my wife.  No matter how often Lupin thought the same thing."

She looked up.  "You're precious to us, like the most precious thing we've ever stolen.  We're guarding our treasures.  It makes us crazy."

He gave her a long look, then smiled.  "Eloquent.  Thank you."  He kissed her again.  "Come watch, Lotus has gotten better."  He led her back out to sit her down and let her watch the practice.  The kids gave him a look but he stared them down. "It was not her," he reminded them.

"Fine," Ishi said, glaring at his mother.  "You nearly made the daddy not love us."

"That would never happen, son.  I would be upset but I could never disavow you."  He gave him a hug.  "A father cares for his children always, even if they are not what he had hoped for."  Ishi gave him a loving look and hugged him back.  "Thank you.  Lotus?"  She came over and hugged his leg, staring at her mother.  "We will work it out," he told them.  "We'll talk tonight after dinner.  For now, we will go back to our exercise.  Lotus, put your new pretty things in your room."  She had to hunt for one earring in the grass but did so once she found it.  He put his son down.  "Your puzzles as well, son."  He nodded and went to do that.  He looked at his wife.  "We will make them understand."

"Thank you, Goemon.  I don't deserve you."  She sniffled again.  "I'm sorry."

"It will be worked out," he said firmly.  He saw Xander coming up the hill and winced.  This was going to be a critical thing.  The children would follow his lead, not their father's.

Xander stopped, looking at Fujiko.  "You clean?"  She nodded, starting to cry again.  "Good."  He looked at Goemon.  "Can't I even have a peek?"

"No," he said, giving him a long look.  Xander moved closer.  "Thank you," he said quietly.

"Hey, I'm holding in the anger," she said quietly.  "Otherwise I'd have to find you a new wife once you were a widow."  Goemon nodded.  "I understand, but it sucks."  He gave another pleading look.  "At least give me *something* about my wedding ring?"

"It suits your personality," he said.  "Lupin found the perfect ring."

"I expected that," she said dryly.  "Is it a clear diamond?"

"No.  That is all you're getting from me until the ceremony."

"Yes, dear."  She swatted him.  "Big meany."  He grinned down at her.  "Fine, be that way then."  She shook her head, looking back at Fujiko.  "First his ancient family adopts me and I get to give the women lectures on how to protect their innate rights, and now he won't even tell me what my ring is."

Goemon snorted.  "Heathen wench.  You can wait.  It's only a few more days."  He picked her up and walked her back to Lupin, putting her down into his lap.  "Yours.  She's pleading for a glance at the ring."  He walked off, going back to help the kids learn some more things.  "Ishi, come, let us work on that move some more," he called.  He came running out with his sister chasing him.  "Quit," he warned.  "You two will learn to get along.  After all, your Uncle Xander will be having more soon and you will be the elder one, Ishi.  You must learn to like the other children as well as protect them."  He nodded, looking very serious.  "Good boy."  He smiled at them.  "Come, learn this new one then I will work with your sister while you work on that new kata I have showed you."  Ishi stepped up while his sister bounced around.

"Lotus, stillness," he ordered.  She calmed herself and sat down to watch.  "Good girl."  He worked with Ishi until he had that one right and sent him off with a gentle swat to do his kata.  Then he waved his daughter over.  "Let's see if you have learned it."  She tried it and he smiled.  "Nearly."  He corrected her movements and had her try it again.  She got it right and he beamed, kissing her on the forehead.  "Good girl.  Do your kata as well, then meditate."  She nodded, going to do it with her brother, matching his movements like a mirror image.  He gave them a satisfied look, they were very good so far. He looked back at his wife, seeing the sadness.  "We will have dinner out tonight," he announced.  "Each of you will wear something appropriate."  Lotus gave him a begging look.  "Only if the jewelry matches your outfit."  She nodded, getting back to work to make him proud of her.  He looked at Fujiko.  "Xander left you a new kimono when he bought theirs," he offered.  She stood up with some help from him and went to look at it.  He smiled at his children and they gave him such trusting looks.  "It will be fine."

***

Xander looked up from her reading as Lupin walked into her room with a dress bag and a large bag.  "Finally?" she asked.

He kissed her gently.  "Yes, finally.  You have someone coming soon to deal with your hair."  He kissed her again.

"Should I go as Sylvia?"

"Go as whoever you want," he promised.  She gave him a hurt look.  "I promise.  Go as a male if you want."  She tapped her foot.  "All right, Jigen would like you to be Melody, but we really don't care."

She undid the necklace enough to change her shape and became the woman she had been before they had gone back in time.  "There, how's that?"

He smiled.  "You're beautiful in all forms, Xander."  He gave her one last kiss and handed over everything.  "Don't wrinkle it.   It took nearly forever to find that one."  He got a long hug.  "Relax.  Jigen's got your jewelry.  He'll be right in."  He gave her one last kiss then left to get ready.

Jigen came in with a velvet platform box, putting it on the bed.  He was pounced and kissed.  "Princess," he said, holding her.  "Ready?"

"Not hardly."  She looked up at him and grinned.  "You like or should I be Sylvia or someone else?"

"Be whomever you want," he promised.  "We'd adore anyone.  You can be this you or Sylvia or even just plain old Xander.  Then tonight you can change if you want."  She changed herself back to Sylvia, making him smile.  "Our silver haired loon," he said proudly.  He gave her a long French kiss, making her moan.  "Relax.  You've got a masseuse and a hairdresser coming to help you.  Come out beautiful for us."  He pinched her on the nose.  "Or you could come out as yourself.  We won't mind."

Xander shook his head.  "Not this time.  The binding tonight that Dawn's doing I'll be myself."

"That's fine, Xan."  He kissed her again, making her go limp against his chest.  She was always so responsive for him.  "We adore you in all your forms."  He left, leaving her to do the hard stuff to get ready.  He only had to shower and shave.  She had to polish and fix and paint and all that sort of stuff.  He walked into their bedroom and found Lupin pacing.  "Keep it up, get another migraine."  He headed for the bathroom.

Lupin stopped him and kissed him gently.  "Thank you, Jigen.  You always take very good care of me."

"Someone has to," he snorted, giving him a light shove away from him.  "Want first or second shower?"

"Second's fine.  I'll be sweating for longer and you always take longer to get dressed."  He sat down.  "Is she herself?"

"She's Sylvia.  She said he'd be himself tonight at the second one Dawn was doing."  Lupin relaxed. "Calm down.  She's happy and bouncing.  She's just as nervous."

Lupin looked up at him.  "How?"

"She is.  Remember, she's the one with the self esteem problem."  He headed into the bathroom, leaving Lupin to calm himself.

Lupin went to his desk and sat down to write out a mushy note.  It would soothe him and her.  He was still at it as Jigen came out and signed his name to it before having it sent off with one of the kids.  "I wasn't done."

"You were so.  Your name was on it."  He went to his closet and looked inside.  "Where are our suits?"

"My side."  He looked at him, then went to shower.  He had to solve this nervousness and there was only one good way.  His last whack off as a free man.

Jigen smirked at the door.  "Typical."  He sat down to put on his socks.

***

Xander came out of the door, blinking when everyone stared at her in shock.  "What?" she asked, looking down at herself.  There had been two dresses in the bag but she had liked this one better than the tight, short sheathe dress that had been in there.  This one seemed more like a wedding gown.  It was silver, gold, and white, had a long flowing skirt, and a modest bodice that didn't hide but didn't really enhance what she had either.  "Yes, it's a dress.  I've worn them before."  She nearly ran back inside but Ethan patted her hand and walked him down the aisle.  She gave her men a desperate look and they both smiled at her.  Apparently it was good shock then.  Or maybe it was the hairdo.  Her hair was piled underneath the tiara Jigen had brought in and the veil was attached to the back of it.

"You look like a true princess," Lupin said, smiling at her.

"You can't even see the weapons," Jigen agreed, taking her other hand.

She relaxed and smiled at them.  That was okay then.  This was good shock, not she looked horrible shock.  She stepped forward with them, letting them escort her the rest of the way to the person officiating.  She wasn't sure who he was but he looked happy that there were three of them so she guessed it was okay.  She blushed when she felt Lupin entwine their fingers, he was usually much less showy in mushy ways, and gave him a sideways look.  He gave her hand a squeeze so she faced front again, not really understanding this at all.  But hey, they were happy.  She was getting them, and they were taking very good care of her.  Or maybe all this was because of the potion Marcus and Ethan had given her 'to relax'.  The Jigen and Lupin she was used to weren't this mushy.  They barely liked her and her new skills.  Jigen squeezed her hand and she glanced at him, smiling a little bit.

Jigen looked at Lupin, who frowned and kissed her, then licked his lips.  "I taste herbs and since we know she doesn't drink tea."  He looked at Ethan.  "What was it?"

"A renewal potion," he said smugly.  "Turn about."  He made a shooing motion. "Otherwise I'm taking her back."

Lupin turned around, then shook his head once and got back into the theme of the evening.  So they had a virginal, slightly confused Xander on their hands?  They could deal with that. This time though, he got her first.  Jigen had her last time it was his turn.  Everything was going normally until Goemon handed over the rings, then Xander squealed and picked up hers to look at.  "You like?" he asked, smirking at her.

"You adorable thing," she purred, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him hard.  He had to blink a few times to regain his composure but she was mauling Jigen instead.

The minister coughed.  "It's not time for that, young lady," he said gently, making the few attendees laugh.  She blushed as she faced him again, holding onto their hands more tightly.  "Thank you.  Does anyone have anything to say against this marriage?  Speak now or one of them will probably hurt you."  No one said anything though Dawn had to cover her husband's mouth because he was muttering about crooks with spells that did innocent people harm and now they could fix Xander.  "Thank you."  He smiled at them.  "Vows?"

Lupin looked at her, then up beyond her.  "News crew," he said, pointing.

Xander pulled her gun off her thigh and pointed it at the helicopter, then fired.  It was a large enough gun that it hit the fuselage and had to fly away.  "Stupid bastards."  She put the gun away again and smiled at him.  "You were going to promise to honor, cherish, and obey me?" she quipped.

"How about honor, cherish, and spoil?" Jigen suggested, cracking the others up.

She grinned at him.  "Okay, I can accept that instead of obey."

Lupin smirked.  "That's good."  He looked into her eyes.  "Xander, you know you're the only one who's ever made me quit chasing skirts.  I want to keep you, even if I do give you mood swings on occasion."  She giggled, making him smile.  "If you promise to only swat me gently after the next one, I'll spoil you forever and ever."

She cooed.  "Ooh, Arsene."  She kissed him again.

Jigen tapped her on the shoulder.  "My turn."  He stroked a finger down her face.  "It was odd before you joined us, and then you made it worse, but we figured out we liked it that way."  She cooed and kissed him too.  He guessed he was done.  That was okay with him.  He tapped her on the nose.  "If you help me prank him later, I'll give you whatever you want," he whispered.  She gave him the most innocent look and he laughed, kissing her gently.  The minister coughed so he had to let her up.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  I see many cases of that.  The rings?"

"Mine," Lupin said.  "My treasure."

"Ours," Jigen corrected as he reached over.  "Though we won't keep you in the big safe."

She picked up the rings she had made for them and looked inside, they had their names on them.  Then she slid Jigen's on his hand.  "You'd better not try to keep me in the safe."  She grinned at him and looked at Lupin.  "I agree, both of yours."  She slid his onto his hand.  "Does that mean we can go back to Greece?" she whispered.

"Later."  She beamed and then turned it on the minister, who was temporarily stunned.  She blinked up at him.

"Oh, yes, I think we've had enough showing off.  Kiss for the first time as a married trio and go on with your lives."  They all kissed and then he got out of the way as Dawn squealed and ran up to hug Xander.

"Ours," Jigen said, separating them.

"We don't want your husband to get any ideas," Lupin agreed, walking Xander back toward the house with Jigen right behind them.

Zenigata snorted as they walked past him. "Even with an innocence potion she probably can't be reformed now.  You two have warped her too much."  Lupin smirked at him as they walked past.  His wife patted him on the hand when she finally came back to his side.

"I tried to tell you," she offered.  "She's theirs, heart, mind, and soul."  She kissed him on the cheek.  "Besides, you got a better thief, one who wants to lock you in our safe room."  He grinned at her.  "Come on, let's party with the happy people."  He nodded, letting her lead him away.

Ray walked up to Xander, kissing her on the cheek.  "No more school girl outfits?" he teased.

"No," Jigen said.

"Actually, I like her in her school girl outfit," Lupin told him.

"Perv," Jigen retorted.

Xander shook her head and walked Ray off to talk to him.  "So now I guess I need a new costume.  Got any ideas?"

"As long as you never go as Faye again, we're good," Ray promised, grinning at her.

"I could go as Edward."

"Xander," he whined.  "Don't give me those thoughts.  It's bad enough I found Spike and Edward stories."  She giggled and gave him a hug.  "They're right, you are a loon."

"Only sometimes."

Lupin came over and stole her.  "Ours."  He took her out onto the dance floor they had set up for their first official dance, making her smile self-consciously.  "I think you look stunning."

"Thank you."

"I also think that I get you first since he got you first the last time."  She blushed brighter and that's when Jigen cut in.

"Tell him you're mine tonight and he can have you tomorrow and I'll steal you a beautiful sapphire."

"I've got a twenty-carat ruby," Lupin offered.

She blushed brighter.  "Guys!"

Marcus looked at Ethan.  "I believe we got it out of proportion.  Next time, more of the powder and less of the liquid."

Ethan nodded.  "That would probably be for the best.  That would take more knowledge, but leave her more innocent."  Dawn gave them a long look.  "What?" he asked with a small, smug grin.  "We're being good."

"I'm sure you are."

Zenigata looked back at them.  "Make some for her," he mouthed, making Ethan smirk harder.  He smiled at his wife, who was grinning up at him.  "Next dance."

"Sure."  She leaned up and kissed him.  "This is the only problem with you being so tall."  She grabbed his tie and pulled him down, kissing him better this time.  He got a dazed look on his face and she smiled. "That's better."

David walked over to where Marcus and Ethan were, shaking his head.  "How did those two get together?"

"He liked how she responded to his offers of legitimacy," Marcus sighed.  "They're very cute together."

"They are," Ethan agreed.  "One wonders how they managed to have three children with how delightfully sweet they are."

"Even sweet people can have kids," Marcus remind him, giving him a squeeze on the arm.  "Even though they don't play fun games or tie each other down."  Ethan smiled at him.

"Okay, more than I wanted to know," David noted, shaking his head quickly.

Dawn looked back at him.  "Said who?  I learned how to tie people down from Ray and he learned from a Mountie."

"Way more than I wanted to know," David noted, moving away before they contaminated him.  He walked over to where Connor was getting some punch.  "You okay?"

"Fine."  He looked at Xander, then at David.  "How does she do that?  The changing thing?"

David smirked.  "Trade secret."

"I can pounce you right here," he offered.

"I can't tell, Marcus will whoop my ass."

"Fine, I'll go get it out of Marcus," he said, strolling over there.  He smiled at him.  "How is the change affected?"

Marcus looked at him.  "Magic," he said simply.

"Demonic?"

"Chaos," Ethan told him.  "It's been going on now for years and I'm led to understand it's David's fault."

Connor, son of Angel, looked back at his pookie and grimaced.  "Really?  I didn't know he had magic."

"He doesn't.  He's the one who made sure Xander learned how to be a proper lady," Dawn told him.   She looked over as a car pulled up.  "Looks like Tara couldn't get free without bringing the bitch."  She causally strolled over to the car, pushing her sister against it.  "The first time you say a word, I'm armed, Xander's armed, David's armed, Connor's armed, and Jigen's armed.  Do not ruin this for Xander."  Buffy looked stunned.  "Got it?"  She nodded quickly.  "Good.  You couldn't wait until the binding tonight?"

"I wanted to see him.  We've got problems," Buffy told her.  "There's someone attacking the slayers and killing them but we can't figure out who."

"So you show up during his wedding?"

"Wedding?  Tara only said that she knew where he was at."

"That's fine, Buffy.  Come with me and be quiet."  She led her into the house and back into the back bedroom.  "Stay here.  Do not say a word.  I'll try and get Xander to slip away soon, if not Ethan."

"Ethan's here?" she asked hopefully.  "Does he know what happened to Giles?"

"I'll send Ethan in," she said, going to do that.  She leaned up to hug him, whispering in his ear.  "Buffy's desperate, she's in the back bedroom."  He nodded, going to refill his punch and deal with her.  Dawn gave David and Connor a look as they came over.  "Tara's here and had to bring the blonde one with her."

"Really?" David asked dryly.  "Why?"

"Someone's attacking slayers."

"Ah."  David nodded, looking at his father.  "I'll send him in."  He went to tell him, touching him on the arm.  "Dad, Buffy's here," he said quietly.  "She came running for help."

"During the wedding?"

"I don't think anyone told her.  She followed Tara."

"Damn."  He headed into the house, going to help deal with this.  He found Buffy crying on Ethan's shoulder.  "She okay?"

"She just found out Giles had been turned," he said quietly.  "We've got sixteen dead slayers and no idea how.  An anonymous hitter in the dark."

"Wesley's back at the Hyperion."

"That is an excellent idea," Ethan agreed.  "He is a warrior for the light."  He pushed Buffy's head back.  "We can send Wesley to you.  He's atoned and they sent him back to finish his servitude."

She sniffled and nodded, grinning up at him.  "Please.  All I know is that I only feel it right before it happens.  I know it's demonic but not what."

"Then he's best suited for it," Ethan admitted.  "Come, I'll bring you with me."  He created a portal and took her with him, walking into the hotel's lobby.  "Wesley?"  He came out of the kitchen.  "She needs your help.  She interrupted the reception."

"I didn't know.  Tell Xander I said hi and congrats," she pleaded.  He nodded and left the way he had came, closing it behind him so she couldn't come back.

"What's wrong, Buffy?" he asked calmly, looking her over.

"We've got sixteen slayers dead, a demonic entity that I only feel right before it hits, and another one due to be killed before we can make it home tonight."  He nodded, and she relaxed.  He knew what he was doing.  "Did you know Spike turned Giles?"

"I hadn't heard," he said sadly.  "I'm sorry."

"Ethan has him but he doesn't let him get near Xander.  Xander staked Spike."

"I'm sure."  He led her into the kitchen, getting her some water and letting her wash off her face.

Back at the wedding, news was getting around to everyone who dealt with Buffy, but Xander.  They were going to hide it from him for a while longer.

***

By the time they made it back to the new hideout down the hill from Goemon's house that night, Xander was fairly tipsy from the party after the binding ceremony and the men shared a look.  "Wait?" Lupin suggested.

"Yeah, I think we should," Jigen agreed.  "Let her remember it."

Xander giggled.  "Wait for what?"

"For taking you and making you squeal," Lupin said, smiling at him as he kissed him gently.  "You're a bit drunk, dear."  He giggled again and clutched at him, kissing him desperately.  "Shh, in the morning.  We'll have you then and make it wonderful."  He pouted but Jigen stepped up and took him, kissing him hard as he walked them into the bedroom.  Xander pliantly let them strip him out of his second wedding outfit of silver leather pants and a tight black t-shirt, then let them put him into the bed so he could watch them strip each other.

Lupin got himself done faster and moved to help Jigen, getting an odd look.  "You're moving slowly and I want to cuddle," he explained.  "Xander could use a good few cuddles."

"Yup, sure can," Xander agreed happily.  He held up his arms.  "Cuddle me?"

"Sure," Jigen agreed, sliding into the bed on one side while Lupin got the other.  They cuddled their husband between them, holding him as tightly as he wanted until he drifted off to sleep.  Jigen glanced over the silver hair.  "I've never seen him like this.  Usually he's morose when he's drunk."

"It's a happy occasion, of course he's happy," Lupin pointed out with a smirk.  "We'll make him happier in the morning."

Jigen nodded. "Definitely.  Will I have to tie you down so I get him first?"

Lupin snorted.  "Try."  They glared at each other.  "It's only fair, you got to be Sylvia's first," he pointed out, knowing Jigen was going to play dirty about this one.

"Yeah, and it was good too," he said smugly.  "That's why you're gonna wake up tied to the bed."  He pulled Xander closer, letting his little space heater spouse warm him up too.  "Night, Lupin."

"Night, Jigen.  Night, Xander."  Xander flopped a hand around and pulled him closer to hold him.  "You sleep.  We'll make tomorrow morning a wonderful thing."  Xander mumbled and they ignored it.  Drunk people often said funny things.  They doubted there was really a pink rabbit in the corner with blood-dripping fangs.  It must be his imagination.

Going Visiting.

As a reminder:

Goemon and Fujiko:  Ishi & Lotus

Lupin and other mothers:  The Fourth and Sierra (good guy)

Jigen and Xander/Sylvia:  Melissa and Savanna (good guy)

Lupin woke up and noticed he was hitched to the bed by both arms, and immediately frowned at Jigen.  "I would have shared."

"Lupin, I didn't need your help this time," Jigen said seriously.  He put out his cigarette and lit another one immediately.  Lupin gave him a long look.  "I'm willing to let her try."

"Really?" he asked, licking his lips.  "So you needed to tie me down why?"

"So you couldn't help," he said dryly.  "I'm doing this for her then you can have her when she changes again."  Lupin nodded, that seemed fair enough.  "Just stay there or I'll have to take her into another room."

"I promise I won't help," Lupin swore.  "Thieves honor.  If you want her to pop you that way, that's good enough for me, buddy."

Jigen grinned.  "Thanks, boss."  He waved a hand at the cuffs.  "They're still staying on so I can tease her by myself.  I'll let her tease you for now."  Xander yawned and stretched between them, looking up at them.  "Morning.  Feel different?"

He beamed. "Not yet."  He sat up and kissed him gently.  "You tied him up for me?"

"No, I tied him up so I could have you myself," he admitted, putting out that cigarette.  "I want you to do to me what I did to you in Paris."  Her mouth opened and she breathed hard.  "Yeah, I wanna try it this once."

Xander launched himself at him, kissing him hard.  "Anything you want.  I'll do it all for you, Jigen."  He got him stripped and then himself, sitting on his lap to kiss and grope him.  He was used to this, but this time Xander wasn't going to stop.  "Anything in particular you want to make this special?" he asked once he knew Jigen's head was swimming.

"Not on my back."

"Sure, precious, anything you want," Xander promised, getting him lying down again.  That way he could play all he wanted before he was ready to dive in and start the real prep work.  He worked his way down to play with the hard cock, making Jigen moan and grab the sheets.  "Anything you want, you just tell me," he ordered.  Jigen thrashed around a bit, then got him off and flipped over.  "Already?"

"I did some stuff earlier," he admitted, looking back at him.  He felt the gentle finger enter him and then smirked at the surprised looked.  "I have watched you two go at it all the time."

"True."  Xander grabbed the bottle of lube, adding some to himself.  Then he went back to playing with Jigen's back.  He didn't want him able to think when he entered him.  He'd lose some of his lust for a few moments and he wanted enough there to compensate.  Jigen shivered under his fingers and he slowly moved into position.  He nipped him and Jigen grabbed a pillow.  "No," Xander said, taking it from him.  "I need to hear.  The same way you do."  Jigen looked back at him.  "I want you mindless, but loud."  He smirked and played with the hard cock, making Jigen push back against his hips.  "Ready?"

"Hell yes!   Now!"

"Cool."  Xander started the slow slide in.  Jigen had done very well preparing himself.  He was well stretched, he was well lubed, and he was so damn tight!  "Relax, it's just me," Xander soothed, stroking up his back.  "I'll stop if you want."  Jigen shook his head but Xander paused for a few seconds, then went back to pushing inside.  He finally made it and rested against the tense back, hugging him.  "Shh, it's just me," he soothed, shifting a bit.  Jigen pushed back and he pulled back, holding him while he went for it.  He decided to switch their positions, getting them onto their sides without doing more than flopping sideways.  Jigen grunted but Xander was making him feel good.  He was hard again.  He was starting to sweat.  Xander went a little harder, back and forth slowly.  Jigen wiggled so he got a bit faster, making his lover pant and clasp at Lupin's bound arm.  "Let him go," he whispered.  "Let him suck you."

Jigen got one of the handcuffs undone and Lupin got himself free, coming over to help.  Lupin took a long kiss first before moving down to tease the leaking cock.  "More, Xander, he's waiting for me."

"I'm always gentle the first time.  The second time is for back-ripping rides."  Jigen laughed and took his hand to hold.  "Or I could go a bit faster."

"Go as fast as you want."

Xander shrugged and sped up to his usual speed, earning a loud, beautiful shout.  "Prostate," he whispered in the blushing ear.  He did it again and again and again until Jigen's mind evaporated and he was just in it for the pleasure.  Xander nudged Lupin with his foot and mouthed, 'get me too', then nodded at the bottle of lube.  Lupin smirked and nodded, doing that for him while he was working on keeping Jigen satisfied.  Jigen was howling now as he sped up even more, taking what was now his.  This was how he had imagined it.  Hearts and flowers were for other people, with Jigen it was always about long, fast, and hard.  Jigen finally came and Xander couldn't resist going over, coming with his own shout of passion into the twitching body.  He soothed himself by stroking Jigen's chest.  "Whenever you're ready," he promised.

Jigen laid there for a bit until the hardness inside him slid out.  Then he looked back at Xander.  "Wow."

Xander grinned.  "That's a compliment."  He kissed him.  "Give me a minute, there are things we can do to make the ache ease some."

"I'm fine."

Xander opened their drawer and pulled out a small plug.  "It'll let you shrink down to an intermediate stage, then finish in the bath," he promised.

"I'm fine," Jigen repeated, taking it and tossing it off the side of the bed.  "I don't mind.  It means I really did that."  He pulled Xander on top of him, kissing him again.  "Thank you."

"Welcome.  Anytime you want, I'm so there," he promised with a wicked grin.  "Even if it's in a closet during a job."

Lupin spanked him.  "That's my thing, not his."  He grinned at Jigen.  "Welcome to our side of the fence.  Did you want to do the same thing to him now or should I just change him back to female and have him now?"

"Give me a few minutes.  I'm fricken' old, Lupin."

"Not that old," Xander teased, nipping him on the nose, then on the chin.  "Really old guys can't get it up that way."

Jigen shivered and he moved backwards, letting Lupin suck him now while he worked on getting Jigen hard again.  Jigen groaned and grabbed the headboard, not caring what they did, it was feeling pretty good.  Finally he couldn't take it anymore and pushed Xander off him, flipping him over and taking him harder than he usually did.  "It's only fair."

"It is," Xander agreed, grabbing onto the edge of the bed so he wouldn't go crashing into the wall.  "More?  Please?"

"You'll get more," he promised, moving faster now.  He felt a gentle finger touching and looked at Lupin.  "What?"

"I just wanna play.  I wouldn't dare take without permission."  He slid a finger in and Jigen winced but he found the prostate and it was all good again.  Jigen went back to playing with Xander and Lupin was reopening him for his own purposes.  When he finally got Jigen up to where he wanted him, he kissed him.  "Can I?"

"Lupin," he groaned.

"Just for a few minutes.  I've always wanted to, you know that."

"Fine.  Make it quick."  Jigen held still while Lupin stuck himself inside, wincing a bit, but then he moved and it was it was earlier.  It was good, it was hot, and it was making him want to fuck Xander harder.  He went back to pounding his Xander into the mattress, taking and giving at the same time.  Now he knew why Xander liked being in the middle.  Xander whimpered then shouted when he finally got stroked again, coming hard underneath him.  Xander pulled off and flipped over, pulling him down to kiss and touch him while Lupin finished him off from the inside.  It was like they were connected through his body.  He couldn't really find his breath.  His head was swimming.  His vision was narrowing.  He felt Lupin speeding up just a bit more and knew what was coming.  He pulled back to breathe, letting Xander stroke him now.  Lupin came with a shout, and Jigen came from that and Xander's hand, and both of them collapsed on top of their princess.  "Get off," Jigen complained as soon as he could speak.

Lupin flopped onto his side, holding them both but stroking Jigen's back.  "You're damn good."

Jigen looked at him. "Thanks.  This is still going to be rare."

"Hell, we'll take it whenever we can get it," Xander promised, kissing him gently. "Anytime, anywhere, any way you want, Jigen.  You're ours now.  You can't escape."  He grinned lasciviously.  "Just like I'm yours, now you're mine."

Jigen kissed him.  "Shut up," he said fondly. "This isn't a cult."

"No, it's a marriage, it's about the same," Lupin offered, grinning at him.

Xander nudged Jigen.  "Next we gotta get him that way."

"Oh, no," Lupin protested.  "You know I only top."  Xander pouted at him, making him feel miserable.  "Once.  Maybe."

"Tonight?" Jigen asked.

"Fine," Lupin sighed, nodding that he'd do it.  Xander kissed him and he lost his train of thought.  "Are you sure you're not an incubus?"

"Yup, very," Xander said happily.  She wiggled underneath Jigen.  "We should get this one into a warm bath so he won't ache."

"I'm fine," Jigen said patiently.  "I believe we were gonna solve the problem of that potion last night?"

"Let me get hard again," Lupin promised.  "We can bathe and then do that."  They each got kissed and Xander went to run a bath, coming out in his alter-ego, Sylvia.  They headed in there to bathe with her, teasing and tempting her to do whatever they wanted her to do.  Xander was the best at this stuff and they adored her doing whatever they wanted.  It was like magic how willing she was.  She sucked, she licked, she didn't bite, and she did anything they could dream up.  And now they were going to pop the cherry Ethan and Marcus had given her back.  Well, Lupin was.  Jigen was too damn tired to do much more than sit there and watch, and hold her when it was time so she was resting on him.

***

Xander looked up as the kids came to pounce him where he was laying on the grass a few weeks later, giving them all a hug.  "What's up, guys?"  He put aside his book to pay attention to them.  "I thought you guys were gonna go play with Lotus and Ishi."

"Unclie pay attention to the auntie," one of his twins said seriously.  "They say to come bother the daddies."

Xander beamed and patted her on the head.  "We don't mind when you want to play with us.  What should we play today?"  He sat up, looking at all four girls.  "We could play hide and seek, or tag, or we could read some more," he offered when they didn't say anything.

"Hide and seek," the Fourth said cheerfully.  The other girls nodded and they took off, making him 'it' by default.  He always found them.

Xander grinned, closing his eyes to make it legal.  The kids were pretty predictable.  They always hid near the same spots.  He slowly counted to twenty then heaved himself up and headed after the one he could hear giggling.  He found his twins really fast, one was behind a tree and one was under a bush.  The other two he couldn't find for the life of him.  Instead of panicking, he looked down at the twins.  "Where did the other two go?"

His darker haired daughter grinned.  "Their daddy find them first," she said happily.  "He play with them."

He smoothed some of her hair down.  "You two could do the same thing.   Your dad's probably bored too."  They headed off, running inside.  Xander went back to his blanket and his reading, sighing in defeat.  He never got to play with the kids or his lovers.  It was like the kids saw him but his new husbands never did anymore.  He forced himself to go back to his reading. It was an interesting subject.  He had met some of the local demons during his time back in time.  They had been pretty neat but he'd never really known anything about them until now.   He gritted his teeth at the squeal of one of his daughters saying she had been bored, then forced himself to relax again.  He tried to read but it wasn't happening.  It was like he was invisible.  So he'd go be invisible somewhere he could satisfy his curiosity.  He had an open invitation to find the kitsune he had met back then.  They had become friends when it had shown up to see why he was stealing a daughter of the clan back from someone.  He went into the house, changing his look and his clothes.  The local demon hierarchy was much more formal and stiff about some things.  He'd be better accepted as a female who looked Japanese.  He dressed for a formal meeting, including the sandals that hurt his feet because they were so stiff, then headed off.  It wasn't that hard to find a portal nearby.  He'd found it back then and it hadn't shifted any.  He walked through, smiling at the guardian as he produced his invitation.

***

Lupin looked around the dinner table, then at Jigen.  "Where's Xander?"

"We come to play you," Ishi told him.  "He went off 'cause we no play with him."

"He did what?" his father asked.

Ishi looked at him.  "The girls come to play with him and then they go play with their daddies.  Uncle Xan-Xan go visiting in formal clothes."  He shrugged.  "We think he went to play and find a neat new score."

Goemon looked at the other two adults.  "Have you been ignoring him?"

Jigen looked confused. "I didn't think so.  We saw him this morning."

"No, we woke up the kids for that hike this morning," Lupin corrected, starting to frown.  "He was in bed last night but he was asleep when we got in there."

Goemon groaned, shaking his head.  "Aren't you two supposed to be better at dealing with women?"  He looked at the children.  "I suppose you're all staying with me for a few days."

"Why?" Lupin asked.  "He probably went shopping.  Ishi, did he have a bag?"

"Him had a backpack," Lotus said, looking very serious.  "Wearing pretty red kimono she comed home in."  She smiled suddenly.  "She head for mountains."

"There, I knew it, he's just in Iga," Lupin noted, shrugging at Goemon's look.  "He'll be fine."

Goemon shook his head.  "If he believes he's being ignored, I'd be surprised if it didn't take a few days for him to come home.  Do you not remember your vows?"

"To love, honor, and spoil," Jigen noted.  "We have been.  We gave him something pretty the other night."

Sierra, one of the mini-Lupins, shook her head.  "Last week, daddies.   He showed us."

"We haven't spoiled her in a week?" Lupin asked, looking at Goemon, who shook his head, giving them a smug look from behind the glass he was drinking out of.  "I thought we had.  There was that chocolate."

"Plus the necklace," Jigen agreed.

"That was week before last," Savanna, the twin with the silver streak in her dark hair, noted.  "He show us those too, let us have some chocolates."

"Huh," Jigen said, looking at Lupin.  "Do you feel like we should probably hunt her down and drag her back?  Before another convention chase?"

"If she went off with only a backpack and heading for the mountains, I doubt she's heading for the US and some convention or another," Lupin offered.  "She's probably going shopping."

Goemon shook his head, looking at his children.  "Did she head up the road?"

Lotus shook her head.  "No.  She head into mountains."

"Into the mountains?" Goemon asked his daughter.  She nodded, beaming at him.  "You'll show us tomorrow."

"She got to the pass," Ishi told him.  "Then went left.  I was watching while you and mommy talked."

"Thank you," Lupin said, smiling at him.  He looked at Goemon.  "Isn't that woods?"

"It is," he agreed.  "There's no way he's heading for town that way."

Jigen wiped his mouth.  "Which handcuffs are we bringing this time?"

"The blue set," Lupin told him.  "They're soft and fashionable."  Goemon snorted.  "If I remember right, there wasn't anything in that direction but a few cliffs."

"She found something back there back in time," Goemon offered.  "I don't know what.  She disappeared for a few days and came back much happier."

Lupin put down his fork.  "You let her go off on her own?"

"She was perfectly safe," Goemon countered.  "Xander is not helpless, even as a female."

"Why would she go in a formal kimono into the woods?" Jigen asked.  He didn't understand her like for kimonos in the first place, but one didn't usually wear formal ones into the woods.  The one Lotus had mentioned was good enough to meet royalty in.  This didn't add up.  He looked at Lupin.  "She's been fine, right?  Not depressed?"

"No, not that I've seen," Lupin admitted, looking at the kids.  "Did Xander tell you guys where he was going?"

They all shook their heads.

"She carry a small box," Ishi offered.

"Who's up there that she could be visiting?" Lupin asked.

"There's supposedly a mystic that's moved in somewhere in the mountains," Goemon offered.  They relaxed, Xander got on well with mystics.  Xander often liked to talk to mystics and other magic users, said it kept him in the field.  "We could ask Marcus."

"We could, but we can wait for a few days.  She obviously wanted to be left alone," Lupin said firmly.  "Otherwise she would have told us."

"She left after you guys went for ice cream," Ishi told him.

"I guess that answers who was in the bathroom," Jigen noted, taking another bite of dinner.

"True," Lupin agreed with a small smirk.  "We'll pounce her when she gets back."

"I'll watch the children while you go look for her in a few days," Goemon told them.

"You don't think she'll be back tomorrow?" Lupin asked.

"No," he said simply.

Marcus appeared and smiled at them.  "Hello, all."  He hugged and kissed each of the kids.  "I'm back for a bit.  Ethan's back to being stable and happy so he doesn't need my mothering."  He sat down next to his master.  "If you want, I can teach lessons in the morning."

"We'll work with all the children tomorrow," he noted.  "Lupin and Jigen will be chasing Xander.  She left for the woods."

"There is that mystic up there," Marcus noted.  He poured himself some water.  Lupin lifted up the bowl of noodles.  "No thank you, I ate with Ethan."  He looked at them.  "I can do a tracking charm, make sure she's still nearby."

"She wear pretty red kimono she comed home in," Lotus told him.

"Came," Marcus instructed gently, smiling at her.

"Came," she said proudly.  He patted her on the head.  "Still wearing it though."

"That is a very pretty one," he agreed.  "Very formal."  He looked at them.  "I'll do a tracking charm," he said with a small smile.  "There's no telling where she is.  She could have teleported off."

Jigen and Lupin both groaned.  Then they nodded and ate more.  They'd probably need it if Xander was in trouble.

***

Marcus came in off the back porch and looked at them.  "Well, one came up that she's fine and happy.   The other came up unknown.  She's apparently celebrating something off this plane."

Goemon looked at them.  "She did meet a kitsune back then.  She told me about it."

"So she's playing with Japanese demons now?" Jigen asked.  "She doesn't like demons."

"These aren't like the ones who tortured her," Marcus reminded him.  "These aren't the hosts of hell, these are simply more elemental beings.  She's never had a prejudice against them."  He sat down next to Goemon.  "The children are all asleep.  I checked on them while I was out there, but your son is probably going to sleepwalk again tonight."  He nodded.  "Should I find a way to their hold for you?"

"No, she'll come back," Lupin said firmly.

"Eventually," Goemon agreed.   "She's probably not going to be back for a while."

"Thank you for that oh-so-helpful opinion, Goemon.  Stick it back where it came from," Lupin said bitterly.

"We'll go this weekend if she's not back," Jigen told him.

Lupin snorted.  "We're leaving her with thieving demons for most of a week?  Who knows what sort of problems that could cause."

"She'll be fine.  They wouldn't hurt her," Marcus pointed out.  "They're usually gentle creatures.  She'd get along fine with them, she does Goemon."

"True," Lupin agreed dryly, "but she still slips up.  Her playful nature will come out sometime."

"They're fox spirits," Goemon told him.  "They'd understand that.  She might as well be one herself some days."  He looked at Marcus.  "When you were in her room, was the sword she got from my family in there?"

"No, Master," he said respectfully.  "I didn't see it in its holder."

"Then it's probably with her," he sighed.  "I had hoped she would hand it to Lotus eventually."

"She will, when Lotus figures out how to use one," Jigen told him.

"Your family gave her a sword," Lupin said flatly, glaring at him.  "Why did *your* family give her a sword?"

"Because they liked her, she stuck up for them, and she rescued a kidnaped daughter," Goemon told him, giving him a look.  "Nothing further than that.  "They thought she was a good enough warrior for being female."

Lupin got up and went into his bedroom, going to pack a bag.  He came out and handed Jigen his gun.  "Come on, we're going to find her right now."

"It's dark," Jigen pointed out.  "We'd never find her in the dark.  We don't even know how to get to their plane."

"There are many portals.  I'd assume she took one," Marcus offered.  "She's not strong enough to teleport there.  I'll work on a locating charm in the morning, Lupin."  Lupin gave him a look.  "We probably can't find it unless they want us to," he noted.  "They're very crafty.  You were often compared to one when you were younger locally."

"I ...."  He sat down, pouting now.  "This isn't fair.  We were paying attention to her."

"No, we weren't.  We took the kids from her today while they were playing," Jigen told him.

"They wanted to come play with us."

"Yeah, but we didn't even tell her that we had 'em," Jigen said.

"She had that look that said she was feeling ignored yesterday when she brought Lotus back from shopping with the girls," Goemon offered.  "That's why she came up for the extra practice and to help me with Ishi."  He looked at Marcus.  "I believe it's time for you to teach Lotus how to shield herself.  We found a plant demon underneath their window last night giving her adoring looks."

"Of course, Master," Marcus answered immediately.  "They're harmless but if she's emanating it could cause many problems."  Goemon nodded so Marcus went to pull down the book with that so he could reread the section on it before going after her.

Lupin snorted.  "A plant demon?"

"Some sort of flower," Goemon told him. "It looked harmless enough but it was about six feet tall and giving her that look like she was its personal Goddess."

"Wonderful," Jigen noted.  "Next she'll start talking to tree nymphs."

"We have one of those.  It lives in the treehouse," he said dryly, getting up.  "I'll go home.  Send the children down before you leave tomorrow."  He left them there to stew in their own misery.  They deserved it.  Married not even a month and already ignoring their husband.  It was pitiful.  He hadn't let Fujiko out of his sight for that first month.  That thought brought up another, darker one but he repressed it and ignored it.  He didn't want to think on that anger.  He was working through it and this was not the time for that.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "Dawn?"

"Ten," he noted.  "I'm not young enough to get up at dawn anymore."  He stretched and stood up.  "But I am gonna take a shower.  See you in bed."  He headed that way, going to think by himself.  He decided against a shower and ran a bath with Xander's bubbles and her rubber duck.  Lupin and he had gotten it a few months back as a tease and she had liked it a lot.  It made him feel closer to her.

Lupin stared out at the stars, mentally fuming at their husband.  He was in such trouble when they finally found him.

***

Xander looked across the celebration, smiling down at her host.  "This is a very nice castle."

"Thank you.  We try," he admitted, leading her outside.  "You promised to tell me why you ran away," he noted once they were alone.

"They were ignoring me."  She shrugged lightly and sipped her wine.  It was like nothing they'd ever had before on Earth.  "It was like I was invisible.  So I went to be not-invisible somewhere else.  I remembered promising to visit once we were back in this time and thought now would be perfect.  Then I'd go home in a few days, and hopefully they'd have missed me this time.  And if they didn't, then I'd go on a rip around the world to make them chase me again."  She smirked.  "That is one thing, Lupin hates it when I do solo jobs without his approval."

"You're good enough to do so, I suppose you constitute a rival."

Xander shook her head.  "Not even.  I'm not that good of a thief.  The breaking and entering isn't really my strength.  Now, just breaking, that I'm good at," she quipped.

The fox spirit laughed and shook his head.  "I've noticed that about you."  He patted her on the hand and glanced back inside.  "Hmm.  Elf."

Xander looked inside, then down at him.  "They are as skinny and arrogant as you read in the books."  She sipped her wine again.  "Do we have to greet and be nice?"

"It would be proper," he agreed, leading her inside.  He bowed to the male elf, a cordial, yet very careful and not overly respectful move.  "Welcome to our celebration, Lord Armish.  What do we owe the honor of your presence?"

"That one," he said, nodding at the woman.  "It was said she was demonic."

"A consort against my will, nothing further," Xander noted, giving him a cold look.  "I'm as human as you're not."  He scowled.  She smiled sweetly.  "That's what happens when you're gifted against your will and without your permission."  She moved on, going to find someone to dance with.  She had missed dancing with Jigen.  She saw another elf and nodded at it, then moved on to one of her host's retainers.  His eyes widened. "I wish to dance and you're closer to my size.  Would that be appropriate?" she asked.

He smiled and nodded, taking her out onto the floor.  "Of course, Lady Xander.  I thank you for choosing me."  They moved very carefully.  He was stiff, but an excellent dancer.  It made up for her lack of skills in this art.  "You don't take lessons?"

"I've taken a few ballroom lessons with one of my husbands but nothing further," she noted, smiling at him.  "It was for a heist."

"Ah."  He nodded, switching his rhythm so she could better keep up, and earned another beautiful smile from her for it.  "Let me pick out your next one?"

"As long as I get to dance with someone from each faction or family or clan, however you guys do that up here.  I don't want to start a power play.  I hate politics."

"That's fine, Lady Xander.  I'd never use you to offend someone.  Though, our new guest does appear to be miffed."

"He's an elf."

"That is their natural state," he chuckled.  "Very witty."

"Thanks."  She wrinkled her nose at him, then grinned a wicked grin.  "He doesn't like me because I was used to untip the balance."

"We had thought that was you."  He looked at the elf again.  "They don't like us much either.  Ignore him, most of us do.  Only my Lord has to pay attention to him unless he's talking to one of us directly."  She nodded, letting him escort her to her next partner.  "This is the Lady Xander.  She's willing to take gentle instruction in dancing," he noted to the woman he had chosen.

"Very well.  She wasn't too bad."  She took Xander's hand and led her back to the floor.  "I hear you change gender?"  She nodded and grinned slightly.  "Your choker?"  Xander nodded again.  "Interesting.  What do you look like as a male?"

"Much the same.  Only American."

"Ah.  Silver hair?"

"Radiation from being gifted against my will."

"Then you are him," she said, smirking at him.  "Now I know where I've seen you before."  Xander nodded.  "Relax, we are nothing like them."

"I know, that's why I know I can trust you not to kill me."  She laughed and nodded, moving them further away from the Elf Lord.  "Thank you.  He's still scowling at me."

"He'll probably try something.  Are you armed, Lady Xander?"

"Not presently.  I brought a sword with me but I left it in my room as a show of respect.  All I have is a small dagger."  She looked over the elf.  "I could probably beat him with it though."

"They are quick."

"Yes, but so am I."  She smirked at the shocked look.  "I am trained enough to use a sword.  I don't fence, but I am quite good."

"Good.  Excellent in fact.  Would you like to attend the archery classes with me tomorrow?  If I remember correctly you do know how to use a bow."

"I use a crossbow but sure.  Come get me up?"

"I'll send a page," she promised, stepping back as the dance ended.  "Very nicely done.  With some practice you'll be better than average."  She led her back to her next dance partner.  "I had noticed that you weren't picking a side among us so I'll leave you with him."  She bowed and went to get some punch and gossip.

Xander blushed at the strong, virile demon.  It was an incubus and it was flexing its power.  "Dance?" she asked.

"I'll calm it down around you," he promised, leading her out to the floor.  "I do know of you, Xander Harris.  Our class learned of your plight and who you were.  We were told that you were a great hunter."

"Not unless I'm forced to be.  For nearly ten years there weren't any slayers in Europe."  The demon nodded, looking wise.  "So Dawn and I both subbed in now and then.  Now there's a few so we don't have to.  I'd never kill one who wasn't causing problems."

"I thank you, Xander.  You are quite graceful for what you've been through."

"I've healed and moved on."

"Good.  That is always best."  He smiled down at her and noticed her blush.  "How are your husbands?"

"Ignoring me."

"I could go torment them."

"It wouldn't help any."  She smiled up at him.  "I'll go back in a few days and they'll either realize I was gone or I'll go on a rip and rampage around the world with this new one."

"I felt her."

"Her?"

"Her."

"It's supposed to be a boy.  Or possibly boys."

"Boy and girl," he noted, touching her stomach.  "Very strong already.  One will be just like you."  He pulled his hand back and put it back on her back.  "The daughter will have a few health problems but she should be fine."

"Being up here?"

"No, that's actually helping them.   Her line wasn't long but it wasn't a death in childhood.  Nor was it work related," he noted.  Xander nodded, looking sad.  "It happens to all beings, even my kind."

"I know, but it's a depressing thought."

"Then forget it," he said, taking it from her.  She relaxed again and he soothed her back into her happier mood.  He handed her off to another partner and went to report to his Lord.  "We must talk," he noted, breaking into the staring contest.  The elf sneered at him.  He gave him a look back. "Unless you wish me to visit your wife while you're here, I'd quit.  I am beyond this petty politicking."  He drew his Lord aside and shared what he had felt off Xander with him.  They'd have to take the daughter up here some day to keep her alive.  It was the only way she'd last.

***

Lupin looked at the rock that held the portal, then at Marcus, who had come up to help them.  "She's where?"

"The doorway is closed on their side," he noted carefully.  Lupin was having a fit.  He had even yelled at Jigen earlier.  "We can only request that they open it."

"Why?" Jigen asked tiredly.  It had been one hell of a hike up here at the pace Lupin set.

"If we forced it open, it could start to rip their plane apart and with her there it could well kill her and the twins."

"Fine," Lupin agreed.  "How do we ring the bell or knock or whatever?"

"We wait until dusk.  Most demons are active then."  He sat down and started a small fire.  It was chilly up here.  Jigen gave him a grateful look as he sat next to it.  Lupin paced around, keeping warm with his irritation and anger.  "It's only noon," Marcus said quietly, making Lupin stop.  "You could relax, Lupin.  She's fine.  They would never harm her.  If they allowed her up to their world, then they consider her worthy of respect and admiration.  A friend possibly.  They would never harm her."

"Still!  She's not supposed to be there!  She's supposed to be here!  With us!"

"She was until we didn't pay any attention to her," Jigen noted, staring at the fire.  "Then she did what she did last time, went looking for some excitement."  Lupin flopped down beside him.  "It's not that hard to understand why.  The kids wouldn't play with her, we wouldn't play with her, and even Goemon couldn't hold her attention by getting her to help him with the kids.  We saw her like we see our passports.  Useful things to have around."

Lupin grimaced.  "I don't see Xander that way.  I never have.  Most of the time I see her as a clever little helper."

"She's not one of Santa's elves," Marcus noted with a grin.  "She's a thief in her own right, Lupin."

"Yeah, see her like you used to see Fujiko," Jigen offered.  "She's a thief in her own right but she never tries to fuck us over."

"That too may change if she's not soothed this time," Marcus warned.  "She didn't share any of her hauls last time outside of the one that went to Goemon."   Lupin looked hurt.  "He didn't quit paying attention to her."

"I wasn't ignoring her, I was working!" he defended.

"You had locked yourself in your office," Jigen said firmly.  "I was stuck in bed with my neck and you were behind a thick door.  So she went to find some excitement and some neat hauls.  What did she pull?  I thought she only pulled the Vegas job," Jigen asked Marcus.

Marcus smirked.  "He did a few others.  A small jewelry heist, which went to help a group of nuns who helped him when his car broke down one night on the way to Dallas.  A small heist in San Diego that allowed some hackers access to a major mainframe to stop an evil businessman.  One in New York after that convention.  She pissed off one of the local families that day because a piece had been part of a wedding set for a daughter.  That got sent back with a note of apology from what I heard through Ethan's contacts.  Then there was the fight in LA."

"Fight?" Jigen asked.

"LA?" Lupin asked.

Marcus nodded, taking a sip from his water bottle.  "One of the Princes who helped torture him appeared and demanded to see him.  He captured Angel and his people as bait.  I was informed after Xander was and I met him there after he had already walked in and nearly killed the thing by hitting it repeatedly.  He worked out a lot of anger and only got a few cuts from a claw.  It was impressive, I've never seen Xander brawl before."  Lupin looked even more pissed.  "I got there after he had the thing on the ground and he was working on destroying its ribcage with his fists and feet.  I beheaded it and he calmed himself down again.  Then he left and went back to that small academy's town.  There was that trial and the judge demanded he appear."  He smirked.  "He had been in Lucern until then, but he left to deal with the demon.  It apparently sent a note directly, we had to get our information through other sources.  He was rather impressive though."  He took another sip.

Lupin shook his head.  "He didn't even tell us about that," he said miserably.

"Why would he have?  It was handled by his standards," Jigen noted.  "I'm more worried that he didn't tell us about any of those jobs."

"I did tell him he didn't have to share them," Lupin reminded him.

"Yeah, but I never heard a thing about them from anyone," Jigen told him.  "Neither of us did."

"They weren't exactly major heists."

"Yes, but that thing in New York should have come back to us," Jigen pointed out.  "It means we're really out of the loop, not just looked at oddly.  We're not respected any more."

"This new head of the ICPO can't last forever," Marcus said philosophically. "The next one may reinstate our warrants.  I know I get looked on in pity now.  Like I'm sort of demented creature."

"We got that last month," Lupin sighed, looking defeated.  "It's like they think we do this to show off or something.  Like we're in it for the publicity."

"Then we go back to our former ways," Jigen noted.  "We go and take down the other crime families until we're the top of the heap."

Lupin gave him a long look.  "I was offered the second position in Europe's Dark Syndicate."

Jigen shuddered.  "Thank you for turning that down.  Did you shoot the messenger and send his body back as a statement?"

"No," Lupin said with a small smirk.  "I tied him up and brought him back, then ranted at the person who offered it.  He said he understood.  Said he'd keep me in mind for a higher position after he died."  Jigen shuddered harder.  "By then we'll be eighty," he noted.

"Still, it's a bad thought, Lupin."

"We could look over the kids' shoulders," Lupin offered.

"Maybe," Jigen admitted bitterly.  "If they go our way."

"Some of them will," Marcus promised.  "Xander's said he's only seen two of the children who are going to go good.  One of the twins and one of Lupin's."

"The Fourth?" Lupin asked, looking alarmed.  Marcus shook his head and Lupin relaxed.  "Thank God.  I'd hate to have to change their names around."

"Which of the twins?" Jigen asked.

"Savanna."

"Wonderful," he said dryly.  "I'm sure she'll make a great boss after Zenigata and Ray."

"You want our kids to have to chase their brothers and sisters?" Lupin asked.

Jigen looked at him. "Do you think Pop will let them go to just *any* department?"

"No," he agreed, starting to grin.  "I think he'll snatch them straight from the academy and right into his hands.  That is, if Xander hasn't arranged for him to do it anyway.  I guess it'll be a switch when his youngest daughter starts to follow ours around.  She loves jewels."

"Yes, but Dawn's teaching her about jewelry creating," Jigen reminded him, patting him on the shoulder.  "If she went bad, Pops would die."

Lupin sighed.  "It's true.  He'd have a heart attack as soon as he heard.  We'd have to give him a nice eulogy."

"Perhaps we should write one now, in case," Marcus noted.  The older men looked at him.  "One never knows if we'll go before or after him.  That way you can give one, even if you're not that.  Tape it and have it played or some such."

Lupin cackled. "I love that idea!  I'll have to work on that after we carry Xander home.  Maybe in shackles and a gag."

"Your revenge fantasy obsession is showing again," Jigen quipped.  Lupin frowned at him.  "It is and it's still scary."

"Fine.  I'll hog her to myself then," he said smugly.  "Since I'm willing to spank him for this, I'll get his tight ass and his mouth."

"Yeah, because he won't get free and leave again," Jigen noted.  "If you tie the boy down, he'll go again and he'll be pissed at us.  We'll have to steal really pretty stuff for an apology.  We might have to hit the quarterly gem sale in Brussels."

Lupin frowned at him.  "I don't want to think about that.  Xander would never make us do something like that."  Jigen and Marcus both gave him a look.  "We could apologize by finding him and taking him to the ocean again.  Then we could tie him up and make him scream in pleasure."

Jigen patted him on the knee.  "You keep thinking that, Lupin," he said, talking down to him. "I'm sure Xander or Goemon will correct you sometime."  Lupin scowled at him.  "He did threaten to take him from us if we didn't treat him right or if Xander asked."

"He'd better not try or we'll have many pieces of samurai laying around and his son will get to hold his sword much sooner than he had wanted," Lupin said coolly. "Xander is ours and Goemon had better not ever touch her again!"

Marcus burst out in giggles.  "You can't honestly think those two would have an affair together, do you?  They'd never suit each other and Goemon would *never* cheat on Fujiko.  It wouldn't be honorable.  That is insanity, Lupin."

"Marcus, go away," Lupin ordered.  He pointed toward the house.  "I mean it."

"Sure, I'll not stay here and help you open the portal," he said dryly, glaring at him.  "My master would never dishonor his family or his name by doing something so stupid as taking your wife from you.  Even if she came to him and pleaded for it to save her life he wouldn't.  It is not honorable.  His code of conduct would force him to commit suicide afterwards.  Since it hasn't happened I doubt it would.  They did spend time alone back then and nothing happened.  You of all people should know that about him!"

"It's one of those obsession things.  Xander is his," Jigen explained.  "Lupin stole her because she's precious."

"He didn't steal her."

"He stole her from me," Jigen said with a small smirk for him.  "Even though I'm still there, Xander is a treasure that he's protecting." Lupin got up and stomped off.  "Hence his attitude and getting stuck on that dumbass thought."

"He should know that Xander would never do such things.  Goemon would never do such things either, but he should be sure that his own spouse wouldn't."

"Look at who he had an obsession over before," Jigen offered.  "Fujiko would have."

"Yes, but Xander's not Fujiko.  He's much more stable, well-liked, more skilled, and has better sense than to live possessed for over two years.  She may be a decent enough thief, but Xander can probably match her and doesn't have to flaunt his body to do so.  Lupin has nothing to worry about.  Xander may be a slut but he's not like that."

"Yeah, well, Lupin can't see that.  He sees it as Xander being his treasure and only his treasure.  He's guarding his treasure from other thieves.  If he had his way, Xander would be in a very nice house that was tighter than the main hideout's safes.  It's the same thing that makes him keep putting tracking devices on her."  He pulled out his flask and took a sip.  "Dusk?"

"Probably.  I could set up a small magical test against it, see if they'll answer."

"If they're shielding Xander and she did run away because we weren't paying attention, will they hold it against us?" Lupin asked as he came back.  Marcus nodded.  "Then try that.  We'll see if she's still there."

***

Xander looked at the archery range, then at the bowmaster.  He smiled and took the bow that was being held out.  "This isn't really my weapon of choice," he admitted, aiming for a target down the field.  He had changed back this morning at the behest of his chaperone.  He let the arrow fly, watching as it hit the edge of the center of the target.  "Pretty good for a stationary target.  I'm used to moving ones."  He handed it back, bowing at the clapping he received.

"Moving targets?" the bowmaster asked.

"I was trained with a crossbow against vampires."

"Ah."  He smirked and handed over a crossbow.  "It pulls to the right."

Xander felt it and made a small adjustment to the tension of the line.  Then he sighted and let a test fly.  He took another arrow and hit the center of the target, a little to the right.  The crowd clapped again.  "No vampires?" he teased lightly.

"Not today.  The only ones here are envoys," he said dryly, taking the crossbow back.  "Good job for a human."

"Thank you."  He got out of the way, watching as the students went to it.  He frowned at one who was miserable and walked over, straightening him up by running a hand up his back before he could be noticed.  The boy jumped and fired from a straighter position.  "Now aim down the shaft," he ordered.  "Don't flinch up when you release either."  He helped the younger boy do it better and got a smile in return.  "There, how's that?"

"Much better," the bowmaster agreed happily.  "Had that problem?"

"I slouch, that's how my teacher corrected mine with a long bow."  He shrugged and grinned.  "Goemon's ancestor was fierce about those sort of things."

"Back then arrows were harder to come by," the bowmaster pointed out.

"Yeah, but I still killed, just not as cleanly."  He shrugged.  "I put down three deers."

"Congratulations.  I'm sure you were a good provider for their table.  Any foxes?"

"Only a normal one that was in the chickens.  It had killed two of the five hens."

"Again, understandable."  He nodded at the boy to try it again.  He did so and it was another good shot.  "You'll never be a marksman with it but you'll be able to hit a target soon," he offered, moving on to help the more beginning students.

Xander went back to his seat and took the glass of water.  "Thanks."

"You really killed a regular fox?"

"They only had five hens and it had killed two of them.  It was a clean shot, I used my gun.  It never felt anything," he offered.  "But they'd be without some food without those chickens."

"Then that is understandable."

"What are chickens?" one young girl asked.  "I've never been on the human realm."

Xander created a picture of a chicken, and not a great one.  He grimaced. "That's not the best picture but they roughly look like that.  They lay eggs and they provide meat."  He let it dissolve as the elf looked their way.  "Humans find them important for base-level living.  Eggs are nutritious and chickens are used for that until they're too old to lay.  Then they're able to be made into soup, stews, and meat."

"Do they eat the unborn?"

Xander grinned.  "Eggs may or may not be fertilized, but you gather them *long* before they could become a chicken.  They're liquid when they're gathered, even if they were fertilized."  Her mother looked at him. "I don't know how to explain this one. My kids know what chickens are and all about eggs."

Her mother leaned down and looked at her daughter.  "Eggs are like those things that go into cakes.  The yellow things."  Her daughter nodded.  "Only the humans get them from chickens and we create them.  They're taken at that same stage so you can't tell if they were to become baby chickens or not."  Her daughter smiled and nodded at both of them.  The mother looked at him.  "You have kits?"

Xander pulled out his wallet to let her see the pictures.  "The blonde and dark-haired one with the silver streak are my twins.  The other two are my step-daughters.  I'm married to their fathers."

"Interesting.  And now you're to have more kits?"  Xander nodded.  "Why?"

"Technically, these two kits weren't planned," Xander admitted with a small grin.  "But I don't mind.  I like kits.  They're nice.  They play with me and I get to teach them neat stuff.  The older ones are almost always with their fathers these days so this way I have a kit for myself again."

She nodded.  "Many women feel thus.  Is the spell to make you fertile hard?"

Xander shrugged.  "I don't know.  I've never consciously used it.  It was used on me as a method of reparation for the reason I have silver hair.  Janus and the Powers both cast their own."

"Ah."  She nodded wisely.  "I had heard.  At least you still feel joy."

"My husbands helped me heal a lot, both physically and mentally.  I'm nearly back to normal now but I don't tend to be friendly to that sort of demon."  She nodded wisely.  "Elemental spirits and spirits like you and our gracious host and his people I have no quarrel with.  They're necessary and needed.  The others can all go take a flying leap onto the Sears Tower for fun and pleasure."  The mother snorted, looking amused at that reference.  "Sorry, but they can."

"It is understandable," she agreed.  "We are not like them."

"No, not in the least.  The one who hurt me was a Prince."  Her eyes widened.  "Yes, of there," he said gently.  "Like I said, I have no problems being around you guys and other elemental spirits.  I've had some wonderful talks with the tree nymph outside a friend's house.  She's still pretty young and she likes to know about other places and their trees."  The little girl giggled so he smiled down at her.  "You are so cute!  Nearly as cute as my own kids."  She blushed and went to go play.  "Sorry."

"It's all right.  You are very proper with children.  I'm sure your own are very cute."

"They try very hard.  I had one who stole a necklace the other day," he said proudly.

"Congratulations, Xander."  She patted him on the arm.  "I'd best find her before she gets her tail all knotted."  She headed off, going to do that.

Xander's friend leaned forward.  "Don't worry, you didn't embarrass or upset her," he said quietly.  Xander grinned back at him.  "That child is rather troublesome.  Much like your Savanna and the Fourth."  He sat back again, clapping as one child hit the target.  "Good job," he congratulated.

Xander smiled at her when she looked back.  "I agree, good job.  Next time aim just a fingertip lower."  She nodded and did it again.  The first one went into the ground so she aimed a little higher with her third and got it into the center of the target.  Then she bounced around and cheered.  Xander gave her a gentle pat on the back.  "Good job!"  She ran off to get a hug from her father then went back to do it again.  "I've got to start my kids on this stuff," he decided.  "It's time they learned some stuff from me and Goemon."  His friend patted him on the back, his tails swishing happily.

***

Lupin looked over as the portal finally opened.  "We'd like to see our wife," he said firmly.  "She ran away to one of your courts."

Marcus looked at the demon, then smirked.  "We wish to see the consort Xander.  Her spouses are worried sick about her again."

"She is fine.  There is a celebration tonight and she will be back in a few days."  He walked back inside and closed the portal again.

Lupin looked stunned.  "They can't do that!"  He walked over and pounded on the stone but it was only a stone again.

Jigen sat down again, looking determined. "I'm sure they'll send her home soon.  How long can she stay with kitsune?  She's not a spirit and not a fox."

"There are limited human retainers," Marcus noted dryly.  "It won't harm her to be there.  The only thing that might happen is that the ones she's carrying now may become accustomed to the energy flows there and make her delivery a harder one and make them rather fussy until they readapt."

"No!  They'll give her to us now!" Lupin said hotly.  He stomped back over.  "Open it again," he ordered.

"And risk Xander's life?" he asked gently, looking up at his boss.  "If it rips, it could kill Xander first.  She's not anchored to the power up there, Lupin.  They'll be opening it again in a few hours.  We can try again then.  Sit and rest.  Think up a smooth and convincing way to get to them."  Lupin glared.  "I won't risk Xander's life.  I would miss him if he died."  Lupin flopped down, looking miserable.  "You're known for being smooth and suave, pull it out now.  These are fox spirits.  Use that in your favor.  Plan this like you would a heist."

Jigen looked at him.  "That is a good idea.  Use that slick tongue to get us into there.  We can kidnap her back later."

Lupin nodded, thinking hard about what could be done to get them through that guardian.

***

Xander walked into the meeting hall after dinner that night, noticing that the usual incubus envoy was missing and that a new one had taken his place.  He walked up to his friend and gave him a gentle nudge and a nod at the new envoy.  "What happened to the nice one last night?" he asked quietly.

"He was recalled home for a few days," he said gently.  "This one is taking his place until he's back.  I don't know of him, Xander."

"Then I won't let myself be alone with him."  He smiled.  "Thank you for the pretty kimono.  It's very flattering."

"I thought you'd look good in it," he agreed happily.  "It wouldn't fit most of us and it does suit you.  I'll send you another tomorrow if you're staying."

"I'll probably go back the day after," she sighed, looking miserable.  "Four days should be enough for them to have realized I'm not there."

"They're at the gateway," he shared, taking her to a place where she could look at them.  "That one, he is quite upset.  He was jumping around and shouting earlier.  Looked like Zenigata really."  Xander cackled.  "What?" he asked innocently.

"I'll have to share that one.  He'll hate it."  She stroked his crest, making him hum in pleasure.  "You're a great friend."

"I try, Xander.  You're delightful to have around."  He led her back to the meeting hall.  "Should we let them in?"

"Let's see what they do in the morning.  I'm feeling vindictive."

"That's fine.  You should feel like that.  It is your female nature coming to the fore."  He led her out onto the floor in a dance.  "You do much better."

"Thank you. I had some wonderful instructors last night," he said with a smile.  When it ended, someone came to get his friend to take care of a problem.  Xander found himself being approached by the incubus.  He glanced around but no one else he knew was around.  He sighed and firmed his resolve.  "Yes?" he asked dryly.  "You needed something?"

"Just to talk, Consort."  He bowed respectfully.  "There is news you probably should have."

"I want no news of there," she said firmly.

"Even that one or two are finding you their ideal consort?" he asked.

"Even that.  They can't come near me without me killing them."  He stiffened up and crossed his arms.  "Please leave me alone.  I am not comfortable around you."

"Fine.  I'm sorry, Consort.  I had no intention to offend, merely to gossip with you," he said smoothly, heading off to the other side of the room.

Xander headed out onto the balcony again, taking in some fresh air from the garden.  He really hated those things.  Last night's had been polite and nice.  This one was slimy and a politician.  He could feel it.  Something was going to happen because of this.  This was no coincidence.  Maybe he should leave sooner.  He looked around as he heard a gunshot.  He walked back inside and found the captain of the guards.  "I heard a gunshot," he said quietly.  "In the garden." The man nodded and headed that way at once with six of his best men.  Human guns never came up onto their realm.  Xander stepped back into a corner to watch what was going on.  Someone didn't want someone to live and he knew he was a prime suspect.  Not that he had a gun up here, but he was one.  He frowned as he saw a healer be pulled away and take off running once she was in the halls, heading to help with that.  If it was his friend, or a child, he wouldn't allow them to suffer.  He found them and pulled up what energy he could, touching the healer gently on the shoulder.  "Take mine."

"Thank you, Consort."  She worked on healing his friend's pierced stomach by sucking at his energy.  "Do you know what could have done this?"

"I'd need to see the bullet."  It was handed to him and he looked at it in the moonlight.  "It's a thirty-eight.  Not uncommon but not as common as the type I use most of the time."  He handed it over.  "It should have a resonance from whoever loaded it if I took the law of contagion right."

The guard looked impressed.  "You practice?"

"Very little and only against people like the incubus' envoy."  The guard nodded and went to do that.  Xander went back to feeding her energy.  "I didn't even bring one up with me," he told her.  Then he hit himself on the head.  "Never mind, there was a derringer in the backpack but it's a twenty-two."   She shrugged and went back to healing the grave wound.  "Will he be okay?"

"He should be, Consort."  She looked at him.  "They did this to frame you."

"I have no doubt of that," he noted.  "But that bullet won't even fit into the gun I accidentally brought up."

The guard behind him coughed.  "We took it from your room when we felt it, Consort.  It's locked up and will be handed back when you return.  We knew it was accidental.  It's not your usual sort."  Xander shook his head.  "Then don't worry. What would the one that shot him look like?"

"Probably a revolver.  Like what my husband Jigen carries.  Are they still outside the portal?"  The guard nodded.  "Then you might ask him."

"We will do so."  He went to check and see who went through the portal recently.  One young one had and was summoned.  The gun was found in his things and he was taken for questioning but let go quickly when another gun was found in the bushes.  That one did have the user's taint on it and it was clear who it was.  The young one went to put the gun he had stolen back and then went to collapse and tell the tale.

***

Xander looked up from brushing his female form's hair when his door opened and a guard walked in.  "What's happened now?"

"There was an intrusion.  We were sent to guard you," he noted.  He looked her over, then frowned.  "You might wish to dress.  Just in case."

She stood up and put back on the robe she had been wearing.  "Better?"

"Much.  Thank you.  Do you often change forms at night?"

"No, but my hair needed some brushing.  It'll come back tangled if I don't."  She shrugged and sat down to do that some more. It really had needed it.  He was working on a knot when he felt something hit the back of his neck.  "He...."  He collapsed.

"I do not want to do this, but they are making me," the guard explained.  He picked up the limp body and touched the amulet locked around his neck.  It opened a small portal and the incubus' ambassador came out to get her.  "She is very gentle," he said.  The incubus shrugged and walked off.  The guard felt the amulet release and went to tell on himself.  Someone had to fix this before it got out of hand.  He ran into his superior, who was searching for the source of the spell.  "It was me," he admitted, going rigid.  "I was forced."  He started to choke and shake as the poison released by the amulet started to work through his body.  "Demons, incubus!" he gasped, grabbing him as he fell.

"Find the human!" the head guard ordered, pointing.  "Tell the Lord.  Get him help!"  His people ran off while he took care of his officer.  "If you had told me, I would have protected you."  The guard died, looking relieved.  He got up and went to find someone to rip into pieces.

***

Xander woke up in a familiar looking room and glared at the demon across from him.  He made a mental note of his body, he hadn't been touched.  He quickly changed his form so he had no sexual organs.  His bowels could back up for all he cared. It'd be a more pleasant death.  The demon chuckled.  "You'll die for this."

"I may, but I will not harm you.  I wish to talk."

"You wish to die by kidnaping me," Xander corrected, standing up and moving away from him.  "I do not wish to talk to you or any of your kind.  I've killed more like you in the past."

"That may be, consort, but you are very powerful.  On you are things that would kill me.  We found that out when we checked you over."  He stood up, towering over Xander's frailer form.  "I only wish to speak for right now.  You have no fear of me touching you."

"I have great fear of you touching me," Xander said bitterly.  "Being raped repeatedly does that to one."  He moved farther away.  "Release me.  I'm not going along with whatever plan you had in mind."  His eyes narrowed when the demon stepped closer and he called power to him.  "Stop, or else."

The demon chuckled. "I can defeat you down here."

"Not really.  Anger is a wonderful tool.  I'll die before I go anywhere near you," she spat.

"That's fine, I only wished to speak. I can do it from across the room."  He went back to his seat and smiled.  "See, I can be gentle and understanding."  Xander didn't move.  "You could sit."

"I could also fly, it doesn't mean I'm about to."

"True."  He smiled.  "I have in mind an alliance.  You are a problem Hell has not yet had to face.  I am looking to move up the ranks of my kind.  You have on your body the means of my success and I have in my power the ability to give you anything you want.  You'd no longer have to steal to have jewels.  Nor would you have to sleep with two humans to find pleasure.  I can give you everything and anything you need or want.  All I ask is that you walk into a meeting naked and kill as many of the higher-ups as you can, including the biggest one."

Xander snorted, shaking her head.  "While it might suit my desires to kill you all, why would I do such a thing to please you?  You have nothing I can't buy and I like sleeping with both my humans.  I don't need something like you to please me.  You only make me ill."

"Consort, please.  You enjoyed it," he said smugly.

"I didn't.  Nor do I appreciate being reminded of being gifted against my will."   He stepped closer. "I will kill you.  I will make it a horrible experience so no one else tries something this stupid.  I'll make you an example of exactly why none of you come near me ever the hell again."  The demon chortled and Xander glared.  "You think I'm kidding?" he asked in his most scary voice.  "I know ways of torturing you that you don't.  You forget, part of my *rape* was the forced knowledge being shoved into my head when some of the higher ones took me *against* my will."

"You enjoyed it."

"Screams don't mean pleasure.  Not to humans."  She loosened the top of her robe and found she was covered underneath by black paint.  "Hey, not an issue."  She pulled out her dagger and played with it.  "What shall come off first?"

"Consort, I can give you anything you could ever want.  All the pretty jewels in the world could be yours.  I can make you a woman that all men want and desire."

"Who said I need that sort of stress!" she shouted.  "I do not want to be here!  I am not going along with your plans!  I will kill you!"  She lunged but he waved a hand and she was back on the pillows, arranged to suit his particular tastes.  She felt her children, then relaxed.  "You'd better not come near me.  You make me miscarry, the world stays unbalanced."

"It's unbalanced in our favor."

"Hmm, and killing all of you would fix that, wouldn't it?" she sneered.  She ignored the extra hair she now had and the jewels woven into the tangled mess.  She ignored the heels, the lighter body, and all of it as she stood up again.  "I will kill you.  You are a dead demon.  Prince or not, you will die."  She lunged forward and stabbed him in the eye, making him roar.  Other demons came running and she pulled out the knife, facing off with them.  "This is not where I wanted to be.  You will send me home, now.  Or else I will unleash everything that was ever carved into my skin to destroy all of you and rebalance the world.  Paint doesn't cover their effectiveness."

"Kill her!" her captor yelled, standing up.

Xander turned and pulled up more power, throwing an attack at him.  He growled and she got out of his way as he lunged for her, watching as he took out most of his own minions. She snorted in derision and got him in the spine.  These guys were built like extra-large humans.  They had the same weaknesses.  The dagger didn't do much against him but it was enough to open the skin over his spinal cord and dig between two vertebrae before he could turn and get her.  He fell with a bellow of pain and she pulled it out, then jabbed it back into the injury.  Then she started to work on his parts, making him decorated and pretty like she was underneath the paint.  She knew what the marks looked like very well.  At the end she cut off his nuts and penis, using them on him.  Then she glared at the remaining demons.  "Next?" she asked.  They scattered.  She drug the being out of the room and down the hall.  She knew this hallway.  She walked into the meeting hall through the portal and tossed him at the Lord's feet. "Yours I believe."  She glared at him.  "Stupid idiot took me from the kitsune.  Send me back or I'm turning him over. He's *exactly* like me."  He looked stunned so she turned him over.  The closest demons looked and found themselves either in pain or dying.  He looked at the highest demon, sneering at him.  "Send me home.  I had no desire to be here this time either!"

"Fine!" he shouted, creating a portal. "Go!"

She bowed and walked through, directly onto Goemon's lawn.  She fell down to her knees and got sick, heaving heavily.  She felt a hand touch her and shrugged it off.  "Don't!" she gasped.  "Get Goemon!  Now!"  The kid, whichever it was, ran off to get him.  Goemon came out, squatting beside him.  Xander looked up at him and he winced.  "They had me again," he said quietly.  "I need to be contained and helped out of this stuff."

"Then we will.  The children can be watched by Dawn."  He went to send them off while Xander lay on the lawn.  Dawn appeared and a portal opened.  "You heard?"

"I felt.  He just took out one whole branch of Hell's royalty.  Kids?  Come play with mine," she called. All of them but Lotus came.  She picked up Lotus and carried her with her.  "You especially can't stay."  She looked at Goemon.  "Wash her, trim off the nasty mess.  Take the jewels.  We can clean them later of whatever taint they carry.  Don't tell Lupin, he'll go insane."  She closed the portal.

Goemon turned and found his son in the doorway of the hallway.  "What are you still doing here?"

"I'm going to help."

"You're not.  Dawn, you missed one."  She came back and grabbed him, taking him with her by force, no matter how much he was kicking and struggling.  "You'll understand later, son."  Goemon grabbed a hose and attached it to his sink, taking it outside through a window.  Then he went to get some scissors and other necessities he'd need.  He walked out into the yard again, noticing how Xander was dressed.  "That is pretty.  Did you buy that one?"

"My buddy stole it," Xander moaned, looking up at him.  "Just get me out of it, I'll scrub myself.  I'll let you cut off my hair."

"That's fine, Xander.  They're probably still in the mountains looking for you."  He handed her the hose and went to turn it on.  He came out and found her stripped and washing the paint off her body.  He winced at the ugly scars but moved in to help her.  It was a tangled mess.  Her hair was longer than it ever had been, down to her knees, and it was tangled and interwoven with gem stands and things.  He tried to cut it but the scissors wouldn't go through any of it.  He finally gave up and moved away, waiting until Xander had finished washing off the paint and any remaining slime or whatever.  He noticed her body wasn't quite correct and looked at her.  "You made sure they couldn't touch you?"

"First thing," she admitted. "I woke up painted but they hadn't touched me otherwise."  She tossed the hose aside and skimmed her hands over her body.  "Good enough for now.  What about my hair?"

"The scissors wouldn't cut it.  I'll need you to lay very still so I can cut it off."  She nodded and went to find a good spot for that, perching her head on top of a large stone that Goemon liked to sit on and watch the sunset.  Her hair was put across the other side and she looked away.  "Relax and do not move."  He pulled his sword and cut, breaking the stone and the hair.  He put it up and kicked away the mess of hair, watching as she went inside.  "Use Fujiko's shower."

"I'll use the room I used to use's," she promised. "Fuji would hate that."  She went inside, going to do that.  It had harsher soap in there because he was usually dirty from fixing something for them.

Goemon looked at the mess of hair then grimaced.  "That is sickening."  He went to get a lighter to light the hair on fire.  The gems and gold should survive well enough.  The whole mass went up quickly and just as quickly burnt itself out.  It left the remains of the hair underneath the gems and gemmed hairpins.  He put on a pair of work gloves and moved the treasures into a shoebox he had found.  The rest he buried in the ground and the glove was tossed away.  Then he went to check on Xander, finding her using that pumice soap on her whole body.  "It will be fine," he soothed.

"It won't.  It really won't."  She opened the curtain to look at him.  "Does Fuji still keep her stash of drugs?"  He nodded.  "Can you find me a sleeping pill?"  He shook his head.  "Why not?"

"The children you carry."

"Damn it."  She closed the curtain, going back to her scrubbing.  "I'll figure that out later then."

"That would be fine.  Would you like to talk?"

"No."

"If you want, I would listen.  You have done that for me enough times."

"I know, but I don't think I'll need to.  I just have some flashbacks for a few days or so."

"If you say so.  If you want to speak of this, I'll be outside.  There is probably something around here you could wear."  He walked off, going to find her something to wear. He ran into Lupin and Jigen coming in.  "He's fine."

"Bullshit!"

"Lupin, calm down," Jigen ordered.  "They said she'd been taken.  She's here?"

"In the shower in her bathroom.  One of the demons wanted to have her help him gain status from what little I know.  She said she was not touched."  Lupin relaxed slightly and went back there.  "Jigen, we must work on cleaning the things she came home in," he said quietly.  "I've burned the hair and the jewels are contained but I don't want to touch them personally."  He went to turn off the hose then go outside to gather up the clothes.  They'd need cleaned.  He found more jewels inside her clothes and carefully picked them out, tossing them into the shoebox as well.  Then he bundled it up.  That would need to be cleaned.

Lupin came out of the house to watch him.  "That's pretty."

"She came back wearing it."

"She said her friend found it for her," he said tiredly, leaning on the railing.  "She seems fine."  Goemon looked at him.  "I know she'll need some soothing and calming down.  We can do that.  Did you give her anything?"

"No.  I didn't have anything I could trust not to hurt her or the children she's carrying."  He handed over the box.  "Dawn said we'd have to clean these."

"Marcus was with us but he went to tell Ethan.  Marcus?" Lupin called.  Marcus appeared, looking grim.  "Ethan have a relapse?"

"No, just a migraine."  He took the shoebox and walked outside with it, going to clean it.  "How did you get them free?"

"Fire.  It was tangled in her hair.  I burned it and then buried it," Goemon told him.

Marcus smiled at him.  "Very well done.  I'll salt it later with lye."  He sat down to start the cleaning process, calling the alcohol and water, along with a small burner to burn off any nastiness left behind.  The amber and jade must have looked fantastic on her but this was not what she needed in her life. He looked up as a major demon appeared.  "Lupin!" he shouted, standing up and getting ready to fight if necessary.

"Stand down, boy."  He looked over as Goemon came out.  "The person who did this is very dead.  She killed him.  All that was his is hers if she wants it."

"She wants you to leave her the hell alone," Jigen said as he came out with Lupin.  "Never come near my wife again or you'll be seeing my face again."

Marcus moved closer.  "I know the reasons for her latest capture.  That one wanted her to take over Hell," he said.  "She won't.  You can go back home now."

"I wish I could but my own Prince said I must come to her and offer our apologies.  Is she all right?"

"Not that you'll get near her but she's fine," Jigen said firmly.  "Last chance to leave whole."

"I will go," he agreed, nodding.  "What he did was not allowed.  We have all been told to leave her alone.  That one was going against that order to touch her.  We have no desire to see her among us.  She will kill us all to rebalance the world and we all know that."  He backed away, bowing to Goemon.  "You protect her very well, she will be fine."  He disappeared.

"We should have made him pay," Marcus muttered, going back to his cleaning.

Jigen looked at Goemon.  "She can take over Hell?"

"With those marks, she might be able to," he agreed.  "She has said some of them are death to them on sight."

"So she could walk through hell and kill all," Lupin said as he joined them. "I told her.  She's throwing a massive fit.  Wants to summon that one back to hurt him."  He looked down at Marcus.  Then at Goemon.  "What's that?"

"The stuff that was tangled in her hair," he said grimly.  "I had to chop it off with my sword and burn the hair."

Lupin nodded. "That's fine.  We'll sell it."  He headed back into the bathroom to help her get all of her back.  She had changed forms and was now scrubbing that one.  "Shh," he said as he joined her again, back in his boxers.  "I'm here and they're not taking you.  No matter how scared they are of you."  She looked at him and he kissed her on the tip of the nose.  "He noted that you could take over Hell."

"I could.  I could kill them all," she agreed.  "That's why he had me painted."

"Paint?"

"I scrubbed it off outside."  She handed him the soap. "Please?"  He nodded and worked on her back for her.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome."  He kissed the back of her head.  "You know we don't mind helping you after things like this happen."  She gave him a look.  "Okay, we sometimes do mind, but never for very long," he admitted, giving her a small smile.  "Most of that is how you end up having nightmares for weeks and don't let us sleep during a job."  He kissed the back of her head again.  "When we're done, would you like to lie down and take a nap?"

"No, I'm pretty good," she admitted.  "They drugged me so I took one then."  He scowled at the wall.  "They should be fine."

"I'm not worried about the future kids, I'm worried about you, Xander.  You're more precious to me."  She sniffled.  He dropped the soap and held her.  "Shh, you have a mood swing if you need to."

She pinched him.  "Don't say mushy stuff then ruin it!"

He chuckled and gave her a squeeze.  "Okay, I won't."  They stayed there like that until the water got cold.  "Come on, you can bathe again later.  I can't see anything nasty on you and I want to hold you.  I can even steal you from Jigen again."

"Sure.  If it'll make you feel better."  She let him help her out and dry her off, then get her into some pajamas.  "I seem to spend a lot of time here in jammies," she noted, letting him curl up with her on the couch.

"I'm not commenting on that," he said firmly.  She pinched him.  "OW!"

"Quit that.  You know damn well I'd never sleep with Goemon.  Never, ever.  The only time I could see that happening was if you guys had all died and we had to get together for the kids' sake.  Then it'd still take *years*.  So quit that thought before it gets worse and you start to have another headache.  Only I get to have migraines.  I'm the woman part of the time."

"Yes, dear," he said sheepishly.  She was right, and it was getting out of hand.  He snuggled up against her side, holding her tightly.

"You know, we saw you hopping around when they wouldn't let you in," she offered quietly.  "I was watching. My buddy said you hopped around like Zenigata."

Lupin grunted, scowling at her hair.  "I do not."

"You did," Jigen said from the doorway, giving him a smug look.  "Hand over the wife."

"Fat chance."  Xander wiggled and he pulled her into his lap.  "Ha!  You're mine, I stole you!"

"You haven't stolen me from anywhere yet," she pointed out, grinning at him.  Then she kissed him.  "Until you do, you can't claim to have stolen me.  Seduced me, comforted me, kept me around, yeah, but not stolen."

"I stole you out of a jail cell last year," Lupin defended.

She grinned and shook her head.  "That wasn't what you were talking about.  That's rescuing, that makes you a big hero, not a thief."

"Hmm.  I should let you go again so I really can steal you then," he noted dryly, holding her tighter.  There wasn't any way she was getting out of his sight again.  Jigen came over to flop down beside them, close enough to touch Xander if Lupin would let him.  "Mine," he growled.

"You sound like you're possessed," Jigen teased, taking Xander from Lupin by tickling him.  He settled her between them.  "Forgive him, he's jealous."

"Of you?"

"No, of someone else who stole you."  He kissed the side of her head.  "Did you want to see what they put on you?"  She looked up at him.  "The crap in your hair.  It's all amber, jade, and gold."

"Cute?"

"Some.  Some very pretty braiding strands.  We've cleaned them and Goemon burned them the first time."

"Sure, I wouldn't care.  It's not like they touched me this time."  He helped her up and out onto the porch, where they found Marcus buried underneath some things.  "Huh.  I didn't know I had that much on me.  Goemon?"  He turned and she pointed.  "Where did that come from?"

"I don't know," he admitted, coming over to unbury Marcus.  "Are you all right?"

"Fine, Master," he said dreamily.  "I think I just saw the inside of their vaults."

"Hmm, I could go for that," Xander admitted, grabbing the pole to slide down there.  She looked at the portal. "Yeah, that is."  She helped him widen it a bit then went to get a shovel.  After a few good ones, Lupin and Jigen came down to take her away from it so they could help.  It was some very pretty crystals and stones.  Not many diamonds, but maybe the other things were helpful.

"Why would they have so many common crystals?" Goemon asked.

"They serve their purposes," Xander offered.  "My choker could be made out of them but they wouldn't hold the charge as well."  She shrugged.  "I know that some people use them for simple, short term spells."  She looked at the portal.  "We need Lotus for this."

Goemon shook his head.  "No.  No exposing the child to such powers."

"Someone on the other side just complained," Jigen noted.

Xander and Marcus looked at each other, then smirked and cast 'pulling' charms on the other side of the portal.  It created a vacuum, which sucked the gems to them without much more work.  It gave them both headaches, but it was worth it.  There was a really pretty emerald Xander picked up as his own.  One last one flew through then Marcus closed the portal.  Xander grinned at Marcus.  "I'm guessing someone offered?"

"Yes, in return for you not going back there tonight to kill them all."  He stood up, dusting himself off.  "I didn't think you'd want to go tonight."

"No, not tonight," Xander admitted.  She looked up.  "It's still going to take more than some minor jewels to make me unpissed!" she called.  A few more stones appeared on the ground and she smirked.  "Nice start!"  She took her new emerald friend into the house to polish and look at with a jeweler's glass.

Jigen picked up the ornate necklace made of black jade and jet, looking it over.  He held it up.  "Someone has ornate taste."

"It's probably someone's tithe to them," Goemon said dryly.  He picked a ruby and picked it up when nothing came out of it.  "This is rather pretty.  For the wife?"

"Diamond," Lupin instructed.  "Fujiko loves diamonds."  He picked up one and looked at it in the sunlight, then tossed it over.  "That."  He looked at all the crystals.  "What are we doing with these?"

"We can give them to Ethan if they're not worth anything," Marcus suggested.  "He can give them to someone who might need them."  He went to find the wheelbarrow they used in the garden, coming back to put the crystals into it while the real stones went into a pile of their own.  When wheelbarrow was full he sent all of it to Ethan's with him wheeling it into his work room.  "Here.  One of Hell's vaults opened to pay off Xander for not killing them all."  He smiled.  "We have no use for crystals."  He gave Ethan a short kiss then went back to help them.  He held up a long string of sapphires.  "Interesting.  What would this be for?  It's not got the clip for braiding into hair."

Ethan appeared, looking confused.  He looked at the small pile of stones, then at the thing his student was holding up.  "It's not a necklace?"  Marcus shook his head.  "You remember those strings of pearls and how you wondered what they were for?"  Marcus blushed and nodded. "That's for that."  He walked into the house, hugging Xander and his new pretty thing.  "All you had to do was ask.  I could have opened the portal to the main vault, not that one."

Xander looked at him.  "They're trying to keep me from taking over Hell."

"If you do, be sure to save me a spot, dear one."  He gave him a gentle kiss then left them there to play.  He looked at the very full wheelbarrow.  "What am I going to do with you?  I don't do much with you things."  He frowned and picked up his address book and the phone, calling a local herb and book shop he used.  "My student just presented me with a wheelbarrow full of crystals.  Do you have need of any?"  He looked at them again.  "No, I'm not kidding.  Come get them, I don't use them."  He hung up and wheeled the thing out to the entryway so they could deal with them however. At least she would pay him for them.

***

Xander looked up as her bath was interrupted by one of the kids sniffling.  "What's wrong?"  She wiped off the little tears.  "Was your daddy mean, little Fourth?"  She nodded and sat down next to the tub, hugging Xander's arm.  "What did he say?"

"That I couldn't learn how to fight."

"Bet me," he snorted.  "You and the others are going to start taking lessons very soon.  I'm gonna go pounce Ishi's daddy tomorrow to get you guys more lessons more often, then you and I are gonna go find some targets to teach you how to use a bow and arrow, a crossbow, and a gun.  Got it?"  She smiled and looked very hopeful.  "Then your daddy can teach everyone how to pick locks.  Even Savanna and Sierra will need to know about that.  It's a necessary skill when you're a good guy."

"Really?"  Xander nodded. "Thanks, mommy."  She kissed him on the cheek and headed out to tell her father off.  "Daddy, mommy said that I am too gonna take lessons.  She's gonna pounce Ishi's daddy to get him to teach us how to do stuff and she's gonna teach us how to shoot stuff, and then you're gonna teach us all how to pick locks because even good guys need those skills."

"Xander, what am I teaching the children?" Goemon called from the kitchen.

"Self defense!  Let's face it, someone will want them because they're *our* kids."

"Fine.  I'll start working with them once a week.  It can reinforce my own children's skills."  He smiled at Savanna.  "Even you will need those to be a good guy."  She beamed and nodded.  "Good girl."

"Who's teaching them to shoot?" Jigen called.

"I'll teach crossbow and regular bow, you can teach guns," she offered, getting out of the bath and wrapping herself in a towel to come to the doorway.  She managed to catch it when it slid off her bubble-covered body but the people screamed in pain and clapped their hands over their eyes.  "Huh."  She looked up smugly.  "I don't think you managed to send me home," she called.  The room switched and she was in front of a throne.  "Morning."  He found himself back in a suit and tie, his usual working outfit.  "You wanted to parlay?"

"No, I didn't, but we haven't been able to send you home yet," the demon noted.  "Sorry."

Xander smirked.  "You're gonna be."  He loosened his tie and the demon moaned, looking like he was begging.  "Home, the real home.  Now.  Or else."

"It's protected from us touching there," he explained.

"Then send me back to the kitsune."

"We cannot do that either."

"Then send my fucking ass to Paris!" he said angrily.  "I can head home from there.  Or anywhere!"

The demon looked upset.  "We're locked in here.  The portals will not open.  We have not touched you inappropriately.  We would not do that to you, Consort.  That one young one was very dumb."

"So are you," Xander said, frowning at him.  "Can't open the one in Sunnydale?"

"There is the guardian."

"Yay.  How about Cleveland?"

"That we can do.  That one's partially open, that's why the others can't be opened.  I could send you back there, but your friend is there."

"Yay."  He finished loosening his tie and tucked it into his pants pocket.  "Now.  And you still owe my ass for kidnaping me and keeping me here."

"Yes, Consort.  We are sorry, Consort."

Xander looked at him.  "You're not that nice."

"You know the Great One's real name?" he whispered.  Xander nodded.  "We were told that.  We were ordered by him to be nicer to you so you do not take us all over and kill us."

"I'm still considering it."  He found himself outside a portal and took off his shirt, waving at the girls fighting on the other side.  The demons around him screamed and held their bleeding eyes as soon as he got it off, so he walked out unmolested.  He glanced at the wizard casting for them without seeing who it was.  "Close it now," he suggested.  "Demara, come," he called, bringing her out.  She and the other girl came out, dragging the injured one between them.  The hole was closed and Xander put back on his shirt, heading up through the hole.  "Demara, got your cell from your dad on you?"

"No, Xander.  Thank you for the help," she called, smiling at his back.  Buffy gave her a horrified look.  "He's married to my father."

"Oh, yeah," she said bitterly, glaring at his back.  "Xander, your help wasn't needed."

He turned to look at her.  "Buffy, they took me from among some natural spirits in Japan to try and have me take over Hell for them.  That wasn't a planned trip on my part, but they couldn't send me home because this one was open and sucking all the others closed.  This was the only way I was getting out of there this time and I'll be damned if I'm putting up with you.  Have a nice day," he said with a grin, turning and nearly running into Wesley.  "What?"

"Nothing," he said, looking down.  "They wanted you to take over Hell?"

"Yeah, they wanted me to show all those nasty little marks they carved on my body to kill all the demons in Hell so I could take over.  Well, they wanted me to take over for one of them but they knew they'd be dying too so they didn't really consider it too long.  Toodles and all that."  He wandered off, heading to find a way home.  He ran into a familiar spirit and grinned.  "I'd hug you but I'm probably still tainted."

"Just a bit, Xander," the kitsune said dryly.  "Come with me?"

"Sure.  I don't have my passport on me anyway."  He took his hand and they disappeared into the fog of the night, heading back to their world to help Xander change, shave, and clean up, then they went to do more fun things.  Formal dinners were great sometimes but their natures were calling out to them to steal many pretty things.  Xander was back in Melody form when they landed in a house.  He looked at the kitsune, who grinned viciously and headed for the stuff he had always wanted to touch but hadn't dared.  They had gotten most of them when the lights came on.

Tokyo's Don looked at them, then shook his head.  "A real kitsune.  I didn't believe my men when they said you'd been visiting.  And you."  She smirked at him.  "Lavelle.  How pleasant to see you.  Over for a long visit?"

Xander skipped over and kissed him on the cheek.  "That's my buddy.  We're having fun.  Lupin's ignoring me.  Toodles."  She and the fox spirit went off again with their treasures, and one other they stopped upstairs to get.

The Don went to his office and picked up the phone, hitting the speed dial on it for Goemon's house.  His wife had put it on there and he hadn't understood why at the time.  Now he did.  "Why is your husband going around with a kitsune?" he asked when Jigen answered.  "No, my house!"  The phone was handed to Lupin.  "Quit ignoring your wife!  She and her kitsune friend just broke into my house!"  He slammed the phone down and went back to bed.  His wife would comfort him and he could always get it back from Lupin.  Lupin would give it back or he'd have to take the children until he did.  He heard a laugh and then a kiss on his forehead.  "What?" he demanded of the woman beside the bed.

"You touch my kids, I destroy your whole empire," Lavelle said sweetly, smiling happily at him.  "You ever think about touching my kids again except for to offer to babysit for a few hours and you'll get to see why Geneva's Lord and Master crawled into the police station on his knees and begged, crying, to be taken into custody.  He only thought about taking our little Fourth for his own.  Got it?"  He nodded, looking scared now.  She smiled brighter and kissed him for real.  "This is just to annoy you, dear.  Trust me.  If we had wanted to take something, we'd have gotten into the vault where you're keeping all that stuff you stole off Kyoto's head and then conveniently plant a few pieces here and there.  Or we could have gotten into your half of the haul from the diamond show last year.  Now you be a *good* boy and I'll take my kitsune buddy and we'll go pick on Don Irani."  He disappeared, going back to helping his kitsune friend do just that.  That one had some very pretty things in his safes.

Tokyo's Don shook his head, holding his wife tightly.  "Maybe I should retire," he noted out loud.

"Just don't threaten his family again.  Lavelle was only being an annoyance this time.  Next time, he'll do more than that.  I have no desire of dying this year, husband."

He kissed her gently.  "You won't.  We're going to retire and go back to running things from behind our chosen successor.  That means you'll have a prettier garden."  She smiled against his chest.  "I wonder what else they stole."

"That necklace you found me last month," she said with a yawn.  "I heard them.  Lavelle was very nice, he even patted my stomach for me when the baby kicked.  His own must be going well."  She closed her eyes and fell asleep with that smile.

The Don shuddered gently.  "I don't want to know," he decided.  "Lavelle wins this game."  He held her tighter, sure he could protect her from worse things happening.

***

Lupin hung up the phone and looked at Jigen.  "She broke into his house with a kitsune."  Jigen nodded, he had gotten that too.  "He told me to quit ignoring her."

"Well, she does go do things when we do.  I wonder where she's been for the last week," Jigen offered.

"Hell," Marcus said as he appeared.  "I just got back."  He cleared his throat when Lupin spluttered.  "One of them tried to take him to have him take over Hell with the marks on his body.  He fought and won, killing that one and marking him, then taking his body to kill the rest of that branch of the family tree.  They couldn't send him home because Cleveland's was slightly open and there can only be one open one at a time if it's a major portal like a hellmouth.  Xander walked out it without his shirt on and killed or injured most of them.  They all ran back inside and I finished closing it with my father's help.  Then he and his friend with the few tails took off to go play."  He shrugged at the pissed looks.  "I'm simply the messenger."

"There's a long tradition of killing messengers," Lupin growled and Marcus squeaked before disappearing.  "She was in Hell?"

"Apparently," Jigen said, frowning at the doorway.  "Xander!"  She didn't appear.  "Fuck.  Why doesn't that work with her?"

"Because she's not in the mood to appear," Goemon said from behind them.  "You woke Lotus as well," he noted when they looked at him.   "It is obvious that she's off having fun.  Allow it.  Either track her or set up a trap."  He turned and went back to bed.  Now they knew she was fine, it would be a quieter day tomorrow.

"Trap?" Lupin suggested.

"Won't work."

"It will."

"It won't.  She's working with a kitsune.  They're not exactly morons."

"Still, this is Xander.  Chocolate factory?"

"They could be listening right now," Goemon called.  Something told him someone was.

"Xander!" Lupin called quietly.  "Please come back!  Please!  I'll buy you nice chocolates."

"Buy?" Jigen asked.

"She always buys the important presents," Lupin reminded him. "I'm willing to spring for good chocolates this time."  A piece of paper floated down and he picked it up.  "Hmm."  He handed it over.  "She'll be home in a few days and expects a wonderful homecoming or she'll leave immediately and take the kids and our credit cards with her."

"I knew we shouldn't have let Fujiko teach her how to be a woman," Jigen grumped, sitting down to stare out at the night.  "We should probably sleep.  We've got to plan this very well."

Lupin gave him a smug look.  "No we don't.  She'll be satisfied with whatever we do if we're paying attention to her and having sex."

"I think she probably wants more than sex," Jigen noted.  "She's our wife, not our geisha."

Lupin shrugged.  "Then we'll figure it out and ask her."

"I'll find the stuff for dinner.  You find the presents," Jigen noted, getting up and heading down to bed.  He found Xander stretched out on their bed and leaned down to kiss her.  "I'm sorry I ignored you."  She pulled him down and let him cuddle.  "No presents needed?"

"Talking to me like I'm there would be nice.  Simply talking to me at all would be great actually."

Jigen smirked.  "I think we can do that.  Expect another golden cage moment from Lupin."  He wrapped her tighter in his arms.  This was his time to pay attention to her.  They'd have to work this out.  "The kids are at Goemon's.   You okay?"

"I'm good.  They didn't touch me.  Even when they made it seem like I came home they didn't touch me more than helping me clean off what the other thing had done."  Jigen pulled back to look at her.  "He painted over the marks so I wouldn't hurt him.  Didn't save him any, but he did.  Speaking of, we might be getting a shipment of jewels.  They owe my ass for taking me this time."  A large thing plopped at the end of the bed.  "Cool.  The crystals?"

"No, those went to Ethan.  We didn't need them," a voice called. "Please stay on that plane, Consort.  We adore you and would love to have you back, but we don't want to die this week either.  We did send that emerald you liked so much as well."  The voice disappeared.

Xander looked up at Jigen, who was stunned.  "Thought I was kidding?"

"How would you take over Hell?"

"You know those marks?"  Jigen nodded slowly.  "Some of them are pain or killing glyphs.  If any demon sees them they're injured or killed by them."

"So you could pull a Godiva through Hell and kill them all?"

"Or at least a great many," Xander agreed.  "That and I know the big guy's name."  Jigen looked impressed at that.  "He whispered it in my ear once while he was having his spot of fun."  Jigen crushed her against his chest, holding on.  "I'm fine."

"I'm not."

"Shh," she soothed, patting him gently.  "You're loved and wanted.  Why would I want some slimy, nasty demon with a huge cock when I have you and all you give me."  He chuckled and shook his head, letting her go some.  "Sorry, but it's the truth.  I don't want or need them.  I both want and need you and Lupin.  You're like a drug to me.  I'm fully addicted and you're not only my drug of choice but my pusher."  She grinned at him.  "You make me feel high and giddy, and Lupin makes me feel high and naughty."  She nipped him on the bottom lip.  "You could come in, Lupin, I can hear you out there."  He pushed open the door looking very miserable.  "You don't like being the drug that makes me high and naughty?  I can find something else to put with you."

Lupin grinned. "I didn't hear that part."  He walked in and looked at the bag.  "What's that?"

"Hush money."

"We'll look at it in the morning," Lupin promised, climbing in behind her.  "Thank you for coming home."

"You're welcome. I've still got one more stop to make tonight but I can make it quick.  I'll do it after you're both asleep."

"We could help," Jigen offered.

"Not where I'm going you can't," she promised.  "Don't worry, it'll be fine."  She kissed him then Lupin.  "Cuddles?"  They cuddled her hard and she got comfortable.  This was her Jigen and Lupin.  "I said hi for you to Demara when I saw her."

"Good.  Why was she in Cleveland?"

"They called in most of them for this one."

"Ah.  Okay then."  Lupin held her tighter.  She wasn't getting away from him.  He stroked her stomach gently, making her chuckle.  "I was worried about you.  And about them, but mostly about you."

"I'm glad.  I'll take that into account when you make dinner tomorrow and spoil me horribly."

"Sure."  He smirked at Jigen.  "I knew she'd come back."

"Lupin, you need drugs," Jigen retorted.  "You were the one who was sure she was off moving into that palace."

"It's really bright up there," Xander told him.  "It kinda glows.  Very hard to sleep in."

Lupin gave him a squeeze.  "Good.  I won't have Goemon kill them all the next time we see them."

Xander chuckled. "I doubt he could, but I'm sure they'd appreciate not having to get around him."  As soon as they were asleep, her friend showed back up.  "Good plan," she admitted, letting him help her out of the bed so they could pull their last job for the night.  There was something she really wanted and her buddy knew how to get her it.  They disappeared, heading into a lavish palace.   Her new pet was in there.

***

Lupin came out of the bedroom and frowned at the thing curled up on the couch with the kids.  He turned around and went back into the bedroom, giving Xander a gentle nudge. "Xander, why is there something that looks like a big snake on the couch?"

She yawned and stretched. "That's my new pet, Inasi."  She flipped over onto her side and snuggled into Jigen's chest again, going back to sleep.

"Pet?" Jigen asked.  "Scales?  I thought you wanted something furry."  Xander snored so he let it go, looking up at Lupin.  "Python?"

"No, not really."  He got Jigen untangled and held out his robe.  "You've got to see this one.  Bring the camera."  They walked out together, pausing to look at the dragon on the couch.  "It's a dragon."

Jigen took a few pictures, then shrugged.  "I'm guessing it goes with the bird you like to ignore."  He went to get some coffee and take it into the bathroom with him.  He paused when he noticed there were two bags and a box now on their bedroom floor, looking inside them.  "Found the Don's vases," he called, heading in to take a shower.

Lupin came in and looked inside the bag and box that hadn't been there.  Then he shook his head and carted it off to the car so they could return it later.  He didn't need that sort of stress in his life. He had Xander for that.

Bloodlines.

Inasi woke up and looked around the room it was in.  It was definitely not his room at the palace.  It was also not anywhere near the palace.  There was no noise outside the windows.  There were children around him, but he didn't mind that.  He was an Imperial Dragon, the protector of the heir and the royal family. He slid off the soft place, noticing it had been a couch, and moved to look at the children.  None were his charge, he had known that, but his charge was bored recently and needed playmates.  None of these children were Japanese but they all seemed nice enough.  He wandered into the kitchen area, opening the fridge.  He found a steak in there with a note for him and read it, humphing as he gulped the steak.  He walked out of the house and up the hill.  From the next house up he could tell where he was.  He had been driven through here once.  He snuck into the other house, going to the nursery.  There he found two children, both of suitable heritage.  Distant cousins if he read their blood right.  He looked at the boy, but his charge was a girl.  The girl was younger, but very cute.  He nosed her and looked at her as she woke up.   //Good morning,// it sent into her head. //I am Inasi.  I am the heir's royal guardian.  You are a suitable child to play with her.//

"Wow," Lotus breathed reaching out to pet him gently, like her uncle had said she should pet all animals.  "You're very pretty, Inasi."

Ishi woke up and rubbed his eyes.  "Who you talk to, sissy?" he said as he rubbed.  He stopped then screamed when he saw the creature in their room.  "Daddy!  Sissy did it again!  Monster!"

"He not a monster," she said, scowling at him.  "He have name!"  Her father came in with his sword already drawn and she scrambled to stand in front of her new friend.  "No, Daddy!  Not a monster!"

Goemon stopped, blinking a few times.  Then he took a calming breath.  And another.  "Why is there a dragon in your bedroom?" he asked finally.

"Wow, a real dragon," Ishi said, moving to look at him better.

"See, told you he not a monster!" Lotus complained.  She batted her eyes at her father.  "He come to see me."

"I'm sure he did," he said calmly, sitting down in the rocking chair in their room. "Why did the dragon come to see you?"

The dragon moved from behind her, looking at the adult. //I don't know why I'm in this town, but I came here to see if she would come play with my charge.  They're nearly the same age and she is a girl.  Your blood is suitable to play with her.//

Goemon shook his head briefly, then looked at him.  "I am a thief and an assassin."

//I knew that already,// Inasi told him. //Your family has been for years, Goemon.// He looked at Lotus, then licked her. //I will return shortly.  We will play then.//

"She may not go to the Imperial Palace by herself," Goemon said firmly.

The dragon gave him a look. //What am I, pate?// He walked out onto the lawn, finding a bright golden bird waiting on him. //Merry meet, My Lord.  Are you their protector?// He sent him a few pictures. //Ah, I see.  I had thought that the lone phoenix on this world had died a few centuries back.  What do you know of this daughter?// The phoenix sent more pictures to him and it suited his purposes. //Very well then.  Can you transport her back to the palace for a play date this afternoon?  Our princess is very bored and lonely.// The bird nodded and went inside to find Lotus some clothes.  The dragon called its usual protected one, letting it know what was going on and where he was.  The fact that he would be bringing back a child for the afternoon pleased the father to no end.  He went back inside and bypassed the father. //The blue.//

Lotus smiled at him.  "Will I be back in time for ice cream?"

//If you wish.// Inasi looked over as another human walked in, frowning at the mother. //I will bring her back later.  She is only going to play.//

"An adult must accompany her, a human one," Goemon said firmly.

The dragon looked at him. //Then I would change out of that loincloth.//   He went back to helping the children get ready.  If the father was coming, the son probably was as well.  Instead the boy stopped to pet him then went outside to do what he normally did apparently, his exercises. //He is looking to be very well trained.  Good job.//

Fujiko picked up the phone and dialed Marcus' cellphone.  "We have a dragon here."

"It's an Imperial Dragon," Goemon corrected.  "He guards the heir.  He wants Lotus to come play for the afternoon.  How he got here I have no clue."

//The human brought me.//

"Human?" Goemon asked, frowning at him.  "Lupin," he growled.  He would kill him for this.

//No, not him.  The silver one.  That human.  The Lupin one woke me earlier.  Then he went back to have more relations with his wife and consort.// Inasi found a sunny spot on the floor and stretched out in it with a sigh. //The palace's windows are not showing the sun this time of year.  I have missed this,// he told them both.

"You look like a big, scaley cat," Fujiko snorted.

"Mother!" Lotus said, scowling at her.  "He *dragon*, not kitty!"  She went to sit beside him and practice her reading.  It wasn't time to go yet and Uncle Xander had made reading seem really interesting so she'd do more of it.

Goemon went to find more appropriate attire, then went down to behead Xander for this.  He walked in the back door and directly into the trio's bedroom.  Jigen woke up and glared at him, his wet hair sticking up in every direction.  "He sent the dragon to my house."

"Okay," Jigen said, nodding.  "So?"

"He's taking Lotus to play at the palace for the day."

Xander waved a hand without moving anything else.  "Tell him I said he's welcome.  He's been looking for a good playmate for months and it'll do Lotus good to find someone stronger and more connected."

"It is not appropriate that my daughter go to the palace, Xander!" he said angrily.  "She is my daughter!  Not some royal!"

"You're a cousin," Lupin reminded him.  "You're close enough to marry her and far enough away that it wouldn't create problems.  You're probably not the first two to head up there for something like this."  He looked at Goemon.  "I've never seen you in that one."

Goemon grimaced and tugged at the front of his kimono.  "I never wear it. It's too formal for daily wear."  He glared at them.  "That is not the point.  It is not correct that my daughter go to the palace.  She could be influenced by all manners of worldly things."

"We're going to give back the Don's vases anyway," Lupin said with a shrug.

"We'll take you out for ice cream afterwards," Jigen agreed.

"Ice cream?" Xander said, waking up more.  "For breakfast?  For me?"

"Only if we run to the store and you go back to sleep," Jigen promised.  "Tomorrow morning."  She grinned and kissed him then put her head back down.  "We're both going to the Don's?"

"Hell yes.  I'm not facing him alone," Lupin snorted.

"He's a sweety and possibly retiring," Xander mumbled.  "Was gonna take the kids."  She wrapped herself around Jigen's stomach but he wiggled so she let him go and got Lupin instead.  He always let her cuddle.  She looked at Goemon and whistled weakly.  "Cute.  I like that on you.  I'd still rather you took mine from the drawer."  She yawned and closed her eyes.  "Bottom drawer, white dresser."

Goemon looked stunned but went to open that drawer, finding the one she meant quickly enough.  He looked at it, then back at her.  "That would be more appropriate."  She waved a hand.  "Thank you."  He went to change in their bathroom, coming back.  "I'll have it cleaned if we're not killed.  We are thieves.  It is not appropriate."

"Lotus isn't," Jigen pointed out.  "Besides, didn't you already tell the dragon that?"  Goemon sighed and nodded.  "Then he knows and if he doesn't see a problem, why would you?"  He snuggled up to Xander's back.

"Now you cuddle?"

"Yes, molest him."  Xander chucked and kissed Lupin's throat, making him groan.  "Good girl, keep it up."  He looked at Goemon.  "We'll be in the city with you.  It's not a problem."

"It is."

"It's not.  If the Imperial Dragon say it's not, then it's not," Lupin groaned.  He pulled Xander off him and kissed her.  "Naughty! In front of Goemon?"

"You're the one with the obsession that says I'm sleeping with him," she noted dryly.  "This way you can satisfy yourself that we're not."

"I would never tolerate her jumpiness in bed," Goemon said bitterly.  "I like to lead things."  He walked away, heading back to his house.  He got there as a car pulled up and two guards got out. "I have no idea how it got into my house," he noted.

One of the guards nodded.  "He's done so in the past."  He looked over the outfit.  "You don't have to dress like that.  The Emperor likes and enjoys Western clothes."

"I always wear a kimono of some sort, usually just a less formal one.  I'll tell my daughter that if you want."  He led the way inside, noticing his daughter had changed.  "Are you ready?"

"Yup, Inasi said to change into this one."

"It's got a stain," Fujiko said as she came out with a newly pressed dress.  "Wear this one instead."

Her daughter sighed and got up to do that, letting her mother braid her hair as well.  She came out a few minutes later and bowed to the guards.  "Should I bring a book?"

"The princess has an extensive library," one of the guards told her, taking her hand.  The other was walking behind the dragon to guard it with Goemon following behind.  "I think you and the princess will get along very well," he praised.  "You're very polite."

She gave him the most honest look then smiled.  "My daddy would kill me if I misbehaved," she told him.

He laughed and nodded. "Many parents would."  He helped her into the child seat, then let her father get in next to her, letting the dragon take whatever other seat it wanted.  He paused when he saw a golden blur dart inside, then looked in at the bird settling down next to the dragon's head.  "Inasi, another friend?"

"That's Goober," Lotus said, grinning at him.  "He likes Uncle Xan."

"Ah."  The guard looked at the father, who sighed and shook his head.  "Is that really the great one's name?"

"No, it's not, but that's as close as she can come to pronouncing it," Goemon noted.  "Technically I think its name Globiani.  I'm never quite sure of the exact name though."

The phoenix snorted and looked at the human, who did as ordered and closed the door so they could be off.  It wanted to see this palace.  He and the dragon talked the whole trip in the strange car thing.  Then it followed the baby inside to look at the wonders the dragon had described.  It was very nice.  Maybe he would add this house to his usual route of roosts.  One woman saw him and shrieked so he gave her a cold look worthy of his human grandfather.  Another came in and bowed to him, talking quietly to him and asking if he wanted anything.  He sent a picture of a mouse and it went to fetch him a light snack.  He could get to like this residence indeed!

***

Lupin knocked on the Don's door, handing over the box as soon as it opened.  "Lavelle's very sorry she was in a playful mood," he said dryly, heading into the study.  He found it being packed up.  "You're retiring because of Lavelle?"

The Don looked at him, then nodded.  "Definitely. Did you bring back my wife's vases?"

"All the ones that we found at the foot of our bed.  The kitsune may have more of them," he admitted with a small shrug.  "Sorry about that."

The Don snorted.  "Sure you are.  No Jigen?"

"In the car."  He closed the door once the helper was gone.  "So, who's taking over?"

"Fuck if I care.  Just don't let Lavelle take my empire and make me crawl crying and begging to be saved from him."

"Ah!  You thought something bad about the kids," Lupin said dryly.  "Don't worry about it.  Lavelle does give warnings.  You're safe enough as long as you don't follow through."

"In truth, I feel old anyway.  My wife is going to have another child soon and I want to stop working and enjoy it this time.  So I'm retiring.  Want the job?"  Lupin looked scared and shook his head.  "You sure?"

"Hell yes I'm sure.  I have no desire for this sort of position."

"If you say so."  He shrugged.  "I tried, remember that.  I'll probably hand it to Kaembre."

"We like him," Lupin admitted.   "He's decent enough.  We can stand to have Lavelle threaten him."

The Don laughed.  "Good. As long as it's not me."  He shifted some.  "How long have you been letting Lavelle play with kitsune?"

"Let?" Lupin asked, bursting out in laughs.  "Who said we *let* him play with them?  I can't order him to do anything!"  He shook his head.  "Apparently when they were back in time Goemon let Lavelle play with a kitsune that helped him retrieve a stolen daughter.  Now they're best friends."  The other man moaned.  "Exactly.  I can't not let him play with him, but it's not as bad as it could have been.  He let Xander wear out his naughty urges safely and without being kidnaped.  Much."

The Don sat up.  "Again?"

"Again.  They wanted him to go take over Hell with the marks carved onto his body."

"Oh, damn.  That wasn't a myth?"  Lupin shook his head, getting serious.  "Then you have a very precious treasure, Lupin the Third.  She knows the Great One's real name.  She really could take over Hell.  All she'd have to do would be to summon him and kill him with them."  Lupin looked stunned.  "I'd guard her better."

"I try but she gets upset when I lock her into a safe place," Lupin said dryly.  "They decided they were very sorry for trying to make her do that the other night.  They sent hush gems."

"Hmm.  Wonderful.  I'll help you sell off any that need it."  He waved a hand.  "You sure you don't want this?  You'd do excellently and you're not exactly full-time in the thieving business anymore."

"It's not my fault they took away our warrants!" Lupin defended.  "I wanted them there!"

"I know you did, but it would give you more time to play with the children."

"Hell no.  The same as I told the guy in Europe who tried to get me to be his second."

The Don shook his head.  "No, you need to be in charge of your own group.  Even if they were dying and wanted you to be able to sneak into the position you'd be miserable."  He shrugged.  "No one can say I didn't try.  Have you thought of starting your own school?"

"No, but apparently Xander has.  He wants us all to teach the kids.  All the kids, even the ones who're gonna go be good guys."

The Don nodded.  "Most of the basics would still be necessary for them.  Getting out of handcuffs is a skill they'd need too."

"Good point," Lupin sighed, shaking his head.  "We'll miss you, old guy.  Tell us where you're going so we can pop around and let the kids play."  He left, heading out to the car.  "He's retiring.  Xan scared him last night with the Geneva story."

"Better than the Verona one," Jigen noted.  They both shuddered.  Xander had been on a rip then.  "Think we should go to the palace and wait?"

"The park nearby.  Goemon should be able to find us, even if Lotus is asleep."  He started the car, heading that way. "Did the bag break?"

"I handed it over and came back to call Xander and make sure she was still at home.  She was off doing laundry."

"Interesting.  The Don said he'd help us sell any of the stuff he got if we wanted."

"We probably should look it over," Jigen agreed.  "We'll do that as soon as we get back."  Lupin nodded and took off, heading for the park nearest the imperial residence.  They weren't sure how long Goemon would take but it'd only an hour so they were guessing at least a few more.

***

Xander hung up his phone and went back to opening the safe in front of him, smirking at his ingenuity.  He finally got it open and took out the trays of jewels inside.  They went into the special case lying beside him on the floor, along with the bonds, the cash, and the checkbook.  He snapped his case closed and walked away, heading out to do something about this new person who'd be taking over Tokyo's syndicate.  He didn't know him well enough yet.  The scared owner of the merchandise huddled against the bed with his twelve- year-old prostitute.  Xander redarted him, then went to call the cops from the downstairs phone.  "Hi," he told the 911 operator.  "I just broke into this house and I found the owner sedated with a child attached to him sexually.  I'm guessing someone got him back for his habit of sleeping with preteen prostitutes.  You might want to get here."  He left the phone off the hook and exited in style, heading off as soon as he looked like a businessman.  He even had Lupin's glasses on.  Hey, it worked for Superman, why not him?

He paused as he walked around the corner, looking back at the house as cops pulled up and ran inside.  He smirked and left, heading back to the house with his new treat.  There was much he could do with this.  The man's bank account was going to a children's hospital that needed funds, but the rest was all his.  He even remembered to stop and gather up the laundry he had sent out.

***

Lotus tugged on her father's hand as her playmate's mother rejoined them.  She skipped over to look out a window, smiling at the familiar car.  "Uncles in the park, daddy," she told him.

"Thank you, Lotus."  He bowed to the Emperor's wife then took the tray from her.  "You do not need to do that."

"It's fine.  I'm a woman like most others," she assured him, sitting down to serve them.  "It was most amazing when Inasi called this morning."

"It was most amazing when I woke and found him in our nursery," Goemon agreed dryly, looking at his daughter, who was giving him an innocent look.  Then he looked at the mother.  "I tried to argue with him."

"I know you did, Mr. Goemon.  I even know why, now."  She smiled at him.  "While not the ideal occupation my daughter seemed to like your daughter and you did stay out of their way so I have no problems with you."  She handed over a cup of tea.  "Lotus, would you like some?"

"No thank you," she said politely, grinning at her.  "Tea's nasty.  I agree with Uncle."

"Her uncle is American," Goemon told her.

"Ah.  That does explain some odd comments then.  I had wondered why she used slang."

"Because her uncles have too much influence in her education," he said wryly.  "One of them is working on her reading skills."

"That is a good thing though," she pointed out gently, smiling at him.  "She is a bright and energetic child.  We would not mind seeing her now and again."

"If you request, I could have her escorted up," Goemon offered.  "Occasionally."

"Really?" Lotus asked, bouncing in her seat.  Her father looked at her and she calmed down.  "I can come back?"

"Every once in a while," he agreed.  "Not all the time."

"Yes, daddy."  She smiled at the nice mother-person.  "Thank you for inviting me."

"You're very welcome, Lotus.  You're a very nice child, even though you did manage to unstick that vase earlier."  Her father groaned.  "It's not a problem.  We have another child with similar skills."

"No, it was not for that.  It was in remembrance of when she was three and she decided she liked some of the stones in the Smithsonian."  The Empress giggled like a school girl.  He nodded.  "Indeed.  She is in training for that and will not unstick things in the future."  He looked at his daughter.  "Correct?"

"Yes, daddy," she said happily.  She'd get to come back, she could agree to nearly anything.  "Ishi would love to hide in the garden."

"I'm sure but a girl her age doesn't really like to play with boys," the Empress told her.  "She'll grow out of that in a few years."  She gave the girl a smile.  "Perhaps around the holidays? There's ever so much to get done and our dear one gets so bored with all the formality.  An afternoon would be wonderful."

"I can arrange that," Goemon agreed.  "Send us notice of the date."  He wrote out his address and email address, then handed it over.  "Whenever we can be of service."

"Thank you.  I know you feel odd about this, what with your job and all that, but she is the most delightful little girl."  She smiled and picked up her own tea to sip, prompting him to.  They were very nice, for being thieves.

***

Lotus skipped up to her uncles and climbed into Lupin's lap to hug him.  "I played," she said happily.

"So we heard, kiddo.  Have fun?" Jigen asked.

"She did.  She also unstuck a priceless vase, prompted the princess to run around screaming while they played, and had pretend battles with the princess and her dolls," Goemon said as he joined them.  "No Xander?"

"He's doing laundry."  Lupin gave Lotus a squeeze.  "Did you have fun?"

"Lots and lots and I get to go back at the holidays."

"The princess is very stressed during them," Goemon shared. He took his daughter back.  "We should head home before anyone thinks to ask why we were here."

"Someone already did," Jigen said, putting up his book.  "We told them we were looking for our bird."

"It's inside sucking up to people who like to feed it fruit," Lotus said, giggling at their look.  "He say he come back soon.  He play with dragon."

They nodded and went back to the Benz, getting in to go home.  Before they got to the town, Jigen called Xander to see what she wanted for dinner so they stopped and picked it up.  Jigen looked at Lupin as they parked.  "I feel domestic."

"Me too," Lupin admitted.  "Maybe we'll go on another job soon."  They got out and headed inside to eat with everyone but Fujiko.  Ishi pouted at his sister but she told him about all the girl stuff they did and he decided he didn't need to be jealous.  Who wanted to play with *girls*?

***

Xander looked up as Lupin came into their bedroom with the case from earlier.  "Sorry, I went to take down a mogul with a taste for ten and twelve-year-olds."

"Not an issue, Xan," Lupin promised, giving him a gentle kiss. "I just wanted to look.  You take his checkbook too?"

"Yup and the hacker I use for such things has already emptied his account and it went to help a children's hospital."  He grinned and held up the bug.  "We found this earlier."

"That's fine as well."  He took it and went to flush it.  "Was it dead?"

"Very."  Xander came in to wave at it as it disappeared, a quirk of his.  "I also left pictures of him that I took last night and earlier today.  The girl wasn't new to this and she wasn't being hurt.  As soon as I had a picture of him kissing her I darted him," he said at the startled look.  "The bugs belonged to Kyoto's police department.  One of them had a 'property of' sticker on it."

"Then I guess this house isn't that secure."

"We're fine for now.  We did a good sweep before you got home.  I did one with Marcus and we found them all.  Someone even put one in my underwear drawer."

"Hmm.  Find your choker?"

"It's on me, Lupin."

He looked at her throat, then frowned. "No it's not."  Xander shifted something and it appeared.  "How are you doing that?"

"That new light reflecting fabric."  He pulled it off to show him.  "It makes it look invisible because it does reflect the same color as skin and without a heat signature."

"Good job," Lupin said, kissing her for real this time.  "Very nicely done, Xander."  He handed it back and watched as she wrapped it around there again.  "Cute."  He walked her back into the bedroom.  "She found bugs."

"I heard," Jigen admitted from looking inside the case.  "Who was this?"

"That businessman who was found with the very young pro."

"He made a statement that he was set up," Jigen told her.

She gave him a mean look.  "Then he's got one hell of a shock coming.  The pictures weren't faked.  They're still in the camera.  So's the bug.  I left a note in the safe.  The Madam who was supplying him is now under a death sentence if she doesn't tell on him as well.  She pissed off someone by using someone's runaway son.  Someone's ten-year-old runaway son. Now that the kid's in rehab he'll start to tell people and she knows this.  I made sure she knew this.  I was sitting there when she called the police to tell them on him and a client she wanted out of the way."  He shrugged.  "It was useful."

"It was.  What about the rest of her stable?"

"Mysteriously enough, they were raided right afterward," Xander said meanly with a cold smirk.  "She was carted out screaming my name in anger.  Then I so graciously appeared as a messenger with a letter for the head cop, in my name, telling him what I had done."  He smiled.  "That clears me, implicates him and her, and she's implicated in the letter for breaking in on him."

"Wow," Jigen said, looking impressed.  "The cops believe it?"

"She kept pictures too.  He can't deny that.  She's got it on videotape."  Lupin smirked at him.  "That gets her off the streets and hopefully those kids will find something better to do with their lives.  If not, well, then I'm looking at the subject of scholarships again."

"Again?" Lupin asked, sitting down behind her.  "Where to?"

"A few of the local boarding schools.  That'd get them off the streets, into something that could make them better than they are, and they'd be able to move on with their lives and forget what they had to do to survive.  I know it's overly optimistic but at least a few would like to get off the streets and get onto something better."

"No, I like that idea," Lupin promised. "You're right, a lot of those kids probably do want to leave the life and can't because they're trapped."  He kissed the back of her neck.

Jigen looked up for a moment, then sighed.  "It'd help but probably only a few."

"Hey, I can't help everyone," Xander admitted.  She gave him a sad smile.  "But I don't want to force anyone to stay in that sort of life if there's another out."

"Then it's a good idea," Jigen agreed, smiling down at her.   "He was all over the news saying this was a setup and things."

Fujiko knocked then came in.  "I was just watching the international news. You had a Madam busted?"

"She was selling kids, Fuji, of course I did.  Why, is she implicating me as a customer now?"  Fujiko shook her head.  "No?  I'm shocked."

"I'm not.  You're listed as one of the most scary assholes in the city," Fujiko told him.  "She did say that she had helped you take down the guy who was saying it was a setup and then you had double-crossed her.  That's a dangerous reputation to have."

"No, I never promised her she was safe.  I said I wouldn't tell anyone who she was and I didn't.  One of her girls called it in for a small bribe of twenty bucks, American."

Fujiko nodded. "That's what I put out on the bulletin board.  That and why.  Most of the guys on there were appreciative of her going away.  A few were more wary of you now.  That rumor that you judge the unworthy is still roaming around now and then."  She grinned.  "But it's useful to us anyway."  She shrugged.  "Can I help with anything?"

"I don't think there's much to do.  Her clients are pretty well-known.  They'll be toppled pretty easily.  I didn't give the cops her financial information if you wanted to forward that to them."

"Sure, I can do that.  No heists?"

"Not at the moment.  This guy was just more convenient."  He shrugged.  "Sorry."

"We were thinking of doing one soon but we're not sure on what yet," Lupin told her.  "We were feeling domestic earlier."

"I've been feeling that for weeks," she shared, still grinning.  "I'm gonna go back and help Goemon wear out some frustration."  She left them alone.  She came back and pointed at the bag on the bed.  "What's that from?"

"Hush gems to keep us from killing the hosts of hell for trying to kidnap Xander again," Jigen told her.

"I did get my kidnaper and most of his branch of the line," Xander told her.

"Good!  They obviously deserved it for being that stupid!"  She left, going back to her house.

Lupin looked at the gems.  "Pretty pieces.  What're in the CD cases?"

"I figured it was probably blackmail material or more pictures.  I was gonna look them over later."

"That's fine, that can wait until the kids are out of the house," Lupin agreed, stroking her back.  "Let's look at this other stuff so we can see what we want to get rid of and what we want to keep.  Tokyo's Don offered to help us sell them."

"Cool.  Is he really retiring?"  They nodded.  "Damn.  I'll miss him.  I didn't mean to scare him that badly."

"It's not all you. His wife is having another kid and he wanted to play with it," Lupin assured him.  "He was thinking about Kaembre."

"That guy who's half Carribean?  The one who everyone thinks looks like Dennis Rodman?" Jigen asked.  Lupin nodded.  "At least he's decent at the job."

"He is," Xander agreed.  "We've had a few beers and worked on that one caper together."

"I didn't know you'd done anything in Tokyo," Lupin said, looking at him.  "Doing more solo stuff?"

"It was during the convention chase time," he defended.  "I was looking for a specific DVD and I had to come all the way over here to find it.  He approached me in the bar, asked for my opinion on a place, which I gave, and I helped him retrieve something that was precious to his girlfriend.  Then I found my DVD and I left for Sacramento.  He's got a very tough persona."   She snuggled back into the arms.  "Let's look at the other stuff.  I know an emerald I liked when they tried to make me think I was at him is in there."

Jigen moved the case then opened the bag and let it spill out.  The first few were river stones, and they all figured a certain five-tailed kitsune had done that.  The rest were beautiful, some were dark, some were light, some were engraved, but most of it was jewelry.  "Tithes?" Jigen suggested.

"Probably," Xander agreed, picking up an ornate choker to look at.  "I like the looks of this one."

"It's done in jet, it's for mourning," Lupin told him, taking it to look at.  "One stone's missing but it doesn't really show."  He put it aside and went back to the next piece, this time a collar-like necklace.  "I like that one.  You'd look really good in that one, Xan."

"No," he said firmly.  "No collaring me."

"Okay," Lupin agreed, giving him a hug.  "Sorry."  He looked at the rest, mostly collars and things that could be used like one, like the choker.  The bottom fifth of the bag was loose stones and they were all impressed.  It was a very pretty collection.  The emerald Xander liked was found and she smiled as she stroked it.  The rest were pawed through for value.  Both men looked at Xander a little enviously.  "That's a very pretty collection."

"And I'm selling most of the collars, you guys can have part of that," he said patiently.  "Don't I usually share?"  They nodded.  "This time won't be any different."  He looked up in time to see the looks.  "Guys!"

"Sorry, but this is like some thieves' paradise," Jigen explained.

"Yeah, well, there are other places that are like that.  Getting things like this doesn't mean I work any less hard than before."

"We're glad that you're not," Jigen agreed, smirking down at him.  "But you'd look like a princess in any of that."

"Yeah, but I can't pass for a princess," Xander pointed out dryly.

"You could," Lupin offered.

"No I can't."

"Yeah, you can," Jigen noted.  "You could do that."

"No, I couldn't.  I don't want to be a princess.  I may go for socialite on occasion but that's as far as I want to go."

"Sure," Lupin agreed, smirking at him.  He gave him a look.  "I won't force you to, even in female form, Xan.  There's not much call for that in today's world."

"Yeah, because most princesses are known about.  If we need a princess, we're not doing that job."

"Fine," Lupin agreed, giving him an extra squeeze.  "What else should we do tonight?"

"Pick out what of that is going," Xander said dryly.  "I only keep a small collection on hand for emergencies. Most of the rest could go."

"You do keep that collection?" Lupin asked.  Xander nodded.  "All the times you've asked for a specific one you've kept it?"

"Yeah.  I've got a small collection.  Maybe twenty stones that I thought were really pretty.  I'll show you when we get back to France."

"Okay.  I'm not being pushy but I'd like to look.  I know I don't understand your comic or kimono collections.  Maybe this one I can help you with?"

"You could help me with one of the others," Xander pointed out dryly.

Lupin smirked.  "But I don't like seeing you in them.  I'd rather see you in dresses like the blue one you had on last month."  He kissed her gently.  "Let's shove this off the bed so I can hold you and make sure you don't go play with the dragon again."  Xander grinned at him and shook his head.  "It wasn't your idea?"

"Well, it kinda was, but I didn't do it alone."

"I didn't figure you did," Jigen told him.  He gathered everything up and shoved it back into the bag.  Then the bag got put next to the case on the floor.  Xander's emerald went under his pillow.  Jigen gave him a look.  "I guess it's reasonable."

"I don't want to lose that one. I like that one."  He kissed Jigen.  "Where did the kimono from earlier go?"  They looked confused.  "Oh, I didn't bring it back?"

Xander's kitsune friend appeared with it folded over his arm.  He was also carrying a small bag.  "Sorry, we thought you had brought it back as well."  He smiled and handed them to Jigen.  "Did you get that emerald?"

"I did," Xander agreed, showing it to him.  The kitsune's tails wiggled in delight.  "I'd like to keep this one for my collection.  I only collect a very few, very pretty ones but I like this one."

"I agree, it is pretty."  He pulled something out of his robe, holding it out.  "I'll trade you. This one is flawless."

Lupin took it to look at, then nodded in appreciation.  "It is flawless."

Xander took it to look over.  "It's smaller, but it is prettier with that cut."  He looked at Lupin, who gave him a look. "My decision?"

"You claimed that piece," Jigen reminded him.  "That makes it yours."

Xander looked at them again.  "Hmm."  He looked at his friend.  "I'll trade you two rubies for this one and keep the other?"

The kitsune chuckled.  "No, Xander.  Fair trade.  This one is more priceless.  It came out of a statue's eyes."  Xander handed it back.  "It's not cursed."

"Still, I don't like dealing with holy artifacts.  There might be enough belief left to leave the spirit alive and then they'd fry my ass for daring to touch their holy things."  He shrugged.  "Sorry."

"I understand.  With your luck, I'd do the same."  He shifted closer.  "If I could find something that wasn't holy related, would you consider it?"

"I'd consider it after looking at the stone," Xander agreed with a grin.  "I only collect pretty and special things."

"Deal," the kitsune agreed.  "In the bag are the things we took off you while we cleaned you."  He bowed to Lupin and Jigen.  "Take better care of her so she doesn't feel the need to come up and taunt the incubi's envoy by existing.  The old one came back and he was quite ashamed, Xander.  He said it wasn't his idea and he hopes you won't hold it against him."

"I won't.  He was nice for an incubus.  Very nice actually."

"Good.  I thank you.  If you need me, you know how to call me."  He winked and left them alone.

Jigen opened up the bag, looking at the things inside. "Hair ornaments."  He poured them onto the bed, letting Xander see them.  "Gold chains mostly."

"Amber and jade," Lupin noted, picking one up to untangle it.  Xander got free and ran for the bathroom.  "You okay?" he asked, rolling over to follow but Jigen beat him.  "Must have been a flashback."  He put it back into the bag and put it away so Xander wouldn't have to look at it.  He headed into the bathroom. "I hid them," he promised, helping her by running her a glass of water.  Then he ran a bath for them all.  She'd need one.   They got themselves settled with her between them and she relaxed in their arms.  "Tell us," Lupin ordered gently.  "We want to help you though these things now so you don't have more nightmares."

"They didn't touch me," Xander assured him.

"I have no doubt that you would have killed them worse if they had," Jigen promised.  "But we want to know what set that off."

"I had them send me home but they only seemed to send me back to Goemon's.  It was later told to me that Cleveland was open so they couldn't open another one."

"Marcus noted something about that when he appeared."

"Yeah, well, they made it *seem* like I had gone back to Goemon's.  Had him clean me up and all that good stuff.  That stuff was put into my hair by the demon I killed.  It was in a tangled rats nest.  Goemon, the demon one, ended up chopping my hair off over a rock to get it free from the nasty shit so I could take a real shower instead of hosing off on the lawn."

"So you knew what they were and this is sorta like a flashback from then right?" Jigen asked.

Xander nodded, looking at him.  "They were so good I couldn't tell until my towel slipped after a bath and they all screamed and held their bleeding eyeballs."

"Well, you're naked now and we're not in pain," Lupin pointed out.  Xander took off the illusion necklace that hid them.  Neither of them did more than wince.  Xander hugged them both and Lupin stroked his back for him.  "Shh, we're us.  Not some skanky demon."

"I know that now."

"I'd worry too," Jigen promised.  Someone knocked and walked in, Fujiko.  "Desperate?"

"Goemon's having some sort of problem and I don't know what," she admitted, sitting next to them.  She looked at Xander's back and winced.  "Was that from then?"

Xander looked at her and nodded.  "Yeah.  It was."  She shifted some.  "What happened?"

"I don't know.  He went to kiss me then stomped off and went to work out before he lost his temper.  I don't know what's wrong."

"I do.  I'll come talk to him tomorrow."

"I'm not sure he can wait that long," she admitted.

"Sure, Fuji."  Xander got out of the bathtub and grabbed something to put on, heading up the hill.  He found Goemon on the lawn, holding his head.  He sat next to him and put his head on the other man's shoulder.  "I understand that urge to hurt her," he said quietly.  Goemon shook his head.  "Hell, there's been times when even I still want to hurt her.  It's understandable to want it more in your case since she hurt you and your kids."

Goemon looked down at her.  "I find I can't forgive her."

"Hey, perfectly normal, big guy.  The kids are different, they're innocent.  They never saw her before this.  You've got a nasty case of prior memories and doubts. If it was me, she might be allowed in the house, but only when I'm there to supervise her."  He slumped a bit and Xander gave him a long hug.  "I do understand, Goemon.  It's normal.  Human emotions are funny things that aren't meant to understand and not meant to be forgotten."

"I find I can't forget."

"Then don't.  Keep this in mind for the next time she starts to act odd.  Hell, ask us if she's acting too odd and if we can test her just in case if you want.  I know I would."  He tipped the tense chin up and looked into the deep eyes.  "Go somewhere neutral.  Somewhere that means calm and peace to you and meditate far from her."  Goemon opened his mouth. "You need time to sort this out.  I'll pack you a pack and all that good stuff.  You can leave at first light.  The kids will understand about special meditations. You'll see me after a month if you haven't come back.  That'll give you a time to think over things and see if you can move on or not.  This all kinda got dumped onto you.  You didn't get a chance to sit and think about it, or even to brood about it and I know you missed that part," he teased lightly.  It got a faint smile.  "See, you know I'm right."

Goemon nodded.  "You are. You'll watch the children?"

"As hard as I do my own.  Or harder since Lotus can be a bit of a handful when she's got mischief in mind.  We'll work on what you've given them so far and I'll go through the girls' first lessons with them.  In one month, if you're not back, I'll come up and retrieve you."  He nodded, standing up and helping her up.  "Thanks.  I'm going to need that more often soon."  She walked him down the hill, helping him settle onto the couch.  Then she went to get the two kids so they could come sleep with them.

***

Xander handed Goemon a pack, then took his sword.  "Not a chance," she said dryly.  "I'm not going to come up and find you in pieces."  He grimaced.  "Seriously.  It'll make a lot of sense to Ishi and Lotus.  Besides, I left you a knife that needs sharpened in the bottom of the bag.  I left you a few granola bars too and a good sized canteen of cold water.  All I want you to do is go find somewhere to think.  Don't worry about hunting if you don't want to.  I packed a bag of rice and a small one of herbs that I know you like, plus some jerky and stuff.  Also, the lump on the bottom is a tent in case you need it.  There's a few thermal blankets in there too."  She gave him a hug.  "I'll see you in a month."

Goemon touched his sword.  "Thank you, Xander," he said quietly, heading out to walk through the pass.

Xander walked into the kids' room, heading for Ishi's cot.  Lotus had crawled in with him so he woke them both up and nodded them into the living room.  "Morning.  You guys awake enough?"  Ishi nodded, staring at the sword in his hand.  Xander got down on their level by sitting on the floor.  "Your father found something he needed to meditate on very seriously.  It's a special meditation.  Everyone has something like this at least once.  He'll be back in one month exactly.  Okay?"

Ishi pouted.  "He'll come back?"

"He'll be back and he'll be a happier person for doing this one.  He'll be focused and ready to teach you all new stuff."  He grinned and tickled Ishi a bit, earning a frown instead of a scowl.  "In the meantime, he wanted you to hold his sword for him, Ishi.  It's a great honor and he wanted you to learn what it looks like and feels like."  Ishi nodded and hugged it to his body.  "Good boy."  He grinned at them.  "Now, you and Lotus have another job, and it's just as important as his meditation.  That's why he felt he could go now.  You see, we're going to be teaching the girls how to defend themselves."

"We teach them what we know?" Lotus asked hopefully.

"Yup, you two are going to help me teach the girls their first lessons.  That'll make sure that you've got them down correctly and that they'll get them down the same way."  He grinned.  "Neat, huh?  Your dad has to go live in the woods without ice cream or chocolate, but you guys get to help the girls up to your standards and learn their other lessons with them."  Ishi relaxed.  "Trust me, little guy, he's coming back.  I promised him I'd come and get him in one month if he forgot what day it was.  He'll be back in a month or I'll make him cry."  Ishi frowned at that but he nodded that it was fine.  "So, are you guys up for that?"

"Sure," Lotus agreed.  "We like the girls.  It'd be good to have other girls to workout with."

"Eventually.  For right now, they'll learn the stuff you guys learned a few years back and slowly move up.  You guys need more knowledge than they do.  They need to be able to defend themselves from bad guys.  You guys need to be like your dad.  That good with you?"

"Yes," Ishi said, holding the sword tighter.  "I'll make father proud."

"Good boy, Ishi.  I knew I could count on you two to help me with that.  In return, we'll add you guys to the girls' lockpicking and aiming lessons.  Deal?"

"Deal," Lotus agreed, hugging him.  Then she hugged her brother and the sword.  "We'll do okay.  It's only a month."

"That's right, it's only a month," Xander agreed.  "We'll make sure you guys aren't going to miss him too much.  We'll take good care of you and all that."

"The mommy?" Ishi asked.

"I didn't see her, that's why I brought you guys down here.  That fine?"  They nodded.  "If we have to, we'll switch back up there and just bring the girls."  The kids grinned and hugged him.  "Okay, let's go do the bath thing so you guys can do your morning exercises with me, then we'll get the girls the stuff we'll need in a big shopping trip.  We'll start on the exercises tomorrow."  They nodded and Ishi walked away with the sword still clutched to his chest.  "Ishi, I promise, he's perfectly safe.  He's not that far away even.  He's just up at his sensei's house.  He needed some quiet and you know the girls are kinda noisy."

Ishi nodded, giving him a look. "Very noisy. They're like Uncle Lupin."  He went to shower first, laying the sword on his bed and covering it with the blanket so it'd be safe.  His father would be proud of how well he'd take care of it while he was gone.

Lupin came out of the bedroom and helped Xander up, giving her a hug.  "Good job," he whispered.  Xander smiled and kissed him.  "He's really going to meditate?"

Xander glanced around.  "He's still upset and confused about Fuji," he whispered back.

Lupin nodded.  "I can understand that.  One month?"

"One month and then I'm going to go get him."  She grinned and went to shower.  "Are you going to help us shop?"

"I probably should since I can't find your wallet," he admitted, following behind to help her with the bath.  She always needed help reaching her back these days.

***

Xander looked at his daughters, giving them very serious looks.  "Okay, girls.  You know that we went shopping for all this stuff yesterday and I know you didn't understand, but I'm going to explain it to you all now."  He smiled at Ishi and Lotus.  "I've decided, with your father's help, that you're to take the same lessons Ishi and Lotus are."  The girls looked stunned.  "Not as intensely.  After Goemon comes back, you'll be getting one lesson a week.  For right now, I want to get you guys up to the point where you can hold off someone trying to kidnap you.  This is to go with screaming 'not my daddy' and all that stuff we've already taught you."  The girls nodded.  "In addition to that, we're going to start working on your lockpicking and shooting skills.  I think you're old enough to know how to fire a gun in case it becomes necessary.  I don't want you to have to, but I'd rather have you safe around them.  So, for the next month, we'll be working on that stuff.  You guys will be working with Ishi and Lotus after breakfast, and then you'll all be taking the other lessons after your naps.  If you do really well and try your hardest, we'll let you guys pick out one present each. That good with you?"

Little Fourth raised her hand.  "Why do we all need to know how to pick locks, mommy?"

"Because sometimes good guys get put into handcuffs by bad guys," he explained, smiling at her.  "It's something that's a stalling tactic and even your daddy and I have done it.  That's why you all need to know."  She nodded, looking satisfied.  "Any other questions?"

"Why couldn't I have a pink gi," Savanna pouted.

"Because it's not a good color for a gi," Xander told her.  "I'd rather you stick with natural colors, Savanna. It's traditional to wear white or gray."  She sighed and nodded.  "Good kids.  Okay, let's work on the first thing.  Ishi, didn't we teach you how to fall first?"

"Daddy taught me how to meditate first," Ishi told him, looking very serious.  "Our first physical lesson was how to fall."

"Your daddy kinda skipped the meditation stuff with me," Xander admitted with a grin.

"Still, I would rather do this how daddy did."

"Sure.  Okay, each of you take two kids.  Ishi, you take Melissa and Arsene to work with.  Lotus, you take Sierra and Savanna."  They nodded and took their girls to opposite ends of the yard while Xander went back and forth to help them.  Lupin came out and Xander walked over to hug him.  "They're doing okay so far."

"I'm still not sure I like this idea."

"I'd rather them have some training and able to hold off someone for a few minutes until we can get there than to be totally helpless," she said firmly.  "If you won't teach them how to pick locks, I will.  I'm not the best at it, but I can definitely get them out of handcuffs."

"I wasn't saying I wasn't going to, I think it's a bit advanced for them. I don't want to make them think we're pushing them to follow us."

"We're not.  We're teaching them necessary things.  Even if two of the girls go to the light as cops, they'll still need to know how to pick a handcuff lock.  Someone will try sometime."  Lupin nodded, accepting that reason.  "Besides, we're not sure which one's going to go where yet.  It's not fair to teach two of them and not the others on speculation that they might become good guys.  Good guys still get kidnaped and hurt.  Trust me, I did."

"I don't doubt you did," he soothed, giving her a smile.  "I'm all for a gun safety lecture too, but crossbows?"

"They're damn handy and it's a similar aiming method.  You never know, the twins might take after their fathers in that area.  They could be great shots. If so, then they can take all the training I did with crossbows and before I got to Jigen, plus all the stuff he's taught me over the years until they're teenagers."

"You'd let them go work that soon?"

"No," she snorted, "but we can let them start to handle things on their own by then with us watching over their shoulders.  The same way you were going to do with us when you were training us."

Lupin smirked.  "You're a font of good ideas today."  He kissed her and went to help them with these lessons.  Xander went to help the other group, getting Lotus' group.  He wondered why they had split them up that way.  Did good guys need better meditation techniques too?  He'd have to ask Dawn.  Maybe Xander had picked up some sort of magic ability from them or something.  She'd know.

***

Jigen came in from his first lesson with the kids holding up two perfect target sheets and three nearly perfect ones.  "Lotus has sucky aim," he explained.

"That's normal.  She's sensitive.  I doubt she'd even be able to hunt unless she was going to starve.  I'll work with her alone tomorrow."  He looked at the perfect ones.  "Melissa and Savanna?" he asked hopefully.

"Melissa and Ishi."

"Wow."  He grinned. "Put 'em on the fridge.  We'll add to them as the month goes on I'm sure."  Jigen nodded and went to do that.  "How far off did Savanna get?"

"She's got an aiming and flinching problem."  He tapped one that pulled to the right.  "This one," he said, tapping the next one, "is Arsene's.  She's got an opposite problem for the same reason.  Sierra just flinches."  All hers were high.  Lotus' barely had any on the paper.  "She might get on better with the other sort."

"Hopefully," Xander admitted.  "It'd be useful."  He shrugged and went back to making dinner.  "One day down, twenty-nine more to go."

"How did they do in meditation?"

"Lupin spoiled them rotten for getting the breathing part down.  Ishi got Arsene and Melissa down to that point and relaxed.  Lotus got Sierra and Savanna down a bit farther.  They were nearly there."  He smiled as the kids came in.  "You guys go clean up."  They nodded and trooped that way, minus Lotus who cleaned up at the sink to help him.  "You don't have to, sweetheart."

"Do so, I like to cook veggies."

Xander hugged her.  "Don't worry, we'll be working with bows next.  I think you'll do wonderful with one of those."  She beamed at him.  "It's much more like your nature stuff."

"Good," she said firmly.  "The gun felt icky in my hand.  It was heavy and cold."

"Well, your bow is aluminum, but the crossbow is wooden," he offered.  "Your arrows are aluminum while we're training you then you can switch to wooden ones and a wooden bow.  That good for you?"  She grinned brighter and nodded. "Good girl.  Set the table for me?"  He pointed at the stacks of stuff.  "You can help Uncle Jigen."

"Sure."  She pulled Jigen over to get his help carrying stuff, then carefully and precisely set out each place setting for everyone, having to rearrange only once when she miscalculated the number of people.   She grinned at her Uncles and they smiled back and she got a pat on the head.  Then she went to flop down in front of the computer to look at the day's comics.  It was helping her reading a lot.  They usually had smaller words.  Her brother came out to help her and they got through all of them together.  Yahoo had added new ones so they even went back a few days on them.  It was good reading practice.

***

Dawn looked up as someone tapped on her office door, getting up to let them in.  "Yes?" she asked the messenger.

"I have a package for you, Mrs. Zenigata."  He held out his clipboard.  "If you'd sign?"

"Who's it from?"

He looked at the large envelope.  "I don't know.  It doesn't say, but it's from Iga."

"Japan?" she asked hopefully.  He shrugged and showed her.  "Yes, it is.  Thank you."  She took it after signing.  She even tipped him a bit.  "Thanks."  She sat down and opened it, smiling at the nice pictures enclosed.  Xander was starting to show now.  The kids were sprouting very big, just like hers.  Underneath them were some folded papers.  She pulled them out, then grinned at the copied range targets.  She pushed the button on her phone for Ray's cell.  He answered it from the range.  "We got a prezzie from Xander," she said, then hung up.  He and her husband hurried up, and she laid out the range cards.  Two of them were marked first try in Jigen's handwriting and the rest were dated.  "They're doing really good."

Ray looked at them, then smiled at Lotus', it was still off.  "It looks like he's convinced his men to train them."

"Yeah, but he said he thinks two of them will go to our side," she said with a grin.  "He said he'd send them to some sort of cop summer camp or something."  She leaned back, smiling at her husband.  "See, I told you teaching the kids gun safety and stuff was the right way to go."

Zenigata snorted and looked at the targets closer.  "Two of them are very good.  Two of the girls are still off by a bit of true center."

"They're five, Zenny.  It's a great thing," she reminded him dryly.

Ray chuckled.  "It is.  I'm damn proud of the kids."  He took the note to read, chuckling at it.  "That's another good thing."  He handed it over.  "Any other news from there?"

She checked the envelope and pulled out something with Ray's name on the envelope.  "For you."

He looked it over, then opened it, then burst out laughing.  "He remembered my birthday."  He put it onto his desk and shook his head as he walked away.

Zenigata shook his head again and followed.  "You're not coming to the range?"

"I hate range work.  I'm good enough to hit a target if I have to but I'll never be a marksman, Zenny.  We both know I'm not good with guns."

He smiled. "I like you the way you are, Dawn.  Don't worry about it."  He locked the door behind him, leaving here there to look at the pictures again.  He had noticed that Ray's card had another picture in it.  "What was that picture of?"

"His new costume," Ray said with a grin.  "He's found a way to make his Inuyasha costume conceal his pregnancy.  Plus there's a picture of him with a kitsune and a dragon."

Zenigata groaned and shook his head.  "I don't want to know about that fandom stuff."

"I doubt it was.  They looked pretty ethereal, like they weren't really there."  He handed over the picture. "I think they were the real thing."

"The Imperial Dragon," Zenigata said flatly.  "The boy stole the Japanese Emperor's dragon?"

"From what he wrote, it liked Lotus and she's playing with the princess now and again," he said with a small smirk.  "For all that her dad complained, she's still liked."

"Wonderful.  Just what Japan needs."  He handed back the picture and went to take out his aggression on his picture of Lupin's smirking face over top of a target. The range supervisor let him do it each month he came in, they were used to his unique version of stress relief.

***

Xander walked up to where Goemon was sitting and sat next to him with a small grunt of complaint.  He looked around the small camp.  "The old house taken?"

"Some mystic moved into it," Goemon said quietly, eyes still closed.  "It's not been a month."

"It has so, a lunar month."  He looked at him so he grinned.  "It has.  It's been one full moon cycle."

Goemon shook his head. "I should have seen that one coming."  He relaxed and slumped a little.  "It hasn't helped."

"Then let me impart some wisdom," Xander said, giving him a serious look.  "Emotions are not meant to be understood.  Not by normal humans.  They're meant to be experienced, savored in some cases and pushed aside in others."  Goemon gave him a frown.  "Seriously.  You've probably been back and forth over this thing so many times you can recite in your sleep, even if you weren't having nightmares.  Now, you need to see if you can move on after it.  There's probably no forgiveness if you haven't found it in the last month, but there can be moving on if you want to."

Goemon looked startled, then smoothed out his expression.  "I'm not sure yet."

"Only you can make that decision, big guy."

"True," he agreed dryly.  He patted Xander on the back.  "How are the children?"

"Ishi is a crack shot with a gun or either kind of bow.  He sucks as a lockpick though.  Your daughter sucks at shooting with anything but a wooden bow, though her crossbow is slightly better because it's not so much work for her.  She's great at the teaching thing.  Ishi has been holding your sword like most kids hold a teddy bear since I handed it to him."  Goemon did look pleased at that.  "They've been very good at helping the girls learn their first few lessons.  They're almost at the stage where I'd trust them to beat back an attempt at kidnaping them until we could get there.  That was my goal and I'm pleased with how it went."

Goemon nodded.  "Good.  I'll look them over once I come back."

Xander nudged him, then grinned.  "Which will be tomorrow.  I promised your son.  He's got a calendar and everything, big guy."

Goemon sighed.  "I'm not sure I can live in the same house as Fujiko yet."

"Then don't, 'cause she's off in Paris working on her clothes."  Goemon frowned and shook his head.  "Lupin sent her to find me something actually. He gave her enough for a few outfits of her own as well.  She's looking for non-ugly maternity clothes."

"Excellent of him."  Goemon was still frowning.  "When is she expected back?"

"Next week sometime."  He gave him another nudge.   "You need to get cleaned up.  You look like the stereotypical scruffy mountain man."  The scruffy beard and tangled hair really wasn't up to his usual look.  He nudged him again.

"Stop it, Xander."

"I see you've forgotten your last lesson from your sensei."  He judged his moment, then pounced Goemon, pinning him to the ground while he tickled him.  "Laughter is the greatest gift," he repeated the words told to him.  "Living in the present is what life is supposed to be."  Goemon managed to get him off but they were on the edge of a cliff and Xander was overbalanced.  Goemon managed to catch him and help him back to a safer spot to sit.  "Thanks."

"You're welcome.  Thank you for reminding me."

Xander gave him the most wicked grin he could manage.  "If you don't come back, I'll teach Ishi how to do that too."

"You are cruel and mean to me."  He kissed her on the forehead.  "How did you find me?"

"Tracker in the backpack."

"That's what I thought."  He looked around. "It's late."

"It is; we could camp here tonight.  Didn't like the tent?"

"I'd rather look up at the stars.  I'll help you set it up if you feel you must."

"I must.  Bugs love me too much right now."  He grinned.  "You missed the first panicked kick in the night.  The baby woke Jigen and not me."  Goemon laughed. "If you want, I can set up the tent."

"If you want.  I want to think on what you've said."  Xander nodded and grabbed the tent package, unpacking it and setting up the poles and full tent.  "You're good at that."

"Practice."

"Ah."  Goemon nodded.  "I had thought I recognized the bundle from back then."

"I had forgotten I had shrunken it and put it into my purse after I stole it," he admitted. "It came in handy during hunting trips."  He paused.  "Do you know that Lupin still thinks I slept with you back then?"

"He is possessive of what is his."

"So are you but you don't go off if Fujiko leaves for a few months."

"No, but I know she would not cheat on me outside of jobs.  You have that unfortunate history of prostitutes."

"Yeah, well, they weren't taking care of those needs at the time and they knew about it beforehand most of the time."  She finished anchoring the tent with the plastic spikes and sat down beside him again.  "We have their range cards hanging up on the fridge at the house."

Goemon smiled at that.  "It is odd but probably appropriate to this odd family I have."

"Yeah, I guess it is.  We're getting ready to head back to France.  We found another bug the other day.  Again in my underwear drawer."

He snorted.  "I'm sure they got a kick out of it, Xander."  She leaned against his arm and he relaxed totally.  "I used to have this same sense of peace with Fujiko."

"Yeah, then you both got older, became parents, and had shit happen in your lives.  Welcome to reality, Goemon.  Things never get to stay comfy and nice for very long."

"They do for some."

"Those people don't have our lives.  They have nice, safe existences where they die from a heart attack at work.  They don't die by the gun and they don't die during a heist.  That's not our lot in life."

"I know, but sometimes I do long for it."

"So do I, but I doubt I could stand it.  I hated working for minimum wage.  The hatred I felt for myself at each of those jobs wasn't worth it.  I feel happier now.  The price isn't too high for me."

Goemon nodded.  "It's not usually for me either, but sometimes I do wish and wonder what it may have been like as a normal person."

"Working to save up for your old house as a permanent dwelling. Worrying about layoffs.  Having a complacent little wife who was good to you and supportive.  Going to school meetings.  Going to staff meetings.  Working every day, eight hours or more a day, fifty weeks a year.  Then finally retiring to a minimum income and slowly fading away."

"Sometimes that does not sound so bad," he offered quietly.

"Yeah, sometimes it doesn't, then I remember the stress I had when I was working before.  How I was always too tired to do anything after work even if I did have the money. How even my nights off were spent too exhausted to do more than sit in front of the tv and veg.  How cut off I felt from everyone and everything because of that.  Even when I was slaying I felt cut off.  Some of that was the crew, but not all of it."

Goemon put an arm around him.  "I doubt I could have lived your life."

"That's why so many normal people turn to heavy alcohol drinking and drugs.  They need it to not give in and kill themselves."  Goemon nodded so Xander put his head back on his shoulder.  "I like this life better.  I get to make my own schedule.  I get to be the geek I am and no one says anything when I come out with a Star Trek quip.  Most of the time," he admitted with a grin.  He heard a twig snap and grimaced.  "Think that's them?"

"I do.  They are insanely jealous of you.  We should break them of that habit."

"I don't think you'd survive being shot."

"Hmm.  Probably true.  They're both very good shots."  He kissed her on the forehead.   Then he picked up a rock and threw it at the people he could hear moving around, hitting one by the groan.  Thunder pealed overhead.  "We should find shelter before it starts again."

"Pack up the camp and I'll let you share my tent tonight."  Goemon nodded and let her go, letting her slump on her own.  "Goemon, I think something's wrong with one of the twins.  She's not very active."

He came back to look at her.  "What makes you think that?"

Xander looked up at him.  "The fact that one of them never kicks.  One of them never seems to move.  One of them is very quiet.  Plus, I've seen a few pitying looks from some demons we've run into.  Even from Marcus when he popped around the other day."  Goemon frowned.  "I don't want to worry them."

"They deserve the right to know.  We should get you checked out."

"We should, but I'm not sure I want to know."

"That is dumb."

"Yeah, but a worry is better than absolute truth sometimes.  This way I can convince myself it's nothing; she's just a quiet baby."

"We'll go to the doctors as soon as we get back tomorrow.   Mothers often have knowledge that others do not."  Xander nodded, going into the tent to lie down.  Goemon finished packing his things up again, bringing them with him as the first raindrops fell.  He went to gather up the food, bringing it back.  "Have you seen anyone?"

"Not yet.  Fihad said I've absorbed as much healing energy as I probably can so he's not going to be able to help me anymore."  Goemon stroked her back.  "I don't want to worry," she said angrily.

"You should worry.  Good parents do.  I do about my children when I don't get to see them."  She nodded, resting against his shoulder again.  "How long have you been holding this inside, Xander?"

"A few weeks now."

"The truth," he said firmly.

"I thought something's been wrong since the first day," Xander admitted quietly.  "Nothing felt like it did last time.  I convinced myself that it was normal."

"It may be.  We'll find out when we take you to see a doctor.  If your men do not, I will drag you there myself."  Xander nodded and relaxed.  "Good boy."  He patted him on the head.   "What else did you bring with you?  I noticed you brought a pack."

"I thought you might need another day up here with some company to get used to people again so I brought food and a few bottles of water."  She dug one out and handed it over.  "There you go."

"Thank you.  The local stream has not tasted right."  He sipped it slowly.  "Am I cooking?"

"I brought food."  He handed over the sandwich and got a bright smile.  "I thought you might be tired of rice and jerky.  It's chicken."

"You are a wonderful friend, Xander," Goemon noted, taking a large bite.  It was excellent after so much time with only rice and jerky.

***

Xander woke up from another screaming nightmare and felt someone holding him, so he turned to that body and sobbed pitifully.  "Don't let it be that," he pleaded.

"What happened?"

"They did an ultrasound, found the baby was really sick.  I had to keep changing doctors because no one knew anything.  They kept saying they could only see half of the baby, and they kept saying that the baby's heartbeat was too slow.  She was really sick, and then I got taken and held hostage.  I had to give birth in Iran, and it was horrible.  The nurses treated me bad and I got torn and all sorts of stuff, and when I came back the guys didn't even seem to notice.  They didn't try to come after me or anything."

"Such foolishness is not real," he said firmly, making her look at him.  "There is no situation where those men would not come after you.  Nor would they leave you in the hands of a kidnaper for any length of time.  Nor would they allow you to give birth alone."  She sniffled but still looked miserable.  "What is troubling you?"

"I dreamed about our time back in time in Vegas, while I was alone," she admitted.

He snorted.  "I doubt it was exactly the same."  She shook her head.  "Then do not worry about it, Xander.  It will not happen.  Even if something managed to incapacitate them, I would come after you.  Marcus and I both would."  Xander nodded and curled up against his chest again.  "It is a horrible thought that is from your insecurity.  They adore you, even when they do forget that you're around for days on end. They'd notice it if you weren't in the house, believe me they would."

"So they only ignore me when I'm around?"

"Not all the time," he chided gently, smiling down at her.  "Have they not been better since you came back?"  Xander nodded.  "Then they wouldn't do it again."  He patted her gently.  "You have seen some generalities but it's usually your mind pointing out something that needs your attention.  In this case, I believe the birth will be harder and this is your mind reminding you that you must have that one looked at.  Once you have done that, I can almost guarantee that those men of yours will not let you out of their sight."

"Another week of handcuffs?"

"Possibly, if Lupin doesn't build you a cage," he said dryly.  "Your men are overprotective to a greater extreme than I've seen anyone be."  He patted her on the back.  "Try to rest, it's not early dawn yet."  She nodded and laid back down, staying curled up against his side.  He stared up at the top of the tent for a bit longer, listening to the rain tap against the plastic and the puddles outside.  If he was correct this time, it was going to be horrible, but he had given him a lot of clues. If he had to, he'd go after her.  No one should have to give birth by themselves.

***

Xander walked Goemon back into the house, smiling as he fell down to hug his children immediately.  "We're back.  Goemon needs a shower and a shave but we're here."

Lotus tugged on her father's beard.  "You do look funny, daddy," she said with a bright smile.  "Are you back?"

"I'm back," he agreed, kissing them both on the forehead.  "I'm back and we're going to spend a lot of time together."  They beamed at him.  "Is your mother back yet?"

"No," Ishi told him. "She's shopping."  He got free and ran to his room, coming back with the sword.  "I was very careful with it, daddy.  It is shiny and clean too."  He handed it over then crawled back into the lap.

Goemon looked at it, then smiled at his son.  "You did excellently with it.  When it's your turn, I'm sure you'll take very good care of it."  He gave him an extra squeeze.  "Then we'll have to work on finding your sister one."  Lotus hugged him as hard as she could.

Ishi grinned up at him.  "Did you have a good meditation?"

"I managed to figure a great many things out," he agreed.  "I shouldn't have to do it again for a few years."  He gave them another squeeze.  "I should bathe and shave."

"Not yet, daddy," Ishi ordered.  "You can shave later.  Uncle Xander, they at the house."

"I figured that when they didn't come running," he said dryly, picking up the phone.  "Yo, we're back," he noted when someone picked it up.  "Yes, give the father that message exactly and run up here, Arsene."  He smiled and hung it up, coming back to the living room.  "See, I knew it was the right idea."

"It was, Xander.  Thank you."  He smiled.  "Is your horde coming up?"

"Their fathers are asleep.  That way they can get their own hugs and disappear when I go back."

"That's fine.  We'll be calling for an appointment tomorrow."  Xander nodded, looking more relaxed.

"Why she need doctor?  She sick?" Lotus asked.

"One of the babies isn't kicking enough so I was going to have someone take pictures of her," Xander told her.

"Ooh, baby!" Lotus squealed, coming over to hug her stomach.  "Hi, babies!"  She patted her gently then ran back to her father's lap before her brother could take it over.  "I like babies."

"I'm sure you'll get to help with them all the time," Goemon promised.  He looked outside. "Usually the children are here by now."

"Usually," Xander agreed.  He went to look out the door.  "They're not even on their way yet."  He shook his head. "I'll be back later."

"That's fine."  Goemon went back to hugging his children.

Xander walked down the hill, meeting his kids on the way up.  "Go get quick hugs then come back," he ordered with a smile.  They hadn't been ignoring him after all.

"Daddies say to go right to bed, they spoil you," Arsene repeated.  "Not even bathe."

"Fine.  Thank you.  Come back within a half-hour."  She headed into the house, listening to the silence.  "Hmm."  He headed back to the bedroom and laid down on the bed, and was pounced by Lupin.  "Hey, easy!"

"No you're not," Lupin said with a grin, kissing her.  "You're going in tomorrow at ten.  Next time tell us, Xander."

"Sorry, I wanted to go and come back with information."

He pinched her.  "Tough shit.  You're going in with us."  He kissed her again.  "I'm glad you're back.  You gave Jigen a bad headache with that rock."

"That was Goemon.  He thought he hit you."

"No, I ducked."  He grinned and kissed her again then went down to kiss her stomach.  "Hi, kids.  It's the daddy."

Jigen came out of the bathroom with a big bruise on his forehead.  "Remind me to hit him later for this, okay?"

"Sure."  She held up a hand.  "Cuddle?"

"Love one."  He laid down on her other side, holding her tightly.  "Did you get a picture of the scruffy guy?"

"I didn't actually," Xander admitted.  Lupin got out of the bed and went to take a few and repossess the kids.  She smiled up at him.  "I take it I'm under house arrest?"

"Nope.  Lupin's just happy that he didn't hear you two making out last night."  She rolled her eyes.  "Don't worry about it, he'll get over it eventually."  He stroked her stomach.  "Next time, tell us, Xan.  We need to know these things."

"Sorry.  I wanted to go and find out then come tell you."

"Yeah, well, I'd rather worry with you.  Like he said, ten in the morning we're due at the hospital in town.  They've not only got a good ultrasound department but also one of those new little cameras they can use to spy on the kids without hurting them."  He gave her a gentle squeeze.  "After that, we're going back to France.  We're not sure how the bugs keep getting stuck in the house but they do."  She nodded, yawning a little.  "You nap if you need to.  I know you're in that stage."

"I am," she admitted, rolling until she could curl up against his chest.  "Wake me if you want to do more than cuddle."

"Sure, brat, we'll do that."  He gave her a pinch on the butt and she chuckled, but fell asleep.  He looked over as Lupin came back waving his camera.  "Get a good one?"

"Tangled hair, scruffy beard, and all," he said proudly.  "You convince her to let us come tomorrow?"

"She didn't say anything about it," he admitted.  "I think she's kind of relieved.  Whatever  nightmare you heard last night must have really scared her."

"She was crying on him.  He said it was one of those 'we abandon her' ones again.  We let her stay with the kidnapers and the birth was hard and done in Iran."

"Fuck that shit," Jigen said dryly.  "There's no way that's happening."  Xander mumbled against his chest.  "Never, ever.  You're not leaving our side even if we do have to handcuff you."  She shifted some and went back to her snoring.  Lupin laid down on her other side and put an arm over both of them.  "Thanks."

"Welcome."  Lupin kissed the back of her neck.  "She could probably use a shower too."

"Yeah, but I don't mind a sweaty and stinky Xander as long as it's not too bad.  Definitely a shower before bed tonight but it's okay for right now."

Someone pounded on the door.  Lupin grimaced as he got up to get it.  He frowned at Ray.  "What?  Someone finally decide we could go on the run again?"

"Hell no," he said bitterly, walking inside.  "Someone shot Zenigata."

"Is he living?" Lupin asked worriedly.

"So far.  It's serious, but not fatal.  He made it to the hospital in Norway.  They've transferred him back to France."

"We'll be back in a few days," Lupin agreed.  "Xander's got an appointment in the morning and we'll leave as soon after that as we can."

"Thanks."  He glanced toward the bedroom, then stepped closer.  "He ordered me to come to you, Lupin.  He didn't want you to go after them."

"We'll see," he said dryly.

Ray nodded. "That's what I thought you'd say.  Even our boss suggested you'd be going after her."

"Her?"

"I'm not allowed to tell you, Lupin.  He ordered me not to.  He said he wants to get her himself."

"Wonderful but I'll hear anyway."

"Maybe, but I'm still not allowed ta tell ya," Ray said with a small smirk.  "He does want ta see ya though and his boss said she's still not relenting, not even if the boss dies in his memory."  He shrugged and looked around.  "Anyone else here?"

"Xander's napping on Jigen.  I'll get the word out."

"Fine.  Thanks."  He nodded at the bedroom.  "Tell him the picture was cute."  He headed out, going back to his car so he could head back to capture this bitch.  She would be his.

Lupin shut the door then found his laptop and brought it into the bedroom.  "Did you hear?"  Jigen shook his head.  "Someone shot Pops."

"Fuck 'em, they're dead then," Jigen said simply.  "Who?"

"Ray wasn't allowed to tell us.  We're not supposed to go after her."

"Her?"

"Her," Lupin agreed, glaring at his screen as he logged onto the internet, then the thieves' bulletin board.  Immediately two people popped up and told him the situation was handled.  His curt response probably didn't win him any friends, but the information came fairly quickly from Fujiko, who was staking her out.  "She's in Denmark right now.  She's a minor thief.  She wanted to up her reputation."

"What's wrong?" Xander mumbled.

"Someone shot Pops."

Xander sat up, looking at them.  "Who?  I want this bitch."

"Her name's Mary Margaret.  She's a small-time hood.  She thought it'd up her rep," Lupin said bitterly.  "Pops wants us to stay out of it."

"Yeah, of course I will," Xander snorted.  "Can we topple her or make her so miserable she turns herself in?"  They smiled at her.  "I'm all for letting her tell on herself."

"That's a great idea, Xan.  Fuji's watching her right now."  He typed a message and she responded that she'd meet them in a few days.  "Okay, we're going to your appointment and we'll leave tomorrow night.  I've got a plane meeting us tomorrow night to take us back to Paris.  We'll drop the kids there with Marcus and head off."

"No, we'll drop the kids with the official nanny and take Marcus with you," Marcus said from the doorway.  "What happened? Ethan heard a nasty rumor that had Gramps shot." He leaned against the side of the door.  "Are we finding this person of questionable intellect?"

"We are, and then we're making her so sorry she gives herself up," Xander told him.  "After my appointment."

"That's fine, Xander," Marcus agreed stiffly.  "Are you all right?"

"One of the kids isn't kicking and I've had a lot of problems with thinking something's wrong."

"Then we should go today," Marcus said firmly, standing up straight.  "Get dressed.  If they don't bring you, I will."

"We've got an appointment at ten," Jigen told him.

"Relax, she's not getting out of our sight for a long time," Lupin added, smirking at him. "Our husband, not yours.  If you want to spoil and coddle someone, find your own."

"I would, but Ethan won't let me," he said bitterly.  "Goemon wanted you to destroy those pictures you took of him.  He said he scared himself when he went to shower."  He turned and headed for the kitchen to get a drink.  All the kids were with him.  They were all getting dressed.  "Come, children.  We'll work out for a bit together, see how far Lotus and Ishi got you."  The girls ran for the lawn, all but Arsene, who went through the window.  He smirked at her.  "Nice job.  Assume the first position."  They all started off on their first physical lesson that wasn't how to fall.

***

Lupin walked into Zenigata's hospital room.  Everyone else was giving him a few moments alone.  He nodded Dawn outside and she left them alone.  "Hey, Pops."

Zenigata opened his eyes to look at him.  "Can't I arrest you yet?" he asked weakly.

"You could try if you wanted to, but your boss said no," he admitted with a grin.  "I asked her myself for you."  He checked the monitors.  "We know who did it.  We've got her under surveillance."

Zenigata grabbed him by the wrist.  "Don't.  Let the law actually work."

Lupin leaned closer, grinning wickedly.  "Xander planned this one, Pops.  She'll be giving herself up."  The cop laughed and started to cough so Lupin helped him calm down.  "You gonna live to see my next two?  One of them's got a weaker heartbeat but Xander's little kitsune friend said they'd be taking her with them when she was older so we wouldn't have to worry about her.  Oh, we brought you a tape to watch," he said, walking it over to the VCR and putting it in.  "For when you can't sleep."  He grinned at him.  "You get better.  We want you to welcome our kids who're going good into the ICPO, Pops."  The door opened and Jigen and Xander walked in.  "I gave him the tape."

"Good.  I think he'll like that," Xander said, smiling at him.  "Hey.  I've been in that same spot."  He gave him a careful hug.  "I want you to get better, Gramps.  The light can't afford to lose you too."  He pulled back and grinned.  "Besides, who else will send Ray to taunt me?  If you're not there, he can't go to conventions, he'll be doing paperwork."

Zenigata snorted.  "You're transparent, Xander."

"Only to some who know me very well.  You've obviously studied me like Goemon has."

"He was trying to figure you out," Jigen told him, patting him on the back.  "How you feelin', old man?  Better than after yer heart attack?"

"About the same really.  The pain killers are very nice."

"That's what I enjoyed most about being shot too," Xander agreed, pulling off his backpack and handing it over.  "Here, things to do while you're stuck in bed.  I doubt you're getting out of one anytime soon, even if they do release you."

"Thank you.  Books?"

"Books, puzzles, pictures, a reason to yell at Morgan."  He winked.  "You'll need to step up and talk to the boy soon, Gramps.  He'll need a good daddy so he doesn't turn into me."

Zenigata growled lightly.  "He won't.  I'd never allow him to be a crook."

"Um, not that part of my life," Xander admitted.  "The part that used to go to clubs each weekend and have orgies."

Zenigata paled.  "He's only eleven."

"Which is the average age for puberty," Jigen noted dryly.  "It's also very cute watching him blush at his girlfriend."

Zenigata dug in the pack, coming up with the 8 X 10 glossy photo of his son and his girlfriend, with him kissing her.  He growled deeper.  "That shit'll stop as soon as I see him," he agreed, looking up, but they were gone.  The door was just shutting behind them.  He smirked and shook his head.  "Just like the crook.  Can't say goodbye."  He turned on the tape, one eyebrow going up at Lupin's entry.

"You know I hate goodbyes.  Don't worry, I've got a similar one in case you die so I don't have to embarrass myself by breaking up at your funeral.  You'll like that one," he admitted with a smirk.  "Xander helped me write it."  He cleared his throat and an arm came around to hug him.  "Thanks, princess."  He looked at the man on the bed again.  "Anyway, we thought we'd show you some things that'll make you grin.  They always say that laughter is the best medicine."  He put on a clown nose and Zenigata burst out in light chuckles.  "See, you feel better."  Lupin's grin picked up.  "Now for some cuteness to go with it."  The picture switched to a shot of the kids working out with Xander.  "Pay careful attention to Savanna and Sierra," the voice-over, Xander's, instructed.  "Learn their faults now so you can compensate for them when they come work for you."

Zenigata grinned at the kids working out.  The two mentioned were very good.  The scene switched to one of them learning how to shoot a bow and those girls weren't that bad.  With the gun they were much better but that was to be expected.  Then it went to the kids trying to pick handcuff locks and he burst out laughing, bringing Dawn back.

"We figured it's a necessary skill for good guys too, I wish I had known it when I was younger," Xander's voice said overtop of the kids complaining about not being able to get it.

Dawn slid onto the bed and hugged her husband.  "They're very special," she said dryly.  "I'm not sure if they're special enough to need mental help or not, but they're definitely special."

He patted her on the back and handed over the picture.  "They are, and they're also very good."

She groaned and shook her head, eventually hiding it against his shoulder.  "I'll talk with the kid and give him the sex talk."

"Let Xander do it.  I don't know what to tell the kid."

She looked at him.  "Let *Xander* do it?  You want him to give our kids the sex talk?"

"Can you think of anyone who knows more about it?" he noted.

"No," she admitted, grinning at him.  "I'll tell him you said that.  Goemon told him the same thing."

"Hmm."  He hugged her and they finished watching the kids work out with their parents and uncles.  They were going to be great.  He was glad he wouldn't have to chase after the fourth one.  She was looking to be better than her father ever was.  His kids were in for a hard chase of her and her sister Melissa.

***

Xander looked over as their target walked into the ICPO headquarters.  He gave Lupin a smug look and they switched to the bug they had implanted on her.  She started to stammer something about being stalked by them so they zapped her in a very delicate place.  She grabbed her head as the pain radiated up from the inside of her nose, then told him the truth.  That she was turning herself in before Lavelle and the rest of them could kill her because she had shot Zenigata.  Feet went running and they heard her grunt as she was carried to the floor and cuffed as painfully as possible, then carried off.  They heard a scanner going over her and chuckled, they had been found out, the doctor who pulled the thing out said so.  That was fine though, their primary mission had been accomplished.  Besides, if she backed out, they had another one planted and she would be quite sorry when the clit ring it was attached to blew up.

Lupin hadn't wanted to be nice about that, and had made sure it sent a clear statement not to try it again.

Xander looked down as his phone beeped, answering it.  "Lavelle.  Speak."  He frowned.  "They have what?"  He grunted.  "Done.  Thank you, Elizabeth."  He hung up and looked at his husband.  "Marcus was taken hostage by the remaining Watchers.  I'm due in England."

"You're not going alone."

Xander kissed him.  "All I'm going to do is go shoot them, take him back, and then burn the Watchers to the ground, dear.  We're all fine."  He stood up and headed to the bike, deciding to take the train over.  It'd take him there and he wouldn't have to switch from a plane to a train and then a car.  He could even ship his bike.

Lupin watched him go, then called Jigen.  "Marcus was taken by the Watchers.  Our wife is going to rescue him.  No, she said killing them then burning them out."  He hung up and headed for his car to go home.  He kept on the transmitter as long as possible.  It was very entertaining listening to her sob about all the torment they had given her.  They had stolen her targets before she could.  They had killed a mark before she could.  They had even started rumors about her!  They were so mean!  He snorted at her adolescent whining.  His daughters would be more adult by the time they started pulling jobs.  He'd never put up with a whiny teenager.

***

Xander walked into the Watcher's Council's building and past the receptionist, who didn't have a chance to say anything.  He headed directly up to the lab, walking inside and backhanding the guy in his way.  "Morning," he said cheerfully, grinning at them.  "Give me Marcus Wyndam-Pryce back and I won't kill you all, yet."  They all looked stunned.  "You've got very little time, I am pregnant and that nasty need to pee is your time limit.  I should warn you I had a good quart of water on the way in."  Marcus was released from his table and handed over.  "Thanks."  He waved and dropped something onto the ground, then walked his buddy out.  "So, they found that the baby's weak but not totally weak and my buddy Yurinish said he'd take her in," he chatted as they walked out.  They ran into Wesley in the foyer.  "Huh.  Were you in for a meeting?"

"No, I came to get my son from the murdering and thieving bastards," he said firmly, glaring at Xander.

"Whine, Wes.  Marc is ours now.  We like Marc.  We put up with his eternal bookishness and all that reading to him so he can learn new things even.  You can't have him back."

"I think he meant the Watchers, Xan," Marcus said, giving him a smile.  Above them an explosion went off and they all looked up there, looking incredibly pleased.  "Good job.  Let's go home, shall we?  Did she turn herself in?"  Wesley stopped his son.  "Yes?"

"I'd like to talk to you today.  Would that be acceptable?"

"Fine, Father.  Go visit Ethan, I'll be up there this afternoon."

"Thank you."  Wesley followed them out and went to his own bike, watching as Xander and Marcus took off on their own.  He shook his head.  "That boy," he said in disgust.   He wasn't sure which one but they were both children to him.  He sped off to find Ethan's house.  He knew he had hidden it but he surely wouldn't mind since he could help him with that small lump he had developed last month.  The gateway was standing open so he went up to check on him.  He found Rupert standing over him, and glared.  "Get away from him."

"Pillock, who do you think takes care of him?" Giles sneered, vamping out.

"My son, who will be back later.  Ethan, I came to see if I could help you with that lump."

"I don't think it'd do much good," he said weakly.  "It seems to have spread."

"Are you taking his out?"

"It's either that or being truly demonic."

"Hmm.  I can do the soul restoration if you wish."  Ethan nodded so he went to get the things to do that.  He came back and found Giles turning Ethan to his side of the battle.  He did the restoration spell on both of them, making Giles howl.  "Good," he sneered, giving Giles a smug look.  "It's no better than you deserve.  Welcome back to the side of the light, Rupert.  Ethan, your magic will still work.  Now, what is wrong with my son?"

"A head injury," Ethan said, feeling stronger.  "He can't read, it gives him great headaches.  The demons did it so he couldn't turn into you."

"Wonderful," Wesley said dryly.  "I'll work on fixing that."  He looked at them.  "Don't try to eat me or my son.  You won't like the consequences."  He went to look in the workroom for the healing herbs he'd need for his next spell fixing.  He knew his time was running short and he had to do something to make sure the light didn't fade completely.  Xander wasn't enough of a warrior anymore, especially not being pregnant. Maybe he should have another child, that might help them even more.  When his son showed up, he locked him to a chair and started on the healing spell.  His son fought but he kept going after slapping him on the head.  The demon who did this was going to be very sorry when it turned back on him.  He'd remove it after that.

***

Marcus stumbled back into the main hideout in France and collapsed onto the couch beside his mentor's wife.  "I'm healed," he whispered hoarsely.  "Ethan's a vampire now, he was too ill to continue and Ripper turned him.  My father healed me after souling them both."  He passed out.

Fujiko looked down at him, noticing the new bitemark.  "Xander!"  He came jogging in.  "Marcus just gave me a message.  He said he's healed, Ethan's a vampire now, someone named Ripper turned him, and then his father souled them?"

"Huh.  Marcus?" Xander called, moving closer.  He checked for a pulse.  "He'll live.  Ethan only took a bit of dinner from him. He'll need some protein badly soon."  She nodded and went to find the housekeeper or Lupin, someone who could cook.  "Marc?"  Marcus looked up at him.  "You're fully better?"

"The demon undid the damage he caused to happen.  I can read again.  Ethan's a vampire.  Ripper turned him and my father souled them both.  He's feeling mortal.  He went to have a few more children."  He sat up, holding his head.  "I have God's own headache from that mucking about in there.  First a healing spell then the demon."  Xander grabbed the nearest bottle of tylenol for him and handed it over.  "Thank you, love. You're a saint."  He took five and laid back down again, closing his eyes. "Wake me for dinner?"

"I sent Fujiko to get you something with protein.  You okay?"

"Like a pickle," he noted dryly.  "I saw my sister."

"Really?  What's she doing?"

"She's presently not liking her life at all.  She's frustrated at the Watchers and is ready to leave them.  I suggested she bear heirs for someone and she got quite upset at me."  He smiled, still leaving his eyes closed.  "She was not happy at all that I get to have a life and she's a research Watcher."

"She could have run away too, and she can always take her skills and go do something less important," Xander noted, giving him a pat on the stomach.  "Is Ethan in pain?"  Marcus shook his head.  "Good.  Thanks for the info.  We're upstairs looking at furniture."  He went to tell the others, including Goemon.  "Hey.  Ethan's a vamp now."

"Wonderful," Jigen noted bitterly.  "Will we have to kill him?"

"Hell no, Wesley souled him," Xander said smugly.  They both giggled.  "Him and Rupert both."  He beamed when his men looked at him in awe.  "Not only that, but Marcus is now healed.  His father pulled something out of his ass and fixed it."

"Good for him," Lupin said happily.  "That means he can research later to his heart's content.  I'll make sure he eats."  He pulled Xander next to him.  "What about the round crib?  Did you like them?"

"Yes and no.  I don't like that it's in iron.  I don't see why we can't use the other's cribs for these two."

"Because I want to buy new furniture," Lupin said simply.  "Won't iron help them somehow?"

"Yeah, but it's heavy and if they knock into it'll hurt more than the wooden ones would."

"So we'll get better crib padding," Jigen said with a small shrug.  "What are we doing their room in?"

"Animals?" Xander suggested.  Arsene and Sierra's room had teddy bears and elephants; Savanna and Melissa's room had fantasy creatures and fish.  It'd be fitting and carry on the theme.  "Maybe jungle animals?"

"Primates and zebra's?" Lupin suggested.  "Something like that or should we go with real fish and mermaids?"

Xander pinched him lightly.  "If you want fish and mermaids, we can do that.  It's your house."

"It's their rooms," Jigen pointed out helpfully.  "A boy and a girl is a nice switch.  It'd be nice to have a boy around that wasn't tied to a destiny sometimes."

Xander looked at him.  "Well, I did get told that this one would follow me and that if I had another boy it would be a white knight."  She smiled at their shocked looks.  "What?" she asked innocently.  "They did say the last one was possible and what it would be if it happened."

"Janus," Lupin grunted in irritation.  "We've had enough kids, Xander."

"Okay, so this boy will be a mini Lavelle.  Should we buy him a suit so he gets used to ties?" Jigen suggested.  Lupin tossed a pillow at him, making him laugh.  "A starter pistol?"

"No," Xander groaned, holding her stomach.  "How about a protection pad.  She just kicked him and he kicked me."  Lupin and Jigen both came over to stroke her stomach.  "Thanks."  She laid back, letting them do it.  She liked it when they spoiled her.  They were very good at it.

Fujiko tapped on the door and walked in with a tray and a box.  "Here you go, Xander.  I know you've got to be hungry."

"Thanks, Fujiko."  He smiled at her.  "They just got into a kicking contest."

"I'm sure they'll be good kids," she said, heading out.

Xander looked at Lupin, then at Jigen.  "Marcus?" he called.  Marcus came in a moment later.  "Can you test her for another possession?" he asked quietly.

"Her husband has asked the same thing and I have looked. It appears that they've made up because, unlike that strong bout of the flu she had a few years back, she is in the same state you are, only with less time in."  He snatched a french fry and headed back downstairs to the library.  He had missed reading.  He found a book he had enjoyed and sat down with it, smiling because his eyes weren't burning and his head wasn't throbbing.  Though it was clear he needed glasses now.  "Master?" he called when he heard someone walk past the door.  Goemon stuck his head in.  "Could you please excuse me from lessons tomorrow to get my eyes examined?"

"Of course.  Was it fixed?"

Marcus grinned at him.  "Fully.  I'm back to what I once was."

"Excellent news.  If you need glasses, remember to get a pair for working out in."  He left, going up to talk to his wife.  This new one was unexpected in the extreme.  He tapped on their bedroom door and walked inside, then into the bathroom, where she was doing a test.  "It is positive," he noted as she dropped a few drops of urine onto it.

She put it down and looked at him.  "I'm sorry."

He kissed her.  "I'm not.  We thought you were possessed again."  She sighed and hit him on the chest.  He smirked, that was more like it!  He picked her up and brought her to the bed, going to celebrate this new one with her.  A second son would be wonderful.  His daughter was nice but he didn't understand her and he was horrible at doing more than brushing and braiding her hair.  Boys were much simpler.

***

Zenigata looked up as his son Morgan entered his hospital room and nodded at him to lock the door.  Once his son had done so he held up the picture.  His son blanched and sat down weakly, already shaking.  "I think we should talk, son."

"Dad," he said weakly.  "She's just so amazing. She takes my breath away and all that good stuff."

"That's wonderful, you're still eleven and she's fifteen.  That could not only get her into trouble but you're too young to do that much with her."  He put down the picture and picked up the note cards Xander had sent him.  "Sorry, but it's not like I've had to deal with some of this recently."  He cleared his throat.  "Son, since you've noticed girls aren't aliens or something like that, we've got to have a talk."  He looked at his son.  "You might as well come closer."  His son came and sat beside him, giving him a hug, so he gave him the cards to read so he wouldn't have to say any of that out loud.  It was embarrassing!

"Who sent over the information?"

"Your Uncle Xander."

"Cool.  He'd know all about this stuff."  He grinned.  "Can I at least hold hands?"

"That's all you're allowed to do.  You may kiss her on the cheek or forehead only, son."

"Yes, dad."  He went back to his reading.  Damn, his uncle was cool!  This had all sorts of stuff on it, along with diseases that had graphic pictures attached to the back of some cards.  There was even a long description of childbirth and a picture of a baby out to the forehead.  It was really sickening and nasty.  "That is so sick," he said, showing it off.

Zenigata frowned as he took it to look at.  "That's your sister's birth!  How did they get that?"

Morgan chuckled.  "They were probably watching to make sure you didn't need any help, dad."  He gave him a hug.  "Thank you for helping me through this."

"Oh, we're not done, son.  We'll be meeting this girl as soon as we're home for a long dinner and a talk about you two.  You have rules to live by now.  You also have responsibilities.  I won't be a grandfather for at least another ten years.  Nor will I be attending a wedding before you've either graduated college, a police academy, or you've been working for at least a year in a less skilled job."

Morgan nodded.  "Okay, but in return I want a hike in my allowance."  His father raised an eyebrow.  "I'm nearly a teenager, dad, and things are expensive at my age."

"Son, I buy you nearly anything you want.  Your mother buys you clothes and shoes.  What would you need more allowance for?"

"Comic books?  Going with Uncle Ray to a convention next year?" he asked hopefully.

"We'll see."  He grimaced.  "Five more dollars a week but you also have to take on another task around the house."

"I'll do my own laundry if Aunt Dawn would show me how and I'll never complain about loading the dishwasher.  I will complain about doing it by hand, but the dishwasher isn't so bad.  If you give me a ten dollar raise."

Zenigata thought about it.  It was a fair trade.  "Fine," he agreed.  "Plus you have to help the younger ones with their new schoolwork.  After all, you do still have a nine o'clock curfew on school nights so you can't go out and do much."

"Can I take her to the movies this weekend?"

"We'll see," he said dryly.  "Any and all dates will have a chaperone."

"Yes, dad."  He gave him another careful hug.  "You're very nice.  Much nicer than my real one."

"Did he come back again?"  Morgan nodded.  "Did you talk to him?"

"I did.  He wanted to.  We sat in the open in the park and talked.  That way he couldn't try what he did last time and take me back with him.  I told him all about my girlfriend, my life, and all that good stuff.  He seemed upset for some reason."

"That's because you're almost a teenager and you're rushing, son.  Your Aunt Dawn and I do understand, we were young once ourselves.  We just did everything later in our years."

"That's fine.  You keep saying kids are getting older younger, I guess I'm proof.  Should I keep these and give them to Jerry?"

"Yeah, we'll do that," he agreed, putting an arm around his son's shoulders.  He'd have to get someone to look in on this guy.  He didn't like him and he kept reappearing.

Morgan coughed.  "Dad, did you send Uncle Ray to threaten my real father?"

"No," he said, starting to smile.  "Did he?"  Morgan nodded.  "Good.  Ray has good instincts."  Morgan gave him a look.  "He does. I don't want that man thinking that he can steal you from me.  You're my son too, and I have custody of you."

"The sperm donor actually said that you had other sons, you didn't need me and Jerry."

Zenigata snorted.  "Fat lot he knows.  He's never been a father.  I'd rather see you go to Lupin's side than his."  He picked up the phone to call his house.  "Dawn, it's me.  Morgan and I just had our talk.  Yes, he read it off the cards," he sighed.  "No, he told me about Ray interrupting his meeting with his biological father. Said we had more sons, we didn't need these two."  He pulled the phone away as she shrieked.  "That's why I'm telling you," he said patiently, chuckling as he hung up on the string of swears.  "Your Aunt's rather pissed at him at the moment."

"Let's hope she doesn't tell Uncle Xander to go kill him," Morgan noted.  "That would be bad and then you'd have to arrest her."

Zenigata nodded.  "That's true, I would," he agreed.  He'd probably fight with himself for a long time first, but the law might win that argument.  Maybe.  Maybe not.  He'd hopefully never have to find out.   He hugged his son closer to him.  "I'm supposed to get out in a few days."

"Good.  Then we'll have dinner with her next weekend?"

"I could agree to that," he agreed.  "She looks like a nice girl."  He smiled at his son.  Only one more year and he'd have to have this same talk with Jerry.  Then he'd have a daughter and then another two sons.  "How will I tell your sister about this?"

"Easy, you had her the cards too," Morgan noted with a grin.  "She can read.  I made sure of it."

"I know you did.  At least I'll be home more often now.  Ray can go head up any field activities from now on."

"Yeah, Uncle Ray did say he wanted someone to kick him in the head over that part of the job," Morgan admitted.  "Said it'd only be fair.  He said as soon as he's found a recruit to take his place, he's only working in-country.  I think he's finally ready to find a new boyfriend."

"What boyfriend has he had?"

"Dad, he was dating Uncle Myron when he was alive," Morgan said patiently.  "They were always together when you weren't around."

"They were?  I thought Myron only held him during nightmares."

Morgan sighed and rolled his eyes. "No, dad, they were having sex.   Trust me on this, they were having sweaty, fun sex.  I walked in on them once and Uncle Myron about had a heart attack before Uncle Ray shooed me off."

"They had sex in our house?"

"Well, they were staying there then," he offered.

"That long ago?"

"Yeah, dad," Morgan said patiently.  "Since probably that second convention."

"Oh."  He blinked a few times.  "Well.  Maybe I should have a talk with him about the facts of life as well.  He's young enough for that."

"Yeah, but he's presently flustered.  He's got this *major* crush he's avoiding on a younger woman.  Just like you and Auntie Dawn," he chuckled.

Zenigata snickered at that.  "It's worthwhile.  They make you feel younger.  How old is she?"

"Presently eighteen.  She's a cop too.  She's just come into the unit."

"Ah, her," he said wisely.  "I had thought he was being a bit too courteous to her.  I'll talk with him later.  Thank you, Morgan."

"You're welcome, dad.   Dad, can I go visit Aunt Bethany this weekend?"

"Sure.  Say hi to the crooks when you crawl over the wall to visit with the Goemon kids."

"Yes, sir."  He gave him a long hug.  "You feel better.  I'm gonna go put these in a safe place for Jerry."  He took the cards, making sure they were all there, and headed back to the house to show his Aunt.  He had tried but he couldn't call her his mom, it felt odd in his mouth.  "Uncle Ray," he said when he saw who was downstairs.  "Hi." He gave him a hug.  "Dad wants to talk to you about the facts of life."

Ray blanched.  "Oh, damn."  He shook his head and sighed.  "Later, kid.  I'm supposed ta take you home."

"Okay.  I got given the long speech from Uncle Xander, though dad, via cards."

Ray looked at the stack, then nodded.  "Xander would know."  He got him into the car and back to Dawn's safely, then headed back.  He found his boss alone and walked in, giving him a sheepish look.  "I have no idea what that's about, boss.  I really don't.  I'm trying so hard to get over it," he said pitifully.

"Ray, sometimes you can't ignore it," Zenigata sighed.  "I tried to ignore Dawn and look how that turned out.  Twenty years of difference and she's all I ever needed in life."

Ray grinned. "I know, but mine's I feel like a molester."

"I understand, Ray.  We'll figure it out.  You might as well be like one of my kids sometimes anyway."  He held up the pictures.  "Know anything about her?"

"She's picking on him but it makes him happy.  She's like a mini-Faith and Morgan's too much like a mini-Xander."

"Ah."  He had heard that tale so he understood the reference.  "As long as she doesn't try to jump him, I won't have her arrested."  He grinned at his officer.  "So, I hear you want hurt this badly?"

"Only so I don't have to go into the field all the time.  Think I could get Lavelle ta shoot me too?"

"Probably not," Zenigata admitted.  "He seems to like you too much to injure you too badly."

"Maybe Jigen then," he said, considering it. "I'm too old ta chase people through malls and dodge traffic in a foot chase.  I'm nearly forty."  He sat down in the visitor's chair.  "She's eighteen!"

Zenigata laughed.  "I understand, Ray.  I met Dawn when I was forty-four and I tried so hard to fight it off."

Ray sighed and looked at his hands, nodding.  "So am I.  I don't even know if she feels the same way.  For her it might be a harmless flirtation thing and then what'll I do?"

"Then you'll move on."  Someone knocked on the door.  "Enter!" he called. A young woman walked in.  "You are?"

"Sir, reporting for duty," she said, saluting him.  "Emmajean Tackleberry, sir.  I was assigned to your unit and told to come introduce myself.  I'm every bit like my uncle and I was raised at the academy.  I'm rated at the sharpshooter level and I have three years street experience before I applied to join you, sir.  I have no trouble filling in whatever position you want me in."  She went to 'parade rest' and tipped her chin up.  "Sir, my Uncle Mahoney sent me with a message for Ray."  Ray waved a hand.  "Sir, he said I am to cling to you as my advisor.  I've never really traveled before and that's one of the reasons I took this job, that and to be out of the city.  I couldn't take the local idiocy and bureaucracy any longer.  It was getting to the point where the paperwork was more important than the busts."

"That's why I left Chicago," Ray agreed, grinning at her.  "Welcome to the unit.  The boss is now grounded to local chases and the office only.  He'll probably be working from home for the next six months when they allow him back on duty.  I lead all field things at this moment, though I hate it.  I'll help you learn how to pack a small bag tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir."

"Ray," Ray instructed.  "I hate being 'sirred'."  He grinned brighter.  "You got a place yet?"

"Yes, sir."  She blushed. "It's not much but I can sleep there."

"That's about all you'll need six months out of the year."  He patted her on the shoulder.  "Relax, we're all buddies here."

"Thank you, Ray.  I hope I live up to your standards.  My uncles and aunts at the academy taught me everything they could once my uncle Eugene brought me into the family business.  Surprisingly enough, it was at the suggestion of a crook."  She shook her head.  "I don't know why, but it was."

"Lavelle," the men groaned, shaking their heads.

She nodded.  "How did you know?"

"He's one of those odd cases," Ray told her.

"We can't chase him or the rest of Lupin's gang any longer.  The chief said they're invisible to the law," Zenigata added.

"Huh.  Then my uncle would appreciate a visit probably," she admitted, then she grinned again.  "When should I show up tomorrow?"

"We tend to go nine to six," Ray told her.  "That's when we're in town.  There could be a chase at any moment.  Like I said, you'll want to have a bag packed and at hand at all times.  Include extra ammo, it's harder than hell to find it in some countries, even as a cop.  I've ran out before and been unable to get any legally."  Zenigata gave him a look.  "Yes, I went underground, but I busted them afterwards," Ray defended.

"That's fine.  As long as you arrested them," he noted.  "You do what you have to sometimes."

Emmajean chuckled.  "Sir, I was in Vice.  I know that one by heart."  Ray whimpered.  "Something wrong?"

"No, I spent some time there in Chicago myself," he admitted, smiling at her.  She smiled back and he felt a twinge in his gut.  He blinked a few times.  He never had that with the other one.  She was always chasing him, reminded him of his Stella.  This one was nice.  She kinda reminded him of her uncle.  "Do you like anime?"

"I like some comics but I'm pretty traditional.  I'm an 'x' groupie.  Why?"

He beamed.  "Come ta my place tonight for a welcome to the unit dinner.  I've got a massive anime and comic collection.  We get to go to the cons too, we get a lot of people that way."  She beamed and nodded, saluting Zenigata again and leaving with her new boss.

Zenigata chuckled.  "Wonderful for him, really.  The other was too pushy. This one is just soft enough to entice him and she's older.  Nearly twenty-five.  Her uncle's idea was a good one.  I'm glad I hired her."

***

Ray walked up behind Xander in the small comic store and hugged him hard.  "Thanks, buddy."

Xander grinned at him.  "You're welcome, Ray.  I thought you two might get along pretty well."  He turned and hugged him back.  "You be happy with Miss Emmajean.  Don't treat her too gently, she's not a doll."  He got free.  "How's Gramps?"

"Better.  They're releasing him today," Ray told him.  "How's Morgan?"

"In withdrawal over his girlfriend going away since he stood up for not having sex yet.  Lotus gave him a long cuddle.  For being six she understands a lot of things."  He beamed at Emmajean.  "Hi, I'm Xander.  We're buddies."  He patted Ray on the back.  "The new X-Men Extreme is out.  I keep forgetting to have that one mailed to me."  He shook his head as he walked away.  "Will I see you at Paris-Con this year?"

"Oh, yeah," Ray called after him.  "We'll both be there."  He smiled at Emmajean.  "That was Lavelle."

"Oh."  Her face lit up.  "That's Uncle's friend?   Lavelle?"  He looked back.  "Uncle Eugene wanted to see you soon."

"Tell him I'll see him when they start that summer camp next year.  I'll be bringing two kids over."  She nodded and went with Ray to help him finish his stack.  He was much more into the comics than she was. Xander chuckled and paid for his stack, and the stuff he had on order.  "Thanks."  He paused and grabbed his stomach, pressing on it.  "Ow.  That was a bad pain."

"Ulcer?" the guy behind the counter asked.

Xander changed form.  "No, labor pain.  It's an illusion."  She shrugged and took her bags, going to lean against the side of the car.  She was clutching the roof rack when Ray came out.  "Hey, um, Ray, can I get you to drive me so I don't crash on my way to the hospital?"

"What's wrong?"  He came over to touch Xander, noticing how tense she was.  "Cramp?"

"Labor pain," she squeaked.  "Big, nasty one.  Hate these things."  She squeezed her eyes shut.  "Ow."

"Shh, Xan.  Let's put your stuff into the trunk and then I'll drive you over," Ray promised, putting things into the trunk for his buddy.  He got in to drive, Emmajean taking the back without a question.  They headed for the only hospital he knew about.  "You're going to a normal one, right?"

"Yeah, am," she noted, breathing hard.  "Have to call the hubbies."

"I'll call Morgan, he can get it to them, he's still up there," Ray soothed.  He pulled into the Emergency Room parking lot and parked the car, then got Xander out and inside.  "She's in labor," he said.  "She's carrying twins and one has a weak heart.  Xan, doc?"

"Um, Switxner."

"We'll call him right now," the nurse said, taking Xander with her.  "Should we call anyone?"

"I'm doing that," Ray called, watching as she was led away.  He turned and found Emmajean with his cellphone.  He found the number and hit send.  "Morgan, it's Ray.  Yeah, fine, not now, kiddo.  No, Xan's in labor here in Paris.  Can you hop the wall and go tell them?"  He grinned.  "Thanks, Morgan.  Sure, we can visit the new twins."  He hung up.  "Okay.  Let's go get my car and bring it here."

"I called Stacey.  She's doing it," she promised, leading him to the waiting area.  "We can stay until her friends get here.  Does that mean he's actually Sylvia too?"

"Oh, yeah, that's him," Ray agreed.  "That choker thing does it."

"Ah."  She looked impressed.  "Good thing it's not me.  I'd hate to be a guy now and then."

"She gets to change at will.  She seems to enjoy it greatly."

"I'm glad.  With two husbands I would too."  She grinned up at him and noticed his blush.  "I don't need two, Ray.  Really."

"Not that," he said, coughing to clear his blush.  "Um, I wanted to ask if you wanted ta....."

"Have a baby?  Someday.  For right now, I'd take dinner."

He pinched her.  "Smart ass," he said fondly.  She kissed him and he found his head swimming.  "Now I know what Dawn meant about kissing the boss that first time," he noted. He pulled her closer and kissed her again.  "You're great."

"Thanks."

***

Morgan climbed up the tree and used it to get across the stone wall, landing in the backyard of the neighboring Lupin estate.  Doing so startled Ishi and Lotus.  "Lotus, your Uncle's in labor in Paris.  Uncle Ray brought him to the hospital."  Ishi went running and she came over to hug him. "Thanks, little bit."  She chuckled and pinched him, leading him inside.

Ishi ran into the room where his father was reading with Marcus.  "Uncle Xan's in labor in Paris.  Uncle Ray took him to the hospital."  His father leapt up and ran to find the expectant husbands.  Marcus gave him a look.  "Not going?"

"Not yet.  It'll be a good ten minutes before they leave.  Xander didn't have a bag packed."  He turned the page, then marked his spot.  "Or I could stay here with you lot until they're back since the nanny is off today."  And for the rest of her short life since Jigen had found her teaching Melissa how to apply makeup to entice men.

"Okay.  Morgan's here.  He told us."

"That's fine as well," he agreed with a smile.   He led Ishi out to the front hallway, watching as Lupin and Jigen ran down the stairs.  "Bag?" he called.  Jigen ran back up the stairs to get one.  "I'll stay with the children and come up tonight," he promised.

"That's fine," Lupin agreed, patting himself down.  Ishi found his gun, his keys, and his wallet.  "Thanks, kid.  Go play or whatever.  Make sure Morgan doesn't kiss your sister again."  Jigen came back down the stairs with Goemon right behind him and a small bag.  "We ready?"  Jigen nodded and they got out to take off.

Fujiko came out far enough to look down the stairs. "I can stay, Marcus."

"I'll do it, Fujiko.  You rest, dear.  I was going to monitor Morgan and Lotus' interaction."  She grimaced.  "They are rather cute and he would be attuned to her side of the fence."

"Fine.  She's too young to do more than talk about kittens and stuff anyway."  She went back to bed, her doctor had said she was to be on bedrest.  Or else.  She believed in his or else.

Ishi scowled up at Marcus.  "She's too young and so is he."

"I know, and so does he.  That's the beauty of having her fall for a decent young man like Morgan will become.  He won't rush her or push her."  He walked them back to the kitchen, listening as Lotus told him about the new spell she had learned.  Morgan was quite appreciative and supportive, without looking like he was interested in her for more than her company and chatter.  It was a good thing in his book.

***

Lupin ran into the hospital room, stopping when he saw the non-heavy Xander.  "She already had them?"

Jigen walked closer, looking at her stomach. "She's got some padding here," he said, pointing at her lower stomach.  "I think they did a c-section."

A nurse came in.  "You are?"

"Her husbands," they said in unison.

"Ah."  She smiled and nodded.  "She said there were two of you."  She looked over as more people came in, including one who should be resting at home.  "You should be in bed, Inspector."

"I will be later," he said grumpily.  "Dawn's behind me somewhere."  He turned his wheelchair around.  "Someone laid a death threat on the children."

Lupin nodded.  "Okay.  Where are they and can they stay in here with us so we don't have to haunt the nursery with weapons?"

"We'll talk to our security people, see what they say," she shared.  "Mrs....  Which last name does she go by?"

"Lupin."

"Jigen."

"Harris," Zenigata told her.  "Her maiden name.  What's on her forms?"

"Durman."

"That'll work, it's her identity when she's in danger," Jigen noted.

"Fine.  Mrs. Durman did say that we might have such problems so we've already talked to the nursery people.  Let me get the babies in so you can look at them while she sleeps.  We had to sedate her, she kept going on about foxes?  They think it was a funny reaction to the local."  She left to go make those calls.  She had some protective husbands.  Both of them were armed. Now she knew why this one got a private room instead of a ward room.

Lupin paced back and forth around the room.  "Who sent the death threat?"

"Maklie."

"Fucker," Jigen said bitterly.  "We'll deal with him later."

Goemon walked over to where Xander was shifting.  "Good morning.  Do you feel better?"

"Headache," Xander moaned.  Lupin and Jigen both rushed over to help her sit up and get her some water.  She gave them weak smiles.  "The daughter's fine so far.  Her heart's still pretty slow."

"That's fine, we'll deal, Xan," Lupin promised, giving her a long hug.  "I'm sorry we were late."

"It took me by surprise.  I was comic shopping.  I changed in the store too."  She winced as she shifted.  "Ow."

"Hell, they know you enough by now to know about you," Jigen assured him.  "If not, we'll go explain it to him."

"He's a nice guy."

"Which is why we'll only talk," Lupin promised.  The kids were wheeled in and they ran over to look at them.  "Can we tell which is which?"

"The girl is blood sample one, from her locket, and the boy is blood sample two, from her bracelet," the nurse said after consulting her forms.  "Whichever of you bled into each of those."

"The boy is Lupin's and the girl is Jigen's," Xander offered.

"The doctor in Britain said I was only putting out girls," Lupin said in shock.  Xander shrugged and pointed at her stomach.  "Good point.  If you can get pregnant, they can give me a son."  He grinned at Jigen.  "I have no idea what to name him."

"Fourth will be mad if you switch her name," Jigen said dryly.  He wheeled his daughter over to the bed.  "Here we are.  A very tiny future princess of the house."

"We'll be getting a heart monitor for her bed just in case," Lupin noted, picking up his son.  "Hey.  Welcome to the family.  I'm the dad."

Goemon smirked at him.  "Now you know how I felt when I first held my son."  He looked at the inspector. "And how he must have.  Daughters are always different."

"They are," Xander agreed, smirking at Jigen.  "So, does this mean you're gonna help with that one to take my place?"

"We'll see," he said firmly.   He kissed his mate gently.  "Thank you."

"Welcome."  She smiled and kissed him harder.  "I ache."

"I bet."  He sat down to stare at his daughter.  She was tiny and he didn't want to hurt her.  "She's so much smaller than the twins were."

"She is, but the nurse said she'd be fine," Xander promised.  Zenigata's phone rang and he answered it, then his eyes lit up.  "Did our warrants come back?"

He hung up with a snort.  "Hell no, I'm not that lucky."  He looked at Lupin.  "The person who threatened you child just apparently walked into the station and gave herself up without any encouragement from anyone.  She had heard the rumors about you six."

Lupin beamed. "Good, it'll keep me from killing her this week."  He went back to cooing at his son.  "We should name you, yes we should.  I have no idea what, but we should name you."

"Name him after Jigen," Goemon offered.

"Diasuke," Lupin said, looking at Jigen, who shuddered.  "Middle name, Xan?"  She snored on.  "Okay.  Middle name," he told Jigen, who smirked.  "We were talking about Michael?"

"No," Goemon said, shaking his head.  "Marcus' head would swell."

Zenigata pulled out a book and tossed it to Goemon since he didn't have his hands full. "Here.  For Fujiko as well.  That way you don't end up with another naming situation.  When is she due?"  They all looked stunned.  "Morgan told me."

"She's only three months along but the doctor told her to stay on bed rest because her blood pressure was up," Goemon told him, turning to men's section.  Then he looked at the cover, and at the Inspector.  "Biblical names?"

"They're traditional, even if you don't believe."

"We could name him after Fihad," Jigen offered.  "What's his first name?"

"That is his first name," Lupin noted.  "We could go like Xander's names for pets, book related."

"That means the kid would have to be a Fred or a George," Jigen noted dryly.  "My daughter's not being named Hermione either."

"Sarah."

"Huh?"

"Sarah," Xander mumbled.  "Sarah Emile Jigen.  Frederick Oliver Lupin."  She shifted onto her side and went back to sleep against Goemon's stomach.

"Not to be pushy, but move," Lupin told Goemon when he noticed the position.  "That's a bit too close for comfort."

Zenigata burst out laughing.  "You're worried about *him* stealing your spouse?  Him?"  He grabbed onto the handles of his wheelchair so he wouldn't fall out of it.  He was grabbing his chest by the time he was done.

"Old man, quit, before you hurt yourself and end up back in here," Jigen warned, coming over to steady him.  "It's an odd obsession but we're working on it."

Lupin pouted at them.  "Grumpy bastards."  He looked at his son again, feeling incredibly virile.  He gave Jigen a long look, he'd be testing that virility later.

"I saw that look, I'm putting back on the anti-invasion underwear," Jigen told him, sitting down to look at his daughter again.  "Hey, Sarah."  She grunted and flailed a bit, making him smile. "Yeah, hi."

"My next one should get to stay in the hospital," Goemon told himself, making everyone look at him.  "What?  My last two have not been able to."

"Let's hope we don't have to run with you and a newborn again.  Fujiko's pregnancies are horrible luck for the rest of us," Lupin reminded him.

Goemon shook his head so Jigen grimaced.  "Her pregnancies have been bad luck and she's had really odd deliveries," Jigen reminded him. "After all, we all got caught during her last one.  The first one we nearly lost Xander a few times."  He looked at Goemon.  "Try to keep her contained this time, okay?"

"I will try," Goemon offered.  He felt himself be grabbed and blushed.  "Lupin, I believe your wife needs your attention.  She's trying to grope me."

"Xander, that's not us," Jigen said gently.  She shifted and rolled over until she was nuzzling against his rear. "Thanks.  You keep Lupin from playing with that for me."  He gave Lupin a look.  Then he grinned.  "That's one way to keep you out of me."

"Fat chance," Lupin said smugly.  "I have a son, I'm feeling incredibly virile."

"That is how Lotus came to be," Goemon told them.  "Remember that lesson."

Both men looked at him, then nodded.  "We will," they promised.

"We'll be picking up a big box of condoms on the way home," Lupin agreed.

Zenigata looked at him.  "You think she'll let you touch her before she stops bleeding?"

"Yup, sure do," Lupin said smugly.  "Last time she was sucking us off within a week.  She's addicted."

"Women all over the world would look at her and ask if she was insane," Goemon agreed.  "She is their drug of choice."

"She helps me plan things," Lupin protested.  "Hell, if it weren't for her, we'd probably have taken up the job as second in command in Europe."

Goemon looked disgusted.  "I'd rather start a school."

"Aren't your kids enough for you?" Zenigata asked bitterly.  "We don't need *better* crooks in the world."

"We're firm believers in raising the standards of crooks everywhere," Lupin told him.  "Just like my grandfather was."

"And what would he say about having a female fourth?"

"After seeing her range scores and her abilities at lock picking, I'd hope he'd be really proud," Lupin said smugly.  "If not, he can come tell my ass himself."  Marcus appeared and for a moment Lupin went very pale, then he regained his composure.  "Timed that?"

"No," he said, grinning.  "Dawn showed up just now to watch over the children.  They're most anxious to come see their new siblings."  He looked at the still in her bassinet.  "She is rather small," he noted, coming over to look down at her.  "Hello, princess."  He picked her up and Jigen made a horrified sound.  "You can't leave her alone.  She's a normal child, even though she is weaker and smaller.  You must treat her like the others or she'll start to become like her father when you first met him."  He looked down at the little girl, seeing the open eyes.  "Hello, darling one.  I'm Marcus.  You'll find me doing a lot of your care.  As you get older, you'll learn to appreciate that while your sisters try to change you."  Lupin snickered.  "They are most happily waiting on that."  He shrugged.  "It's their first one.  They're young yet."  He handed her to her father then went to look at the boy, knowing he wasn't going to be prying that one from his father's hands.  Lupin had so wanted either of his girls to be boys.  "Hello, dear, and what's your name going to be?"

"Xander said Frederick Oliver."  Lupin looked at where Jigen was sitting.  "She about fits in his hand."

"She is very tiny but probably within parameters for a twin birth.  They're usually smaller."  He smiled at his mentor.  "Are you looking forward to yours'?"

"Definitely.  I can't wait to see my second son."  He gave Lupin a smug look.  "I'll have two."

"Bastard," Lupin muttered.  "That's okay, I'll make sure Fred here learns to like your second son or Ishi as his mate."

Goemon looked horrified.  "No, our children may not date!" he said firmly.  "I would not allow that!"

"Shh!" Xander ordered.  "Or have the next one!"

"Sorry, Xander," he said, modulating his tone.  "Lupin, that is a horrible idea.  One of them must have a fifteenth."

Jigen gave him a look.  "We'll hand that one the choker and the fertility spell," he offered.

Goemon shook his head.  "If you so much as try to do that to my sons, I shall cut you into tiny pieces.  So small that not even Dawn could find you."

"Sure you will," Jigen teased.  "What'll happen if they do it on their own?  After all, we've got Morgan and Lotus looking like they're in love already."  Zenigata moaned.  "Time for the pain medicine?"

"No, a horrible thought!"

Xander looked at him.  "Shh!  Or I'm fixing it so *you* can carry *your* next one too!"

"Sorry, Xander.  Forgive me, but they were just suggesting...."

"Gramps, face it.  Morgan's attuned to magic.  It's been around him since before he was born.  Lotus is a mini-Willow and Morgan's definitely his mother's.  Of course they get along and he's supportive.  If they end up together, that'll be fine.  Even if he ends up a cop I doubt she'll be thieving very often. It might be the next you and Dawn sort of pair."  He looked relieved at that.  "As for the other ones, Ishi's got a fascination for Melissa," he told Goemon.  "He always has stared at her much harder than his own sister.  He's also got a small one for little Arsene.  I think they confuse him totally though.  They're doing boy things when they're girls.  The other two aren't even on his radar.  He knows that they're going good and he respects them for their convictions and sense.  The two new boys will either be his best buddies or his future lovers.  One or the other because they'll be together most of the time.  Hopefully his brother will be a friend, but we can't discount that sometimes."  Goemon looked sickened.  "As for Melissa, I sincerely think she's going to go for the softer sex.  She'll pick someone like me, someone who will support and understand if not directly help, and cling to them like the world will end.  Sierra's the other I think could be bi.  I don't think she'll ever pick.  I do think little Arsene will play the field like her father.  She's already got her father's eye for beauty.  She was staring at a model at the park last week."  Lupin winced.  "She was also staring at the male model and talking about how she would help his hair since it looked so limp."  She looked at Jigen.  "As for the last one?  Personally, I think she's going to be like Marcus.  We'll never find out until she tells us."

"Marcus has a lover?" Lupin asked.

"He's been sleeping with Ethan for about two years now and one of Ethan's other students as well.  And I think he's going to be telling us something soon?" he suggested to Marcus.

"Um, well, yes, she was a Watcher as well," he admitted.  He scratched the back of his head.  "We broke up when she decided to take a running leap off the face of the earth one night.  I suspect she might have found out she was stuffed up but I can't find her to ask her."

"Marcus, if you had asked, I would have helped," Lupin reminded him.

"I did start to but I figured she didn't want me to know."  He shrugged.  "Sometimes people are like that.  I will respect her wishes but I will be on the lookout for her and her offspring.  The only thing I do know is that the Watchers don't have her, that's how I got captured by them."  He looked at his master.  "If I had any idea where she was, I'd go take custody of my child and bring it home with me."

"Okay, so you've got a mini Ripper somewhere," Xander offered.  "Which family?"

"Ripper's niece actually," he admitted.  "I've asked him, he didn't know where she was."

"Call Spike's house," Xander sighed.  "She was with him earlier in life."

"Spike's dead," Lupin reminded him.

"Yeah, but his childe isn't."

"Good point," Jigen agreed.  "Okay.  You should be resting so we can spoil you later without you falling asleep."

"Thank you."  She sighed as she got comfortable again.  She pushed the button and the nurse came in.  "How much longer do we have to stay here?"

"Your daughter will need a few days of monitoring," she instructed.  "You and your son can go home tomorrow, ma'am."  She took the children and put them back into their basinets.  "There we are.  You can visit them later.  They're being put into a specially monitored room."  She wheeled them out, taking them back to the nursery.  The mother had looked tired, obviously her husbands weren't letting her rest.

Lupin came over and laid beside her, giving her a long hug.  "Thank you, Xan."

"Mm.  Welcome.  Go nap."  She gave him a light shove.  "I'm sore and hungry."

"We'll get you some dinner," Jigen promised.  "Want a weapon, just in case?"

"No, I'm good," Xander admitted.  "I was wearing one, it's under my pillow.  The nurse was really shocked but then I told them about the possibility of someone breaking in here to hurt me or the kids.  She decided I knew best about such things."  She gave him a weak smile.  "Go play with Lupin.  I'll be in better shape after my nap."

"Fine, dear," he said, kissing her.  "We'll come back tonight with a decent dinner.  Chinese?"  She nodded, smiling at him.  He hauled Lupin up and let Goemon herd him out while he made sure everyone else left.  He smiled back at Xander.

Xander laid down and closed her eyes, liking this alone thing for the moment.  She felt the earth shift and barely heard a monitor going off, but she wasn't there any more.

Lupin and Jigen both stiffened when they heard automated 'code blue' message for their wife's room, turning and heading back at a dead run.  They, like the nurses before them, found the bed empty.

"I'm going to kill them," Lupin hissed, going to find out which demon had done this.  One of the nurses was saying something about it being him and he looked at him.  "I'm Lupin the Third.  That was Sylvia.  I sincerely doubt we stole her since we're looking for her."  The nurse whimpered and fell down in a dead faint.  "Thank you.  Marcus!"  Marcus came jogging back.  "Something took her."

His face went blank, then he nodded.  "She'll be right back.  She apparently nearly killed him for it.  The automated message stopped broadcasting and a nurse came out of the room looking very confused.  "Is she back?" Marcus demanded.  The nurse nodded, still looking confused.  "Thank you.  One of us will be sitting with her at all times."  He went to look in the room, coming out looking a bit upset.  "Someone wanted to congratulate you both.  You'll need to go unwind her."  They pushed past him and paused in the doorway.

Xander was sleeping peacefully on the bed, wound around many times with many strands of jewels and necklaces and belts of all descriptions.  Her hair was also braided and bedecked as well.

"Fucking bastards," Lupin ground out, going in to help uncover their wife again.

Jigen looked at Marcus.  "Can't you go kill them for us?"

"Of course I can.  All I'll have to do is tell my father."  Marcus took a picture, then grinned and headed off to LA.  He appeared in the hotel, startling David, Connor, and the newly returned Angel.  "Where is my sperm donor?"

"In the library," David said, grinning at him.  "How's Xander doing?  I know she's near due."

"She just delivered today.  Her daughter is a bit small and has a weak heartbeat.  Her son is larger and very strong.  Lupin was quite proud of himself for finally having a son."  He let him see the picture.  "Then that happened."  David moaned.  "Father!" he shouted.  Wesley walked into the room and Marcus showed him the picture.  "Which one do I have to kill?"

He took the picture, frowning.  "It looks like Spike's doing actually. That large, stylized 's' in the center of his chest with the rubies."  He handed it back.  "We know he made some sort of deal to move higher in the chain if there was an opening.  Xander staking him freed him to take that job.  How is he?"

"Just barely delivered by caesarian.  One boy and a girl this time."  He tucked the picture away.  "Is there anyway you can open the portal so I can go have a ...discussion with his patron?"

Wesley smirked.  "I have one better.  Spike?"  Spike appeared, looking smug.  "I believe my son wants to talk to you."

Marcus released his sword and pulled it with his standard battle cry, lunging at the demon.  Spike backed away quickly, looking scared.  "Leave Xander alone!"

"Shit!" Spike said, disappearing.  He headed back to the hospital and waved a hand, piling all the jewels onto the floor.  "There!  Make him stop!"

Lupin glared at him.  "You're dead."

"No, I made a deal to move up," Spike said smugly.

"No, I mean you're dead now," he hissed, moving to draw his gun.  Spike left again.

Jigen gave Lupin's arm a pat.  "Relax.  Spike would never hurt Xander or else we'd get to unleash her markings on him."  Spike reappeared with a chest.  "What's that?"

"Baby present, same as those were.  I'd never touch her.  She's a nummy one but I know better.  Even the big guy won't touch her.  The git made her fucking dangerous!"  Marcus appeared and he ducked one swing, trying to hit him, but the boy was better than his father was, ever, and much better trained than Spike had ever been.  He finally had to give up and run.

Marcus forced himself to calm down and put up his sword.  "I don't believe we'll have too many more problems," he said stiffly.  "If we do, now we know who to go kill."  He jumped as the door opened and Goemon came back in.  "Are the children all right?"

"Quite.  Dawn said Spike just appeared and gave them something to play with.  Then he left with a vow to never come near Xander again, not even if the boy called on him."

"I'm still feeling the need to kill and maim," Lupin admitted, looking at Jigen.  "You?"

"No, not really.  I know Spike would never harm her.  If anyone knew what Xan was capable of back then, it was him. I think there's some respect there."

An unfamiliar man appeared, bowing to them.  "Hello.  My Lord and Master said I was to come give his congratulations and hand you this for the untailed ones," he said, handing over a small box.  "He said it was for the girl specifically so we could bring her up to us when the time was right."  He nodded at Lupin.  "My Lord and Master also said that your son was very strong and he longed to work with him some day in the future."

"He was busy?" Marcus asked.

"He was unfortunately.  His own harem of wives pounced him and he couldn't get free.  Many saw Xander's pregnancy as a reason to have a kit of their own."  He smiled at Goemon.  "He also said that your son was very interesting and that he would be watching over him to see if he fulfilled his promise to become a great one like his father."

"Thank you for us," Lupin said, handing the box to Jigen.

"What sort of demon are you?" Marcus asked.

"I am an incubus.  I'm the envoy to the Kitsune courts."

"Ah."  Marcus nodded. "You're the one Xander said was nice to him."  The demon nodded.  "We thank you for that.  Thank your Lord for the presents and tell him I hope he has many kits to follow in his footsteps."  The demon smiled and left. Marcus looked at the stunned Lupin.  "That one kept him from being pounced on by a visiting elf."  He shrugged and looked at the pile of stuff.  "Shall I get a large box?"

Lupin looked at it, then nodded.  "Please.  It can go with the other demon things he's gotten."   He waited until the kid was gone to look at Goemon.  "You teach him that?"  He shook his head, looking smug.  "Good.  I was hoping you weren't encouraging that attitude."  He glared at the pile of jewels as they moved.  "What is that?"

Jigen got down and looked through it, coming up with a pure white cat with blue eyes.  "His kitten," he said, holding it up.  The cat batted at Lupin and purred.

Lupin sat down, shaking his head.  "It can go back to the house.  The kids would probably appreciate it.  Since we don't have to run, the arguments about animals and pets is probably void."

"Having a pet teaches responsibility and caring," Goemon told him.  "That's why my sensei had a hunting beast."   He perched himself on the foot of the bed.  "You two could go yell, I'll be here for a bit."  They nodded and went to throw a fit outside, then to have a cigarette.  That's where Ray found them later on.  After hearing what had happened, he decided a fit was a good idea and told Dawn, who went to yell at Spike for them.

***

Xander allowed himself to be carried inside, she was still really sleepy so it was fine with her.  She even allowed Goemon to carry her up to her bed and tuck her in.  The kids were put into their cradle next to the bed so it was extra fine with her, as long as she got another nap.  She looked down as something pounced her toes, frowning.  "Lupin said I couldn't have a kitten," she pouted.  "No fair, you said I couldn't have a pet!" she called.

Jigen came in with a bottle for later use.  "Spike sent it with all the crap he piled on top of you in congratulations."  He put the cat off the bed and looked down at it.  "My bed is not yours.  Neither is the cradle.  Get used to it."  He laid down beside Xander, putting the bottle on the bedside table.  "Lupin said we could have one for now."

"The kids get one and I don't?"

"No, you guys get to share the cat," he promised.  "That way you can pass that onto the kids too."

"I guess that's okay," she sighed, rolling against his chest.  "I'm still sore."

"I know you are, Xan.  We'll take good care of you while we spoil the kids."

Xander nodded. "You'd better or I'm taking both your credit cards and taking all the kids to Orlando."

Jigen did the math in his head.  Six kids, nine amusement parks.  They'd be fully broke by then and have to go back to stealing to survive.  Not even Bill Gates would have money left.  "We'll spoil you so much you become a brat," he promised gently.   The cat hopped back up.  "You, shoo.  Off the bed."  It settled itself beside Xander's feet, on the other side of her.

She chuckled. "Good.  You spoil me.  I'd hate to have to bankrupt you two and have to support your habits and mine."

"All we'd have to do is to sell your baby gift stuff," Jigen teased.  She looked at him.  "Really."

"How bad was it this time?"

"We couldn't really see more than your face underneath what Spike sent.  The cat was somewhere inside it all."  He shrugged. "A good ten pounds worth at least."  Lupin came in.  "She wanted to know how bad the demonic baby presents were this time."

Lupin picked up the cat and put it onto the floor.  "Go sleep with the kids."  The cat hopped back up and went back to napping beside Xander's feet.  He picked it up to look it in the eye.  "Either you learn to not sleep on our bed, or I will lock the bedroom door so you can't get in here at all," he growled.  "Understand?"  The cat gave him a pitiful meow so he put her onto a nearby chair and she stayed there until she got up to wander. "The haul was a few billions of Euros worth, Xan."  He crawled in behind Jigen.  Xander had made it very clear that he wasn't touching her yet.  He stroked up Jigen's back and got swatted for it.  "Hey, all I was doing was rubbing your back."

"I know you, that's an attempt to get into my ass again."

"Well, I wouldn't mind," Lupin promised with a grin.  "I do seem to have this streak of horniness running through me."

Xander lifted her head.  "If I let you into my ass, would you leave the poor guy alone?  He's got to be sore from this morning.  And last night.  And before dinner.  And that nap sex you two had while I was being bathed."

Jigen gave him a hug.  "It's all right, he can pull off like Marcus does."  He stroked her sore stomach, earning a swat. "Just trying to help you nap again."

"If I do nap, he'll jump you again."

"He won't, I promise," Jigen told him.  "You can have him next time, whenever you're ready.  Until then, the only sex he's getting is his hands."  Xander grinned and nodded, cuddling closer.  "Good girl.  You nap."  One of the kids sniffled so he looked over.  "You're fine. This is home."  He yawned and went back to sleep.  "Thanks."

Lupin leaned over his shoulder.  "Meanie," he whispered in Jigen's ear. "I'll get you for that later."

Jigen looked at him.  "Goemon said to tell him if you didn't leave me alone.  He said he'd finally get around to killing you."

"Sure he will," Lupin said, laying back down.  "Can't I have the Xander?"

"Nope.  Mine.  You'd jump her again."  He noticed the cat walking on top of the headboard.  "I'll give you credit for trying, but we can sneak better than that.  Off the bed."  The cat huffed and continued to stroll.  He hopped down on the other side of her pet's body, curling up beside her head.  Jigen picked her up and dropped her off the side of the bed.  "No."

Lupin chuckled.  "We finally get Xander and Marcus house trained and Goemon trained not to leave the door to the roof open, now we've got another one."

"Arsene," Jigen called.  She came running, grinning as she crawled up into the bed with them to hug.  "Hi.  Can't you take the cat?"

"Cat?" she asked, peering down at it.  "Hi, kitty.  What's your name?"

"Doesn't have one yet," Xander mumbled.  He patted her on the head.  "Go play with the cat for now.  Mommy's tired."  She squealed and grabbed the cat before it could hide, taking it with her to show the others.  "Thanks. Door?"  Goemon walked past and shut the door for her.  "Thanks!"  She rolled onto her side with a grunt of pain.  "I hate being sore.  I didn't push them out, I shouldn't be this sore."

"It'll ease soon," Lupin promised, leaning across Jigen's side to stroke her back.  "Pretty soon you'll be up and chasing after our little monsters."  She snickered. One of the babies let out a wail so he hopped up to get her, bringing her back to cuddle and coo to.  "What's wrong with you, Sarah?  Are you hungry?"  He accepted the bottle from Jigen, letting her suck on it.  Like her dad, she sucked down the milk very well.

Father Hood.

Murami, the wonderful woman who took care of everyone's finances, walked into the manor house and went back to the sitting room she could hear voices in.  "Hello," she said, smiling at Jigen, the only adult in the room.  "I came to talk to Lupin."

"He's in his study with Xander napping on his couch.  She's been really tired recently."

"That's fine.  I'll be right back."  She walked back there, tapping gently before walking in.  She smiled at the picture he made while feeding his son.  "No camera?"

"I snapped one from the room's," he admitted, smiling at her.  "Come on in.  What's happened?"

"There was a clause in the will you forgot about."

"Don't tell me I have too many kids," he said bitterly.  That would be just like his grandfather.  He had thought two was enough for any person.

"No, not in the least, Lupin."  She sat down and handed over the file she was carrying.  "There was a special provision for a male heir."

"Am I going to have to change names around?"

"No, it doesn't state he has to be a fourth, as long as there is a fourth of some sort.  Arsene fits it perfectly."  He heaved a sigh of relief.  "This one is a special education fund."

"We've been teaching the kids ourselves," he said, using the bottle to flip open the folder.  His son complained.  "Sorry, Fred."  He stuck it back in the open mouth.  Xander lifted her head and waved.  "Go back to sleep, Xan. It's a clause in my grandfather's will."

"Cool.  Want me to feed him?"

"No, we're good," he said with a smile.  "Aren't we, Fred?"

"Let me, I haven't gotten to hold him yet," Murami suggested.  "How are you feeling, Xander?"

"Tired.  I don't remember being this tired last time."

"You didn't end up in hell twice or with the kitsune the last time," Lupin reminded her.  "That's got to take something out of you."  Murami gave him a look.  "Really."  He picked up the folder once she had his son, reading over the clause.  "Hey.  I can teach him how to pick locks."  He looked up and frowned. "My father couldn't pick a lock, I can."

"I know you can, that's just a suggestion.  You don't *have* to find the baby a teacher."

"This one'll be a little me," Xander said, forcing herself to sit up and come over slowly.  "Hey, Fred.  Hungry again?"  He belched and then started to suck again.  "I knew you'd pick up on my bad habits, but at least excuse yourself, son."  He wiped off his son's mouth and handed over the drip cloth.  "Here, you'll need it."  She plopped her butt into the other chair.  "What else does it say?"

"That we now have a fund to hire the kids a good teacher."  He looked up, giving Xander a look.  "My father was more gentleman than thief.  He was a lothario and my grandfather expected me to follow him in many ways.  He wrote this with my father in mind."

"Actually, that was a later addition to the will," Murami offered. "It says later in that one that he thought you might not spend a lot of time with your child due to being on the run at such an early age.  This would provide for them to go to someone like Goemon, who would teach them all they needed to know."

"We have that well in hand," Xander whined.  "I'm teaching the kids."

Murami patted her on the arm.  "I know you are, Xander, but his grandfather never got to meet you."

"Oh, yeah."  She yawned.  "Sorry, still sleepy."

"It's all right.  Babies do that from what I hear."  Xander and Lupin both nodded and Xander went back to the couch.  "She wasn't that tired last time."

"I still think it was all the traveling she did."  He finished reading this part of the will, making sure the other clauses in the folder didn't hold any surprises.  Then he handed it back.  "Well, at least it's a nice thing.  I'm sure we can use it to teach all the kids."

"You probably could," she agreed with a small smile. "How are their lessons?  There's a bonus if any of them become thieves."

"Two of the girls are looking to become thieves.  Arsene is and so is Melissa.  Lotus and Zenigata's step-son Morgan seem to be attached at the hand sometimes.  Ishi is probably going to follow in his father's footsteps.  We're hoping Fred will.  Sarah's got a weak heart so we're not going to force her to do more than be smart.  The kitsune have volunteered to train her."

"They don't exist."

"They do," he said, handing over a picture.  "The other is the Imperial Dragon, Inasi.  He decided Lotus was a good playmate for the princess."

Murami looked horrified.  "Tell me Goemon didn't let her."

"He didn't have much choice.  He could have killed the guards who came to gather them but he didn't.  That would have caused a lot of problems.  They played for an afternoon and both parents said it'd have to be kept very rare.  Apparently there's not many suitable playmates in Japan for our princess."

"Lupin, that's dangerous.  The current commissioner could die at any time and leave you with many warrants."

"I'm assuming if that happened then the offer to come back would be withdrawn," he said with a small smirk.  "Goemon protested strongly to the dragon but he was very firm about it.  Besides, I doubt Lotus will do much thieving in her day.  She's too gentle and nice."

"Too much like Dawn," she said.  He nodded.  "Then I guess Morgan Zenigata would be good for her.  It'd be him and her the next generation or something."  She looked at the picture again.  "That's really a kitsune?"

"It's really a kitsune.  It's really Xander's friend I might add.  She went up to visit because we were ignoring her."

She handed back the picture.  "If that's real, what else is?  Magic, demons? Religion?"

"Probably all three," he noted.  "I've seen Xander and Marcus do some things.  Unfortunately we've seen some demons too.  They like Xander."  She shuddered.  "One of them gave her a few billion euros of jewelry and a kitten to welcome the new set."

Murami looked sickened.  "I'm sorry."

"It's nothing too bad.  It was a former friend of hers.  The cat is keeping Lotus company most days while she's in the garden."  He shrugged.  "It happens around here."

"Then I wish you the best of luck raising non-tainted children."

"They won't be," he promised with a small smirk.  "They like Xander, she doesn't like them.  They're the reason she has silver hair."  Her mouth opened.  "In return for that sickening gift of being given against her will, she goes out of her way to kill as many of them as she can."

Murami's mouth opened more as the door opened and Ethan walked in, vamping out at the sight of her.  She pointed and squeaked.  "Vampire?"

"Yes, that's the Ethan vampire," he said dryly.  "What did you want now, Rayne?"

"I wanted to see the babies."  He took the boy from her hands, looking down at him as he went back to human.  "Hello, dear one.  What's your name?"

"Frederick Oliver," Lupin said, leaning back.  "Don't worry, Murami.  He knows better than to hurt anyone in my house, or else I let Xander take him out taking as long as she wants to do so."

"I'd never touch her children," Ethan said bitterly.  "They could have been mine."  He stroked the baby's head gently.  "Such a precious one."  Fred yawned at him and gripped his finger.  "Thank you, Fred."  He handed him back to Lupin.  Then he looked at Murami.  "Ethan Rayne," he said happily, shaking her hand.  "Former chaos mage."  He nodded at Lupin.  "Can I look at the other?"

"Ask Jigen, it's his daughter."

"Thank you.  I left a potion with Marcus in the kitchen to help both Xander and her daughter.  It should strengthen them back up.  It probably was the cross-realmal strain in some fashion.  Perhaps an adjustment.  The idea to apprentice her to the kitsune is a good one."  He left, going to peek in on that one.  "Hello, dear.  What's your name?"

"Sarah Emile."  Jigen looked up at him.  "Let her sleep."

"I am.  Give her one tablespoon of the potion I left each day for five days at exactly the same time each day.  Then feed the rest of it to Xander.  They should both be fine by then."  Jigen grinned at him.  "I do love the silver lunatic.  I always have.  She's as special to me as my Ripper ever was."  He straightened up as the woman came in again.  "Needed to see this one was well?"

"I did," she admitted, looking down at the baby.  "She is adorable, Jigen."

"Thanks, we like Sarah.  She's definitely a delicate little darling one."  He reached over to smooth down some hair.  "Has her mother's hair too."

Ethan chuckled.  "She does indeed."  He looked at Murami.  "I've known Xander since he was in high school and got sucked into the life of the obtuse, odd, and supernatural.  He used to be mine," he sighed.  "Then I lost him when Marcus' father took him and gave him away."  He looked at Jigen. "He got him after that."

"Lupin had him first, I never touched men," Jigen told him.  Ethan smirked at him.  "You, shut it or never see the kids again."  Ethan lost his smirk and nodded.  "Thank you."  He looked at Murami.  "We've been like this for years, Murami.  Even before we met Xander we were partially like this.  Xander simply protects us from things like this more often."

"Fortunately.  I'd hate to see a Lupin vampire."

"She used to have dreams about a Zenigata and a Ray vampire," Jigen offered.

"That's worse," she agreed, smirking at him.  "You okay?"

"Just fine.  How are things looking?"

"Just fine, Jigen. Don't worry, you'll leave her with a good trust fund.  I've already got it set up."  She gave the baby one last pet then stepped back.  "I'll expect pictures."

"Xander's had some made just for you.  You should have gotten them today."

"Then they're probably waiting on me.  I'm going back to my office.  You guys have fun with the babies."  She left, going back to her office to think.  By the time she got there, she had herself convinced it had been one of Xander's fandom friends and nothing more.  "Another Lupin practical joke," she told herself as she parked.  She said a quick prayer to his grandfather to still love the boy for being a lunatic.

***

Lupin frowned as he woke up.  Something wasn't right in the house.  He slid out of the bed, checking on the kids before heading down to the nursery.  He found out why once he was there.  "Grandfather," he said quietly.  The ghost turned to look at him.  "Let's get out of the nursery."  The ghost nodded and followed him to Xander's old room.  He could sit on the bed and the ghost would appreciate the room.  "Why did you come back?"

"I came to see your son," he admitted quietly, glancing around.  "Who is the mother?"

"The one in our bed with Jigen."

"She's not a woman, son."

"Well, he kinda is part of the time," he admitted.  "Um, how to put this."  He frowned. Then he decided on the truth, surely someone who was a ghost had gotten the same gossip the demons had. "That's Xander Harris."  The ghost looked shocked.  "That's also our second gunman, Lavelle."  He sighed and nodded, accepting that.  "It was a payment for her having been given.  She bore the twins in the nursery and the two in our room.  She's also our wife."

"I saw."  He grinned.  "She is a beautiful woman when she is one."

"Thanks, Granddad.  So, why else did you come?"

"I came to check on the Fourth.  A girl?"

"She was born first.  The doctor said I was only shooting girls."

"That's fine then.  Is she any good?"

"Very good.  She's a great shot so far and she's taking to her lockpicking lessons beautifully.  She and the other kids all train together with Goemon's kids."

"I remember a man by that name.  A samurai?"  Lupin nodded.  "Wonderful.  You work with him?"

"Yeah, we do," he agreed.  "Fujiko married him.  The boy and the other girl are theirs."

"Excellent.  So she'll have a support network that she trusts when she's old enough.  Good job, grandson."

"Thanks, granddad.  Why else did you come?"

"I can't look in on you now and then?"

"You never have before."

"True, I never have before.  I have watched from afar.  I've watched very carefully actually.  Are you enjoying retirement?"  Lupin nodded.  "Are you going to teach more?"

"I could," Lupin admitted.  "We haven't decided yet.  Goemon likes that idea better than me taking on a job over some syndicate.  Frankly so do I.  We did a good job with Xander and Marcus."

"I saw that one.  He's much better now.  More focused."  He floated closer.  "Apparently I haven't seen things in a bit.  Tell me?"

"Sure, what did you want to hear about?"

"How about everything?"

Lupin grinned and nodded, getting up to do a quick search for bugs and tossing the one he found out the window.  Then he came back to talk to his mentor.

***

Jigen woke up and frowned at the empty side of the bed.  Lupin was never up first.  He grabbed his bathrobe and headed down the stairs, finding him drinking in his office.  "A little early for that, isn't it?"

"My grandfather was here last night," Lupin told him simply, taking another drink.

Jigen closed the door and moved closer, looking down at him.  "So?  What'd he say?"

Lupin looked at him.  "He's very impressed with the Fourth.  Said she'll probably be as great as him."  He took another drink and poured more into his glass, adding another ice cube.  "He also said he never expected me to be as great as I am.  He thought I'd be more like my father than him.  Gave me credit for being so good though."

"You're drinking because he gave you a compliment?"

"Partially.  More thinking."  He looked at his best friend.  "He also said he approves of Xander and you, said that we're not known for working with those outside the family but that you obviously lived up to his high standards.  He said that our son will probably become a thief as well."  He took another gulp.  "He suggested we stay retired permanently."

"One last hurrah?"

"Nope, just stay this way.  He said any last hurrah will probably take me out of my comfortable existence of fatherhood and teaching.  He said we're doing very well for our age, and that it was nice that we had deaged ten years but that we were still too old to do the job really well anymore."  He put down his glass and looked at Jigen fully.  "He explained it as the usual life span of a thief is about thirty-five years, or prison by then."  Jigen nodded, understanding that.  "We're both near fifty legally.  Xander's almost forty.  He said we've lived more than long enough to retire and focus on the kid's training.  He said that if we went after one last job it would definitely give us grief, either by killing one of us or by reactivating an old warrant or three and making us go on the run again."

"And since everyone now knows where we live, we'd never be safe," Jigen finished.  Lupin nodded. "What about Xan's stuff?"

"He said he likes those sort of things and he can see us doing that.  We can use them to train the kids.  Said it's dangerous and really a young man's game but that he can see us using it now and again to keep our hands in and for training purposes.  He also said that if I was going to take over Europe's syndicate, he wanted me to do it only at the top spot."

Jigen shuddered. "That's still a disgusting idea."  He poured himself a drink too, sitting on the couch.  "Any other pearls of wisdom?"

"He wanted me to find my sister," Lupin sighed.

"You have a sister?"

"I have two sisters, and possibly a brother but he was never sure about that one.  I also apparently have a few cousins.  One of them is Zenigata."  Jigen choked without having taken a drink and put his drink down.  Lupin smirked at him.  "Apparently some cousin on my mother's side married into someone on his father's side.  We're in-laws," he said smugly.  "I'll have to find a way to break that to him."  He grimaced. "He said one of my sister's kids was going to get into trouble without some training.  Said he's not great but passable enough.  Said we could definitely make him a tool of the administration."  He grimaced.  "I came down to look her up online.  One of my sisters died without me realizing it and one of them is in Bristol, England.  Her son is presently on probation for shoplifting."  He grimaced again.  "The kid got caught sneaking out a computer box."

"How do you shoplift a computer?" Jigen asked.

"I do not know, but apparently not successfully," Lupin admitted.  Xander walked in, looking confused.  "We got visited by my grandfather last night.  He said hi, and that he likes you, and that you're more than worthy to be my wife."  Xander nodded, still looking confused.  "He wanted me to find my sister and take her son in hand."

"Scare him straight or teach him?"

"Whichever we can do.  He wasn't that picky.  Said the kid won't ever be great."  He shrugged and patted his lap.  "Want a cuddle?"

"Sure."  She walked in and curled up in his lap.  "Tell me when I get too heavy."

"You're fine, Xander.  I don't mind holding you."  She nodded, closing her eyes again.  "Also, he said that we really should set up to teach limited students.  We should pick them out young and basically run a thief's college."

"That's a thought to make you drink this early," Xander said dryly.  "I'm more than satisfied just teaching our kids, thank you."

Jigen cracked a smile.  "It's a scary thought.  Running a school for thieves?"

"Complete with classes, homework, and teachings on the better things in life," Lupin told him.  "He wanted us to set up some sort of academy situation."

"Whoa!" Xander said, lifting her head.  "A summer camp I can see, but we can't do a six- month academy and send out half-trained kids.  I'm sorry, but that's not fair to them or to our reputations.  I can't see that working unless we picked up kids who already knew the job and just refined their skills, and even then I can't see it taking less than six months."

Lupin nodded.  "That was my objection too.  That and a lack of qualified students.  Plus problems with Interpol and other cops.  So he suggested we take at least a few more students in and teach them while we taught ours."

"Does he know many other pediatric thieves?" Xander asked.

Lupin chuckled and gave her a hug.  "Calm down.  I pointed out the problems with the logic of that statement too.  He decided I was right, it wouldn't be fair to our own kids.  So we're to train our kids the best we can and to see what we can do about doing training lessons.  A tape series or something."  Xander relaxed and nodded.  "Some things you can't teach that way but others you can.  You couldn't teach how to shoot and aim via tape but you could teach debugging, jewelry appraisal, and things like that with them."  Xander relaxed further.  "So we're thinking about that idea while we go find my nephew to give him a good, strong view of the real world and the skills he'd need, and I get to break the news to Zenigata that we're cousins without killing him."

She grinned.  "My kitsune friend said you were jumping around outside their doorway like him," she said innocently.  He tickled her until she screamed.  "Quit that!"

"Lupin, please," Jigen said, shaking his head.  "The kids are only a couple of weeks old."

"Yeah, and I'm still gushing so we can't do anything yet," she said firmly.

Lupin leered at her.  "That's what condoms are for, Xander.  Or even anal sex."

"I'm still sore."

Marcus walked in carrying the flask of potion.  "Here, Xander, take all of this."

"Ethan said five days worth for the baby," Jigen pointed out.

"It has been," Marcus told him.  Lupin shook his head. "Yes it has, I fed it to her myself.  She's in the study with me right now."

"No, Ethan was here yesterday," Xander said, frowning, looking at Jigen.  "Did I sleep through some days?"

"A few days were you so tired you basically got up, took a shower, and went back to bed, but otherwise, no."  He looked at Marcus.  "Why are they in the study?  They were in our room just a few minutes ago."

Marcus looked at his watch, then frowned greatly.  "That is odd."

"Have you been doing magic in the house?" Lupin asked.  Marcus looked offended.  "Have you?"

"No!  I'm not going back to my old ways at all!  I haven't done a thing magically since the twins were born!"

"Has Lotus been doing magic in the house?" Jigen asked.

"This is well beyond what Lotus will ever be capable of," Marcus defended.  "Besides the fact that temporal magic is a thing of myth."

Lupin sat up, making Xander sit up.  "Xander, is there a hellmouth in Paris?"

"No.  Not that I'm aware of.  Why?"

"Because it's odd that my grandfather would suddenly show up to chat last night.  Why last night?  Why not when we brought Fred and Sarah home, or even little Arsene?"

"Hmm, it could also explain why Xander is so tired," Marcus agreed.  "Drink the potion, she has had five doses."  Xander gulped it down, then poured a bit of the liquor and drank it to kill the taste.  "Should we evacuate the house?"

"Yeah, maybe we should," Lupin agreed.  "I'm getting that crawling feeling again."  He pushed Xander to his feet.  "Go pack everything, and I do mean everything.  Jigen, we'll need a van, I'll pack for you."  Jigen nodded, hurrying to get dressed.  "Marcus, pack the nursery immediately.  Then yourself."  Marcus nodded, going to do that.  "Use magic if it's safe, it'll go faster," he yelled after him.

Xander looked at him, a bit more energetic now.  "What do you think is going on?"

"I think one of those jewels they gave you is an opening portal.  It would account for why we've got a time difference in some parts of the house.  Go, I'm calling Demara and then I'll hurry up to help.  Use magic if you feel it's safe."

Xander nodded, going to do that.  Most of her stuff was packed and in Geneva or storage anyway. As soon as he was done, he came down the stairs with his suitcases and the trunk floating until it reached the entryway.  Then it thumped down.  He set his stuff on top of it, carrying one on his back.  Then he went to help Marcus with the kids and wake up the Goemon's.  He found them packing as well.  "Did you guys get the orders?"

"What orders?" Fujiko asked.

"We seem to have a time distortion in the house.  We're evacuating."

"Good to know.  When was this given?"

"About an hour ago," Xander admitted, looking out their window.  "Lupin, it's afternoon in here."

"They're above the study," Lupin said from behind them.  "Pack everything.  This shit is scaring the hell out of me.  Jigen's back, Xander, are you strong enough to help haul?"

"Sure.  I won't be much good later, but yeah."  He jogged down the stairs to go help, starting on the books that Marcus had already loaded up.  "Kids?"

"Ishi is watching them in the den since it seemed to be normal."

"Cool."  He looked over as the door opened and Tara and Demara walked in together.  "Hey, guys.  What time is it out there?"

"Nearly nighttime," Tara said, giving him a hug.  She was Willow's first child and a slayer, who was working alongside Lupin's first child Demara.  "What time is it in here?"

"It varies by what part of the house you're in," Xander said.  "Help us move some stuff first.  There's got to be some artifacts in here that could get in your way."  They shrugged and waded in to help move everything into the truck.  The safes were all emptied and added last, including the big basement one.  Then the family left, waiting outside the gates while the girls looked things over.  They finally came out and jogged to where everyone was.  "What's going on?"

"Well, you were right, there is a new hellmouth opening.  Someone did send something with one of the jewelry strands.  It was in a large emerald."  Demara handed over the rest.  "It doesn't even reek of magic so we cleared it."

Tara looked at Lupin.  "I can't move the emerald, sir.  It's locked on a bedroom floor.  The one nearest the stairs."

"I took it to look at," Fujiko admitted. "I was going to put it back later after I practiced my value judging."  Xander looked at her.  "I didn't touch the rest of your collection, just that one."

"Also, we found a young boy in the house, we sent him back through the gardens," Demara noted.  "You might want to tell Dawn that her son is doing risky shit."  Lupin grimaced and nodded.  "Good.  So, you're officially without this house.  We can't break the emerald.  We can't close the emerald.  We'll have to have someone much more powerful do it and Ethan's off somewhere."  She waved a hand.

Marcus looked up.  "Ethan?  Ripper?"  Ethan appeared, looking confused at the house.  "They found a portal in a stone that was given to Xander.  It's warping the house."

"Then the best thing would be to destroy the emerald."

"We can't," Demara told him, shrugging when he looked at her.  "I tried."  She looked at Xander.  "You apparently missed a sword.  I used it, it's back in the back of my car right now.  I kinda dented it."

"Ivory handle?"  She nodded.  "Then that's a normal katana."

"I couldn't chip that one with Goemon's," Fujiko admitted.  "I tried when I saw that strange extra point on one side."

"So what do we do?" Lupin asked.

"Move," Demara said firmly.  "Move far, far away, father.  Forget you ever had this house if you must."  He grimaced and looked hurt.  "Hey, it's just a house."

"I grew up in there," he said with a grimace.

"And with any luck, you'll be able to move back to it," she assured him. "Once the portal has been closed."

"For now, take a year in Greece," Ethan suggested.  "Or Japan, somewhere else.  We'll see what we can do."  Lupin slumped and nodded.  "It's not as bad as all that," he said, smirking at him.  "It could be much worse.  You could have been sucked into hell."   He looked at Marcus.  "Watch them for any odd symptoms.  Get them settled into a hotel for the night.  We'll work on it together."  Marcus nodded and Ethan disappeared to pass on this news.

"I agree, father.  Go shack up for the night in Paris," Demara offered.  "Let us work on this."

He nodded, still looking miserable.  "Fine.  I want to know the moment we can move back in."

"Of course.  I've always wanted to live here," she said with a small grin.  "Go teach the kids how to thieve from Zenigata's house.  Take Morgan back with you while you're at it."

"The bike," Xander groaned.

"I moved it, Uncle Xander.  I'll take it to your storage place.  The cars were also pulled out of the garage and up this way some."

"I'll take the SUV," Marcus offered.  "That should fit most of the children and Goemon."

"I'll take the two-seater," Jigen said.  "I can take Goemon or someone."

"I'll go with Marcus so he's not tormented," Goemon offered.  "Or Fujiko can go."

"I'll go with Marcus," she noted.  "You go with Jigen.  Lupin, get the four-seater.  Xander, get the bike or your Fiat."

"I'll get his bike," Tara offered.  "He can take his Fiat.  It'll keep up better and since he's tired I'd rather it go that way."

Xander nodded, and they split up to take the cars to the hidden storage place nearby.  Then they came back for the truck and all drove in together in the remaining ones to find a hotel for the next week or so.  Once they had found a hotel with an open suite, they all piled in and settled in for a few days.  Morgan was dropped off the next morning by Lupin, who was faking cheer as Dawn opened the door.  "Our house was invaded by a portal opening through an emerald.  He had snuck over the fence again to check on us."  He patted Morgan on the head.  "Is my cousin not here?"

"Cousin?" she asked.  "Did you hit your head?"

He kissed her on the cheek.  "Not yet.  It's looking like a good idea though."  He headed up to where he knew the bedrooms were, tapping on the main one.  He had cased Dawn's house years ago, long before letting any of the kids come over.

"What?" Zenigata called, sounding cranky.

Lupin opened the door and leaned in.  "We're in Paris for at least a week.  Your son was nearly portaled to hell when one opened in our house.  Oh, did you know that we're cousins?"  He grinned again and shut the door, heading down to take Xander's car back to the hotel.

"Hold it, you crook!" Zenigata called as he opened his bedroom door.  "What does that mean!"

Lupin looked up at him.  "Apparently one of my mother's cousins married into your father's family.  We're related."  He grinned brighter.  "Welcome to the family.  Sad to say the family home was recently evacuated due to a portal opening in Fujiko's bedroom.  Your son was nearly caught in that by the way."

Zenigata whimpered and shook his head, going back to bed with a slammed bedroom door.  This was too much.  First he couldn't arrest the crook and now he was related to him?  "Was I really that bad in my last life?" he asked his pillow as he laid down, putting it over his head.  "Was I a Nazi or a crook or something?  Something that horrible?"

Dawn came in to soothe him.  "You're in-laws at best," she promised, stroking him gently.  "It's all right, you don't have to get along with him.  His blood is not in your veins.  I promise you're not related for real."  He gave her a look, then hugged her tightly. "Morgan's all right too, I checked him over before calling Demara and Tara.  One of the demons who had Xander for a bit earlier in her pregnancy gave it to her in reparation for trying to take her again.  She never realized."

"Fucking hell," he muttered, holding her tighter.  "Is she all right?"

"Yeah, they only wanted her to take over Hell and name another one Lord and Master."  He looked at her.  "Those scars are glyphs.  They're deadly."

"Poor kid," he groaned, pulling her closer.  "Did they remember the kitten?"

"I'm sure Lotus carried it out with her," she soothed.  He relaxed under her careful touches and soon fell back to sleep to dream of throttling Lupin.  She had a few of those herself now.  He shouldn't have upset her man that way, he was fragile!

***

Lupin found his sister's house and stepped out of the car, walking up the carefully manicured stepping stone path to the cheery front door.  He rang the bell, schooling his features as the door opened.  "Morning, princess."  She gaped at him.  "Grandfather sent me to deal with your errant son."

"I doubt he needs your sort of help!" she said firmly.  "He's trying to go straight."

He shrugged.  "I can help with that too.  Who better to break any illusions?" he asked with a grin.  "I even brought you a present of baby pictures of my horde."  She pursed her lips but let him inside.  "Thanks.  Is he here?"

"He'll be back from school in about an hour.  Go to the sitting room."  He nodded, going to where she pointed while she went to make some tea and have a shot to calm herself.  She finally joined him, noticing the pictures he had laid out.  "They're all yours?  Going for Father's record?"

"No," he said, giving her a small smug look.  "This one is the Fourth.  She's from a mother here locally. An accountant.  You might know her."  She looked stunned and he grinned.  "It was a condition of the will that I have one.  Or else the hideout in France was going to be sold on us."  He tapped the next picture.  "That one is Sierra.  Her mother was a pediatric surgeon in London.  She's a sweet girl but she'll go straight we think.  The next one is Jigen's twins.  He's my gunman."

"I've seen the wanted posters," she admitted, looking at them.  "They're twins?"

"They are.  They're his and Sylvia's twins.  They're like my own and they're being raised with mine and Goemon's kids.  The next two are his.  The fourteenth and Lotus.  She deals in the strange and he's very much like his father.  The last one are my new one and Jigen's newest one, both with Sylvia.   He's Frederick Oliver and she's Sarah Emile."  She smiled at that, it was close to her name of Emily.  "She's got a small heart condition so she'll be a fragile little princess her whole life."  He poured tea for them.  "How are yours?  You're up to three too, right?"

"Four," she said happily, pointing at the family portrait from the holidays last year.  "My daughter had an accident and we adopted him."

"Yeah, Fred's one of those too," he admitted, smiling at her.  "We had no plans of that, but we do like sharing Sylvia as our wife."

"You share her?  She allows this?"

"We couldn't make her choose," he pointed out.  "It would have split the group and she liked both of us.   We were married together about six weeks after she conceived."

"Ah."  She nodded. "Interesting."  She sipped her tea.  "What happened in France?  I've heard that something did."

"Yeah, our other gunman, Lavelle, he has strange things happen around him.  One of them happened in the house and it started to stretch things out of proportion.  We thought it best to evacuate for now and let professionals deal with it."

"I heard it was a portal."  He looked stunned.  "I also know some Watchers, brother.  It comes in handy around here.  We have a few families that have joined them from here."

"That's good," he said happily.  "Lavelle's Buffy's former second, Xander."  Her face lit up, apparently she had heard of him.  "When one of the higher demons took him to try and force Xander to help him take over hell, he destroyed a whole branch of the ruling lineage and came back with many pieces of hush jewelry.  One of them had the portal in it.  We checked but it was apparently better done than Marcus could."

"Wesley's son?"  He nodded.  "I've heard of him but I didn't know it was the same one.  I know his sister.  She's quite unimpressed with her brother you know."  She took another sip while he chuckled.  "She is."

"Marcus said she was jealous because he managed to escape."  He sipped his own tea.  "Anyway, Xander keeps us from running into too many demonic things and Marcus tends to handle them for us when we do.  Xander's also made friends with a kitsune and the Imperial Dragon, Inasi."

"Wonderful," she said dryly.  The door slammed.  "Get in here," she called.  Her oldest son strolled in, smirking at her.  She looked from him to her brother and back. "You can see the family resemblance of course," she said snidely.

"Just like father," Lupin sighed.  He took another sip of his tea and put it down.  "Sit, kid.  We've got to talk."  The boy sneered at him.  "I said, sit.  Now.  If you're going to be a thief in this family, you've got a long tradition to live up to and you've flunked so far.  That's why I'm here."

"Who are you?" he asked, sitting beside his mother.

"I'm your uncle, Arsene Lupin the Third."

"Oh, shit," he whispered, looking stunned.  "You're infamous."

"No shit," Lupin agreed dryly.  "How does one plan on shoplifting a computer?"

"It was a laptop."

"First, shoplifting should be saved for necessities or for things that can fit into a pocket of some sort.  I don't think a laptop fits.  Second, you went during a down time from the report.  Always go during crowded times, kid."  The boy looked hurt.  "That's why I'm here.  I'm here to either scare you straight or to get you on the correct path in the thieving business.  If you're going to be a thief in this family, you're going to have to live up to the family's expectations.  Admittedly, those are very high, but there is another set for those who want to work for a syndicate.  If that's what you want, I can help you do that."

"I'm a decent enough thief," he defended.

Lupin picked up his tea cup and took a sip, looking his nephew over.  "To be blunt, you're not.  You're not trained, you have no skills outside of shoplifting.  That's partially because we didn't know you'd go that way, but not totally.  I pulled my first job at nine.  Grandfather pulled his at seven.  Father, well, he pulled his later in life and he was a bit of a duffer. That's why Grandfather raised me and your mother's mother raised her."  She nodded, smirking at him.  "Now, if you're going to be any good, you'll have to take lessons.  To be a real thief means knowing a lot of things.  Including languages, lock picking, shooting, self defense, some minor accounting, jewel appraisal, and strategy.  Those are if you're a normal thief and you don't specialize.  In today's world you also have to know a bit about computers and hacking as well, it helps," he admitted.  "We have Marcus and Lavelle for that now."  He waved a hand around.  "If you truly want to try, we are willing to take you in and let you learn with our young children.  We're starting them at the age of five.  I've already got two kids who can shoplift as well as you and they've been in training for about a year."

He finally closed his mouth.  "You're serious?"  Lupin nodded, finishing his tea and pouring some more for both adults.  "You have to know all that?"

"To get beyond the basics of stealing candy and makeup, yeah," Lupin told him.  "When I was working full time, I pulled seven to fifteen jobs a year in about six different countries, or more," he told him.  "Between my crew and myself, we've amassed about sixty billion euros.  That's not counting the inheritance I got from Grandfather.  That's just from what we've pulled in our careers and without counting what Lavelle has shared with us of his or the odd present now and then."  His nephew whimpered.  "Out of that, I've probably spent a good seventy percent on the life.  You have to look the part to mingle with the players who have the money you want to steal.  Granted, my crew is one of the best in the business.  That's why the ICPO decided to shun us, so we couldn't get any attention and we wouldn't want to steal any longer.  It hasn't fully worked, but we stick to the irritants in our lives anymore.  Mostly anti-syndicate actions these days."  He took a long drink.  "If you want to join the life, we will teach you with our own children.  In about three years I could see you going out on your own.  That would get you past all your growth spurts and all that good stuff.  I can't see you being a thief like me, but I could see you being a syndicate thief.  They do minor hauls and nothing like the Vatican."  He smirked.  "That was rather a heavy job anyway.  Those paintings weigh a ton in bulk."

His nephew swallowed.  "I was mainly doing it for kicks, Uncle."  He looked at his mother.  "You called him to teach me?"

"No, he said the ghost of our Grandfather called him to teach you," she admitted dryly.  "They do deal in the strange, like Marta."  She put down her cup and patted her son on the knee.  "If that is what you truly want, I will let you go.  I know it's in the blood.  It was in mine when I was shoplifting back in my youth."

"Fortunately you stuck with the candy," Lupin agreed.  "By the time I was the same age as her when she was doing that, I had already been picked up by the European syndicate to finish my training and I had a mentor.  I was on my own by your age, kid.  I had beautiful women and men panting after me, a long list of targets I wanted, and about ten warrants for my arrest. Two of which were dead or alive I might add."

"The downside?" the mother prompted.

"One of the potential death penalty cases was in Texas in the US, the other was in Saudi Arabia.  Two of my warrants were in France, one was in Japan.  Two were African.  My mentor was slowly sliding out of the life, you never knew who you could trust.  I had to team up to find people I trusted and one of them was supposed to kill me.  He's still promising to kill me to this day.  He's one of my best friends, and one of Lavelle's most trusted friends, but he still will have to kill me some day to keep his honor intact."  His nephew looked sickened.  "Welcome to the world of theft, kid.  Like I said, if you want, we can teach you along with the kids.  We have two who we think will be cops but that leaves five who won't be."

"No," he said, shaking his head.  "I...."  He slumped in on himself.  "I'm sorry, mum."

"You're fine, son, but I allowed this because I wanted you to know the truth.  The life you seemed to want to lead would land you worse than him.  He's got special gifts, been trained from a young age.  You haven't."

"Neither was Lavelle but he is very gifted," Lupin admitted.  "So was Marcus."  He shrugged at his nephew.  "The offer stands.  Your mother can always find me."  He looked at her.  "I heard Cynthia died."

"I thought about writing you but I didn't have an address for any of the hideouts."

He grinned.  "You should have sent it to the ICPO.  Zenigata would have yelled it at me to get me to slow down during a chase.  What did her daughter become?"

"Marta's assistant."

"Wonderful," he said dryly. "Simply marvelous actually."  He looked at his nephew.  "It is in your blood.  It's your heritage.  If you can't commit fully though, you don't belong in the life.  That was Father's mistake and why he died so young and left us to other parents."

His nephew looked at him.  "I seem to have a like for gold, what can I do with that?"

"It depends on what else you can do," Lupin suggested.  "There's mining for it, refining it, making it into things, working with monetary exchanges.  Those are off the top of my head.  Fortunately you don't carry the family name so you won't have that much trouble unless someone does a very detailed background check.  Your mother carries her mother's name, not our Father's."

"Someone found out about him during my last one," Emily admitted.  "I had to explain how I hadn't seen him since I was very young and he died when I was six"

"That's what you get for going into money," he agreed, smirking at her.  "I prefer spending it instead of counting it, unless it's just after a haul."  He stood up.  "If you ever need me, Lavelle has a groupie group and they have a personal email address.  Make sure the subject line says it's from my sister and I'll tell him to watch for anything and hand it over.  Keep the pictures.  I'm very proud of my horde."  He winked at his nephew.  "You be more careful.  If you want a laptop, con one out of someone who's selling theirs."  He nodded at his sister and left, heading back to their hotel for the night.  He walked in and hugged Jigen.  "My nephew wanted to be one of those who shoplifted cute things for fun and pleasure," he said tiredly.

"It's okay.  You discouraged him so he wouldn't die from it," he soothed, leading him to the couch.  Everyone else was in Greece but them and the cat that had snuck into the car.  The cat hopped up to sit in Lupin's lap, snuggling in for a long pet.  "See, even it agrees."

"Yeah, I do feel better."  He leaned against Jigen's side.  He understood these things very well.  "You feel up to a round of sex?"

"Fuck no," Jigen snorted.  "I'm still in the anti-invasion underwear."  Lupin sighed, sounding depressed.  "That won't get you any either."

Lupin smirked up at him.  "Hey, I had to try."

"I know you did," Jigen agreed, patting him on the head.  "Pet the pussy.  It's the closest you're getting until we make it to Greece."

"Actually, I want to stay for a few days.  My sister knows Marcus' sister and my other niece went to be her assistant.  I'm thinking one of them might know who was dating Marcus."

"Interesting," Jigen agreed.  "Isn't little Arsene's mother in this town too?"

"Yup, sure is.  I was gonna pop around on her tomorrow and hand over pictures and the video we shot.  Hopefully her father won't be there."

"Yeah, he was a fierce bastard when he made her give us the baby."

"Yeah, he was," Lupin agreed.  He loved his daughter but he had liked going to visit more than he really liked constant fatherhood.  "You sure you don't want to have sex?"

"Yes," Jigen said patiently.  "I'm sure."

"Stubborn asshole."

"It is, that's why it doesn't like to be invaded."

"I could settle for just some sucking," he offered.  "Going both ways even."

"Yeah, sure you will," Jigen said dryly.  "That's what you said last time too and I spent the next day wincing each time I sat down."

"Sorry about that, I was desperate."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to go quite that hard, Lupin.  Really."  He gave him a light shove to get free of him and got up, heading for the bar.  "Should we invite the baby's momma out to dinner tonight?"

"We could," he agreed, happier now. "That would get her away from her father."  He picked up the phone and the local phone book, finding her office number.  He smirked as she answered.  "Hello, precious.  Want to go to dinner and talk about our daughter?"  She laughed and agreed immediately.  "Good.  Where shall we go?"

"Leave me here with some takeout," Jigen offered.

Lupin smirked at him.  "Sure thing, Jigen.  Anything you want."  He listened to her.  "No, he just offered to stay in tonight.  No, I was in town to see my nephew and scare him straight actually.  Emily's my older sister."  He chuckled.  "Yes, her.  By the way, you wouldn't happen to know who Marta's brother was dating, would you?"  He listened in shock.  "How very interesting.  Yes, please.  We'll switch pictures.  I know he wanted to know.  He was quite confused when she ran off.  Sure, anywhere you want.  I've got a car with me and everything.  Good.  Six is fine.  Office?"  He smiled.  "Deal.   Have a good day."  He hung up.  "She not only is her assistant but she ran away from Marcus to take up with his sister.  They're raising the baby together."

Jigen shook his head.  "Our life is too like Springer some days," he said bitterly.  "You want me to tell him?"

"Tell Xan, let him tell him."  He got up and headed into the bedroom to pull out a clean outfit and change for the night.

***

Xander hung up the phone and looked over Goemon's sleeping body at Marcus.  "Yo."  Marcus looked at him.  "It's a boy.  He's being raised by her and her girlfriend, who is your sister."

"Dear God, that bitch," Marcus sighed, shaking his head.  "And Marta's still a Watcher too.  If she had told me, I would have done it willingly.  I should probably go yell at her."

"You probably should, but the kid's like your dad."

"I was a nerd in my own right when I was that age," he said dryly, frowning at his friend.  "Can you do this without me?"  Xander nodded.  "Thank you.  I shall be back in a few days."  He got up and headed inside to pack a small bag and grab his wallet, just in case.  Then he teleported to Ethan's house and his car he kept there.  He knew exactly where his sister lived and worked.  It was only a short drive away really.  He got out and walked into the Watcher's Council's building, stunning the receptionist as he walked past her.  She didn't even try to call security on him as he trotted up the stairs.  He boldly strode into his sister's office, giving her, and his ex, a long look before slamming the door.  "If you had requested and been honest with me, I would have provided a sample for you both," he noted bitterly.  His sister opened his mouth.  "Shut it, Marta, now."  She shut her mouth and stood up.  "You have in your possession my son.  My only child to date.  I am not appreciating this double-cross."

His ex stood up and smoothed down her skirt.  "I'm sorry, Marcus.  I didn't plan on coming to her, but she found me."  She looked at him.  "You can see him if you want, but I'll fight you taking him anywhere, even for visitation.  With your life it's not healthy."

He crossed his arms and glared at her.  "Oh, really?  What makes you think he won't be exactly like me?  My father and I are both gifted.  There's every chance the child will be as well and you know that our gifts run toward chaos magic when trained."  Marta swallowed.  "Do sit," he sneered.  "Before I slap you for this."  He looked at his ex again. "For that matter, what of the male's violent streak that seems to run through us, or even the possession I've suffered from since I was sixteen and my father blessed me so?  Did you think to test him to see if it had passed over?"

"It did," Marta told him.  "You'll be seeing him when he's older.  I'm sure I can help him with the rest."

Marcus looked at her.  Then he backhanded her.  "This is my son, not your son.  You may be helping her raise him, but I am not appreciating the irony, sister.  You are too much like our father for your own good in this matter.  If I have to, I will go to Ripper Giles and have him take the child from you and hand it to me."

Someone tapped on the door and walked in, a guard.  "Is there a problem?  I heard shouting."

"I haven't shouted yet so you were obviously listening at the door," Marcus said dryly.  "Leave.  My ex and I are talking about the son I just found out I had."  He blanched.  "Where is he?  You brought him here!  With all of the things that go on here!"

"He's in Ripper's office," she said weakly.

"Good.  If you're very lucky, we won't decide to take him from you."  He stormed out, heading up to Ripper's inner office.  He found his son cooing at him from his bouncing chair.  "Is he all right?"

"Perfectly fine, Marcus.  Do sit."  He looked at the boy.  "That was an order."  Marcus sat, giving him a stern look. "Your son is fine.  The touch of possession is on him, but he'll be fine.  That's why I've been watching over him for you.  As soon as I saw him I knew he was one of your family's."  He smiled gently.  "He'll be fine with her and your sister."

"She ran and didn't tell me."

"Yes, I remember you going on and on about it.  Another very good reason for us to have searched her out and brought them here," he said smugly.  "I will tell the boy about you but your life is already full of running and traveling.  Babies need a more stable environment and I'd rather he stayed here.  This way his grandfather can't get near him and nothing of your skills could harm him."  Marcus looked hurt, nearly pouting.  "I do understand.  He'll be safe.  We'll let him know all about you and when he's of an age to talk intelligently we'll be inviting you back to talk to him.  At such a time, he'll be able to start making decision as well.  If he shows the desire to go toward your lifestyle then we'll send him to you immediately.  If not, it's best he's far away from Wesley.  Do you not concur?"

"I do," Marcus admitted bitterly, walking over to look at his son.  "Hello there."  His son smiled and batted at him.  "Yes, you are adorable," he murmured, touching his son's wheat-colored hair.  "You look just like my baby pictures."  He stroked over the fine hair and looked back at Ripper.  "You're *personally* looking him over?"

"I'm personally watching over him, Marcus.  I do not want another of us to go through what you did.  Even if you had only provided a sample for them I'd still be watching over the child.  Your family's gifts are quite strong and rather erratic from what I've seen.  Wesley didn't come into his until his twenties and they forced yours open early. There's no telling when his could manifest."  He stood up and walked over, pulling Marcus up.  "He'll be trained with some of the girls," he said gently.  "In self-defense, the sword, plus his regular education.  I will demand that he is taught all your skills except the thieving.  If he decides at a reasonable age that he wants to follow you into that life then you can teach him that.  Until then, let's try to raise him to be a gentle, decent man with a good sense of self and a happy childhood."  Marcus nodded, going limp in his arms.  "Good boy.  Now, how would you like to do visitation?"

"Whenever you have him, call on me and I'll pop around," he decided, looking at Ripper.  "Thank you."

"If I had known back in the day about some of what would happen, I would have taken Xander from his parents to raise him right, treated your father more gently and helped him find himself, and gone back to Ethan sooner," he noted. "Then we would have bombed this place ourselves."  Marcus grinned at that.  "Now, head home.  Leave your car here, I ran in late last night."  Marcus nodded and touched his son again, taking a few pictures before leaving for Greece.  "That poor boy," he sighed, picking up the baby.  "How are you, Spike?  Doing well enough?"  The baby scowled at him and then hit him on the nose.  "That's what I thought."  He sat down to read to him out of the new manual.  It helped him proofread it.

***

Marcus landed back in the house in Greece, walking out to where his master was lounging in the sun.  "I hit my sister," he admitted, sitting by his feet. "She deserved it, but I still hit her."

"It happens that sometimes you must hit a girl.  How is your son?"

"Under Ripper's direct supervision," he admitted.  "His mother's still a twat but Ripper's said he'll take him now and again so I can see him there.  He'll have him trained alongside some of the girls so he can make his own choices."

"Excellent."  Goemon patted him on the head like a dog.  "Very good, Marcus.  Now go wear out that anger before you blow the house up."  Marcus nodded and took off his clothes, heading down to swim in the ocean.  "That poor boy.  I might have killed Fujiko if she took off with my children."  Xander chuckled from behind him as he reappeared. "How are you feeling?"

"The doctor did have the shot and did give it to me.  He was impressed at how I've managed to regain my figure already.  I told him about the many situps I've been doing in addition to my usual workout."  He curled up on the lounger next to him.  "So by the time the guys get back I'll have stopped and all that good stuff."

"Very good.  Now go play."

"I don't wanna play," Xander admitted.  Their new nanny had the kids for their nap.   He yawned. "I think I'll nap."

"You do that," Goemon agreed, watching as he fell asleep in the sun like their new cat.  He shook his head and picked up his book to read.  It was a good name book.  They would find a decent one for his next son and his wife would not be allowed to name him without his input, like she had their daughter.

***

Xander looked up as his email warning beeped, opening it.  It was from Lupin, and it started with the heading 'I'm sorry'.  He opened it with a frown, reading the short message.  She even replied to it, then she picked up the things she would need and packed a bag, heading to get the kids.  "Come on, guys.  Let's go to Orlando," he said cheerfully.  She was sure Lupin would learn this lesson very quickly.  He did not cheat on her.  Ever. Or he'd be sorry.  The kids cheered and packed their bags as well, grabbing passports and all that good stuff.  As soon as they had everything, she got them into the SUV and called the airport on the way over.  "Hi, I need one adult and eight child fares to Orlando, Florida.  No, it's not an emergency.  My husband just cheated on me.  The kids and I are leaving before we kill him," she told the ticket agent, listening to the shocked voice on the other side of her headset.  "I'm sure.  He'll be damn sorry by the time the kids and I come back."  He grinned.  "Great.  We're on our way in right now.  We should be in within a half-hour.  Passports and all.  Thanks."  She hung up and called the house, getting Fujiko.  "I've taken the liberty of liberating the kids from their lessons for a few weeks."  Then he hung up and looked back at the kids.  "Okay, guys.  We're going to Orlando by ourselves.  Your fathers won't be with us for at least a week.  If you guys don't give me any real problems and we learn to get along well enough then we'll see all the stuff we can buy.  Got it?"  They cheered.  "Good.  Sierra, put the binky back into Fred's mouth before he starts to wail."  She turned onto the access road to the airport, heading to check them in.

Oh, yes, Lupin was in for a big surprise when he got home.   She charged the tickets to Jigen's backup card.  They never thought about checking it for charges when they went searching for him.

***

Jigen's phone rang and he opened it.  "Yeah?"  He listened to the customer service rep on the other side.  "No, that's my wife.  She's authorized.  It's cool.  She's taking our kids and our friend's kids.  Where?  Sure, thanks.  I'll sneak down and surprise them instead of going home."  He hung up and threw the phone at Lupin's head.  "You dumb shit.  She took our credit cards and the kids to Orlando. They're going to visit all the resorts on our money."

Lupin slowly went pale.  "All of them?"

"All of them.  All nine resorts, all eight kids.  By herself."  Lupin's phone rang and Jigen smirked at him. "Fifty on it being Fujiko?"

"I'm going to be too broke for that soon," he said miserably, answering it.  "Yeah?"  He grinned at Jigen.  "Hey, Goemon.  Yes, I know.  I had a small...accident and slept with little Arsene's mother.  No, like any well trained sla...I mean, husband, I told her about it.  Did she take your cards too?"  He shook his head.  "No, we'll get her on the way back.  Yeah, Orlando.  You know, home of Disney, Universal Studios, and their assorted and many theme parks?  Yeah, there.  I'm sure the kids will cooperate for her.  They like her more."  He shook his head again.  "That's fine.  Should we pick you up on the way? Or should we meet you at Heathrow?"  He grinned.  "That's fine.  No, I trust you not to sleep with her, even if she does want to get revenge on me."  Goemon groaned and hung up.  "He's heading down there immediately to take his son back. Ishi will miss lessons with him."

"We're gonna be lucky if she doesn't do a Bobbit on you, man.  You knew better than to tell her in an email."

"I could have text messaged her," Lupin suggested.

"Then she really would have castrated you and me for not stopping you.  Next time, show up with gifts and tell her.  Then make sure she knew it wasn't as good as she was."

"Learn that one from experience?"

"No, just from watching you be a dumbass.  It's been very instructional."

"Gee, thanks," Lupin said dryly.  "The role I always wanted, to be your teacher."  He laid down, covering his eyes with his arm.  "Where should we start looking?"

"Their rooms," Jigen said firmly.  "We'd never find them inside one of the parks even if we had picked the right one."

"Good point.  Thank you for your helpful advice.  Want to go soften her up for me?"

"There's no fricken' way, man.  I'm not going near her until you've apologized.  Goemon is safe, she's not sleeping with him.  We're not that safe.  We're in deep shit because of you."

"She was so pretty," Lupin sighed. "I didn't mean to."

"Yeah, well, you did, and then you admitted to it.  Next time, lie."

"If I had done that, she'd end up pregnant and it'd be mine.  Then Xander really would kill me.  At least this way it's only a bit of torture."

"You hope."

"I hope," he agreed.

***

Goemon hung up and looked at his wife.  "Xander has taken the children to Orlando in retaliation for Lupin sleeping with the Fourth's mother."  Her mouth fell open.  "I'm going to calm her down.  Will you be all right with only Marcus?"  She nodded, giving him a hug.  "What was that for?"

"In case you die.  Xander's not going to take this well."

"She took a leaf from your book and took their credit cards with her," he said dryly, going to pack a small bag and grab his passport.  "Are you sure?  I could bring you with me."

"The doctor said he wanted me to continue resting.  I don't think Disney World is considered resting with all the screaming kids in there."

He hummed as he added a bottle of excedrin into his bag.  He'd probably need it. He gave her a kiss.  "Expect us within a few weeks."  Then he left here there, going to call a cab to the airport.  If he was lucky, he'd be on the same flight and be able to start soothing her sooner.  If not, he'd follow her to her room and wait in there on her.

***

Xander looked up as the seat next to him was taken.  "I don't think you're my seat mate, Goemon.  It's usually some woman with a dog."

"This time I bribed them to switch me around," he said quietly.  He tipped Xander's face toward him.  "This is childish."

"So is his cheating."

"True, but you are supposed to be the adult."  She grimaced and got her chin free. "They'll probably give you a few days."

"They'll have to catch us first," she noted. She went back to looking at her magazine, watching the seats across the aisle since the youngest two were there.  "Do you think Sarah will be okay?"

"She should be.  Her doctor said she was fine to fly to Greece."  He shrugged. "It is a multi-stop flight.  If the worst happens, we get off in Paris and take a boat.  It would be relaxing and there might even be a Disney cruise ship."  Xander grinned at that. "We could do that anyway."

"We could," she agreed. "Hey, kids, would we like to take a boat part of the way?"

"Will it have other kids?" Arsene asked.

"Probably," Xander agreed.  "It's the start of tourist season and Disney did just branch out into Europe.  They'd have a special kid's area just for you guys."

Savanna looked at him.  "It take longer?"  He nodded.  "Then we fly.   Lotus watch Sarah."  She turned back around when the stewardess walked past her, tightening her seat belt.

"Okay, we'll take one afterwards," he decided.   The kids cheered and they took off, holding each other's hands just in case.  Some of them hadn't really flown before, not in a big plane like this one.   "Maybe we should buy a plane," he noted.

"We have one," Goemon told her.  "Calm down."

"Fine.  Sorry.  It'd be nicer though."

"Possibly but small planes seem to crash more often."  He gripped Xander's arm as they hit a patch of rough air.  "I loathe turbulence."  Xander gave him a pat and went back to his reading.  "Where are we going first?"

"I was going to leave that up to the kids," Xander admitted.  "We'll sit down with the visitor's guide and all that when we get there.  I've already made reservations."

"Thank you.  I'd hate to have to try to fit all of us into a standard room."

"Two three-room suites actually.  Adjoining."

"Very well.  We can handle that."  He looked at Xander.  "I hesitate to mention it, but weapon?"

"Being shipped to the hotel.  Sword?"

"Hidden."

"Cool."  Xander turned the page, looking at the kids again.  Sarah was sucking her thumb.  "They're so damn adorable.  Too bad their fathers aren't."

"It was not Jigen's fault."

"No, it wasn't.  He can't stop Lupin most of the time," he agreed.  "That's why I'm only using his for airfare.  Lupin's is going to go with us to the resorts."  He smirked at him.  "No Fujiko?"

"I offered but the doctor told her to rest so she is.  Marcus is there to watch over her."

"Good.  He's still probably stressed.  We'll have to buy him a stuffed animal and some mouse ears."  She put her magazine away and pulled out her laptop once the light went off, logging onto their satellite uplink.  He waved at the stewardess.  "I've got a sat connection.  Will that bother the plane any?"

"No, we're shielded for that," she promised.  "Thank you for asking though."

"I don't want to crash with the kids," he told her honestly.

She gave him a pat.  "It's very rare.  Are they all yours?"

"Mine, my step-kids, and his kids," he said, nodding at Goemon.  "He came to make me quit being pissed at my spouse for cheating."  She nodded, looking like she understood.  "We're going to Disney with his credit card because of it."  She laughed and gave him another pat, going to get the drink cart.  "Guys, one soda each," he said.  "At least until we hit Paris.  Then you can have another one."

"We have Sprite," the stewardess offered, grinning at Ishi.  "Or water."

"Doesn't matter, they'll trip up and down the plane to the bathroom if you give them too many.  They can have as many nuts as you'll give 'em though."

"That's fine.  She gave them each what they wanted, then gave both fathers some soda and liquor.  "Because I wouldn't even try to herd that many children through an airport," she shared.  She moved back, going to get the next set of seats.

"I find bribery works," Xander admitted as he mixed his drink.  He looked up as one of the kids snuck past him.  "Back in your seat, Melissa."

"Yes, daddy," she said a bit too cheerfully as she sat back down.  She and little Arsene shared a look.  Their contest was on!  She had seen a few very pretty things on her aborted trip.

***

Xander walked the kids into their hotel room, looking down at the two thieves.  "Empty your pockets and purses," he ordered, pointing at the table.  He had known what they were doing.  One of the stewardesses had mentioned that Melissa had been sucking up to someone wearing diamond earrings.  "Now."

They sighed and emptied their treasures, each making their own pile.  "Who won?" Arsene asked cutely.

"I had wondered how that woman had lost her passport on the plane," Goemon noted as he looked at the piles.  "I think Melissa won actually."

Xander came over to look at them.  "Definitely on daring.  How did you remove the rhinestone collar off the dog you were petting?"

"Easy, I was petting him," she said happily.

"I stoled from purses," Arsene said with a small pout.

"I can see that.  The fact that you got that passport was very ingenious.  I'd call it a tie.  Melissa got more but you got harder stuff."  The girls looked satisfied with that and went to pick out their beds.  Xander looked at Goemon.  "Looking forward to tomorrow?" he asked.

"No."  Goemon went to find himself a bed so he could lay down.  He had jet lag and the girls had been giggly the whole flight.  There would be thousands of giggling children tomorrow and for the next week.  He'd need a vacation after this jaunt.  Especially if the kids kept up their contest.

Savanna walked out with Sierra, both of them frowning.  "We have to give it back, daddy."

"We will, princess," Xander promised, giving each of them a hug.  "We'll let the daddies figure out how."

They beamed and nodded, going back to their rooms now that they knew the pretty things would be given back.  Their daddies were smart, they'd figure out how to get everything back to their owners.

Xander flopped down into a chair, smirking at the sight out the window.  The monorail had just gone past.  He liked Disney.  It was easy to get around and they had a lot of stuff to do there.

***

Xander walked back to the security office to get the missing kid.  He looked at Arsene, frowning.  "What did you do?"

"She shoplifted some stuff," the officer said with a smile for him.  "I'm sure it's nothing."

"No, she did it on the plane too.  Kept trying to bring the dog she was petting with us."  He smiled at the guard.  "She's very sorry and going to get sorrier for being caught doing this stuff."

"You'll make restitution?"

"Sure."  He handed over a credit card and the guard looked at it in shock.  "Her father said to take his card and take his kids to Disney.  I'm one of his mothers.  It was a condition of the will," she shared, leaning closer.  "This is actually the Fourth."

"Well," he said, giving the girl a long look.  "In the future, try to keep her closer at hand?"

"Sure.  Her dad will be here soon."  He looked tired all of a sudden.  "You didn't see his retirement letter?"

"No, I hadn't known he wrote one," he admitted, running the card.  It went through and he handed it back.  "Are all of them his?"

"No, three of them are his, three of them are Jigen's.  Two of them are the guy in the kimono's, and do you know where he's hiding from us with his son?"

"He's eating an ice cream on Main Street," he offered.  "He was noticed because he stood out and his son wasn't bouncing."

"Yeah, Ishi's a very calm little guy.  Thank you.  Don't worry, her father will be having a discussion with her and I'll keep a better eye on her."  He took the card back and went out to gather up the rest of the kids, who had waited for them while looking at the boats going past.  "Guys, quit shoplifting, it's making me look bad," he announced.  They sighed and nodded.  "Thank you.  Where were we going?  I know we have to stop on Main Street to get Goemon and Ishi again."

"Tomorrowland," Lotus said seriously.  "It's next."  They had sat down and worked out where they were going so everyone got to ride each of the rides they could and they all stayed together.

"Good, that's on the way."  He walked them off, heading to force Goemon back into action again.  He could eat an ice cream and walk if Xander could herd the girls.  The hotel had a daycare and they had the babies so they wouldn't have to be in the sun all day.  He gave Goemon a look and the samurai, big, tough guy that he was, sighed and looked very whipped as he got up and followed them to the next set of rides with his son.  "Arsene got caught shoplifting."

"I'm sure her father will have words with her for being caught."

Xander looked back.  "She had nearly five hundred bucks worth of stuff before she was caught.  Not bad for someone her age."

"No, not in the least," Goemon agreed, giving the girl a faint smile.  "Next time, do better."  She nodded, bouncing along happily.  "Not today however or we can't come back tomorrow."  All the kids nodded, they could wait until the last day.  That way they could see all the neat stuff.

***

Lupin picked the suite's door and walked inside, followed by Jigen.  They snuck into Xander's bedroom, following the snoring, and smiled at her.  Then they went to check on the kids, noticing the piles on the tables with each kid's name in front of them.  "Wow," he said, pointing at his daughter's.  "She's good."

Goemon came out of his bedroom, giving them a look.  "You're late."

"The plane was delayed by two ministers who scared people by praying," Jigen said.  He pointed at the piles.  "Shoplifted?"

"Arsene's would be bigger, but she got caught two days ago," he noted.  Lupin sighed in defeat.  "She had nearly five hundred dollars worth of things however."  Lupin brightened up at that.  "She also managed to steal a passport.  You'll want to do something about that."  He went back to his room.  They'd be looking in on their children and then pouncing their mate if she let them.

"I wondered what that big charge was for," Lupin said as he went to check the other rooms.  The kids were sleeping two to a full-sized bed, all but Ishi, who was sharing a room with twin beds with his sister.  He patted each one before going to pounce Xander.  Literally.  "I'm sorry," he said when she swatted at him.  "I was dumb, it was a mistake, and I never meant for it to happen."

"Doesn't excuse it."

"No, it doesn't, but I didn't want to."  She looked at him.  "No, she didn't attack me, it was a momentary slip.  It won't happen again.  I vow.  Thief's honor."

"Thieves have honor?" she snorted, going back to her pillow.  "You're still in deep."

"I know.  I'm so sorry, Xan.  I never meant to hurt you and I never meant to sleep with her.  Please forgive me and quit spending me poor?"

She shook her head.  "Nope, we've got five more resorts to do."

He winced.  "Ow.  My poor bank account."  He hugged her tightly against his chest.  "I'm sorry, Xan.  I really am.  I know I deserve to be flogged, but I'm trying to make up for it.  I didn't even mind when you paid off the guards."

"They asked us to make restitution since they caught Arsene with a few extra pairs of mouse ears."

"That's what Goemon said," he told her, giving her a squeeze.  Xander moaned and he kissed the back of her neck.  "I'm so sorry, Xander.  Please forgive me.  It was a mistake and an accident.  Not something I meant to happen."

"We'll see."  She looked back at him.  "For all the times you thought I was cheating with Goemon and I never did, I didn't suspect you'd cheat on me."

"I really didn't mean it," Lupin promised, starting to look miserable.  This was karma for all those times he had accused her apparently.  "I'll stop and all that.  I'll wear a male chastity belt if I have to.  I will not cheat again."

"You'd better not," she warned.  "Next time I will be mean and evil and vicious."

"Yes, precious."  He gave her a kiss.  "Jigen, where are you lurking?"

He walked in, taking off his tie. "I was giving you a chance to apologize," he told him. "The girls have good taste.  How did you get Savanna to participate?"

"Ishi used her bags I think."  She smiled at him.  "Come snuggle me?"

"Sure, brat."  He stripped down and laid in front of her, letting her have whatever she wanted.  She pounced him and he growled about it but she was apparently needy and still punishing Lupin.  He waved him closer and Lupin came up to please her so she'd relent and let him have some too.

***

Two days later, Zenigata opened his email and looked at the picture.  Then he snorted.  "They're at it again," he noted.  He responded as soon as he had saved the picture down.  The kids were waving at a security camera and the park's guards wanted to know who they were.  He answered by last names and asked how large the haul had been.  The answer surprised him, it was pretty low.  Must have just been the kids stealing then. Dawn came to check on him.  "Xander took the kids to Orlando.  I got asked to identify them since they were seen in the company of Jigen and Goemon."  He turned the picture so she could see.  "They only stole about six or seven thousand total all week.  Now they're on a Disney cruise ship."

She smiled at the happy family.  "I'm glad they had fun."  She kissed him on the nose.  "Want anything?"

"You," he said, grabbing her and pulling her down.  "I'm tired of being careful.  You're my sneaky thief and it's about time I proved that again."  She purred against him as he worked on her buttons.  He finally gave up and ripped it, tossing it off the bed.  Morgan walked past and closed their door, going to talk to his brother about the important things.  Things like girls.  He had already given Jerry the cards and answered a lot of questions that he had, it was a nice thing their uncle had done.

***

Goemon looked up as his lap was invaded by his son, giving him a pat.  "Didn't like the children's area, son?"

"No, they're playing dress up," he admitted.  "Can I learn something else?  I know there's not much room on the ship but would could do it in our room."

"If you want.  Or we could do it while the others nap.  You're old enough to skip your nap."  His son beamed at him and nodded.  Goemon settled in to rest and relax.  There were almost no screaming children around now.  It was very nice.  It was even nicer that Lupin, Jigen, and Xander were on the other side of the ship from him.  Yes, quite relaxing.

I'll Be Good, I Promise.

Xander looked up as Lupin's special cellphone rang, giving him a look as he came out to answer it.  Xander knew he did not touch that phone, Lupin threw fits when he touched that phone.  He had in the past.

"Hello," he answered happily.

"Come on, kids, let's go to Sea World without him," Xander called, standing up.  They had talked them into coming back to do a few more theme parks before going home after the cruise.

"Sit," Lupin ordered, giving him a look.  "Now."  He listened to the voice on the other end.  "Sure, I'll accept charges.  Hey.  Long time no hear.  What's wrong?"  He sat down to listen to the fuzzy voice.  "How did that happen?  I thought they gave you guys the right to exist again?"  He grimaced.  "Yeah, I know all about corrupt politicians.  Sure.  It'll take me a few days, but I can come back down, Lara.  Anything you need, you know that."  He grinned at Xander.  "As a matter of fact, we've got some extra people in the crew now.  I think you'll like Lavelle and Marcus.  Sure.  Early next week.  See you then."  He hung up.  "Guys, we're going back to Morocco," he announced.  "Lara and the Geltics need us."

"Again?" Jigen asked as he came out of his room.  He had been washing finger paint off his tie and hat.  Little Arsene was having a colorful day.

"Again.  Corrupt politicians and the like are trying to take the remains of the treasure."

"Treasure?" Xander asked.

"Theirs, princess.  We do not touch this one."  Xander shrugged and nodded.  "But yes, treasure.  They had a whole bunch of diamonds, it let them start to buy politicians' support to regain their autonomy, and now they're trying to chip away at that with bribes."  He stood up and winced.  "And I'm definitely not twenty-five anymore."

"Can we help best by research or are we going to walk into a battle?" Xander asked.  "If so, I'm sending the kids to Dawn or Fujiko."

"Fujiko once walked down the street in that purple outfit she's wearing in that one picture Goemon keeps turning over," Jigen told her.

"In an Islamic country?" Xander asked, deadpan.

Lupin nodded.  "In Morocco, yeah.  That's Fujiko for you though."  He looked at Goemon as he came out.  "Want to come to Morocco with us?"

"No.  They do not need my skills.  I'll be straightening out my overly spoiled children."  He looked at Xander.  "Did you teach my son how to shoplift?"

"No, I think Melissa did that," Xander admitted with a grin.  "I taught your son how to steal candy and offer it to Marcus."

"Kids, whales," Jigen ordered, pointing at the doors.  The actual children screamed and ran for the door while the people acting like them followed along behind them.  "I'll ship some artillery, just in case," he noted as he followed them.

"We shouldn't need it," Xander offered.  "If we do, then we're all in deep crap.  I'm out of practice for an Alamo."

"You and me both, brat," Jigen agreed.  Lupin looked back at him.  "Like you said, we're not twenty-five anymore."

"We didn't get Xander until he was twenty-seven, and I didn't pick you up until you were nearly thirty," Lupin said dryly.  "I was the only one who was twenty-five back then."  He looked around the lobby.  "Kids, appear, or no whales or dolphins."  They came out of their hiding spots and mobbed him to suck up to him. "I knew that's what you wanted."  He did a quick nose count and came up with one short.  "Guys, where's Savanna?"

"I'll find her.  Leave me a ticket or two," Xander said, waving as they left.  Then he looked at the desk clerk who had went really pale.  "Who?"

"That detective person."  She pointed at a meeting room.

"Hmm."  Xander walked in there and picked up his daughter.  "Shame on you, Savanna."

"I wanted to know what his job was like," she defended cutely.  "He does neat things."

"While he might, you do not stop officers from doing their jobs outside their jurisdictions," he said firmly, glaring at the cop.  "Come near my daughter again, and die.  I don't like you.  I don't care that you are a cop, I've seen plenty of pedophiles among them too."  He moved closer. "If you *ever* come near my daughter again, I will go on a rip through your town like the world has never seen."

"You know, threatening a police officer is a bad thing," Horatio Cane noted.

"Yay.  As far as I'm concerned, you're expendable.  She has an uncle who she can go to about being a cop.  He's from Chicago.  I'd never let my daughter go to a department where their whole aim was to fuck one over.  Besides, even if she did go to you, she'd never be like you.  She'd be like your blonde person, Cali.  She loves her weapons."  Savanna nodded.

Lupin walked in, smirking at them.  "I didn't know Miami and Orlando were sharing departments."

"We're not," Cane told him, narrowing his eyes.  "You've been up here stealing and we wanted to come talk to you about a recent job."

"Yawn," Xander noted.  "We're on vacation. The only people who have stolen anything are the kids and we've made restitution each time they've been caught shoplifting.  Besides, why would we want to pull something in your puny, whiny, overly tanned city anyway?  There aren't any good targets down there that's worth our energy.  Sorry, but whine.  It wasn't us.  Go find the real thieves."  He walked out with his daughter.  "Savanna, from now on, you do not go talk to anyone without our permission.  I don't care if you know him, you don't go anywhere without us knowing.  That could have been a very bad man who would try to hurt you and I don't want to lose you."  She hugged him.  "Thank you.  Now, why were you talking to him?"

"He knows neat stuff."

"Then I'll send you to the nice lady in his department who deals with guns.  I trust her not to harm you."  Savanna smiled at him.  "We'll sneak down there tonight."  She nodded and gave him another hug.  "Good girl."  He got her locked into the back seat and climbed in to drive as Lupin came out.  "You shoot him, dear?"

"Not yet."  He climbed in, counting noses.  "The other adults?"

"Took the car," Ishi told him.  "And Lotus.  She was making the flowers grow again, Uncle Lupin."

"Thank you.  To Sea World, Xander."

"Yes, dear."  He took off, bringing them all to the next theme park.

***

Later that night, Xander snuck his daughter into the woman's apartment and went back to the car to wait.  He was stretched out across the seat reading a magazine when someone tapped on his window.  He unrolled it and grinned.  "My daughter's up talking to your coworker.  She'll be down soon.  I'm waiting."

"Aren't you one of those thieves that Horatio was complaining about?" Delco asked.

"Yeah, he came up and decided to talk to my daughter without my permission.  It was borderline kidnaping actually," Xander said calmly.  "Feel really lucky you still have a boss."  The other man backed up.  "But the daughter he was chatting with thinks she wants to be one of you.  I like Cali, I understand her and her ways.  So I sent her up to talk to her.  Now shoo.  I'm still on vacation and whatever heist it was wasn't me."

"How did you know there was one?"

"Cane said so when he was defending nearly kidnaping my child," he said bitterly.  "Still not us.  We came to Orlando on vacation."  He turned the page, going back to his article on a convention he had missed.  "What are you doing here?"

"Cali asked me to come talk to your daughter with her."  He headed inside, letting her hear the conversation he had tape recorded.  She smiled and shrugged.  "You think?"

"I don't think actually.  I think the kids have been shoplifting in Orlando and we have proof that they've been up there most of the time."  They looked at the precocious little girl.  "She's very knowledgeable.  Do you think her father's serious?"

"My daddy has great respect for *good* cops," Savanna told them.  "Cops like Uncle Ray and his friends back in Chicago.  Cops like you, Mrs. Cali."

"Miss, sweetheart."  She sat down across from her.  "Why are you interested in weapons work?"

"Because it's in my blood.  Daddy says so," she said proudly.  "I'm one of the best shots of all us kids, except my twin sister.   We're Jigen's."

"Ah."  She grinned at her.  "That's a very good reason."  She reached over and tweaked her nose, making the little girl blush.  "Sorry, just playing."

"That's okay.  My Auntie Fujiko does that when she wants sex with Uncle Goemon."  Both adults coughed a bit.  "Sorry.  Daddy says I'm really open.  He wants the best for me and for me to be happy so he said I could talk to you about what you do.  That way I could make a good decision and make myself happy and him proud."

"Well, I think that's a wonderful idea," she agreed.  "Hold on, I've got a few basic texts," she said, going to get them.  "Here you go.  I've got the new set.  Those are the beginning forensic textbooks.  I think they're probably above you so far but as you get older you can look into them.  You'll need to be very good in math and science as well."

"Daddy said I had to take calculus.  Do I?"

"Probably, yeah," Delco agreed, giving her a smile.  "Are you the only one going straight?"

"No, I have a step-sister, Sierra, who's going to go straight but she wants to be Uncle Ray.  I like his job but he does a lot of traveling and you can't have pets when you travel like that," she said, looking and sounding perfectly seriously.  It was a big consideration at her age.  "Plus we think Lotus is going to be a good guy too.  She's a witch and pretty strong, plus Morgan Zenigata likes her a lot and he'd never go bad.  That and our new sister has a heart condition so she'll probably be a princess or an information person," she said cheerfully.  "Sarah's really cool.  She likes to slobber on me."

"I think that's great," Cali said with a smile.  "Did your daddy say what academy he wanted you at?"

"He said he wanted me to train with Uncle Tackleberry.  He's very good at guns and stuff and he works at one in the Midwest.  Would I be able to still come work here?  I like sunny spots."

"Yeah, the new rules let you go to one academy and then take a job in another department," Delco admitted.  "Don't you want to work for Interpol?"

"I don't know," she admitted.  "I might have to chase my sisters and Ishi, I wouldn't like that," she said, looking a little upset.  "I love my sisters.  I figure living in one spot and working there would be better.  Plus, you're very good with weapons and I'd like to find someone I can talk to.  Last month daddy taught us how to use all sorts of rifles.  Someone tossed one over our gate and Ishi found it on his daily run so we had to be taught how not to hurt ourselves with it."  Cali patted her on the hand.  "Can we talk now and then?"

"Sure, princess.  It's great to get kids interested in the life and off to a good start.  When I retire, I want someone very knowledgeable taking my place and what better way than to help train them."  Savanna grinned at her.  "For now, you work on those."

"Okay.  Oh, daddy said that in return for you helping me with any awkward police questions that they had to clean out the weapons cabinet since we had to leave the main house because of a nasty portal opening in Auntie Fujiko's bedroom.  He wanted to know if you wanted any of them as examples.  He didn't know if you got many European samples."

"I wouldn't mind picking through them," she admitted, smiling at her.  "That's very generous."

"Daddy had a bad dreamie about you," she said cheerfully.  "Uncle Ray was a vampire and came in to hurt him while he was talking to you.  You were asking him all sorts of weapons questions.  I think it bothered him that I wanted to meet you."

Cali grinned.  "That's okay.  I understand odd dreams like that.  Is he downstairs?"  She nodded. "Then let's get you downstairs.  You read those books and you can email me with any questions you have about stuff you don't understand.  It may take a few days but I'm sure we can answer anything your fathers can't."  Savanna bounced over and gave her a hug then picked up the books and followed her out.  Xander was still reading his magazine.  "One daughter," she said happily.

He looked up at her and turned off the bug.  "Thanks.  We probably can tell her most everything."  He hit a switch.  "Big bag and box.  Jigen and I both agreed that we find you worthy to give yard sale items to."  He got up and let his daughter get in, buckling her into the back seat.  "Put your books in your backpack," he ordered gently.  Then he patted her on the head. "You've been very good."

"Does that mean you can make Arsene give back that woman's passport?"

"I think I can do one better," he said with a smile.  He grabbed the small bag of stuff out of the glove box and got out, heading back to help her look.  "The kids stole some stuff on the plane that's of a delicate nature.  One person had the formula for an explosive liquid mix, one person's passport, a well-known woman's credit card.  Things like that.  Our flight number's in there if you wanted to search them out.  That one explosive liquid looked a bit out of proportion to us but none of us are chemistry whizzes."  He heaved a bag out with a grunt and put it beside the car, letting her have the box.  "We collected in our many travels.  If you don't want them, see if someone else of your caliber wants or needs them.  I'd rather not have them go to a duffer or anyone like that."

She patted him on the cheek.  "You're so nice for an assassin and thief.  Thank you."

He grinned.  "I wasn't always like this and people like you make the job worthwhile and fun.  After all, people like you make us work harder.  Oh, Lupin put the particulars of the heist you guys are having problems with, he thinks, in the box."  He got in and started the car, backing out carefully so he wouldn't hit her or the box.  Then he headed back to the hotel.

Cali looked at her coworker.  "Help me get this inside."

"Sure."  He grabbed the bag, letting her take the box and the little bag.  "A passport?"

"The kids lifted it on the plane and it's inconvenient.  He said one had the recipe for an explosive too."  She called her boss.  "I just got done talking to one of Lavelle's daughters.  Yeah, that one.  No, she was sweet.  Wants to do my job.  Told me about the kids that are going to go to our side out of it.  Then he said they had to clean out their weapons lockers since they had to move.  Something about a portal thing, I didn't understand that part.  So he gave me a box and a bag of weapons to look through and keep, and if we don't want them he wants them to go to a good CSI department.  Also, the kids lifted some stuff on the plane that he gave to us.  Including a passport and someone's explosives formula.  Yeah, Delco's here.  We taped it too.  Sure.  I'll make coffee."  She hung up and went to put on a pot of coffee, then sat down on the floor with the box.  She squealed as she opened it, lifting out the first weapon.  "A forty-eight!" she said happily.  "These are specially made for certain assassins.  It's a badge of honor to be gifted one."  She looked at the tag.  "Oooh, this is the second one Jigen was given.  Never used."   She put it aside and laid out the next one, smirking at it. "I've never seen one of these but we've had one used in the city.  Wow.  They've got a well-thought-out collection going."  Her boss showed up and she waved him over.  "We're looking over the weapons they gave us."

Delco waved.  "I'm watching her be happy with them," he admitted.  "It's amazing.  Coffee's started."  He handed over the bag he had been looking inside.  "Stuff the kids lifted on the plane.  One passport.  One explosive's formula.  One credit card from the person screeching on tv about it being stolen while on the plane.  A very nice necklace that looks to have blood on it.  Six earrings that do not match.  And someone's child pornography, carefully covered with a post-it note.  Along with the flight number and date."

Horatio Cane looked impressed.  "They're very good.  Crooks, but very good."

Cali held up a folder.  "Lupin said this was probably about the heist you bothered his daughter about earlier. Lavelle said so."

He took it and hummed.  "Not exactly.  We just got this one today.  It is a nice thing to know however.  I'll thank him when I go run him off again."

Cali looked up at him.  "The kid was really nice, Horatio.  Very smart and very knowledgeable.  She really wants to do the job.  I gave her a few of my older beginning textbooks and my email address so I could answer questions for her and her sister.  Or for Lotus, who's a witch?"  Delco nodded. "I didn't know they existed."

"They don't," Horatio told them, but inside his head he was remembering a certain storm inside the port terminal.  "How many are going good and where did he want to train them?"

"Some academy in the Midwest with a guy named Tackleberry."

"Eugene's another sweety.  Pretty shy, but he loves his guns," Cali told him.  "He came during the last convention.  He was part of that rescue effort.  The motorcycle cop guy with the forty-five."

"Oh, him," Delco said, nodding.  "I remember him.  He's teaching?"

"On and off. I know the academy she was talking about.  It's a nice place.  All of them either went there or teach there now."  She pulled out the next one and moaned.  "I have been wanting to see one of these," she announced.  "These are the most excellent, softest pulling guns on the market.  They're meant for people who creep around to do hits.  They're supposed to be great guns, but they have absolutely no accurate range."  She looked at the tag.  "Used once, Brazil.  Cop molesting a little boy?" she read, handing it off.

Horatio looked at the tag.  "I see."  He blinked a few times.  "It seems their reputations are for real.  We'll fingerprint these."

"They probably wiped them," Cali offered, grabbing a pair of gloves to put on.  "Those will have mine."

"I understand.  If we can't get anything at least we can write the department if we can find the case."  They nodded, starting to catalog for real.  He opened the bag and whistled.  "Well.  They really did clean out the closet.  We have a musket in here," he said, lifting it out carefully.  He looked at the tag.  "Collector's piece, won't fire," he read.  This one's handwriting was different.  "All right."  He shook his head and laid it aside.  "We should take these back to the lab."

"Sure, H," Delco agreed, gathering up things in sandwich bags from the kitchen.  He poured them all coffee into spillproof cups to take with them.  He walked out behind Cali, noticing she was walking funny.  "Need to change?" he teased.

She grinned at him. "Not yet."  She beamed at him.  "They handed me every gun geeks' dream."

"Lavelle's a fandom geek," Delco reminded her.  "He probably understood."

She nodded.  "Probably.  Horatio, she was so well-thinking she said she didn't want to go to Interpol so she wouldn't have to chase her siblings and so she could have a pet."

He snorted, shaking his head.  "I suppose you have to think that way in such situations.  Back to the lab, kids."  He watched as they drove off, sipping his coffee.  It was going to be a long night.  He'd have to watch over Cali and this young girl's interaction.  Her father was still a thief.  Both of them if the rumors were true.

***

Xander crawled into bed and Lupin pounced him for a cuddle. "She got given books and an email address for questions.  We gave Cali the box and the bag.  She nearly wet herself there.  She was still squealing in happiness as we made it out of range of the bug."  Lupin mumbled something against her skin. "Huh?"

"Taste good," he said more clearly.  He licked her neck again. "Very good."

"Quit," Jigen complained.  "Let the woman sleep."

"Shut up, Jigen, or go sleep with Goemon," Lupin ordered.  "She's mine too."  Jigen groaned and flipped over so Lupin smirked at her.  "Ready for me?"

"Honestly, no."  He handed her the choker.  "Really?"

"Really," he purred. "Less prep work this way."  She nodded and put it on, turning back into Sylvia.  "Very nice."  He went down to lick her, then looked up and kicked at Jigen.  "You're in deep shit."

Jigen looked at him.  "Why am I in trouble?"

"Her taste is off."  Xander groaned and tried to remove the choker but it wasn't coming off.  "Already?"

"Why not, Fujiko did," Goemon said from the doorway.  "That would explain why she's glowed for the last few days as well.  The girls are back?"  Xander looked confused.  "Lotus?"

"Didn't come with us, big guy."

"Very well.  Then I believe she's snuck off."

Xander slid out of the bed and grabbed a dressing robe.  "Let me go to the front desk.  You check the snack machines.  Lupin, the gardens.  Jigen, the pool area."  They nodded, getting dressed enough to do that.  Xander made sure she had a key as she padded down to the elevator and took it to the lobby.  She noticed the new woman at the desk and frowned.  "Hi.  One of our kids seems to have snuck out. Have you seen her?  Japanese, about six, likes plants?"

"No, ma'am," she said quietly.  "I'm sorry, I haven't seen any children yet tonight."

"Thanks."  Xander looked at her name tag.  "New, Cynthia?"  She paused, then nodded.  He nodded and went to the security office next.  He tapped gently and the guard opened it.  "Lotus is missing," he noted.  This guy knew who they were, they'd had a talk over breakfast one morning.  "Have you seen her?"

"No, I haven't, ma'am.  I'll check the tapes.  Did you try the front desk?"

"Yeah, and the woman there paused when I said her name," she noted.  He slowly looked up.  "Should I go find my men?"

"No, let us," he said, heading out there.  "Hi," he said, smiling at her.  "New?  We weren't told we were getting a new desk clerk."  She tried to run but Lavelle caught her and held her in a painful position.

"Where is Lotus?" she hissed.  "I will kill you and there's nothing he can do to stop me.  I am an assassin and you just fucked with one of the Lupin gang's kids."  The woman cried out as he squeezed her arm.  "Now!"

"She's out back with the others," she sobbed.  "Please let me live."

"We'll see."  She carefully handed the woman over.  "Out back where?"

"Out back in the shed.  Someone's supposed to come pick them up in an hour."  She cried out as the guard drug her off.

Xander ran up the stairs, grabbing a gun and her set of universal keys.  "Goemon!" she yelled as she came out of the door.  He came jogging up the hall with Lupin.  "Someone's stealing kids.  They're in the back shed if the pickup person isn't early."  He tossed over his keys and the smaller set of picks on there, Lupin would better use them.  "Leading or following?"

"Go," Lupin ordered, following behind after putting on a pair of shoes.  Goemon padded after her, making him wince.  Someone was in for some major pain.  He wasn't going to be able to stop either one of them.  Xander *loathed* people who hurt children and Goemon was a father.  And if he was truthful, he'd be doing the same thing for his.  He followed them down to the back grounds, finding Jigen tying someone up.  Goemon actually.  "It's his daughter."

"I know, he was going to rip him to pieces.  Xander's chasing him right now.  We'll have to get Lotus cleaned up.  He chopped off her hair and Goemon was ranting.  I didn't think she needed ta hear it."  He went to help the kids up, wincing as he heard the shot.  "I thought she had the silencer."

"No, not on that gun," Lupin said, picking up Lotus to hug her.  "You're all right."

She nodded.  "I'm okay.  Daddy?  He's got to be upset."

"Sure, little one, we'll set you with daddy."  He walked her out and sat her on her father's chest, going to look out the alley.  Xander was dragging a body back with her.  "Kill him?"

"Fuck no.  Castrated him."  She let him finish dragging the body and went to report to the doubled security force.  "We found them, they're still here.  The guy picking them up was cutting their hair and stuff when I interrupted him.  I just castrated him with a forty-five bullet.  He's in the bushes.  Did you want to call the cops?"

"They're on their way.  Thank you," the head guard said, giving her a long look.  "Take yours upstairs if nothing's wrong with her."

"Thank you."  He went out and whistled.  "Guys, we're removing Lotus upstairs unless she needs medical attention.  They don't want to note our presence."

Jigen looked at the kids.  "The cops are coming to help you guys," he promised.  "We'll be watching when they come in.  They'll release you and make sure you're all okay."  They nodded, giving him trusting looks, so he followed Lupin out to release Goemon and take them upstairs.  "Sorry."

"It's understandable. I was out of control.  I would have done the same thing."  He gave Jigen a look.  "At least she was released."

"Yeah, I knew that would calm you down fastest," he promised, patting him on the back.  "Check her over good, Goemon.  I'm going back down to help watch."  He nodded and Lupin went into the room with them.  He walked back downstairs, heading down to sit beside Xander.  "You okay?"

"A bit tired," she admitted, yawning.  "I'll nap tomorrow while you guys go swim."

"No, you're coming.  The kids said you had to come.  We'll let you nap later," he promised.  He pulled out a bent cigarette and lit it, taking a deep draw.  They watched as people ran out of the resort and headed for the shed. "They're cops?"

"Not," Xander said.  She whistled and waved her gun.  "Unless you're either a parent or a cop, get away from them."  Most of them went very pale and backed off.  "Thank you."  One bold one pulled a gun and she aimed the gun at him casually.  "I'm better," she warned.

"Sylvia," one of the resort's guards said as he came out. "Please."

"They're cops?"

He looked at them, then frowned.  "No, and that's not even the town's uniforms.  Good catch."

"Thanks.  That many kids meant there had to be more than one person going at it."  She looked at Jigen, frowning. "You okay?"  He coughed and dropped his cigarette to bend down so he could breathe.  "Shit."  She patted him on the back.  "Can we have an ambulance for him too?  He's been off for a few days and wouldn't admit it."  The guard nodded, radioing for one and reinforcements for the not-cops.  The real cops ran out and gave her a horrified look for the gun.  "I found the first one," she said, nodding at the guy she had shot.  "He was cutting their hair and putting fake bronzing lotion on.  Can't he please have an ambulance too?"

"It's on it's way, ma'am," one cop said, moving closer.  "Who are you?"

"On vacation," she said dryly.  "I'm Sylvia."

"Lupin's Sylvia?" he guessed.  She nodded.  "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know.  He's felt off for a few days.  He's been achy, tired, and had a few cases of indigestion he swore up and down weren't chest pains.  He just lit up and started to cough and heave."

"That's fine.  The ambulance is coming.  We'll send you separately and to a different facility."

She handed over her gun.  "I castrated the first guy," she noted at his look.

He handed it back.  "I understand.  I'd do the same thing.  You guys going to be in town for much longer?"

"We're due in Morocco next week but if he's sick Lupin may be going by himself."  She stroked Jigen's back, catching him when he passed out.  "Shit."  She got him onto the ground, kneeling beside him to check his vitals.  "Come on, if you die on me, I get to go destroy hell to get you back.  You promised I could."  He was still breathing and all that when the paramedics came.  One set went to the kids and the other came to them.  "I think he's been having chest pains.  He's unconscious, his breathing is like it is when he's asleep.  His pulse is pretty fast and heavy feeling.  He was smoking right before then.  He's been tired for the last few days and complaining of indigestion he *swore* to me wasn't chest pains."

"That's fine, ma'am.  May we?"  She got out of their way, watching as they worked on him, following when they took him off.  "His wife?" they asked.  She nodded, getting into the spouse's seat to hold his hand as they sped off.  The paramedics took them into a trauma room and Xander was forced to go wait and call everyone else.

"Lupin?" Xander asked quietly from the payphone.  "I'm at Memorial with Jigen.  He collapsed after a long coughing fit.  No, unconscious. They're working on him now.  Bring me some clothes, please," he said before hanging up.  A nurse was walking toward her.  "How is he?"

"We're taking him to do an ultrasound now," she offered.  "You can wait up there or down here.  They'll be bringing him back."

"I'll wait down here.  Our friends are coming with some clothes for me."  She nodded and went to deal with the next set of patient's friends.  Xander tapped her fingers, waiting until someone came to tell her something further or someone brought her some clothes.  This robe was fairly thin and meant to show her body off, not to cover it.

***

Jigen woke up and groaned.  "What happened?"

"You had a small bout of angina," Lupin said from beside him, putting down his book.  "I had them sedate Xander and we took her back to the hotel.  All the kids are fine, none were touched."  He sat forward. "They said your blood pressure was astronomical.  You'll have medicine for that.  They also said to cut out the smoking if possible, and if not to at least cut down."  Jigen groaned and closed his eyes again. "You scared the hell out of us, Jigen.  We thought you were having a real heart attack."  He looked at him again.  "Don't do it again, okay?  I don't want to lose you yet."

"Sure, Lupin.  I'll try," he promised, seeing the naked fear in the dark eyes.  "Are you okay?"

"It's tomorrow, Jigen.  We've had you asleep for a day and a half.  It's exhaustion.  Now that you're awake I can let Xander come back and fuss."

"Fuss?" he asked, looking tentative.

"Fuss," he said firmly.  "As in mother you.  Like he did to Goemon on the ship.  We didn't want her here if you crashed so we've had her at the hotel the whole time.  While I'm in Morocco, you'll be resting."

"Take Xander with you if you don't take Goemon," Jigen said calmly.  "She'll watch your back."

"I know she will, but she wants to watch yours.  We'll work that out later.  They said that if your blood pressure stays down you can go home tomorrow."  He handed over his book.  "You'll need it.  The local cable is shitty."

"Thanks, boss," he sighed, settling in for a long wait.  "Can't I pull a Xander and demand to be let free?"

"No, and she's doing the same thing you did the last time she tried that.  She said that if you try to come out too soon she'll tie you to a bed and force feed you soup and stuff like that."

"Fine," he groaned.  He shook his head.  "She'll get too upset."

"Her blood pressure is fine.  It's you we're all worried about."  He grinned.  "Even Fujiko.  She wanted to know why you were having sympathetic pains for her pregnancy."

Jigen snorted.  "I'm not.  Really.  You can tell her I said that."

"I will, buddy."  The door opened and Goemon walked Xander in and released her from the handcuffs.  "Who has the kids?"

"Marcus showed up finally," Xander said as she crawled up the bed and cuddled Jigen.  "You'll get better or I'll kill you, take over Hell, and make you run the damn place as its administrator," she threatened.  "Paperwork and all."

Jigen shuddered.  That was a nasty thought.  "I'll be good, Xander, I promise.  Will you go to Morocco with Lupin so he won't get into trouble?"  She gave him a long look.  "There are people there who want him dead," he offered.  "You can wear out all your fussing there on him."

"Fat chance," she told him, laying her head back down.  "If you're too damn stubborn to admit you're sick or not feeling well then I'll have to teach you like you did me."

"Please, not chains," Jigen groaned.  She nodded, hugging him harder. "I'll be fine."

"I know you will because your ass isn't getting out of our bed until I say you're fine.  Speaking of, the doctor said you can't have sex, liquor, or excitement for six weeks at least."  Jigen whimpered.  She looked up at him.  "Longer if you don't behave."

"I'm going to behave," he promised, holding up a hand.  "I will behave, I will take my medicine, and you're going to Morocco to guard Lupin from his girlfriend there."  She gave Lupin a look and Jigen smirked at him over her head.

"I left here there to find a real lover," Lupin noted.  "We never slept together."

"You gave up treasure for her," Goemon reminded him.

"Oh, fuck no you're not going alone," Xander said warmly.  "You're mine and that woman had better get used to that damn fast.  Next time, I'm taking the kids to Harry Winston on your credit card, then Cartier, and the rest of Rodeo Drive."  Lupin winced.  "We'll even bring Dawn and Fujiko as fashion advisors."  Lupin whimpered and grabbed his chest.  "Do we understand me, Arsene Lupin the Third?"

"I won't cheat ever again," he said weakly.  "I promise I won't, Xander.  I'll never cheat on you again."  He stood up and gave her a kiss.  "Would you come to the desert with me?"

"You bet I am.  Goemon and Fujiko can fuss well enough if Marcus doesn't.  Then I'll come back and encourage Jigen to get better by teasing him," she said, giving him a small look.  "Agreed?"

"By then I'll want it badly," he agreed, giving her a kiss.  "You taste like chocolate."

"I had to wear out my worry somehow.  We had pastries for breakfast."

Goemon shuddered.  "Lotus has clung to her greatly since we got her back."

"We're heading back to France as soon as you can," Lupin told him.  "Even if we're in Morocco, I want you to head back."  Jigen nodded.  "Find a house.  Either that or go to Greece.  It'll be just as relaxing for you."

"Sure, Lupin.  I'll email which hideout we end up at."  He looked at Goemon.  "You're staying with me?"

"Yes, me, the children, and Marcus.  Along with the wife.  You're on similar restrictions."

"When I heard that, I quipped that maybe you should be the pregnant one.  The doctors suggested I take drugs," Xander said with a silly grin.  Her man was all right, she could relax again.  She leaned down into his face.  "Do you remember the mood swing the first time when you couldn't find me chocolate mints?" Jigen shuddered and whimpered.  "If you do not take care of yourself, my fit will make that look like Mickey Mouse on sixty mils of valium."

He nodded, understanding what she was saying quite well.  He would take care of this.  He didn't want to see that sight.  He never wanted to see that sight.  He would do anything not to see that sight.  "I'll take care of it, Xander.  I won't die on you."

She kissed him.  "You'd better not. This new one would miss not having you there.  Besides, you said I could destroy half the world if you died."

"I won't die," he promised, stroking her back with the arm that didn't have the blood pressure finger cuff on it.  "Are you?"  She nodded.  "For sure?"

"For sure.  Lupin had them do a test last night before they drugged me.  I am and it's probably yours."

"Huh."  He gave her a gentle squeeze.  "Then I'll definitely live to see this one graduate college.  Deal?"

"Deal," she agreed, sniffling a little bit.  Goemon sighed and handed over a hankie.  "Thank you."

"I deal with many of those," he noted, sitting on the windowsill.  He looked outside.  "Ray and Emmajean are here.  I can see his GTO."  Ray always rented a GTO or shipped his.

"Joy," Lupin said dryly.  "I've already gathered some information for Lara.  We'll be leaving Monday night, Xander."

"Yes, boss."  She stayed where she was.  It was comforting her and Jigen wasn't in pain from it.

Ray tapped and walked in.  "Hey.  What happened?"

"Jigen's blood pressure sky rocketed," Lupin told him.  "What brought you here?"

"An attempted kidnaping and you left the people alive?"

"I knew they'd get it," Xander told him.  "We stayed to watch, that's when Jigen collapsed.  Besides, they're all pleading for mercy by now," he said, giving Ray a look.  "I made a random visit and asked about people who did such things as a reporter.  I accidentally let it slip that they were getting some into the system.  I'm sure they're quite sorry by now."

"Good," Emmajean agreed, smiling at him. "You're glowing."

"Jigen soothed my temper at Lupin," she said dryly, then she shrugged. "I was supposed to be infertile due to the shot I took to stop the bleeding after the twins."

"Apparently not," Jigen sighed, going back to stroking her back.  "I'm fine."

"I can see that," Ray agreed.  "Sierra called us to see if good guys were allowed to take revenge on people."  He looked at Goemon.  "Are you all right?"

"I too went to check on the cretins who dared touch my daughter.  They are quite sorry.  The other men in the yard decided to take him out for me."

Ray nodded. "I heard about that.  Nice job.  How did you tell them?"

"I didn't have to.  He told them when he saw me and heard he had taken my daughter.  He thought it better than facing me."  He gave him a smug look.  "Apparently that death was more pleasant in his mind.  I would have chopped him into tiny pieces until he died a few days later."

"Plus, I'd get to burn each piece as it came off," Xander offered.  Goemon nodded.  "In front of him of course.  Maybe even feed him a few choice pieces of himself."

Lupin shuddered. "I'm damn glad you're on our side, Xander.  Goemon, isn't Lotus fine?"

"Perfectly fine.  Clingy but I would expect that.  She mourns her hair a little but she knows it will grow back.  She used Jigen's cellphone to call Morgan in the middle of last night.  I caught them during hour two." Jigen whimpered.

"We'll cover the bill, Jigen," Lupin promised.  "If the kids haven't spent me poor yet."  He looked at Xander.  "I'm really sorry."

"For what?" Emmajean asked.

Lupin gave her a pitiful look.  "I went to dinner with little Arsene's mother and we ended up in bed."

"So I took the kids and their credit cards and we came to do the resorts," Xander finished blandly, smirking at her.  "Next time, I'm taking the kids, me, Fujiko, and Dawn to Rodeo Drive, starting with jewelry."

Jigen poked her.  "Leave my cards out of that one, please," he begged.

"I will. I only charged the plane tickets to yours."

"I know.  Thank you for that consideration."  Ray was snickering.  "Remember this lesson, man.  Xander's not the most vindictive.  There are worse punishments."

"Including Fujiko's sneak castration plans," Xander agreed, looking directly at Lupin.  "That's for a third offense.  I'd miss them after I cut them off," she said sweetly.  He shuddered and leaned over to kiss her and calm her down again.

"Want some chocolate, Xan?" Ray asked.  Everyone looked at him. "She's obviously mid- mood swing."

"Sure, I could use a soda too," Xander agreed, climbing off Jigen.  "I'll be right back."  They walked out, chatting on the way down to the gift shop.  "I gave that nice Cali person our yard sale stuff.  If your department wanted any of the weapons you might want to talk to her."

"The boss already has.  They kept the tags.  Some of the cases were really reasonable and mostly shoved under the carpet."

"Yeah, I doubt any department wants to admit that one of their people was caught with a kid."  He paid for his soda and candy bar, answering his phone.  "Yeah?"  He smiled. "Hi, Murami.  No, we're in Orlando again.  No, Jigen's had a blood pressure spike, Lotus was nearly kidnaped and molested.  I'm up again.  We're headed to Morocco soon.  No, that was me," she admitted as they headed back to the room.  "No, he cheated on me so the kids and I took his cards to Disney and Universal Studios."  She grinned at the wicked sounding cackle.  "Next time I'll call and warn you; we're all going to Rodeo Drive with Fujiko and Dawn as fashion advisors.  The time after that, I'm taking Fujiko's plans for sneak attack castration. He's *vowed* to never do it again."  She beamed, leaning against the wall.  "No, its Jigen's.  No, just his blood pressure they said.  He's on medicine now.  Why?"  She listened.  "No, that wasn't us.  You might call and ask Marcus if that was him.  He's here with the kids.  He might have taken them to see Shamoo again.  When?  No, he was here by then.  I'll tell Lupin about it.  Yeah, Security there knows all about us," she said fondly.  "They came up to us after we passed the front gates and warned the girls not to shoplift.  Thanks."  She hung up and walked inside.  "Someone took Jigen's third card back to Sea World," she announced.  "Murami just called.  Oh, Lupin, she said that if we do end up doing Rodeo Drive, that she's coming too, just so she can authorize the hidden accounts for use too."  He whimpered and looked so pitiful she took pity on him and shared half her candy bar as she curled up next to the sleeping Jigen again.  "He okay?"

"The nurse came back and gave him something to help him sleep," Emmajean said, smiling at her.  "Sneak attack castration plans?"

"Fujiko drew them up in case she got pregnant after the first one."

"Is that why Goemon's here?" she asked him.   He nodded.  "Good idea.  Wait until that nice second trimester point.  It's supposed to be great."

"It is," Xander agreed.  "I love that state.  I don't get horrible morning sickness but my cravings have gotten out of hand in the past."

"Caviar from Russia along with nuts from Egypt and it had to be fresh," Lupin agreed.

"I met you halfway," she reminded him with a small smirk.  "I went to Istanbul."

"You did," Lupin agreed, grinning at her.  "I'm sorry, Xander."

"As long as you remember."  He nodded, eyes wide.  "Good.  So, why am I going to Morocco?"

"Because I'll need someone there with me," he said, giving her a confident grin.  "You'll like it, it's very pretty in the desert. The sand looks like gold at sunrise and sunset."  She purred and got up to come sit in his lap.  "Thanks."  He gave her a gentle squeeze.  "Are you going like this?"

"I don't know yet," she admitted.  She gave him a kiss.  "Are we sure he's fine?  His blood pressure's really low."

"I'm sure he'll be fine," Lupin agreed, hitting the button for the nurse.  He pointed at the monitor.  "Is that normal?"

She checked the connection and once it was slid back onto his finger it went back up.  "There we go," she said cheerfully.  "Anything else?"

"Will we need to hire a nurse for him?" Xander asked.  "We have a pregnant woman with similar problems."

"It might not hurt to have one who came up to check now and then," she offered.  "Do you live here locally?"

"No, we live all over the world," she admitted.  "How soon before he can fly?"

"Maybe a month," she admitted.  "We want him to be perfectly stable and back to normal for at least three weeks since altitude can affect blood pressure in some people."

"He could boat back," Lupin offered.

"With the kids?  Just him, Goemon, and Marcus and the kids?"

"That would probably stress him out more," Lupin agreed. "Fine, we'll talk about it after his nap."  They all looked at the monitor as it gave a warning beep and the nurse adjusted his IV before going to report that to her shift supervisor and get the doctor up to check him.  "If we have to, we can set him up in an apartment locally for a few weeks and we'll check on him," Lupin promised her.

"Okay," she agreed.  "As long as he's safe."  She looked at Emmajean.  "Did you pass on my last message to your uncle?"

"I did and he said that next summer they're running a summer camp for kids who want to become cops.  Yours are a bit too young but he said that they'd probably like it."

"Cool.  I'll work on getting them over there for that," Xander agreed.  "I think it'll cement their options and Gramps can send some of his too.  Morgan would probably love it."

"He would," Ray agreed.  He smiled at Emmajean and she blushed.  "Xan, I know we're kinda friends even though we're on opposite sides of the law, but we're getting hitched this weekend in Vegas."

"I'm there.  What did you need me to do? Help her find a dress?  Go steal Eugene and that crew?"

Ray blushed.  "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind."

"Sure.  I'll escort her back and meet Lupin in Morocco or right before he leaves?"  She looked at Lupin, who nodded. This was more important to her and he knew that.  "Thanks."  She kissed him then stood up.  "Come on, honey.  We'll fly up there today and steal Eugene first.  That'll get the others running."  She winked and led Emmajean out, taking a cab to the hotel to tell the kids and grab some stuff.

***

Xander strolled into the academy's office, nodding at the secretary.  "Is Mahoney in?"

"Yes, sir.  Are you a parent?"

"No, I'm a messenger," he admitted.  He knocked then walked in at the 'come in'.  He smirked at the gasp.  "I'm a messenger from your 'niece' Emmajean.  She's getting married this weekend in Vegas to Ray.  I'm here to steal you, Eugene, and anyone else you can spare of her uncles and aunts.  Of course, any of you who want can also help us search for her dress."

Mahoney grinned.  "That's great.  Are your kids coming next summer?"  Xander nodded. "Will they be eight?"

"Seven.  Knowledgeable and seven."

"That's fine.  We'll say they're eight.  I'm sure they've got a better idea than most cops kids."  He ran his hands through his hair. "How are you?"

"Pregnant, tired, and one of my husbands just developed blood pressure problems.  I spent the flight up in tears since I couldn't cry in front of the kids."

"I understand.  Eugene's out on the range.  I'll get the rest but he won't allow a phone out there."

"Not an issue," Xander said smugly.  He strolled out, heading down to the range area.  He saw the recruits trying to hit the targets and took a position, aiming at the targets over each one's shoulder. He hit each one as they shot.

Eugene saw the sudden improvement and grimaced.  "Hold on," he called.  They quit and the last gunshot was a bit off.  "Okay, who's that?" he called.  Xander strolled around the corner.  "Figures.  What's up?"  He grinned.  "Nice job."

"Thanks.  I figured it'd get your attention."  He waved at the recruits.  "Yes, I'm him.  I'm a messenger from his niece, who's Interpol."  He looked at the stunned man.  "You didn't know?"

"No, I knew; why did she send you?"

"She's getting married this weekend.  I'm in charge of kidnaping."  He gave him a smug look.  "Ray thought I might know something on the subject."

Eugene burst out in snickers.  "I bet you do, Lavelle.  Fine.  This weekend?"  He nodded.  "Where?"

Xander pulled an envelope out and looked inside, then put it back and pulled out another.  "Our wedding present to Ray.  We like my anime and fancon buddy."  He waved at the recruits.  "Be there or I will come take you out of bed and carry you off in your jammies."  He strolled off again, heading to look at wedding gowns for the poor girl.  She was twittering.  He put an arm around her shoulders.  "Lupin found mine after two weeks of searching," he told her.  "Others have done it in a day.  Now, do you want a wedding dress sort of wedding dress.  Or would you like something thematic?"

"Thematic?"

"Fandom related, gothic, something like that?"  She blushed and whispered in his ear.  "I can do that.  I know *just* the store for that," he promised with a grin.  "You'll look so hot as the White Queen of the Marvel-verse."  He strolled off with her, taking her to a shop he knew about.  "She wants to be the White Queen for her wedding," he announced to the geek behind the counter.  The girl smirked and led her back to the costume section, finding the one that would fit her.  "Get her something a bit less slinky too, just in case she changes her mind," he ordered, laying down his unlimited card.  Emmajean grinned at him and found the right dress for her if the other didn't make Ray drool.

***

Lupin looked up as Xander joined him in the chapel, patting her hand as she sat next to him.  "Excited?"

"Very.  She decided to stun our fandom buddy," he said smugly, kissing him on the cheek.

"Aww," Mahoney sighed.  "True love?"

"One of my husbands," he said smugly.  "Very well trained for my pleasure."

"Good to know," Eugene agreed as he joined them.  "Was that her idea?"

"Yuppers," he said, grinning at him. "It's a comic thing, Tackleberry."  He shifted over so he could sit next to him.  There wasn't any room for attendants here.  "So, are you anxious about getting kids next year?"

"I did good with you, Xander," he noted.

"Yeah, you did," Xander agreed, giving him a hug. "I'm sorry if I caused you any problems."

"Not a single one.  You were younger then."  The door opened and Ray walked in with his friends from Chicago.  "Wow.  They're pretty famous."

"They are," Xander agreed, smiling and waving at him. "It's a killer dress.  Very Marvel."

Ray swallowed. "Xander," he groaned, swaying a bit.

"Face forward," Ray Vecchio ordered, turning him around before sitting down on Ray's side.  He looked back at Xander, grimacing.  "Do I know you?"

"Lavelle," he said, waving.  "Ray gets to chase me all over fandom conventions.  Since we're shunned, we're convention buddies."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "Why?"

"I like Ray.  He's a neat guy.  He understands me."

"Which is really rare," Lupin agreed, weathering the elbow to the ribs.  "Don't worry, detective, we don't taint him, just make his life less frustrated."

"Bet me," Ray snorted, looking back at them.  Emmajean walked into the opening of the door and his words dried up as he squeaked.  He fell to his knees and held out his arms. "My queen," he whispered.

She blushed and walked up to him, helping him up.  "You like?"

"I adore.  My white queen."  He kissed her gently.  "I adore you."  He looked back as Zenigata, Dawn, and their family walked in with the rest of Lupin's.  Then he smirked at his boss and walked her up to the minister.  "Mine, make it so."

"Of course," she said, opening her book.  She was dressed as The Phoenix entity so it was all good to her.

After the short ceremony, Lupin took them all to a club and had it closed for the party.  He had arranged it in advance so it was fine.  The kids got to get loud in a corner with Marcus and Dawn watching over them.  Emmajean was leaning on Ray's arm, blushing hard as the cops teased her, and Zenigata was talking to Lupin about a new wannabe him.  It was a nice night for all involved.

***

Xander walked off the plane in Morocco and winced at the brightness and heat.  "Wow, I forgot how hot the Arabic world was," he complained, following his husband.  A pretty blonde woman met them in the terminal and he watched as his husband walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek.  He would not get jealous.  Jigen had made him promise he would not get jealous.  Instead he spent his jealousy on the person coming up behind them with a knife.  It was a short, intense brawl and the other guy was moaning in pain.  "Do not stab her or him.  I get angry," he sneered down at his victim.

Lupin patted him on the back.  "Remember your condition," he said quietly, giving her a grin.  "You feel better?"

"No."  He looked at the woman and nodded.  "Lavelle."

"I'd heard he had helpers," she said, smiling at him.  She looked at Lupin.  "You're together?"

"Sometimes.  It's a long story, Lara.  Let's go to the hotel and talk, I've got some information you might not have yet."  She nodded and they walked out, Xander walking after them.  He would have to get Xander a pretty something for not killing Lara on sight.  She had only gotten prettier with age.

Miami vs. Chicago

Jigen looked around the apartment they had gotten him until he could travel back and sighed in defeat.  It was nice, big, had a great view, and it was really quiet.  The kids had gone back with Marcus and Goemon to Greece.  Lupin had promised to send Xander to bother him as soon as they were out of Morocco.  That left him all alone for at least another week and nothing to do.  He yawned and headed for the couch.  He could nap, that way he'd feel better by the time Xander got back.  By then she'd be feeling nasty and he could comfort her.  He looked at the array of remote controls on the table, frowning.  "DVD, stereo, tv, VCR, and one I don't know," he said, picking it up and turning it on.  It activated a security camera monitor.  "Oh, hey.  Cops already," he said, getting up to answer the door.  "What?"  The shocked cops frowned at him.  "I was going to take a nap and you're not helping me feel better."

"We came to see why you're in our city," Horatio Cane said, looking him over.

"To rest.  Sorry, my blood pressure rose.  Lavelle's like that sometimes," he said with a small smirk.  Then he nodded at the guy behind him.  "You're one of the ones that Lavelle found worthy.  You and the blonde.  She get the yard sale stuff?"

"Yeah, and she loved it all," Eric noted as he walked in.  "So, how long are you staying?"

"Few weeks, maybe a month.  Until they say I can fly.  Otherwise, I'd have to escort our little darlings back to France."

Eric gave him a look.  "I'd never do it," he noted.  "They'd drive me insane."  Jigen snickered.  "So, you're gonna behave, right?  You know we're watching you, you don't need the speech?"

"No, I'm good.  You're interrupting my nap."

"Fine.  We'll leave, but we will be watching you," Cane said, giving him a dirty look.  Eric followed him out.  "What was that about?"

"Lavelle apparently finds some cops worthy of his support.  Very few cops.  He told Cali she was one of them, that's why he gave her the guns," Eric told him.  "Also why he let his precious children talk to her.  Apparently I'm another."

"Wonderful.  Let's see if we can use that to our advantage."

"They don't have any warrants."

"Yes, but if they do something in this city I will get them."

"Fine, H," he agreed, getting into their hummer to drive back to the station.

Jigen laid down on the couch.  "Ah, dissension, a beautiful art to have," he quipped to himself.  He tipped his hat down further over his eyes and shut them, it was a very comfortable couch.

***

Lupin walked into their hotel room, noticing what Xander was reading.  He gave her a smug look.  "It was only dinner."

"I know, I'm casing this year's fashions.  You said we were gonna hit Harry Winston as a graduation exercise."  She smiled sweetly at him.  "I can always go do it on my own."

"You could," he agreed, sitting near her.  He took the catalog and tossed it aside, giving her a kiss.  "My grandfather said that if we did anything else, it'd reactivate our warrants or get someone killed."

"Then I'll only sow my usual brand of chaos," she promised, giving him a real kiss.  "But I still think that emerald necklace was very pretty."  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, leaning backwards.  "Visitors?"

"Not anytime soon," he promised, stroking her stomach.  "You feeling okay?"

"Just fine," she said patiently.  She changed the necklace's setting, sending her back to her male form for his pleasure.  "There, much better," he announced.  Lupin laughed and kissed his Xander gently, taking his time.  "Was it worth it?"

"She was cute and needy.  It was good enough, but not like what we have, Xan."  Xander gave him a look.  "I made sure she felt better afterwards and I got off, that's about all it was."

"Good.  If you had told me I might have allowed it," she said, pinching him on the lip.  "I don't like it, but I know that it happens sometimes."

Lupin pulled back to look at her.  "You think I'm going to do it again with Lara."

"Yeah.  It was kinda clear how you were watching her.  Besides, Jigen told me what you told him.  Something about quicksand in the middle of the desert?"  He winced.  Xander shrugged.  "I know I'm not the first, Lupin, I'm realistic."

"You're full of shit," he said firmly.  "It's not happening."

"Like I said, tell me first, not afterward, and definitely not by email."  He groaned and held his head.  Xander sat up and leaned against his arm.  "I promise, I won't be mad.  I do realize that you loved and left your way across Europe when I was still a little kid."

"I gave that up."

"I noticed. You don't even stare at Fujiko's tits more than every now and then," he agreed dryly.

He looked at her.  "Those days you just decided to spend a few hours as female?"  She nodded.  He sighed.  "You don't have to do that, Xan."

"I did.  Goemon was going to kill you if I hadn't.  I caught him clutching his sword more than once.  Her former playing around bothers him a lot.  I learned a lot from him on the subject of letting it all go."  He shook his head.  "Seriously, if you tell me first, and keep it very short and sweet, then I'm probably not going to say much.  I'm nice that way."

"You're very nice, but I can commit."

"Of course you can," he agreed dryly.  "That's why you were staring at Fujiko's ass in that bikini right after she came back when we caught her suntanning."  He blanched.  "Or why you've stared at her at least twice in the last month.  One of those was one of the times that Goemon grabbed his sword by the way."  He kissed him on the cheek and laid back down.  "I'm not going to force you to change, Arsene.  I'm not like that.  I'll take what I can get from both of you.  If Jigen finds someone for a short fling I'd expect him to tell me too."

"You'd kill whoever it was," Lupin noted bitterly.

"Have I yet?"  He looked down at his lover.  "Have I?"  Lupin shook his head.  "Then I probably won't be.  Going off and sulking I might do.  Some minor guilt tripping afterwards while I'm still sulking but nothing more than that."

"Xander, you're everything that we need."

"Bullshit."

"You are.  You've got enough chameleon in you to keep us interested when we reach a small straying mood.  You're damn good at what you do. You know what we're like."

He sat up and kissed him, then stood up and headed into their bedroom.  "Which is why I won't try to change you two."  He closed the bedroom door, going to lie down on the bed.

Lupin leaned back with a small groan of mental agony.  "Why does he do this to me?"  He called Jigen's apartment.  "Xander just ordered me to tell her before we feel like cheating on her," he announced.  He looked toward the bedroom as Jigen reminded him of early Xander's self-esteem issues.  "You think?"  Jigen got sarcastic.  "Fine.  It won't happen, but fine."  He hung up and lay on the couch, getting comfortable.  Xander would come out eventually and pounce him.  The guy was as horny as he had ever been.

***

Jigen looked up as he walked on the beach.  The nearest bar was down here and it was a nice early evening.  The humidity had cut out earlier during a rainstorm and he wanted a drink.  Fortunately this was a real bar, not one of those for the young and cute.  He walked inside, tipping his hat back a little to look around.  It was dirty, dank, and dark.  His sort of place.  He walked up to the bar.  "Single malt with a single cube," he ordered, putting down a twenty.  The bartender gave him a long look then went to do that.  "Thanks."  He took a seat at the end of the bar, out of the way of traffic and somewhere he could watch the other people.

An older man left his table and walked up to him, and Jigen thought he looked familiar but couldn't quite place him.  "Jigen," the man said, nodding at him.  "Retiring down here?"  Jigen sipped his drink, shaking his head.  "You sure?"

"Retired yes, down here no."  He looked at the man and realized where he knew him from.  He had worked with him back in Chicago.  "You?"

"Yeah, it's nicer.  There's no winter. May I?"  He pointed at the chair and Jigen shrugged so he sat.  "How have you done?"

"Good enough.  Lupin and I got into some major stuff in our day.  Now we're teaching the next generation."  The man chuckled and shook his head.  "The kids are nice.  They've shoplifted at all the major resorts recently."  He waved for another drink and the man paid for it.  "How long have you been retired for?"

"Maybe five years.  After the Don died it just wasn't the same so I took off.  Some people wondered where you had dropped off the Earth at.  The last we heard you had a student."

"Lavelle," Jigen agreed.  "Great shooter.  About fifteen years younger than me."

"Hmm.  Interesting.  He still working?"

"Nah, anymore he only does the irritants that keep popping up.  Every once in a while he takes down someone to remind everyone who he is.  That pedophile in Japan was him."  The man looked impressed. "Lavelle hates them so he likes to have them hurt.  We had one run into one of our kids and he shot him well enough to fully castrate him and only castrate him."

The man looked really impressed at that.  "I'd heard that silver-lunatic was that good but that's high praise coming from you.  Does he have that same 'I'm all right' viewpoint you used to have?"

"Definitely.  He's a picky person about his own skills, but he's great at getting the kids to train.  Even Goemon's kids like him."  He smirked at his former coworker.  "He's a great guy, but he's off with Lupin in Morocco."

"You let him work with your boss?"

"He stayed on after his training.  He's always worked with us.  Him and Marcus both.  We mostly did Europe by then."

"I guess it kept you away from Chicago and that was all good," he agreed.  "You ever think about going back?"

"With that price on my head?"

"The Don's dead."

"Yeah, but his family isn't and I hear it's still in effect so I don't go into Chicago unless there's a damn good reason."  He sipped his new drink.  "So, how are you finding retirement?"

"I'm bored.  I guess your kids keep you in shape and make sure you have something to get up for in the morning."

Jigen snickered.  "You have no idea.  I've got a set of six-year-old twin daughters."  The man looked stunned. "And a new one," he admitted with a grin.  "I get every morning because I'm pounced."

"Wow.  Lupin let you have kids that long ago?"

"He's got some around the same age.  We kinda did it as a group.  Goemon has two that are older but Lupin had to have one for the will and mine just kinda happened at the same time."  He shrugged. "They're cute and one's going to follow in my footsteps."

"Wow. Got pictures?"  Jigen pulled out his wallet and showed him an older picture of the girls.  He wouldn't be able to identify them by that one.  "They're cute.  Who's the boy?"

"Goemon's oldest.  The Fourteenth."

"Ah."  He nodded, handing it back.  "Good for you. Mind if I spread the news back?  Not many of us are still alive but a few had wondered about you?"

"Sure, I'm in town for another week," Jigen offered.  "I can easily escape before they come to shoot me."  The other man let out a small snort and hit him on the arm.  "Thanks."

"Welcome, Jigen.  You did good work.  Lavelle's one piece of nastiness from what I've heard.  The kids will hopefully be the same."

"The other is going to go straight we think.  She likes watching all the forensic shows on Discovery a bit too much."  He nodded and looked resigned.  "But we still love the little brat.  She makes my life interesting and very full.  Lavelle handles them all with kid gloves and teaches them neat stuff for us."

"Wow.  He's more than a shooter?"

"Much more than a shooter," Jigen agreed.  "If I had to pick another student I doubt I could find anyone to live up to the standards he set.  He took lessons from all of us.  Knows some sword, some fighting, lots of shooting, a bit of lock picking, some computer stuff, some languages, and then manages to have a mischievous nature on top of it."

The man roared with laughter.  "Good for you, Jigen.  You found the holy grail, a willing and worthwhile student that wasn't your kid.  Good job, man."  He gave him another pat.  "Billy and I are in the corner, wanna join us?"

"Nah.  I'm on doctor's orders to nap," he said with a tired sigh.  "My blood pressure skyrocketed."  He finished his drink.  "Tell Billy I said hi."

"Sure.  Come back anytime.  We're here most nights."  He hit him on the arm again and went to talk to his friend.

Jigen got up and headed back to the apartment. "I thought he was Billy.  That means that was Jack.  He's that old?" he muttered.  He counted backwards.  "Wow, that means I'm that old too."  He shuddered.  "I'm going to ignore that thought from now on.  I'm Lavelle's age.  Or Marcus' real age," he told himself.  That was younger.  Marcus was only thirty-five. He could be thirty-five with the way he felt.  He could convince himself he was still thirty-five if he tried hard enough.

***

"Damn, Lupin, don't you make normal enemies?  That's the second weird assassin this month.  I thought I hung out with costumed freaks," he muttered as he walked away from the spot of the fight.  "It's a good thing that I snuck out after him.  He'd be dead by now."  He shook his head, going back to his stroll of the market.  His phone rang so he pulled it out of his pocket.  "Yeah, baby?" he answered, knowing it was someone he knew.  "Hey, Ray.  What's up?"  He stopped dead, listening with a frown.  "You're kidding.  Who'd do that?"  He listened some more, his scowl getting deeper.  He glanced around.  "Well, I'm in Morocco right now.  It'll take me a day to get anywhere near there.  Can they hold out that long?"  He winced.  "Sure.  Let me inform Lupin and I'll take off as soon as I can."  He hung up and dialed Lupin as he headed for the hotel. It was just up the street.  "Hey, me.  Ray just sent a desperate plea my way.  Apparently the big boys with toys in Chicago are onto his former partner and they've nearly killed half the city to get to him.  Yeah, that was them.  No, I'm going to help him.  Because I'm not wanted, Ray's a damn good friend, and I wouldn't send him into this without backup.  He's already headed there.  No, I'll work behind the scenes.  Sure.  I'll be safe. You behave. I killed that dumbass assassin with the pink hair by the way."  He hung up and headed up to pack, making his reservations while he checked his email and sent one to Jigen.  "There.  Chicago bound, someone needs help from me, see you soon," he read, then he sent.  He headed out with his bag, heading to the airport.

***

Ray paced back and forth in the lounge, watching as Lavelle came off the ramp.  "You came."

"I said I'd come."  He yawned.  "How bad?"

"It's bad," he said, dragging him aside.  "Ray don't know I called you.  The boss don't know I called you."

"Hey, working behind the scenes I can do," he agreed with a shrug.  "You needed me, we're friends.  I came."  He patted him on the arm.  "I'm heading for my room.  I'll deal later tonight?"  Ray looked relieved.  "Send me a report somehow."  He strolled off, going to get his second bag.  He had made his hotel reservations on the plane so it was easy enough to check into once he finally got there.  He set his alarm and laid down for a nap, ignoring the lurking Marcus in the next room.  If Marcus wanted to lurk in Chicago, he wasn't going to say anything to the guy.

***

Lupin hung up and frowned at his phone, looking around.  He spotted the dead assassin and shrugged. "Lavelle," he noted, heading to his meeting with Lara.  "Lara," he called cheerfully as he walked in, smiling at her.  "How are we this morning?"

"Worried sick!" she said, hitting him on the arm.  "I heard a gunshot!"

"That was Lavelle.  Apparently one of those cute assassins decided I was fair game and he was following me."  He shrugged.  "He shouldn't be an issue again."  He sat down to help her look through the intelligence reports.  There had to be something here that wouldn't start another inter-clan war.

Xander could handle himself.  Working with Ray was odd, but he could handle nearly anything by himself and he knew he could call on them for help.  Jigen was close enough and probably bored by now.

***

Jigen looked up from his reading as the pretty blonde waitress with the obviously good fake breasts handed him another drink.  "Thanks."  He watched her rear as she walked off, then went back to his book.  It was interesting.  This resort was pretty nice too.  He was glad Jack had told him about it.  Someone cleared their throat and he looked at him, nodding at the table behind him.  The masseuse nodded, setting up there while Jigen finished that page.  Then he got up to lie down on the table.  His phone beeped so he looked at the email alert.  "Lavelle."  He hit the button to connect him to the account, reading the short message.  "Chicago?  Lavelle?"  He frowned.  "That's not a good idea."  He switched to his phone book, calling Lavelle's phone.  "Babe, me," he said to the voice mail. "Chicago's like New York, many crosspaths and agendas.  Be safe.  I'm still in Miami."  He hung up, shaking his head.  He could see him working with Ray but Chicago was just damn dangerous.  Even for a smart guy like him there were always toes in the way.  His masseuse hit a sore spot and he grunted.  "Easy, kid, I've got toddlers."  The man nodded and was a bit more gentle.

***

Xander woke up to Marcus holding a cup of coffee.  "Thanks."  He took a long drink and accepted the folder that had been delivered.  "I take it you're helping?"

"Fujiko had a mood swing and wanted a very pretty diamond that's on show locally.  I came to get it for her," he admitted.  "Why are you in town?"

"Ray asked for help."  He flipped through the folder.  "An older family.  A lot of animosity.  Oh, shit.  Ray put the guy in jail once after he blew up his own sister and Ray's girlfriend.  Same person too."  He grimaced and moved on, shaking his head at how complicated this thing was.  "Do we know who the local liege lord Don is?"

"The local king is one Frankie Zucko.  He's killed the others recently," Marcus admitted, sitting next to him. "Why?"

Xander handed over the folder.  "Ray's worried sick about his former partner.  His former partner's been getting death threats from Zucko.  Zucko blew up Ray's partner's girlfriend, his own sister, instead of Ray's partner."  Marcus winced.  "Ray's partner then put him away."

"Ouch."  He handed it back.  "I wish you all the luck in the world.  You have a meeting with him in two hours.  He sent word."

"Yay.  Can't I kill him?"

"In his own home?  During an interview?"

"Okay, then I shouldn't go.  I hate protocol," he decided.  "It's always getting me into trouble.  The Europeans are much different."  He tossed the folder aside and went to take a shower and get dressed.  He came out in his favorite suit and put on his weapons.  "I may be back tonight.  Or I may be staking him out to shoot him from a rooftop.  I haven't decided yet," he quipped as he slid into his shoes.  "Kiss whoever shows up for me."  He left the room, heading down to catch a cab.  He found a set of goons waiting on him against a car.  "Yes?" he asked when they approached him.

"Lavelle?" one asked.  He shrugged and nodded.  "Don Zucko wants a word."

"I got his message.  I've still got an hour."

"He said we should come pick you up," the second goon told him.

"Yeah, well, I haven't had breakfast yet," Xander said dryly.  "That isn't how we do it in Europe.  If you set up an appointment, you're expected then, not sooner or later."  He walked past them.  "Remind him I deal with their rules, not his."  They tried to grab him so he beat their asses and looked down at them.  "Well, that wasn't the breakfast I was wanting but I'm sure it'll do."  He heaved them up and into the trunk, in full view of everyone in the lobby.  Then he smiled at the doorman.  "I'm going to return these two people to their boss.  They apparently never learned manners.  I'll be back later," he said with a fond smile.  "Don't worry, they won't be coming back."  He got in to drive, pulling through a small pasty place to get a danish and some more coffee on the way.  He had missed good pastries. He pulled into the driveway a half-hour before his scheduled appointment, eating the last bite of danish as he got out of the car.  The other goons gave him a shocked look and he gave them a confident smirk.  "In Europe, we set appointments and keep them, we don't gather people before it's time."  He tossed the keys to someone.  "They're in the trunk.  You might want to get them some aspirin and a few ice packs."  He walked into the house and past the guards. "Your boss?"

"This way," a butler said, leading him into the study.

Xander glanced around, noticing how the books looked too perfect to have ever been read, the piano showed no signs of usage, and the desk had no paperwork on it.  "Cleaned up for me?" he asked dryly, giving the older man a once-over.  He wasn't very impressive.  His eyes were hard and cold, no life in them, but prison did that from what he had seen.  His body was slowly fading from prison hardness back into fat.  His hands were callused but nothing a good moisturizer couldn't help.  He stood in front of the desk.  "You broke with the rules of appointments and sent goons after me.  I should be insulted," he noted.  "Obviously you're desperate enough to see me to have committed such a social gaffe.  Why?"

"Lavelle," he said, wrapping up his own investigation.  "You're very young for your looks."

"You don't know me, Zucko.  Let's get past this pseudo-psychological bullshit."

"Actually, I think we can do each other a favor," he noted.  Xander gave him a 'get real' look.  "I've noticed you happen to have an attachment to certain cops."

"Actually, I find that some are worthy of my respect.  You've got a few of them in this city and I hear that you're trying to kill them."  Zucko looked horrified.  "Yes, I do respect those who are very good and know their shit.  I've noticed that Vecchio and the Mountie seem to be a pair of those.  Now, are *we* gonna have a problem that I find some people worthy of respect for doing a good job?"

"You came to protect Vecchio?"

"It was asked of me."

"By that Interpol guy?"

"No."

"Then by who?"

"See, in Europe we'd find that to be a nosy question," Lavelle said dryly, giving him a long look.  He planted his hands on the desk and leaned down.  "Zucko, you're trying my patience.  I'm not taking out Vecchio for you and if I have to take down your whole organization to protect him I will.  I have no qualms about that.  I firmly believe that only the people who are better than me should do this job.  The fact that you blew up your sister and now you're getting revenge on the cop that caught you doesn't make me think you're one of those.  You've done jack shit to make me think otherwise, including breaking the rules of polite parley we use where I'm from by sending goons to pick me up sooner.  There is nothing you have that could make me do this job for you."

"Including your partner Marcus?" he asked smugly.

"You have Marcus," he snorted.  "How?"

"Easy.  We found him and knocked him out.  He's drugged up upstairs."

Xander stood up again, smirking at him. "I sincerely doubt that since Marcus woke me up."

"Oooh, is he your boyfriend," Zucko sneered.

"No, he's my partner and he makes better coffee," Xander answered back, looking even more smug.  "You have no idea what you're messing with, Zucko.  If you try Marcus or me, you'll die.  Probably in that chair.  Or possibly when you go out for your daily jog, or out with your dog, or even to that small meeting next week.  I'm sure there's people who are pissed at you over how you took over.  I'm equally sure they'd love to see you gone.  I'm willing to listen to their proposals since you pissed me off.  Did you need anything else or can I go get a real breakfast now?  I only got a danish on the way over."

"They fed you?"

"No, I kicked their asses, stuffed them in the trunk, and then drove through somewhere on the way here," Xander noted.  The door opened behind him and he pulled his gun on the guy walking in.  He shot him then turned and shot Zucko when he saw his gun.  "Pity," he noted, "you're really not worthy of the position."  He turned Zucko's chair around so it was facing out the big window before he walked out, waving.  "You'll want an ambulance," he noted to the front door guard as he put the pilfered gun back.  "His butler tried to shoot me.  He's in the doorway."  He took the keys back and took the car back with him, dumping it into the harbor on his way.  He hoped they had gotten the goons out of there but it was of little matter to him at this point in time.  He turned and found a cop sitting on his hood, badge on his belt.  "Detective."  He smirked.  "I find that very few of you are worthy of matching wits with anyone.  Those that are I find worthy of my respect and admiration."

"Stanley sent you?"

"Stanley?"

"Kowalski."

"No."  Xander shrugged.  "I have other sources that wanted you protected.  I did talk to the Inspector," he said firmly.  "He begged me not to come here to protect you because it would look bad to your people."  He nodded in politeness.  "I believe you'll find that Mr. Zucko broke the rules of official parley.  I go by the Euro rules and he broke it horribly by sending people to try and take me before the appointment was due.  I got a bit pissed at him," he admitted.  "Then his butler drew on me.  It was an unfortunate mistake on his part."  He walked past him.  "Live in peace, Detective.  Cops like you are rare and getting rarer."

"Hold it," he said, drawing his own weapon.  "You just admitted to shooting someone, I can't let you walk away."

Xander looked at him.  "Why would I have admitted that?  I can play back the tape I made if you want.  Nothing was said about me shooting anyone.  I think you'll find the guy who was guarding his doorway, the strawberry blonde guy, had the gun that shot the butler."  He shrugged.  "It wasn't me."  He headed off to find a cab.

"Freeze, Lavelle."

Xander turned back around.  "You have nothing to charge me with except getting rid of an ugly wannabe Euro car, Detective.  I'll gladly pay the five grand fine now if you want."

"Weren't there people in there?"

"I sincerely hope they got the people out of there when I handed it back to them, but Zucko's people didn't seem that smart.  I can dive down and check if you want."  Ray glared at him, raising his gun a little higher.  "Detective, I will draw on cops who try to shoot me.  I'll only injure you, but I will have to hurt you," he warned calmly.  "No, Inspector Kowalski didn't turn bad. He didn't order me to come here.  He didn't even ask me to come here."  A small lie, technically he had begged.  "He told me about you long before we met.  What he said impressed me.  That impression was good enough for me to not want to take the contract to kill you.  Zucko tried to force the issue and I found a way around the impasse he presented.  Nothing further."  He moved his hands away from his body to show they were empty as he walked back.  "Now, all you have is me dumping a car I thought was empty.  I sincerely do hope that it was empty and I swear I think I saw one of them limping around the garden.  If anything else happened, I'd say it was a guard who was also in the pay of another family.  Not that I want to stir up trouble or anything.  I'd rather see the city have peace.  There's enough crime here without them."  He grinned, making the detective grimace.  "I'm not a mean guy.  Ask the Inspector.  He's seen me often enough to know that.  He's even tried to shoot me once or twice in the past and nearly succeeded.  That's why I got him out the window with a paintball gun."

Ray quirked up an eyebrow.  "Paintball?"  Was this guy a teenager playing games?

"I was practicing and wanted to be non-lethal.  Though, they do hurt quite a bit I understand.  I got him and Myron at the range of nearly four blocks, right behind my boss's back if you want to get technical about it.  I'm told they both had some really pretty bruises afterwards."  His grin went more goofy.  "They yelled at me for years about that each time they saw me."

"I'm sure.  You're still coming with me."

"If you want.  Can we stop and pick up decent coffee?  I've only had one and a half cups."

"No."  He waved his gun at the car.  "In the back."

"Of your personal car? Isn't that risky, detective?"

"Shut up, kid."

"Again, not as young as most people think.  I'm nearly forty."

"Bullshit."

Xander pulled out his original ID, putting his thumb over his name. "See?"

Ray frowned at it.  "You are."  He looked at him.  "You don't look like it."

"Clean living.  I get a lot of fresh air in Europe."  He beamed.  "Now, can I please go?  You don't have anything on me."

"I have you dumping a car.  In.  Handcuff yourself too."

"Do I have to?" Xander whined.  "I hate picking handcuff locks."

"Now!"  Ray handed over his set, watching as the nice young man did so.  "Are you some sort of sociopath or something?"

"No, just very well trained with high standards for those doing my job and your job.  You'll find that I'd rather give you guys more mental problems than anything else."  He got into the car, nodding at the man in the back.  "Hi.  Ray told me about you too."

"I heard.  Was that you a few years back?"

"No, that was me being the real Ray a few years back.  He was rather tied up and we knew something was going to go wrong so I came to cover Zenigata's back for him."

"Why?" Ray asked as he climbed in.

"Because it was a nice thing to do and we like Gramps.  Gramps is one of those cops who make us better by making us work harder and learn new skills.  We see you two the same way, and we see our Ray the same way.  We wouldn't have to be near as good if it wasn't for Zenigata, that Ray, or you two."

"Huh.  Maybe we should retire then," Ray said bitterly, starting the car.  "No people?"

"Not that I know of.  I didn't check.  I can if you want."  He showed he had picked one of the handcuffs already as he got out, taking off his jacket and shoes.  He dove into the harbor, going down to check the car.  He came up and tossed back the keys.  "Send my coat back to my room please," he said with a grin, then he disappeared again.

Vecchio started to swear, jumping up and down in frustration.  He couldn't find the guy anywhere!  He grabbed his stuff and put it into a bag, taking it back to tell his boss what had happened.  By then, a report was waiting on them about Zucko's shooting.  He looked at his boss, who nodded.  "We have it from the horse's mouth that he didn't shoot him, sir.  Do you have any idea what I should do?"

"Work with the officer coming in.  It's Kowalski's wife."

"Yes, sir.  Not him?"

"He's claiming he's sick."

"The kid said Kowalski didn't send him.  He said someone else did but didn't name names."

"Of course not.  He's been doing this dance for far too long.  Any bodies in that car?"

"I doubt it since he didn't bring any up," the Mountie offered.  "The people who pulled the car up didn't find any bodies in it, nor can CSU find fingerprints.  I didn't see any gloves."

"There's supposed to be some that are the color of skin," Ray told him.  "He was probably wearing those."  He looked at his boss.  "I have no idea, sir."

"Go stake out his hotel."

"Yes, sir.  Can we prove he shot him?  The report said the only gun that could have done it was on one of the guards."

"No, but he was there.  That makes him a material witness.  Go find him, get at least a statement, then bring him back here to sit him in a little room until we can figure out what to do about him."

Someone tapped and walked in.  "If I know Lavelle, he's shopping right now," Emmajean offered, pushing some of her wheat colored hair behind her ear.  "How did he get away this time?"

"He went to check the car for bodies," Ray admitted.  "Before we could stop him he had a handcuff picked and headed out."

She nodded.  "He's like that," she noted.  "He doesn't believe in collateral damage unless there's a damn good reason or no choice."

Ray looked at her.  "He's nearly forty?"

"He is?" she asked. She pulled out her folder and looked in it.  "He is," she agreed, then handed it over.  "Here.  Jigen's in Florida recovering from a heart condition.  Lupin's in Morocco helping someone Zenigata said was an ex girlfriend.  Lavelle's apparently not jealous anymore though."

"Why would he be?" the Mountie asked.

She grinned at him. "You know Sylvia?"

"Vaguely."

"That's also Lavelle.  Or actually Xander.  Somehow he manages to keep the parts separate.  I've seen them both at one convention."  She grimaced a bit then her face cleared up again.  "Anyway, she's married to both Jigen and Lupin.  Lupin recently cheated on her with little Arsene Lupin the Fourth's mother.  So she took the kids, Jigen and Lupin's credit cards, and went to Orlando.  Eight kids, nine resorts."  Ray and the Lieutenant both winced.  "Yeah.  Lupin came in begging and pleading and she said the next time he did it, she was taking the kids, her, Fujiko, and their financial manager to Rodeo Drive, starting at Harry Winston.  They were nice enough to pay for anything the kids got caught shoplifting but I hear that they still made off with a good amount."

"The kids shoplift?" Ray asked.

"Their fathers are thieves, Ray," the Mountie pointed out.

"Good point," he agreed, shaking his head.  "Are any going straight?"

"Actually, yes, there are.  There's one who wants my Ray's job and one who thinks she wants to be CSI when she grows up.  They're both fantastic shots, but they nag their sisters about shoplifting.  That's why the CSI in Miami one of them talked to was handed a bag of stuff the girls had stolen off people on the plane.  Including an illegal and new explosive compound's formula, someone's passport, and about half the diamond earrings on the plane."  They gaped at her and she grinned.  "They're six.  They managed to not get any fake stones, only one credit card, and that passport.  The explosives compound was very handy to catch a new underground cell for us though."

The Mountie shook his head.  "They're six?"

"According to Zenigata's Lupin file, his grandfather was pulling jobs at seven, by himself.  Lupin's father was a late bloomer and both him and Lupin admit that he was more a duffer than anything.  One of those who liked pretty things and liked to collect them from others.  Lupin the Third pulled his first job at eleven, was out doing it full time by seventeen, and was a darling of the European Syndicate by twenty-two.  He was on his own by then as well as a freelance.  Lupin's got one daughter who's straight and a white knight already.  Then he's got a son he doesn't acknowledge, either because he doesn't know or doesn't like the mother.  He's got the two girls he had as a function of his grandfather's will, the Fourth and Sierra, who will be a kick-ass cop in my job some day.  Now he's got a baby son who may just be as good as his grandfather he thinks."

Ray winced.  "They go on the run with the kids?"

"They used to with the Goemon children but they've been slowing down for the last three years or so.  They're fully retired now.   Lavelle apparently still takes down some annoyances, but they only work on other criminals.  Lupin needs the challenge.  Now he's got the biggest challenge of all, daughters."  The Mountie snickered at that.  "Seriously.  His oldest is more than old enough to be married, but she doesn't really date.  His youngest two will be teenagers in another seven years.  He's already going insane about that thought.  Fortunately, Lavelle steps in to do most of the work with the kids when Marcus doesn't.  For it being Goemon, Lavelle, and Marcus raising them most of the time, the kids are pretty evenly balanced and think it's fun."  She shrugged.  "Little Melissa, the thief of Jigen's twins, is really good at planning.  Her father forced Lupin to teach her how to play chess and he's teaching her using some old wargames he knew.  The next generation is scarier.  They're cross-trained like Lavelle and Marcus.  Lavelle not only knows most firing weapons, he also knows the sword, some bastardized martial arts, and some other stuff.  Marcus is the same way but he focuses on the martial arts and the sword.  The next generation will have a mini-Lupin, a mini-Jigen, a mini-Goemon, possibly another mini- Jigen, and possibly a second mini-Goemon and a mini-Lavelle.  We're not sure yet what the youngest are going to become or if Lotus Goemon will become a good guy or not."

"Wow," Ray said, looking at his boss. "I'm retiring when they come into their own."  His boss laughed and nodded.  "Seriously.  Lavelle said that it's cops like Benny and me who make them work harder."

"He said the same thing of Zenigata," she agreed.  "Should we go find where Lavelle's shopping?  Or if he's shopping as Xander?"

"What's the difference?"

"Xander's a big geek.  He's probably found a comic shop by now.  Lavelle's his business side.  He'd be heading for a new suit and probably a few new weapons."

"Fuck.  We have his coat," Ray admitted, patting the bag.  She squealed and dug into it, taking each weapon out to look at it.  "Like guns?"

"Definitely.  My uncle, Eugene Tackleberry, taught me all about them," she said happily.  "Lavelle always carries something neat with him."  She found a pendant and held it up.  "I don't recognize...."  She gasped.  "His damn illusion choker!"  She put that into a separate bag.  "Sorry, Zenigata wanted to look at that one."

"Fine.  How is he?  He looked a bit pale at the wedding."

"He's recovering nicely from his chest wound, detective.  I'll pass on a 'get well' from you."  She pulled up something and looked at it.  "What is that?"  She palmed it and it opened, making Ray move quickly.  "Sorry.  I didn't know he still carried that old thing."  She collapsed the rod back into itself and put it aside.  She came to the last gun and looked it over.  "Nice," she purred, stroking it lovingly.  "Damn, Uncle Eugene would kill for one of these.  I'll have to find out where he got it from."

The phone on the desk rang and the Mountie picked it up.  "Twenty-seventh precinct...."  He trailed off and listened, handing the phone to her.  "He said it came from that German supplier that he got Ray his birthday present from."

She took the phone, looking inside the gun as she listened.  "Hey, Lavelle.  Which one?"  She wrote down the name.  "Thanks for that.  Speaking of guns.  You shoot him?"  She smirked at the laughter.  "Yeah, well, Ray said he wanted to kick your ass today too."  She straightened up.  "He did?"  She sighed.  "Thank you for telling me that.  No, I'll yell at him once he's out of the hospital.  Yeah, the chase is on.  Oh, I have your illusion pendant."  She snickered as he swore.  "You know the rules.  You have to get it from me, Xan."  She hung up.  "He's in some sort of open space, I'd say a mall.  He'll be trying for the pendant.  Ray just fell and sprained his ankle badly at the house while he was pacing."  She shrugged and put down the gun.  "Shall we?"

"We should," Ray agreed, following her out.  "What does he like in suits?"

"He tends to have his tailored.  Jigen taught him how to dress.  That coat isn't normal.  He tends toward blues, small stripes, tasteful things.  If he's off duty and wearing a suit, it's usually cotton or something nice, but never silk and never wool unless it's non-itchy and the coldest part of winter around him.  The guy went to Russia in the middle of winter and complained about the weather but refused to wear a wool sweater because it itched.  He doesn't do silk for some reason, but no one's really sure why except Jigen I think."  She got into the back seat of Ray's car, giving him an attentive look. "Since he's off duty, I'd say it was probably solid colored, with a t-shirt or other soft shirt underneath it, probably without a tie, and he'll need new shoes too."

"That sounds like a mall trip then," Ray agreed, starting his car.  A little robot walked out of his glove box and held up a sign that said 'boom'.  "Fucker!"

"Xander," she said, chuckling to pick it up and look at it.  "Yup, him.  Which mall is this?" she asked, holding the tag out so he could see it.

"The Westwood."

"Then he's already done that one.  We should concentrate on his second target."  She put it into the baggie then got out with them.  "I did rent something but I hate city driving," she offered, digging out the keys.  Ray smirked at her and looked at her sports car, then at her.  "Uncle Mahoney taught me to drive."

"I met him," Ray said as he went to drive them to the nearest mall.  They'd check the suit shops at Westwood anyway, just in case.  "Does he really see this as a big game?"

"I really have no idea who Xander's mind works," she admitted.  "He's a fandom geek and I think the only one who ever really understood him were Myron and my Ray.  I can call and ask him if you want."  She frowned. "I didn't see his cell."

"I didn't while you were searching either," the Mountie offered as he got into the small back seat.  "Ray?"  He started the car and they were off.  "Would he need a new one?"

"Only if he didn't have it waterproofed somehow," she admitted.  "Or he could have left it back at the hotel I suppose.  Have we figured out where he's staying yet?"

"Yeah, the Radisson had a complaint drawn up.  Apparently Zucko sent two goons to pick him up and he beat 'em pretty good before putting them into the trunk of the car he dumped in the harbor."

"Hmm.  He really does take some protocol seriously then.  The Europeans are very strict in their protocol.  I thought Lupin kept him away from all that but apparently not."

"They're stricter?" Ray asked.

"Think old-line families in the twenties, Detective.  The Europeans still hold dear to some of those traditions.  Especially the protocol and niceties.  If Zucko tried to get him there earlier by taking him there by force, he broke the first rule of parlay.  You set an appointment and rules, you keep the appointment and rules, and it had better not be a trap."

"Shit," Ray said, looking stunned.  "So Frankie really did bring this down on himself?"  She nodded. "Did Stanley call him?"

She sighed.  "I don't know.  I didn't ask him.  I know he was worried.  I know he was pacing about it.  I know he and Xander are friends, even though he still chases after Lavelle and probably could still shoot him.  I don't know if he asked him to step into the middle of this mess.  Frankly, I don't want to know.  If Ray was that worried and upset that he broke his own laws and the law, then I really don't want to know."

"I understand," Ray agreed grimly.  "I wouldn't want to ask either.  I just wanted to make sure he was still a good guy."

"He is.  He's working on a case far away from them right now.  He tries very hard not to do anything Lavelle or Xander related unless it's a formal chase.  Then he helps and he's sure he takes someone with him who can shoot them incase he wavers. The only time he really sees Xander is at conventions and comic shops. Then they do some sort of truce.  Ray tries to get him to admit to something and tapes everything.  Xander teases him and they both revel in the fandom experience.  Then the chase is back on.  Ray's very careful about his interactions and always hands over each and every tape he makes. He hands it over in the machine, without it being tampered with.  He's very ...odd about Lavelle and this stuff.  He's said often enough that he and Lavelle probably could have been the best of friends if Lavelle wasn't a bad guy.   In return for that, Zenigata is very honest about this with Ray.  He's got an obsession with Lupin, and everyone knows it.  Seriously, the guy put off proposing to chase Lupin around Switzerland. His wife came and kicked his ass over it and yelled at Lupin.  She was one of his trainees and Zenigata made her go straight.  Those two sometimes switch off so Ray chases Lupin and Zenigata chases Lavelle.  It helps."  She shrugged, looking miserable.  "I don't know what to do about this."

"Support him.  Lavelle said that it wasn't Ray who sent him," the Mountie suggested.

"Yeah, but the doubt is there.  I'm not sure I can stick up for him doing something like this.  He had to have known the outcome."

"Not necessarily.  Think about it, is Lavelle the sort to walk in with guns blazing?  He said the butler drew on him.  Frankie had a gun in his hand too."

"No, Lavelle likes to work behind the scenes.  He's like a director directing their downfall.  That pedophile ring in Japan he started the collapse of, he started it off by finding one and robbing him.  He darted the bastard and his prostitute of the day.  He left pictures in there.  Then he somehow made the Madam supplying him fear for her life enough to turn on her clients, and one of her girls turned in the madam.  When they raided her business, the kids were freed, lots and lots of pictures were found and it started the downfall.  Lavelle likes working like that when he's alone.  When he's with the group," she noted, grabbing the dashboard as they took a corner sharply at a higher speed than usual, "he plays second gunman and backup to them."

"So he plans, he's an excellent shot, and he's sneaky.  Sounds like a good crook," Ray agreed, pulling into the mall, cutting off a minivan in the process.

"Ray," the Mountie chided.

"Ah, shut up, Benny."  They got out and headed inside to the suit shop he would have gone to.  "Hey," he said, smiling at a fitter and showing his badge.  "Was Lavelle in here?"

"The gunman Lavelle?" he asked.

Emmajean stepped forward, pulling out pictures.  "He could have looked like any of these."  He looked then shook his head.  "You're sure?"  He nodded.  "No one similar?"

"No, no one like that at all.  We've only had one sale and he was small and older," he said, pointing at the man being fitted.

"Thanks.  Call us if he does come in," Ray ordered, handing over a car.  "Where to next?"

She looked at the fitter. "Have any women come in?  Zenigata said he sometimes gets his women to shop for him."

"We had one browsing but she left with a wicked looking smirk," he admitted with a lecherous smile of his own.  "She was quite high class."

"Thanks."  She followed them out.  "We're in so deep.  He's gone female and he could be anyone."

"Anyone?" the Mountie asked.

She nodded.  "Anyone.  See, each of his personas he creates a background story for.  As a guy he's basically got Xander, the fandom geek and guy he was before he was tortured, and Lavelle, the guy Jigen molded him into after he was tortured.  As a female, he's got a whole binder full of personas.  Different looks, different styles, different faces."

"How does he do that?" Ray asked.

She stopped him and glanced around.  "That illusion choker does just that.  It changes his outward appearance.  My Ray says it's magical and so does Zenigata.  Supposedly he's got something else that he has to wear that does the same thing.  It changes him fully."

"I don't believe in that."

"Neither do I," she told him, "but I have to believe the evidence in front of me.  I've seen Sylvia in a bikini.  A very tiny, hides-nothing bikini, and she was all woman.  Nothing fake, nothing altered, nothing like a man.  Since that bathing suit was so small I could see her nether lips, I doubt she was hiding anything."  He looked stunned.

"So he does use magic?"

"He does," she admitted.  "That choker he wears is that thing.  I don't know how to get it off him."

"I doubt you could," the Mountie said thoughtfully.  "I'd heard rumors that Marcus Wyndam-Pryce could use it as well but I had discounted them."

Her eyes widened and she shook her head.  "Never doubt that.  Behind you."

They all turned and Marcus gave them a smug look.  "Lavelle's already left the city," he told her, giving her a pat as he walked past her.  "Your Ray did not ask him, Emmajean.  You might call your boss."  He looked back at her.  "By the way, that illusion necklace, it's already gone.  Xander snuck in there and got it when he mined the cars and stole some sort of cap off it."  He strolled on, going into a tobacco shop.  "Hello.  I have a friend who's a heavy smoker, but he's recovering from a high blood pressure attack.  He smokes cigarettes, but I'm not sure if we can find him something or not."

Ray called the station.  "Sir, was he there yet?"  He groaned.  "Thank you, sir."  He hung up.  "He was there, he did get it, and your boss is there now."

"Wonderful."  She looked around.  "We may never catch him.  Stake out his hotel?"  They nodded, heading to drop Benny and her off while Ray went to report and grab Zenigata.

***

Xander strolled off the plane in Miami, smiling at the woman looking for him.  "Hi, could you tell me how to get out of here?  It's dreadfully noisy," she asked with a soft French accent.

Cali grabbed her by the arm and led her away.  "I knew you couldn't resist."  She glared at her. "What did you do to my city?"

"Sweetie, I've been in Chicago.  Only Jigen's been here.  What happened?"

"We've had six thefts, four hits, and a gas bomb attack of laughing gas in a mall," she said angrily.

She raised an eyebrow.  Then she smiled.  "You leave that to me.  We do occasionally get groupies.  I'll bring them to you one way or another."  She kissed her then walked on, strolling confidently in the small knit tube dress that was just this side of one of Fujiko's old outfits.  She grabbed her new bags and headed for Jigen's apartment.  He wasn't there but he had left an appointment book in case they dropped in.  She went to that club, strolling through the lobby.  Someone tried to stop her so she smiled and licked her lips.  "I was called for," she purred in a light British accent.  "Mr. Daisuke called for me."  He swallowed and got out of her way, so she continued her stroll out to the poolside cabanas.  She found the one Jigen was in by following the moans, walking up behind the masseuse and nodding him away. She oiled up her hands and took his place, letting him go.

"Oh, yeah," Jigen moaned, shifting some.  He looked up at her.  "I don't remember calling for takeout."

She smiled at him.  "I'm not.  I'm here to solve some of your problems."  She leaned down and kissed him.

"Sylvia," he said happily.  "Welcome back."

"Hi.  Chicago is once again at peace and the nice detective is safe.  Who's the wannabe down here?"

"Some Asian chick, I don't know."  He put his head back down.  "Go back to what you were doing.  It was nice."  She went back to massaging his back and he looked over her outfit.  "Pretending to be Fujiko?"

"Emmajean came to Chicago after me."

"Hmm. Interesting.  What happened?"

"I was asked to go help Ray's former partner Ray.  Zucko was after him."

"Zucko?  He's out of the can?"

"And he blew up most of the families.  He also broke the parley rules by trying to have me snatched.  So I taught him an etiquette lesson.  His butler drew on me so I fixed it.  The other families have worked out a peaceful arrangement again and Vecchio is very impressive."

"Good job."  He patted her stocking'ed thigh.  "Very good job."

She smirked at him.  "I told Cali I'd look into the person doing this.  Wanna help or do you wanna go join Lupin, babe?"

"I'll stay.  They won't clear me yet and it's been a long time since I've seen you work."  She nodded and got back to his back, making him go limp under her hands.  "How was the boss when you left him?"

"Having breakfast with Lara."

"You left him like that?"

"I told him that I wanted to know beforehand and he never called and said so I'm guessing he held off.  Either that or he's gonna try and lie.  If he does that, then I'll be really upset and kick his ass before going off in a pout."

"I don't think that'll work on me," Lupin said as he walked in.  "No, I didn't sleep with her."  He kissed the back of her neck.  "I haven't seen you in anything that tiny in a few years, Xan."

"Thank you."  She grinned at him.  "Notice I said 'if'.  Not 'when'."  She went back to Jigen's back, making him puddle under her hands.  "How did it go?"

"Not bad.  The girl's fine."

Xander looked down at Jigen, then elbowed Lupin in the nose, making him fall down.  She closed the curtains and delicately sat in the middle of her chest.  "Not nice," she chided.  "Now, who are you?"  She pulled the mask off him, showing it to be Zenigata.  "Morning."

"Did Ray send you?"

"No."

"The truth, Lavelle.  On thieves' honor.  I'm not going to fire him for it."

She leaned down, getting in his face.  "Why would I lie to you, Gramps?  He didn't send me.  Someone asked me to go, but it was not Ray."

He stared into her eyes, then nodded.  "You do lie very well," he said, pushing at her.  "Move."

"No.  You kissed me, I'm going to tell Lupin on you."

"Go right ahead.  Did you shoot Zucko?"

"No."  She got off him and stood up, hauling him up as well.  "Why would I have done that?  The gun was found on someone else."  Zenigata snorted.  "It was."

"It was, and it had your prints on the firing pin."

"I never touch firing pins," she reminded him dryly.  "Why would I?"

"It has your marks from cleaning."

"I didn't clean it.  It's not my gun."

"Really?"  He pulled out the paperwork, handing it to her.  "These aren't yours?"

She looked at it, then frowned and shook her head.  "Nope, sorry."  She showed him her fingerprints, which didn't change.  "Do they look the same?"

He looked at it, then at the picture. "They're not," he said, grimacing.

"They're not because those are my *old* ones, Gramps."  She handed it back and turned back to Jigen's body, pinching him on the ear.  He grimaced and she grinned.  "Just making sure."  He swatted her and she squealed.  "Fine, you're you.  Gramps, you're upsetting him."

"No, he's fine," Jigen said, looking up at her.  "Ray didn't send you?"  She gave him a look.  "Fine, I won't ask."  He looked at Zenigata, who looked stunned.  "What?"

"You're not Jigen."

Xander looked at the pale back, then traced a scar, making him shake.  "You're right.  That's not Jigen's scar."  The body on the bed jumped up and she decked it, sending it to the ground, where she put her three-inch stiletto heel in its crotch.  "Try."  She gave it a smile.  "Off with it, however you're doing it."  The necklace came off.  "Hey, I've got one of those," he said happily, taking it to look at. "I take it you're Miami's problem person?"  The man nodded.  "Why?"

"Because I wanted to meet you and Jigen.  I want to join as your next student."

Xander leaned down.  "Then the proper course of action would be to apply to talk to us.  We're not mean and you can prove yourself in many interesting ways."  She sighed and got off him, shaking her head. "Isn't Lupin still in Morocco, Gramps?"

"He is," he agreed.  "Still helping that woman."

"Lara."  He looked back at him, then shrugged.  "He knows what'll happen if he cheats on me."  He looked at the young guy again.  "I tell you what.  Can you travel internationally?" He nodded eagerly.  "Then I want you to go to Paris.  I want you to take a room at the Swieny motel.  It's pretty decent and it's got good cable.  You stay there, for not more than a month.  Sometime during that time I'll send one of the group to you to talk to you about that."  The boy nodded eagerly.  "That's *if* you can make it out of Miami.  You pissed off a cop who's helping my daughter with her desire to be one of them."  The guy bowed and backed away.  He looked at Zenigata.  "Your turn.  Why are you here?"

"You shot Zucko."

"I didn't shoot Zucko."

"You did, Lavelle, I know you did.  I can't prove it but I know you did."

"So someone faked my fingerprints on a part of the gun I'd never touch and you made this leap of logic?"

"It had to be you."  He stepped closer. "There's no one else it could have been."

She smirked at him. "You're wrong.  The butler drew on me.  He was wearing white gloves.  Zucko had a gun in his hand too.  There were sixteen armed guards in that house that day from the report.  That puts enough reasonable doubt on my side to make it questionable to even try to arrest me."

"Oh, you'd be surprised.  We found your hair in there."

"Of course you did, I did have that meeting.  Where I turned him down and verbally bitchslapped him."

"I heard.  He security tapes things," he said smugly.

"Really?  I could have sworn I was out of the camera's view.   They were pretty obvious. He's ten years behind the times."

"He did have a hidden one," he said, pulling out a picture.  Xander as blatantly shooting, you could see the muzzle fire.  "Now, did Ray order you to go?  I'm not firing him, but I want this debt canceled."

"One, there is no debt.  Two, Ray did not order me to go to Chicago."  The curtains opened and the real Jigen walked in.  "Hey."  He looked at Zenigata again.  "Third, with how many people know me, and how many masks there are in the world with my face on them, including six at the local comic store and one being bought two days earlier, that could have been anyone.  That's not time stamped.  You can't prove that was during the meeting or right afterward.  Fourth, even if you did try to get me on it and nothing else worked, they pulled their guns first.  That would be self defense. I'm very sure a paranoid person like Zucko would have had a camera on him and it would have shown him with a gun in his hand, along with the butler's."

"Even if I could arrest you, this was one of those things that saved a lot of people.  I only want to know about Ray," he said angrily, yet very quietly.

"Then go ask Ray.  I'm not Ray's keeper."  She adjusted her dress then hugged Jigen.  "I sent the wannabe to Paris, to the Swieny, if he makes it out of Miami.  He was auditioning.  I said I'd suggest one of you go to see him about that."  Jigen nodded.  "Was he already caught?"

"Yeah, the CSI people picked him up outside.  He came out babbling and happy about how his plans had worked and now you knew what he looked like.  That one broad is very good."

"She is," she agreed smugly.  She looked at Zenigata.  "Even if Ray had, I wouldn't tell on him, Gramps.  We both know that.  Ray didn't, and if you want to badger anyone about this then I'd go see Ray.  This doubt is affecting his wife too."  He pulled up his purse and pulled out a small gift-wrapped box.  "For you.  Get better."  She kissed him gently, then smiled.  "Nice to taste you again.  That kid didn't taste like you at all."  He growled and forced her back onto the table, kissing her hard.  "Jigen," she moaned.

"Pops, trying to have sex here," Jigen said, glaring at him when he didn't leave automatically.

"Fine. I'll go wait on you two."  He stomped out.

Jigen got back to what he had been doing. "Ray sent you to Chicago?" he whispered against her neck.  She nodded.  "Why?"

"Zucko was threatening his partner," she whispered back.  He shuddered.  "He's not a problem, he broke the rules of discussion."

"Glad it's not me," Jigen told her, kissing her again.  "How can you tell?"

"Easy, you taste right.  I know your taste as well as I know Lupin's."  He licked up Jigen's nose.  "And you taste right."

"Thanks."  He pinched her on the breast.  "Bratty little girl."  She beamed at him.  "Wanna go have some real fun?  This table's too high."

She slid around and then bent over provocatively in front of him.  "I did it just for you," she promised with a sultry look.

He lifted up the short skirt and moaned.  She wasn't wearing panties and had shaved herself again.  "Damn, woman," he complained as he released himself and slid inside her.  "I'm not supposed to have this yet."

"It'll do your heart good," she purred, holding on.  He was in for it today.

***

Cali walked up to where Xander, still in that form and another tight, short, hot dress, was sitting and hit him.  "I'm not like that," she complained.

She grinned at the other woman.  "Of course you're not, it was simply to stun you.  Besides, I wanted to see."  She blushed a bit.  "It's not often I see smart *and* pretty women looking for me.  Usually they're looking for Lupin to kill him."

She snorted.  "Nice try."  She sat next to her.  "Thank you for helping us capture that one person today.  Horatio said in return he'd give you a day before he came in to bother you again."

"Then he's got a big damn shock coming," Xander said as she sipped her drink.  "There are no warrants, that's harassment."  She looked at the stunned woman.  "I'm not giving up my fun for him.  I don't give it up for Gramps, why would I do something like that for someone I don't find worthy."

"He's very good at what he does," she defended.

"Which is run your unit.  Managers are not those I choose to respect."  The man on the other side of her coughed and she looked at him.  "Ooh, did she bring backup to save her from my lust," she purred, running a finger down his cheek.  His face went slack and she turned back to Cali, who was snickering. "Let me guess, he's a playboy?"

"He tries," she admitted.

"Gee, thanks," the younger male in her unit complained.  "Can't we just arrest her.  Isn't that pandering?"

"No.  I never offered you money, sweetness," she grinned at him.   He groaned so she turned back to Cali.  "Personally, I've heard things about him.  I respect you and Eric, you do the work, you solve the cases.  He questions people and makes command decisions.  I'm sure he was great in his day but his arrogance is usually seen as a sign that he's not all that."   She leaned closer to the woman.  "Did my daughter already write you?"  She nodded.  "Was it about the ballistics question?  I didn't know how to answer that one.  I can make my own but I'm not proficient in the 'why' part."

"Oh, yeah, easily answered," she agreed cheerfully.  "She asks some really good questions.  You're doing wonderfully with her."  She patted her on the arm.  "Try to lay low at least.  We don't want Horatio to have a heart attack."

"Can I go tease him?"

Cali snickered.  "I doubt he'd fall for it, Xan."  She winked.  "Now you behave and go jump your man."

She finished her drink.  "He's recovering and told me to go clubbing.  So I'm going to Pulse Point."

"I'll call and warn Eric not to go out tonight."

"Oh, please.  I'd never get on with him.  Besides, I am married," she said, showing her the ring.  "Lupin *bought* it for me," she said happily.

"Wow.  That's got to be special thing.  Congrats."  They hugged.  "You behave.  I've got another question waiting, this time about DNA.  Have you answered any of that?"

"The little kid's version.  The 'this is what makes you you' part."

She nodded. "Okay.  I can probably fill in from there.  I only looked at the header."  She waved her fingers.  "Have fun."  She pulled him off and hauled him away.  "Come on, lover boy.  She's only teasing."

"She's teasing?" he complained.

"She's teasing.  She's married."

"Fine," he complained, letting her lead him out.  "What did she do to you?"

She frowned at him.  "She kissed me in the airport while I was waiting on him to come back in."

"Liked it?" he teased.  She shrieked and hit him on the arm.  "Ow!"

"Meany."  She got in to drive.  "Just for that I should make you walk back to the station."

"Yes, Cali," he said as he obediently got in to let her drive.  "So, did you?"

"Quit!"

He laughed, it was so much fun picking on her.

***

Xander walked into the club she had chosen.  It was a mixed club and some of the people there were worse dancers than her.  She'd be fine.  She walked up to the bar and smiled at the bartender, flashing her ID so he'd get her a drink.  "Bud in a bottle?"

"Light?"

"No, I'm not weight conscious."

"Should you be doing that?" a deeper voice asked from behind her.  She turned to look at him. "Cali called and warned me."

"Sorry.  I came here to play.  Jigen's resting so I came to learn how to dance."  She shrugged.  "The hotel recommended here.  And yes, I have to quit after tonight."

"Going to rehab?" the bartender asked.

"No, pregnant," she said, taking it and paying him.  "It's my last night for eight months."  He shook his head.  "I usually drink more.  I'm cutting down right now."  She shrugged and looked over the floor. "I heard I could learn how to dance here?"

"Yeah, Raul teaches," he said, nodding him over. "This nice young woman wants to learn how to dance."

"I'm sure."  He smirked at her. "Know anything yet?"

"Nope.  I'm a newbie, teach me," she purred, smirking back at him.  He laughed and led her out to the floor, teaching her the basics.  Once she had finished her last beer for the next eight months, and had tossed it away via a waiter, he got more in-depth with her, teaching her the harder moves.  This was really fun!  She could get to enjoy this!

Eric sat at the bar, watching her.  "My free night is not supposed to be spent watching thieves," he complained to himself.  He called his boss.  "If I'm sitting here watching one of Lupin's people go dancing, do I get overtime?"  He watched her get looser.  "No, she's taking salsa dancing lessons at the club I'm at.  No, she's really damn hot, but I'm still not getting a night off."  He smirked.  "Fine, H.  Thank you, H."  He hung up and went back to watching.  Someone would be there to take his spot in a bit.  He glanced at the door as it opened, hoping for his girlfriend.  Instead he got her boyfriend and he was staring right at her and looking quite jealous.  He walked over there, brushing past him on his way back to his table.  "He's the instructor."

"Fricken' yay," Jigen said dryly, going out there to repossess his wife.   "No flirting with strange Latin gay men," he ordered, taking her with him.  This was one of those times he wished he was as strong as Goemon was.  He'd like to have picked her up and carried her out over his shoulder.  Jigen nodded at the blushing blonde outside the club.  "Did you hit on her too?" he demanded.

"At the airport to distract her," Xander admitted sheepishly.  "Just a kiss, Jigen."

"I'm going to break you of that flirting habit yet, Xander.  You are not Lupin, nor are you Fujiko."  He pulled her to the car and got in, taking her back to the apartment, where he would prove that she was *his* wife and no one else's, especially not pretty women's.  No woman could give her what he did, especially not a cop.

***

Zenigata looked over as Ray walked into the office.  They were alone, it was lunch time.  "Lock it," he ordered.  Ray nodded and locked it.  "I'm taking you off anything Lavelle related," he started.  Ray moaned, holding his head.  "It's not that.  I do understand that, though he didn't give you up.  If you watch his eyes very closely you can tell when he's lying."  He shrugged.  "Like I said, I understand.  That was a bad situation.  No one else knows a thing.  We're keeping it that way as well.  I'm doing this to avoid the appearance of impropriety.  IA is looking heavily again.  I don't want you caught up in that mess.  You're taking over for me when I leave.  By then, the children should just about be reaching their start and you can deal with that."  Ray looked relieved.  "I'm also not saying anything to your wife.  She's got doubts though, so I'd assuage them quickly. There's nothing that can ruin a marriage faster than that," he offered quietly.

Ray nodded.  "Thanks, boss."

"You're welcome, Ray.  I know you understand why I have to do this.  You've been very good so far but I don't want you harmed for having a friend."  He shrugged.  "It happens to the best of us.  We deal and we move on.  From now on, you're not even on the chases.  You're to not have anything to do with the official case against them if it reopens.  Understood?"

Ray nodded.  "Understood.  Does Vecchio suspect?"

"Suspect, can't prove.  Lavelle wouldn't name a source and said you didn't send him.  He said it to him, to me, and to all of us."  Ray nodded at that and looked relieved.  "Until such a time as you take over, I want you to handle the other cases.  Lord knows there's enough of them."

"Yes, sir, I do understand," he said, looking relieved.  "Should I tell her...?"

Zenigata shrugged.  "I'd make that dependant on your conscience.  Can you stand to let that lie lay?"

"No," Ray admitted, shaking his head.  "I can't."

"Then don't.  It'll eat you otherwise.  She may understand, she may not.  She may see all this as proof that we're watching you too.  She's a damn good cop, Ray."

"I know, sir, that's what's worrying me the most.  I figured you'd either figure it out or ignore it.  The others would ignore it.  Dawn definitely would ignore it because she's thought about doing the same thing with some of her problems.  She was my only sticking point."

"Then I'd be ready to confess as soon as she gets home," he suggested.  "Do not let this fester between you.  It will taint everything around you."  Ray nodded.  "By the way, we can't prove he did a thing either."

"Good," Ray admitted.  "I had worried about that too.  I think I'll go have an ulcer in peace now.  Am I taking on the Branderson case as well?"  Zenigata handed it over with a smirk. "Thanks, boss, you're all heart.  When do we get five new people to fill in all the jobs around here?"

"We'll be lucky if we don't have a budget cut again this year," Zenigata said tiredly.  "I hate it, but it's a factor in modern police work.  Who knows, maybe we can capture Lupin and take all his money as ours somehow."  His phone rang.  "Zenigata," he answered tiredly.  He grimaced.  "We do not need it," he said, slamming the phone down.  "Later today, find the bug in here."

"Yes, sir," Ray agreed with a grin.  "Jigen or Lupin?"

"Goemon and Fujiko."  He grimaced.  "With a screaming child in the background."

"Wonderful for them," Ray sighed, shaking his head as he walked away.

"Ask her, she might want the same thing," he called after him.

"After all the problems we've seen with Xander and Fujiko, not a chance," Ray called back as he left the station.  Expediency and desire had won over his intellect and now he was paying the price for it.  He headed out to a payphone and leaned against it as he called a familiar number.  "Hey, it's Ray.  Is this line secure?  I need advice.  I did something really dumb, but necessary."

***

Mahoney looked at the phone, then shrugged.  "My end is, yours?"  He listened, leaning back in his comfy desk chair.  "Good, then tell me what was so dumb, but necessary.  Did you get her drunk and forget protection?"  He sat up suddenly.  "You did what?"  He groaned and shook his head.  "Ray, that was not only dumb, but wrong.  You know that right?"  He outlook brightened when he heard the reason.  "Which is understandable, but you can't let others know."  Ray admitted who knew and who didn't.  "And he's not upset?"  He shrugged, Zenigata was a nicer boss than he had seemed. "Okay, so you know it was dumb and wrong.  You know it was something that you shouldn't have done.  Why call?"  He winced.  "That I can't help you with.  Give me a few hours to approach Eugene.  Or hold on."  He got up and opened a window, he had heard Eugene calling cadence for a jogging group.  "Gene!" he yelled.  Eugene looked up and waved.  "I need you up here for a few.  Now!"  He put the window down.  "You're in luck, Gene was out jogging with the newest cadets."  Eugene walked in and looked at him, standing at parade rest.  "Lock the door and sit down."  He did so, looking confused as Mahoney put Ray on speaker phone.  "Tell him."

***

Emmajean finally made it home and found the apartment dark, all but the chair in front of the window. "Ray?"  He grunted in the dark and she headed for his reading chair, sitting next to him on the windowsill.  "It was true?" she asked.  He nodded and took another sip of his beer.  "Are you okay with that?"

He looked at her, looking exhausted, like he had been wrestling with this all night.  He finished his beer and put it aside.  "I am, but I know you're not gonna be," he told her simply.  "I did what I had ta so Ray would live."

"I agree, you did the expedient thing."  She leaned down and kissed him, then grimaced.  "How many have you had?"

"Enough to not care if your uncle comes over here and kicks my ass for you?"

"You told my uncle?"

"I wanted a wiser set of advice."  He shrugged, then grimaced again.  "I called Mahoney.  He asked him.  Your uncle said to pray that he couldn't afford a plane ticket this paycheck."

"Dear, Uncle Eugene lives with the family.  He can afford round trip first class."  She gave him another light kiss.  "Are you okay with it?"

"I am," he assured her.  "I don't like that I had to do it, but about doin' it I don't seem ta care.  I didn't when I did it.  It was the only way to stop Chicago from exploding.  You heard what he did to try and capture Ray the last time."

"I did," she admitted.  "Ray said thank you.  He knew you sent Xander to watch over him.  Xander is very good at lying, but Ray's Mountie has instincts."   Her Ray let out a bitter sounding laugh.  "Now what did you want to do, and does Zenigata know?"

"He knows.  He took me off everything dealing with Lupin and Lavelle.  I can't even go on the chases."

She grinned.  "Good.  The last time you tried to chase Xander, you ended up in that game of rock/paper/scissors over who got to save the drowning person."  He snickered at that.  "Did you win?"

"He jumped before I could throw.  Arrogant prick."

"Yeah, but he's a good guy most of the time," she reminded him.  "All except for when he's working and even then he's a pretty decent guy as long as you're not a bad guy."  He nodded.  "I'm sure Zenigata understood as well."  He gave her a pitiful look and she smiled at him.  "Do you feel better now that you've told me?"  He nodded, reaching over to pull her closer to hug her stomach.  "Ray, you shouldn't be doing that yet.  I'm not."

"Your uncle threatened me if I did knock you up," he admitted, hugging her harder.  "He said he would definitely come over here and kick my ass if I so much as thought about having little Ray's and Emmajeans with you."

She laughed.  "He was traumatized by the sight of his son coming out.  Compared it to a dog whelping something like a moose if I remember right.  He thinks all women should go barren so we don't have to deal with that pain."  She stroked through his damp, sticky hair.  "You were sweating?"

"Yeah, I was.  I was worried what you'd think of me."

"I think you did the best you could to save some people.   The law may be black and white but there are a lot of people out there with blue blood."  He snickered and gave her an extra squeeze.  "Come on, let's get you cleaned up.  Then we can snuggle and you can tell me all sorts of things that Mahoney called you."

"He called you?"

"He said I needed to talk to you, nothing further.  From now on, call Callahan.  She's much more used to such questions from the cadets."

"Okay, I will.  I hope it never happens again but I will if it does."

"Good boy, Ray.  Now come bathe with me so I can dirty you up again."  He grinned sheepishly and followed her into the bathroom, letting her set everything.  She didn't hate him, that was all he had wanted out of life.

***

Lupin let himself into Jigen's apartment, looking around.  Apparently the old man hadn't done anything to it in the short time he'd been there. He noticed there was a woman in the kitchen, bending down as she tasted something from a pot. It had to be Xander, Jigen wouldn't cheat on her.  He walked into the kitchen as silently as he could, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing the back of her neck. "What part of don't pull any jobs didn't you remember?" he whispered in her ear.  She stiffened in his arms.  "Xander?"  He turned her around to look at him.  "I'm going to trust my grandfather's warning that one of us could end up dead or we'd all end up on the run again.  I don't want to do that to the kids, do you?"

She sniffled and walked out, heading out to her rental car.  Apparently he wouldn't understand.

Educating the Masses.

Jigen came back from his doctor's appointment and saw Xander storm past him.  He grimaced, following her knowing something was not right.  She was either having a mood swing or Lupin had come back a day early and had gotten onto her about the Chicago thing and then she had a mood swing.  One of the two, and both were bad for him. He grabbed her and put her over his shoulder, carrying her to the elevator, and then to the apartment, thankfully not a long walk.  "How does Goemon do this," he complained as he set her down.  "He's always carrying Fujiko and the stomach of doom these days."

"He's not just out of the hospital," Lupin pointed out, giving him a look.  "Very manly, Jigen."  They both looked down at Xander, who was sitting very stiffly.  "I wasn't criticizing."  Jigen snorted. "You weren't even here," he reminded patiently.

Jigen shook his head and went to the kitchen, turning down the sauce in the pot.  "Xander, is this nearly done?"

"Nearly.  Add some more herbs."  She stood up and pushed her skirt down.  "I'm leaving," she said firmly, glaring at Lupin.  "Before I do something you'll regret."  She stormed out again and neither man followed her.

"Very womanish," Jigen noted.

Lupin frowned at the doorway, nodding his agreement.  "It was," he agreed, looking at Jigen.  "All I did was start a conversation about Chicago."

"Leave it alone, Lupin.  She did what she felt she had to do and she settled down the mess up there.  Besides, Zucko drew on her first.  He broke the protocol for meetings and he drew on her first."  Lupin winced.  "And now you've upset Xander over doing something he felt he had to do.  Have fun groveling in Geneva.  I'll be in Greece with the kids in about a week."

"At least it's partially good news," Lupin said bitterly.  "A week more?"  Jigen tasted the sauce and made some herb adjustments, then pulled it off the heat to rest while he made some pasta to go underneath it.  "That any good?"

"It's better now.  Xander was making it weak and I added some extra herbs."  He rattled the box of pasta.  "We'll need more soon."

"We can always go shopping.  We won't be doing much of anything else for the next few days."  He came in to help, tasting the sauce himself.  "I'll add salt to mine," he noted, going to help scrounge dinner out of the meager kitchen cabinets.

Jigen gave him a look.  "The doctor said I was doing much better and that not even the kids having another Disney fit should raise it again."

Lupin shuddered. Their children had ganged up on them, starting with a pitiful rendition of "Disney, daddy," each time they had looked at one of them, and ending in an attempted kidnaping with Marcus' help.  It had raised his blood pressure too so he understood Jigen's revulsion.  "That's great.  We'll go back to Greece and wait for this fit to be over with."

"You think it's going to be that simple?"

"Yes," he defended.

Jigen shook his head.  "I'd call Fujiko and see what sort of present is meant to make up for making Xander feel incompetent and a hindrance.  We did it to her enough, she should understand."

Lupin gave him a look.  "It won't be necessary.  It was just a mood swing."

"If you say so, boss.  You're the man if you can bring her out of that.  Maybe a night on the town where we'll let her finish her salsa dancing lessons," he muttered as he ran water for his dinner.

"Salsa dancing?  Xander?"

"Yeah, in that same dress and those same shoes.  I had to pull her away from the little gay dance teacher and the cop watching her on his night off.  She's made quite a nuisance of herself recently.  Kissed that one chick.  Got the younger kid all hot and bothered.  The older one is sweating each time her name is dropped near him."

"Xander's version of chaos and dissension.  I'm impressed yet again," Lupin admitted, leaning on the counter.  "All I did was ask her what part of our standing orders she didn't understand."

"Maybe it was you who forgot that she gets bored easily and this was a *friend*, one of the only ones she has, who asked her for the favor."  Jigen gave him a look.  "Think about it, if Pops asked you, wouldn't you have done it against your grandfather's orders?"

"Probably," Lupin admitted, not liking that thought.  "I guess it did stabilize Chicago again.  Everyone's happy there and no one got fired or killed except the idiots."  He looked at Jigen, then the clock.  "How far is the nearest bar?"

"She's given up drinking already," Jigen said patiently.  "You might try calling but I doubt she'll answer her phone yet."

"She's got voicemail," Lupin reminded him, picking up the phone to dial hers. "Xander, I'm sorry," he said quietly into the voicemail.  "I really am.  Please come back?  I only wanted to talk about it, see if we can work out a way for you to do things more subtly.   Please?"  He hung up and smirked.  "That should work."

Jigen shook his head.  "I sincerely doubt it."  He turned up the radio that had been on, listening to the report of the shooting uptown.  "Either she's involved or she's solving it.  That was one of her buddies."

Lupin groaned. "Fucking hell. She needs to be chained to the bed again.  She's always in trouble."

"He's like that, Lupin.  We've known that since the first time we each met him.  This isn't any different."  He checked a piece of pasta, then drained it and poured some of the sauce on top, dishing it up for himself.  "What are you having?"

"Jackass," Lupin said, glaring at his back.  The announcer came back with the report that the shooter who had taken hostages and had shot people had just been taken out in a surprise move by the local SWAT teams.  Or someone near them.  The SWAT commander wasn't saying anything and neither was CSI director Cane.  Lupin's scowl got deeper, and he had the feeling he would be wearing that look for the next few days once they found wherever Xander had went to sulk.

***

Xander walked into the nice mansion and nodded at the butler. "Is the big guy in?  I need some advice."

"Of course, Sylvia, let me check with him."  He walked back to the billiards room his boss was in.  "Sir, Sylvia is here," he said quietly.  "She said she needs some advice.  She looks rather miserable."

"She's alone?" he asked, looking confused.  His butler nodded.  "Fine, bring her to the library.  I'll head right there."  You never saw Lavelle alone anymore, something bad must have happened.  He went into his office to check his latest intelligence on that one, finding an interesting note.  He headed into the library, frowning already.  "What happened, Lavelle?  Lupin get onto you about Chicago?"

She sighed and nodded, swinging the foot she had propped over a footstool.  "First thing.  I need advice."

"You need to justify it to yourself again," he corrected.

She looked at him.  "After the fact, isn't it the same thing?" she asked bitterly.  He nodded and sat across from her.  "I was asked by someone."

"A cop someone?"

"No," he said.  "I do have groupies and sometimes they do email me requests.  In this case, it was something that I felt I could do.  Vecchio's a damn good cop.  He's proved it again and again.  I find him one of the few worthy of my respect."  The Don of Europe's Dark Syndicate nodded.  "So I went there and came in with jet lag of course.  Long flight from Africa.  I got there, Zucko called a meeting and Marcus agreed for me.  Perfectly normal for us.  He got me up, and I do all the formal stuff I need like showering. I get downstairs and he's broken the rules of engagement.  He's sent goons to pick me up nearly two hours early."  The Don winced, they were very strict on meeting etiquette around Europe.  "Exactly!" Lavelle agreed, putting her foot down to lean closer.  "Then, not only does he do that, but I correct them by kicking them a few times and stuffing them in the trunk.  I drive to Zucko's after finding some pastry for breakfast.  It was a craving," he admitted at the dry look he got.  "I get there, Frankie tried the same thing you did when we first met, the gamesmanship.  Started out saying I didn't look like my age."  The Don snorted.  "So I gave it back, laid it out and told him I wasn't taking his contract on Vecchio, that I was there to fight against him if he tried.  At the end, his butler drew on me so I got him first, then turned and found Zucko had pulled as well so I got him too.  Neither fatal with some good immediate care.  I left, covered up all the stuff that no one needed to know, and went to sit with Jigen while he recovered."

"And the first thing Lupin did was to try and do his 'caring' routine and talk to you about it," he finished.  She nodded, looking miserable.  "It sounds like you had a perfectly good justification for such action, Lavelle.  Do you think Lupin won't agree?"

"I know he won't agree.  His grandfather came back for a visitation right before we had to evacuate the main house in France.  He said we needed to fully retire or our next job would either kill someone or get a warrant restarted.  I told Lupin I'd be subtle as I could when I pulled jobs by myself.  I'm not that old and I feel younger when I'm doing more than childcare!"

"I understand," he soothed, handing over a tissue.  "I'd heard you were knocked up again.  Are you okay?"

"Really tired.  Sore.  Starting the emotional bullshit."

"I had wondered why you came in as a female this time.  I never get to see you like this unless either Lupin or Jigen are with you."  He looked over her unconservative outfit, something that Fujiko would wear if she still had her younger body.

"Unfortunately the morning sickness is easier in this form," she said bitterly.  "It's true, women have stronger stomachs for nastiness.  I find I don't puke when I stay like this through my third month."  She stroked her stomach.  "I don't know what to do.  I don't want to go back until they're tired of bitching me out for being myself.  I don't want to leave them either.  I nearly quit on them in Miami.  I did walk away from them before I threw a real fit and inadvertently quit.  I don't want to quit the group."

"In the old days, you used to take a vacation when these things happened," he offered.  "I do have a few jobs you could pull if you wanted.  Strictly shooter stuff of course.  One of them is even the odd sort that you seem to draw to you."

"It's not Dawn, right?"

"No, I'd never offer you the contract on Dawn or any of Zenigata's people," he agreed, giving her a faint smile.  "Would you like a drink while we discuss it?"

"I'd almost rather have some pudding," she offered.  "I feel like shit."

"I'm sure you do.  After all, you just barely got free of the last one.  I know you remember what Fujiko was like when she was carrying Lotus; how she had a personality change so drastic she became soft and motherly.  No woman should be forced to have one back-to- back.  It's not healthy for them and I doubt it's any more healthy for you."

She gave him a faint smile.  "I'm still considering the sneak attack castration plans."  He gave her a 'huh' look.  "Fujiko made them after having Ishi.  She keeps threatening to castrate Goemon for knocking her up again.   I've seen them, they're nearly brilliant."

Goemon walked in, grimacing at Xander.  "You return and leave us with the children?  Your heathens need you, not me and not Marcus."  He hauled her up and put her over his shoulder.  "Come along, Xander.  You're needed by your offspring."

"Goemon, put her down right now," the Don ordered icily.  He looked at him.  "That is not good for her in her condition!  Now!"  Goemon gently set Xander down and frowned at him.  "Not only was her stomach, but her uterus was pressing against your shoulder.  You probably put her into a great deal of pain and I know you can make her miscarry by applying the wrong sort of pressure this early on in the pregnancy."

He rolled his eyes.  "I have done this before," he noted.  "She was not pressing where you thought and my shoulder is padded.  I have done that many times to Fujiko. For at least another month she is fine.  After that she would have to be carried the other way, as I do my wife most of the time."  The Don stared at him in shock.  "I did the same for my first son, I am hoping that similar results will occur if I bond with him early enough."

"Calm down, you're giving me a headache," Xander complained, standing up and wobbling.  Goemon caught her as she passed out, letting out a long sigh.

"There, you see, it's bad for her," the Don said.  "It was too soon and her body's out of order.  Then your boss had to go and fuck things up by nagging at her about Chicago.  I should take her away from you."

"Only if you wish to die," Goemon said firmly, picking her up again.   "Some of us do not see her as some round-bellied accessory to her husbands.  Some of us see the person she is in her own right and all her skills.  Still, her unique touch is needed by all our children.  She has ways with them that the rest of us can't compare with and they need her more now."  He nodded and left with her, taking her out to the car, where Fujiko was waiting on them.

"Am I a bad mother?" she complained as he got in.

"No, you are very outrageous and odd to the children.  You are nearly a fantastic beast in your own right.  You speak down to them, whereas Xander is more natural and speaks on their levels.   It is a matter of being naturally maternal in his case and your life was never centered around nurturing others the way his was.  Drive."

"Fine."  She put the car into gear, looking over at Xander.  "She doesn't look that great."

"She passed out while we were arguing over her.  I caught her before she hit the floor.  He was correct, it was much too soon and her body would be rebelling greatly."

Fujiko nodded.  "Remember what I was like?"

"That constant tiredness, the mood swings that seemed to drain you for days.   Plus the baby was more active and harder to carry.  In this case, I believe we should take her away from her men until they learn to appreciate her."

"Where?"

"I had in mind restarting our school again," he admitted. "Marcus is well-able to fill in for me.  Xander could be helpful in teaching any students I might take in.  Plus the children could come with us.   Arsene has been quite worried about her."

"I know.  If you want, go for it," she agreed.  "Unlike Lupin I know you won't sleep with her."  She glanced at him as they were stopped by a red light.  "Did she give my castration plans a compliment?"

"She did," he agreed, smiling at her.  "I do not wish to leave you."

"Goemon, I would beg if you left me alone for a few months," she admitted.   "Come back for the last month or so.  That way I can walk around on my own and do all that neat stuff."  She gave him a long look then took off again once she noticed the light had changed.  "Besides, she looks like she could use the rest and you could use the time meditating and taking care of someone who needs it more.  No one knows where your school is besides Lupin anyway, so you'll be safe enough there to give her a rest."

"We should go then," he agreed.  "I will take the children with me."

"Hey, have fun.  I'll keep Marcus just in case the other two run out of excuses and come hunting you guys.  Have fun and all that.  Should we just stick them on the plane?"

"After the trip to Orlando?"

"Good point," she admitted, smirking at him.  "I'll send Marcus and he can come back the next day."  He nodded and she took the turn to the airport.  "Where is her kimono stash?"

"In the things that were packed in Japan and sent back to her house."  Fujiko did a u-turn and headed back to Xander's house.  "Are you certain?"

"Yup, immensely so, Goemon.  She needs you more than I do right now.  I had her when I went through the same thing.  She filled in for all the stomach rubs, the crying jags, the mood swings, and all that great stuff that nearly drove me insane.  You've got that same patience with pregnant women so I think she deserves the same treatment.  Let's face it, Xander gives and gives and never seems to get much in return.  I still bet Lupin slept with Lara."

"He did not," Goemon said firmly, checking on Xander.  He gave her a harsh look, nodding down at her.

"Fine, if you say so," she agreed, giving him a look in return.  She parked in front of the house.  "Hurry back.  I can always ship other things."  He nodded and went inside to gather her clothes for her.  He found the kimono stash easily enough, finding the ones she could workout in on top of the others.  The others were folded more neatly, these were simply folded for space and lack of energy by then.  He found a suitcase and her briefcase, packing things for her. He even went pawing through her underwear drawer to find her something from in there.  Once he was done, he walked them out to the car, making sure to set the alarm and lock the door behind himself.  The new syndicate in town would not think twice of bombing his beloved house since he had brought down the old order.  He climbed back in, showing her the bag.  She nodded and plucked out the passport Xander should use, handing it over.  "There.  Now let's get you to Japan so I can send the kids there.  It'll be a relief to be more than the mommy for a bit."  She turned them around, heading back to the airport.  "Is her ATM card in there?"

"It is," he admitted.  "I checked her wallet.  It's all in there."

"Good.  Call Murami and warn her where you'll be heading.  That way she can authorize any strange purchases and ignore the others."  She glanced at him.  "Did you remember male clothes?"

"For most of those it is the same.  I gathered workout clothes and kimonos she had exercised while wearing in the past."  He settled himself deeper into the seat.  "I do like this car.  Did you steal it?"

"Unfortunately I rented.  I'm not quick enough right now to steal a car."  She turned back onto the airport's road, heading to drop them off before Goemon could change his mind.  The stubborn bastard might make her keep the kids if it would make her turn into a mother like Xander was.  She had never wanted to be a mother like that one was.  It was a horrifying life she had been living, always being conscious of what she did and what she did around them.  It was her version of hell.  She waved as he got them out of the car, murmuring in Xander's ear as he walked her inside.  She pulled away with a smirk.  "Maybe we'll all get lucky and claim her as some sort of official mistress, take her away from Lupin.  He could use a good dose of adulthood again. It'd make him more fun."

Goemon watched the car retreat, then went back to speaking quietly to the barely awake Xander.  "I am worried about her again," he noted.  "I want us to take the children and hide them from Fujiko and whatever plans she has in mind for those men of yours."

"I should be behind them."

"They will come for you if they need you, Xander. Jigen can handle this one."  She nodded and yawned, letting him take her card to purchase their tickets back to Japan.  "The children will be sent fairly quickly," he assured her.

"You two do make a cute couple," the 'reservation expert' said, smiling at them.

"You should see it when we're dressed traditionally," Xander quipped tiredly.

"I'm sure you two are adorable," she gushed, handing over their tickets.  "Gate thirty- eight, and please make sure that all weapons are stowed or sent away," she said, looking directly at Xander.

He nodded and held up a hand.  "Let me courier them.  We're going to train the kids."  He sent them through the airline's courier with Goemon's sword.  They'd be waiting for them on the other end.  Now they could get through the security checks quickly and easily.  She followed him to the gateway, only stopping to get some soda and a small burger.  "Who is coming with the kids?"

"Marcus will accompany them then travel back however," Goemon offered.  He helped her sit down, making sure she was comfortable.  "You can sleep on the flight."

"I'm sure I will," she agreed with a small smirk.  "Feeling lost without the belly of destruction?"

He chuckled, sitting next to her.  "I have felt that way recently. She never lets me stroke my new son."

"I think Fujiko's suddenly hit her midlife crisis," Xander told him, leaning her head on his shoulder.  "I'm not yet but I'd kill for a real bed."

"If we have to, we'll have someone move yours from the hideout up there," he promised, patting her on the back.  "It won't be long before those men of yours find you and apologize."

"I'd rather that they learned I do have some damn sense.  Just because I can mood swing doesn't mean everything is."  She looked up at him, then realized where she was resting.  "I swear, Lupin came up and asked, literally, what part of the instructions I hadn't understood.  Like I didn't tell him I wasn't ready to retire yet? Or that I could do things on my own, and usually do them subtly?  He's seen me in action and he never stops to think I'm more than a tool for his use."  She slumped a little.  "Between that and Jigen teasing me and calling me a brat, I don't know what to do about them anymore."

"A small separation should fix most of that," he assured her, giving her a gentle pat.  "Plus, we'll have time to finish the children's most important part of their education.   By the time Fujiko is out of whatever phase she's going through, the children will be fully indoctrinated in our ways."  She beamed up at him.  "I would never think of taking your fun away, Xander.  I'll help however I can until you're unable to work."

"Thanks, Goemon.  Maybe all I needed was another friend."  She leaned against his shoulder again, falling back asleep.

He smirked down at her.  He was quite good at handling pregnant women.  If he ever went straight he'd have to look into that as a career.  Maybe some sort of marital therapist for that time.

Unbeknownst to them, someone was taking their picture, very interested in the scene they appeared to have going.  This could get him a bonus with the Don for sure.

***

Lupin looked up as his lunch was interrupted by a woman waving an envelope.  "Lupin the Third?" she asked.  He nodded and signed for it.  "Have a nice day."

He opened it, frowning at the paper inside.  "Divorce papers?"  He pulled out his phone and called Jigen.  "Did you just get a strange package?"  He grunted in annoyance.  "No, someone just delivered me divorce papers."  He put them down.  "I don't know.  Start the usual checks.  I'm sure she's either with the kids or sulking in Geneva."  He listened while Jigen sent out a 'where are they this time' message on the thieves' bulletin boards.  He choked when he heard the answer.  "He's what?  No, I want to see that picture.  Send it to my phone."  He waited, watching as it downloaded.  His scowl was going to be permanently etched onto his face.  The picture of Goemon carrying Xander was followed by them in an airport, cuddled up together.  Then it was followed up by them heading onto an Air Japan jet.  He put the phone up against his ear.  "Still going to tell me I'm paranoid?"  He hung up before Jigen could say anything, picking up the papers to read them.  If she wanted out of their bed, Xander was going to have to fight him for it and he could and would take out Goemon on her.  He frowned and reread a sentence.  Then he picked up his phone and called Jigen back. "They're fakes.  I know what real ones state and this one isn't. Someone's trying to split up the group.  Were those photos manipulated any?"  He scowled again.  "Fine.  Let's head to Greece tonight. I want to check on the kids suddenly."  He choked, dropping his phone.  When he had caught his breath, he picked it back up again.  "Excuse me, she did what?"

Jigen's answer made him pick up the papers, toss down some money without looking at it, and hurry back to the apartment to pack.   How dare Xander take his children and go live with Goemon!

***

The European Don looked around this ...quaint town with a grimace of distaste.  Too many fake people for his tastes.  He walked into the small apartment building and headed up on the elevator, noticing that there was no security force.  "How dumb are they?" he muttered.  He stepped off and ran into the people he was looking for coming out.  "Inside, both of you."  Their jaws dropped.  "Now."  They let him into the apartment, dropping their bags to sit across from him.  "Things are now officially out of hand, boys.  Not only was your spouse taken away from me by Goemon for her own health and well-being, Fujiko has set part of this up.  I know you've seen the pictures.  They're real."

"Goemon really carried her?" Jigen asked in a flat voice.  The Don nodded.  "Why?"

"Because she had just passed out at my feet.  She came to me for validation of what happened in Chicago.  I agree, she had no choice in the matter.  They were drawing on her, she had to do it."

"She didn't have to be there."

"Lupin, if Zenigata had asked you for a similar favor, you would have done it without question as well.  That one is loyal to all her friends and family."

"Then whose sick idea of a joke was the divorce papers?"

"That is from a problem I wanted Lavelle to look over for me.  Since she not only passed out but she managed to fall asleep in a crowded airport as six flights were boarding, I don't think she's in shape to do it.  That leaves you with your boy Marcus.  He'll be back after escorting your children to Goemon's school.  With Fujiko's permission since she's not feeling very maternal at the moment.  I know he'll take good care of her while you're away.  I also know that Goemon understands her better than either of you ever could.  They have that same picky nature about their skills and the same form of outlook on life most of the time.   Goemon really should start a school of thought based on revelations from his son's upbringing, but I think your Lavelle understands that."  He stood up.  "Until you two do, maybe you should help your boy take out this problem we seem to be having with the magically active prankster who likes to interrupt jobs to laugh at the thieves."  They shuddered.  "I will let you know this.  Your Lavelle is very tired.  Her body is rebelling.  Normal women have problems having one right after another.  It wears the body down horribly.  Since she's not really a woman most of the time, it's affecting her worse.  I'm sure Goemon will get his fill of carrying her around.  He seems to enjoy it most of the time."  He left them there, going to talk to a few old friends who had retired down there among the plasticine people.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "Am I more or less jealous now?"

"I'm just confused," Jigen noted.  "Why did she go to *him* for validation?"

"Because I fucked up," Lupin admitted.  "He's right, she's probably not in any shape right now to be doing any of this, but she did.  She went to help a friend, just like she ends up in Cleveland now and then for the same reason."  He shook his head.  "So we need to find this prankster," he said finally.   Thinking about Xander was giving him a headache and making him depressed.  "You know, if we don't get her back soon, we'll lose her to Goemon for good."

"We won't," Jigen said firmly.  "He won't put up with her odd moods when she's not pregnant."  Lupin gave him a harsh look. "He won't."

"He's mellowed on them over the last few years.  Now he teases her about her bouncing instead of trying to correct it."  Jigen groaned.  "We've got one shot left.  Do you have any idea what it would take to make her come back to us?"

"I don't know.  A new house? Better sex?  The old us back again?"  He stood up with a groan.  "I don't fricken' know, Lupin, go ask Goemon."

"Better yet, we need to ask Ray," Lupin said as the thought hit him.  "Goemon will try to keep her.  That's the prevailing attitude of anyone who has close contact with Xander for long periods of time."  Jigen gave him a 'huh' look.  "The demons, Buffy, the rest of the twats there, us?  We all wanted to keep her after we got to know her.  I'm sure Goemon feels the same way."

"I'm pretty sure Goemon feels like her brother, not her future husband," Jigen said bitterly, silently adding an 'I hope' to the end of that.

"I hope so," Lupin told him.  "The same as I hope that I can kick his ass if he doesn't.  For right now, we need to find this prankster, we need to kidnap Ray for a few hours, and we need to get Xander back.  What about Fujiko?"

"She sent her kids off to Japan.  I think she's missing her fun years."

"Quite possibly," Lupin agreed as he stood up.  "Come on, we'll start in Geneva.  That's where the fake divorce papers came from."  He grabbed his phone and called his daughter's.  "Arsene, it's daddy.  Tell mommy that the papers aren't real and I'm not accepting that they're real.  If she gets a set from me then she knows they're not real.  Okay?"  She repeated it back to him.  "Thanks, dear.  No, we're going to stop someone for the European Don. Yeah, him," he said patiently, ignoring his daughter's problem with classifying people by what they had for lunch the day she met them.  Jigen understood and snickered.  "When you see mommy, you give her a big hug for me and ask her nicely to call me, okay?  Tell her we miss her and we'll be up in a few weeks to check on her and see if she wants to be cuddled by us.  Thanks, Arsene."  He hung up and looked at Jigen. "They're getting ready to get off now.  Fujiko wasted *no* time on sending them to her."  They grabbed their bags and headed out again, this time making it to the airport and their flight to Geneva.

***

Xander looked up as someone called her real name, frowning at the woman.  "What?" she asked tiredly, waving a hand when she came closer.  "You needed something?"

"I have some official papers for you," she said, smirking at her.

Xander look at the papers, then at her.  "No way in hell, bitch.  Go away."

"I think you'll find I can take the children from you."

"Goemon!"  He came over, taking the papers and ripping them up.  "Thank you.  Come on, kids.  Before the nasty lady tries to take you somewhere you're not wanted and will be hurt."  She walked her kids away, making sure they were all there.  "Lotus!"  She hurried after her, after hugging her father.

Goemon stood in her way.   "You will not come near her," he said quietly.  "Or else she will have to protect her children from you.  She is an excellent mother."

"She isn't a she," she said archly.

"She is at the present moment.  She does change now and then but it allows her to understand them better.  Now leave before I lose my temper as well."  He strode off after his children, helping them gather their few bags.  "Come, we're going somewhere she can't find us."  He took Xander by the arm when she yawned.  "How did she know you weren't always a female?"

"Some people do," she admitted.  "I'm guessing it somehow leaked from Zenigata's crew."  She gave him a miserable look.  "I can kill her, right?"

"If necessary," he agreed.  "I'll help."  He got all the children into the cab and sent them on a short shopping trip.  There was almost no food in the school's kitchen and the children would need some things.  By the time they got there, it was dark.  It made the lights on the police car show up wonderfully.  Goemon got out and told the cabdriver to wait.

The driver looked back at Xander.  "Why are they after you?"

"Because some evil bitch decided that I'm not a good enough mother.  I've only given up my life for them and stopped working."  He grimaced.  "You know, that whole teaching them thing didn't seem to impress them either.  She's a prejudiced bitch and I'm going to kill her soon."

"They might not like that," he warned.

Xander pulled out his gun and loaded it with a slap of the clip into the butt and a pull of the slide.  "Yay.  Fuck if I care what they like.  You touch my children over my dead and decomposing body and you'd better hope I never come back."

The driver nodded.  "Good.  Mothers like you are rare."

"Speaking of rare," Xander said, pulling her daughter's cellphone out of her purse since she was sleeping.  She looked through the phonebook, coming up with the local emergency number.  She dialed it and frowned when someone answered it.  "It's Sylvia, give me the Don," she ordered.  "I know that.  It's either talking to him or killing the social worker and I suspect that she'll do good in some other family."  The phone was handed over.  "It's me.  Social worker?"  She listened carefully.  "No, Goemon's dealing with her, I'm armed and having a small mood swing.  Yeah, my kids.  No, my kids."  She grimaced. "Why? Then let them prove it," she said calmly.  She hung up and put the phone back.  "I'll be right back."  She nudged Ishi.  "Watch the kids for a few."  She slid out of the back of the van, heading to the police car.  The gun was blatantly in her hand.  "Listen, bitch.  I'm as much a woman as you are or I wouldn't be pregnant right now."  The social worker gaped at her, then at the gun, then back at her.  "If you want proof, I bore the twins myself.  We have video footage of it if you want to see it.  Just because I'm not always like this doesn't mean I'm less of a woman.  Trust me here, I get the same crappy treatment you do.  Now, you can either back the fuck away from my children before I give up more of my life for them, or find out exactly how much I've learned in the art of torture while having a mood swing."

"You're pregnant?" she hissed.  Xander nodded and laid her hand on her stomach.  "No."  She pulled back, shaking her head.  "It's not possible."

"It is possible, I have been before.  As a matter of fact, I'm only five months postpartum on my last pregnancy.  Would you like to see them too?  Or perhaps ask the kids what they've learned from me in the last six weeks?  Or even who does most of their care when I'm around?"

"She is an exemplary mother," Goemon agreed.  "Xander, please give me the gun.  You're not rational."

"Fuck being rational!  She's trying to take my children, Goemon!  I will kill anyone who touches my children!"  She stomped back to the van, getting in and hugging Ishi for all he was worth.  "Why can't the world be populated with people like you and your father," she complained.

"Because it would be boring and people like Uncle Lupin would go insane," he pointed out, smiling at her.  "Can I go hurt her?"

"No.  I don't think it'll be necessary.  Your father's coming back."  Goemon got in and nodded for the driver to drive on.  "Is it fixed?"

"She can't be sure yet.  The law states anyone who's not the same gender they were born as cannot be a parent," he said bitterly.  "Since you're obviously still you sometimes, it doesn't really cover you.  May I please have that gun, Sylvia?"  She handed it over.  "Thank you."  He put it into his inner pocket.  "They'll be back in a few days."

"Can I hurt them, father?" Ishi asked.  "It is not honorable to have them doubt how good Xander is."

"It may not be, son, but we cannot hurt her yet.  As much as it pains me to say it, it would only bring more problems."

"Then the kids and I will leave," she told him. He gave her a look.  "I'll take 'em all."

"I know you will.  That is what upsets me."  They shared a look as the cab pulled into their driveway.  He paid the cabdriver and opened the back door, waking up the children as they carried them inside.  The driver got the bags because no one would trust him with the kids.

***

The former Don of Tokyo looked around the empty front yard of Goemon's house, scowling at it.  "Where are they?"

His wife walked out of the house and smiled at him.  "They have not been here, I suspect they're at Goemon's school, husband."  She kissed him on the cheek. "Do you know where that is?"

"Vaguely."  He made sure the house was closed up then got into the car with her.  "Do you know where Goemon set up his school?"  His driver shook his head.  "Damn.  Head for the next town over.  There's a small road up to it, most of the way."  He saw someone pop in and held up a hand.  "Hold on.  That's his apprentice."  He rolled the window.  "Marcus, where is the school exactly?"

He looked stunned.  "He never mentioned it to me.  He said that we could go for some of my later training but it hasn't come to pass yet."  He walked over to the car.  "I got a most panicked call from little Arsene.  Aren't they here?"

"They're at this school," the Don's wife told him.  "Can you lock in on one of them?"

"I can," he admitted, smiling at her. "Thank you for the idea.  I'll set up some sort of homing beacon for you both."  He stepped back and closed his eyes, concentrating on Xander's energy signature.  It was all over the score.  He groaned and focused on Lotus, finding her easier.  He went to where she was, staring down the big bear.  "Huh."  He pulled his sword and cut into its stomach, making it roar in pain and run away.  "Much nicer," he decided, looking around before heading into the house.  He found Arsene sobbing in the corner.  "Are you all right, pumpkin?" he asked, smiling down at her.

"Mommy upset," she sobbed.  "Bad lady try to take us last night.  They say mommy the bad lady," she cried, clutching him to cry on him chest.

"Shh.  No one would ever dare touch any of you knowing how good Xander is at being the mother, Arsene.  It will not happen."  He pushed her back a bit and wiped her tears.  "There you go.  Now please go set up a telltale on the gate, all right?  The Don over Tokyo, the marshmallow fluff man, wanted to talk to your mother about this."  She nodded and went to do that with Ishi, who had been trying to hit the bear with an arrow.  Marcus looked around before letting out a string of invectives that would make his father blush.  Someone clapped and he turned to find Melissa standing there, giving him an evil look.  "I believe we're working on it now, dear one.  How are you?"

"Bored.  You?"

"I came to check on Xander.  Arsene called in a blind panic just a moment ago.  Are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine.  Ishi and I were in the woods working on our bows."  She walked in and hugged him.  "Arsene's mimicking mommy's mood swings.  She'll be fine soon."

"I hope so.  I want this situation solved quickly.  I can't stand to see things like that happen to good parents."  He gave her a gentle pat and a smile. "Where are the other adults?"

"Goemon's chopping wood so he doesn't lose control and mommy's in the bathroom.  She said something about going to deal with this situation."

"Thank you, dear one," he said, hurrying to where the bathrooms must be. He tapped on the doorway, hearing a muffled 'go away'.  "Xander, it's Marcus," he called.  "Arsene called me, she was frantic.  Are you all right?"  Her 'no' was a bit stronger.  "May I please come in?  I want to check you over."  She opened the door and handed him a bottle before walking past him.  He looked at the bottle, then blanched.  "Xander, you were thinking about that?" he asked in shock, following her outside.  "There are other ways."

She stopped to look at him. "Marcus, I'm in trouble okay?  They think I'm a bad parent because of what the choker allows me to do.  I can't prove I'm good unless I can take it off.  I can't take it off while I'm pregnant and it'll mean losing the other kids!"

"Calm down," Goemon said, coming around the house.  He looked at the bottle, then at Xander.  "There are other ways."

"There might be, but I'm not seeing them."

He moved closer. "Remember the last time you said that?  How we ended up breaking out of one jail to break into another?"  Xander slumped and nodded, resting against him.  "Thank you.  Let the rest of us handle it, Xander.  We are watching out for you."

"You can go finish off the bear I had to injure before it hurt someone," Marcus offered, stuffing the bottle into his pocket.  Xander would get it over his dead body.

"Bear?" Goemon asked.

"Bear, Master, he was bothering your daughter.  I split into his stomach but did not succeed in killing him."  Xander yawned and Marcus looked alarmed.  "Perhaps I should go myself.  The Don of Tokyo is looking for you both.  I had Arsene put something on the gateway."  He hurried off, taking the bottle with him.  That was a bad sign.  Xander hadn't been sleepy with the other ones.

Goemon led Xander inside and laid her down on the couch.  "Stay there for a bit."  He went to meet the car he could hear coming up the driveway.  The Don got out.  "We would appreciate the help," he said, shaking his hand.  "I have just made Xander take a nap."

The Don gave him a long look.  "Getting attached to her would be dumb, Goemon."

"We are friends, nothing more," he said stiffly.  "Come inside?  We have lemonade made."  He led the way into the kitchen, getting them something to drink.  The kids all passed through to get some of their own then went back to whatever chores he had set them to.  He shrugged at the incredulous look.  "Fujiko was not feeling up to the strain of dealing with all of them."

"She was feeling old and wanted to be the woman she was before she was a mother," the Don's wife told him.  He sighed and nodded.  "Then expect to have them for quite a while and the new one when it comes."

"I expected such anyway," he noted, taking a sip of his lemonade.  He grimaced.  "Koolaid.  I'm sorry.  I let Melissa make it."

"It's not a problem, Goemon.  We've had it around our house too," the Don said gently.  "I have sent word to support Xander but I don't know if it would help.  I do know that the original social worker is working on her behalf now that she knows why she should."

"Original?" he asked.

"Since she changed her mind, her boss reassigned the case."  He took another sip, staring at Goemon, who shuddered finally when he figured it out.  "We don't know what this one's problem is."

"If we could remove her it might help," his wife suggested gently.  "Is she near retirement?"

"No, not in the least.  Ten years on the job, not anywhere close to the age of retirement," he said bitterly.  "If anything happens and they try to take Xander to court, I want you to know that the children come to me and I'll send them back to Lupin if he doesn't hear and come running."  Goemon nodded, relaxing again.  "I know right now he's in Europe with that stupid prankster that has been causing problems.  The Don over there asked them to take care of it personally."

"Wonderful," he said dryly.  "Then I suppose that Xander is mine to protect and take care of."  He glanced toward the living room, then back at their guests.  "She is quite tired," he noted.

"Goemon, a regular woman doing this could find herself so ill with the exhaustion that it would not be unreasonable for her to need time in the hospital.  How our foremothers ever did it I'm not sure, but then again they died early.  I have no doubt that contributed to them dying younger than we do today.  This could very well shorten her life span," the wife assured him.  "We like her, we want her around."

He nodded.  "I do as well.  Xander is a very good friend."

"Is that why there are pictures floating around of you carrying her from the Don's house and her sleeping on your arm in an airport?" the Don asked, smirking at him when he scowled.  "Lupin has seen them by the way.  Someone sent them to Jigen to verify the rumor that you two are going together now."

"She is married, as I am," he said stiffly.  "It's not honorable."

"No, but sometimes our ancestors took on a second wife, more of a mistress, to spare her a worse fate with his wife's permission," he noted smugly.  Goemon glared at him.  "Just suggesting," he said lightly, smirking now.  His wife elbowed him. "Sorry."  He looked outside and chuckled.  "Little Savanna doesn't know when to quit, does she?"

Goemon looked outside and went to take the axe from the young girl.  "You're not old enough for that yet."  He carried it inside with him, ignoring the disgusted whine of noise.  "No," he said as he closed the door.  He looked at the Don, blatantly putting the axe on the counter.  "Thank you for noticing."

"You're welcome.  The kids are quite energetic and lively.  They make Xander happy.  We like it when Xander is happy because then Lavelle doesn't come out to make my life a living hell.  She doesn't come in to steal my wife's vases with her kitsune friend.  She doesn't come to visit the children in the nursery, nor does she go talk to the Imperial Dragon."

Goemon muttered something and took another drink.  "I'm sure she'll be very busy now, as busy as we let her," he offered.

"Hopefully," the Don said smugly.  "As for the problem of that social worker, I don't know what to do."  He shrugged.  "I can have her hit.  I can have them all hit."

"No, it would not be wise.  They are needed to help the children who are in real trouble."  Goemon looked out the window when he noticed the wife staring, then smiled at her.  "The first son," he said proudly.

She looked at him.  "He looks very controlled.  Does he still play?"

He nodded.  "I understand the question but he is very much a normal boy.  He teases the girls mercilessly and occasionally still tries to give away his sister."  She chuckled, smiling at him.  "Xander has helped me quite a lot to see that my son needed more of me than my training.  Since the first day she has handed the baby to me and told me to go sit with him."  He finished his lemonade then opened the back door.  "Where is Lotus?" he called.

"Helping Uncle Marcus trap the bear," Ishi called back.  "He said she had to since she called it up, father."  He jogged up to the door and hugged him.  "I think I've figured out how Uncle Xander does that spin kick," he said proudly.

"Very good.  We'll see later."  He nodded and went back.  "Start on your katas as soon as you've gathered the rest of the children," he ordered.  He nodded and went to do that.  It would save his sister from having to kill something.  She was very gentle and shouldn't have to.  That's what brothers and uncles were for after all.  Goemon pushed the door mostly shut.  "It helps that they're close in age.  Xander potty trained them the same way.  Getting one to do it and then bribing her heavily."  The Don's wife snickered, nodding.  He smirked at the Don.  "It happened within days.  We had more trouble with my son because he had a fascination of going off the back porch."  He poured himself some more lemonade then glanced in the living room.  He frowned and walked out there, sighing in defeat.  "Xander?" he called.  He checked the bathroom and all the bedrooms.  He came back looking quite grim. "She's not here."

"Of course not.  That person was threatening her cubs.  She is quite fierce in the protection of children," the wife said gently.  "We'll track her for you if you don't find her first."

"Quite right.  Xander is a wonderful mother," her husband said, standing up.  "I hope she's learned some subtlety?"

"She often uses such," Goemon noted.  "You have no idea of half the things she's done and neither do the rest of us.  I suspect this will be one time that she'll start with a threatening letter and then move on to a shot from the top of a tall building."

"Most likely," he agreed, giving Goemon a fond pat on the arm.  "Keep up the good work and bring them to play soon.  My own children could use the steadying influence."

His wife kissed Goemon on the cheek.  "If you would set this up full time again, we'd gladly send some of them to you for beginning lessons."  Her husband looked at her.  "I would."

"I would prefer he do their advanced lessons if they chose his path," her husband told her.  He looked at Goemon.  "Nothing against you, but I'd like my children cross-trained if they came to us."

"I have done some of that myself," Goemon admitted.  "Teaching Xander and Marcus has been quite eye-opening.  Not only in the area of personalities, but also in their own areas and upbringings.  I've watched how Jigen trained Xander and he is quite interesting to watch work.  Even though he does chew gum and pop bubbles when he's undoing a bomb," he admitted dryly.

"Scared you?" the wife teased.

"Made Lupin jump," he corrected dryly.  "I wasn't there.  He had me out in the car waiting on them."  He led them back to their car, looking around.  "How did she get anywhere?"

"She can travel the same way Marcus can," the wife reminded him quietly.  Goemon nodded, opening the car door for them.  "We'll watch out for her, Goemon.  She is much too delicate right now for this sort of stress.  Leave it to us if she doesn't solve it the easiest way of all."  She slid in and let her husband shake the samurai's hand.  Once they were on the way she leaned against her husband's arm.  "I'd rather he started at the beginning, husband.  He would teach them not only honor but many useful ways of thinking."

He smiled down at her.  "He can't deal with most women, wife.  He doesn't understand modern women."

"Yet he's handled Fujiko and kept her out of our hair and out of trouble.  He's handled Xander beautifully as well.  He seems quite adept at finding a woman and spoiling her with his attention and affection.  I doubt he'd be one of those husbands who would refuse to do small chores around the house."

"True," he agreed.  "I'd still rather they trained the more modern way first then learned the old ways.  The world is moving on and even Goemon has to change some to go with it."  He gave her thigh a pat.  "Have you checked on the children recently?"

"No.  I figure they're fine."

"Try now.  I want to make sure that they haven't burned down the house or killed their nanny yet.  Our oldest daughter was quite emotional earlier."

She chuckled.  "That is the function of the onset of womanhood.  To make women appreciate their emotions."  She did pick up the carphone and call home.  "How are our children?" she asked when someone answered.  She laughed and handed it over.  "Our daughter was found talking with a young male in the garden."

"Hmm."  He grimaced and took the phone.  "Who was he?"  He raised an eyebrow.  "Really?"  He scowled. "Absolutely not. She is not going anywhere without a chaperone from now on.  Make sure of it."  He hung up.  "We will have to talk to her."

"I already have, husband.  I asked and Xander kindly sent me a copy of the cards he used with Dawn's nephews."  He looked at her.  "They were quite thorough and it gave me the chance to remind her of how we felt about premarital relations."

"Good.  How thorough were they?"

"They included pictures, including one of a child out to about its eyebrows during birth."   He shuddered.  "Exactly.  Between that and babysitting the youngest while he had colic I do not believe she'll need much encouragement to use birth control and to not have many of her own."

He gave her a smile.  "It was a brilliant thing."  He picked up his briefcase and opened it, taking out a paper to read and look over.  "Should we sell the house in Kyoto?"

"I've never liked it," she reminded him.  "See if one of the children wants it."

"They can buy their own once we're gone," he said firmly, signing the paper and pulling out the next one.

***

The head of Social Workers in Tokyo walked into her apartment and flipped on the light, then squealed and backed against the door.  "Who are you!  Why are you in my apartment!" she demanded.

Xander looked at her, giving her a bland look.  "I believe we need to have a discussion," he admitted, pointing at the couch. "Sit."

"I'll push my security button!" she threatened in near hysterics.

"Do so, get those cops killed as soon as they walk through the door, and then we'll talk while their bodies cool.  Sit."  She inched over and sat across from him.  "You are pursuing an action against someone who I happen to look up to as a mother.  Someone who has worked to bring down pedophiles, child abusers, and help those children who live on the streets.  Her children are healthy, well cared for, and taught quite well."

"You speak of Sylvia," she sneered.  He nodded.  "Her children are not healthy!"

"They are quite healthy," he said calmly.  "As that folder in front of you can attest to.  That's their doctor's reports since their first checkups.  Even when she was working full- time she managed to get them their shots and make sure they were well taken care of."  She picked it up and looked through it, then tossed it casually onto the couch.  "She is also home schooling them because she does not believe the general population could help them any.  The file beneath them is a list of what they're learning and what level they're at."

"She is not qualified to teach."

"She may not have a college degree, but she is quite knowledgeable.  If you ask any who have studied her, you'll find out that she's taken many college courses in her free time. She's studied five languages in her spare time to the first level, and speaks Japanese as a matter of formality.  She also has done many accounting classes, a few business classes, and has been struggling for years with a programming textbook.  All because she was bored."  He waved a hand around.  "She is more than qualified to teach the children until they need to take their placement exams, whether here or in Europe."  He leaned forward, giving her a long look.  "Then there is the fact that they're not Japanese.  Her four children are European.  Their father is American.  She is by no means Japanese or a citizen of Japan.  She may visit for a few months at a time, but I doubt your sovereignty over her or her children."

"While they are in our country, they are subject to our rules, including the schooling ones."

"You'll find that her children are six, below what your compulsory education standards say," he said calmly.  "You'll also find that they're well beyond that point.  Since her oldest two and the ones she cares for are speaking three languages at the level appropriate for their ages and working on Arabic at the moment, I doubt that you could have a beef with their education.  They're already proficient in higher maths.  She's got them doing multiplication and small division at the moment.  She's also teaching them grammar lessons from each of the languages, with an emphasis on the ones she speaks best."

"Don't you mean you?"

"Do I?" he asked dryly.  "Do I look like Sylvia?"

"No, but you do look like Lavelle."

He smirked.  "That is a common misconception.  One even Zenigata has been known to make on occasion.  We're not the same person in the least."

"Then that choker is something you wear to confuse people?"

He touched the choker.  "This was a present from an unkind jailer at the time of our acquaintance," he said quietly.  "At one point in time Sylvia and I were both held at the same place and tortured by the same person."  She gasped.  "You have no idea what we went through for the nine months of our incarceration with that one.  We were tortured so horribly that I still have violent episodes when people try to force me to take off my clothes in front of them.  She never lets any but her husbands see her scars.  She has some that are quite damaging to her."  She shuddered. "Point in fact, most people don't consider the thing that had us human, most consider him demonic.  With the way he cut into both of us and tortured us sexually, physically, and mentally we're lucky we're presently right in the head.  Fortunately, Lupin and Jigen fixed that for us."

"She's married to two thieves.  How good of a mother can she be?"

"She's an excellent mother.  For her children who want to go straight she is teaching them the skills they'll need that she has.  She's arranged for them to find mentors in the fields they like to dream about, cops who can steer them toward the education they'll need.  We've also managed to find a haven for them to learn at which will start running a small childhood camp next year.  That academy has people that both she and I like."

She nodded.  "I understand.  What of the people who would try to harm them?  The other thieves?"

He chuckled dryly.  "Who in their right mind would dare hurt any of our children?  No one wants to face me down for hurting Sylvia's children and they're nearly as scared of Goemon and the rest of them as they are of me.  No one with any sense would ever dream of touching our children and the ones without are just as likely to touch others' children as well.  As a matter of fact, we broke up a pedophile ring in Miami because one of them dared to come near Goemon's daughter."  She shuddered.  "Indeed," he agreed.  "They decided to admit to their cellblock their crimes instead of face us.  They knew it would be better and more healthy for them, and that their deaths would be nicer.  None of us let anyone like that anywhere near my children.  Or her children.  Or Goemon's children.  Anyone who tries dies a most horrible death."  She opened her briefcase and pulled out a picture, showing him by putting it onto the table.  "I haven't seen that one."  He picked it up to look at.  It was Savanna, naked, clutching her teddybear and sucking her thumb while she slept.  He grimaced.  "That was in the hospital.  Sylvia was having her younger brother and sister.  She fell asleep while she went down for some tests."  He handed it back.  "I would be interested in knowing where that came from."

"As would I.  You say it was in the hospital?  Which?"

"Memorial in Paris," he said grimly.  "The same one Zenigata was in after he was shot in the chest."  She made a note and put it onto the picture.  "If you ever find who took that, I'd like to know," he said calmly.  She gave him a look.  "Right now, we're discussing this so Sylvia isn't going to shoot you."  He stood up.  "I ask that you look at the actual evidence.  You may come up and see the children to talk to them, but I will not allow anyone to harm them or to take them from her.  If she's an unfit mother than the rest of us would step up and take over for her.  The children have loving fathers."  He bowed and left.

She went limp, shaking now that he was gone.  She picked up her phone and called her security company.  "How did Lavelle get into my apartment," she complained.  "Yes, here!"

***

Xander watched the woman as she talked to his kids, grimacing at the complaining Melissa was doing about them.  "Oh, stop it," she snapped.  Melissa gave her a guilty look.  "Won't work, princess.  Not on me.  Try it on Fujiko, it might still work with her."  Melissa nodded, going back to eating her sundae.

"The children had a recent vacation?"

"Their step-father cheated on me.  I took his credit cards and the children and went to Orlando, Florida."  She shuddered and Sylvia smirked at her.  "We did *all* the parks."

"I won the shoplifting contest," Arsene said proudly.

"You shoplift?"

Sylvia coughed.  "Her father is Lupin the Third and she is Lupin the Fourth," she said dryly.  The social worker nodded about that.  "Did you need to see anything else?"

"Where is your primary residence?"

"The primary one just had a problem with the structure so we're moving around the other hideouts right now," she admitted.  "We've just gotten back from Florida.  Right now we're staying with Goemon and his children."  She grimaced. "He's as involved in their education as I am," she said dryly.  "My children will be able to handle it if some scuzzy bastard comes near them until we can get there to help them.  Even the ones who'll become good guys."

"We do lots of exercises," Sierra agreed.  "Daddy not let us have pink Gis, but we do lots and lots of stuff in our white and gray ones."

"You're learning the martial arts?"

"The same as I did," Sylvia noted.

"Fine.  I can see that you do care for them.  Their education is quite odd but advanced beyond their ages.  Their skills are quite advanced also," she said, glancing at Arsene, then back at the mother.  "I will file a report that you are to be left alone.  I will require proof from an official in education that their education is not lacking.  For now, will you be able to stay in the country for the next six months?"  She shrugged.  "What about the younger two?"

"Goemon's enjoying diapering things again," she said with a small smirk.  "He's remembering what fun it was before his last one is born."

The woman nodded.  "Very well then.  I will leave you alone, but be warned.  I am watching."

"Of course you are."  The woman leaned down to get into her face.  "What?"

"Inspector Zenigata was quite forthcoming about your choker and how you were tortured," she said quietly.

"Did you expect me not to be able to split myself up after that?" she asked in a deadly hiss.  The woman shook her head and stood up again. "To me, that's how I see them.  The same as I see Sylvia and Lavelle as vastly different."

"Fine.  I would wish that you be looked over."

"Thank you.  Tell me if someone gives you grief over this.  I know that others will stick up for me."  She clutched her head and bent down, grabbing the woman before she could move.  "Sniper," she ground out.  "Bad.  Replacement worse."  Arsene came over to pat her gently.  "I'm fine, princess.  Call your Uncle Goemon."  She pushed over her phone and Arsene called him from the phonebook.

"Uncle G?  Mommy just developed a sudden splitting headache."  She looked at her mother then back at the social worker.  "No, she said she'd leave us alone but mommy said something about a sniper.  We don't want her hurt because mommy said the next one would be worse."  She smiled at the social worker.  "Sit.  He's just around the corner."

"Fine."  She got free and sat down, watching as the girl hung up and went back to teasing the other children.  "You are gifted in that manner?"

Xander finally forced herself to relax.  That had been a horrible vision, full of a court proceeding and having the choker taken away and destroyed.  Then there had been her own death because the child had come in the middle of the night and Goemon had been squeamish.  She blinked the tears away.  "I'm not usually," she admitted. She stroked her stomach.  "This one is right on the heels of the last two and there's no telling what's going on inside my own body sometimes," she noted.  She found her calm spot and dropped herself into it, forcing her mind to push aside the horrible vision.  She reached to the kids' table and took her phone back.  "Arsene, you'd better be back within thirty seconds or you're grounded to the loft tonight," she called.  "You too, Sierra."

They came back, looking guilty.  "I tried to stop her from shoplifting again," Sierra defended.  "It's bad, mommy."

"It might be, but I told you kids to stay with me and not to stray.  We don't want to have to kill anyone for daring to touch you."  The kids shuddered and Lotus came back from petting the tree to make it feel better from the smoke it had absorbed.  "Thank you, Lotus.  Where is your brother?"

"He and Daddy just walk in with the stroller," she said, smiling at the odd lady.  "You're not a thief?"

"No, I make sure all children have good homes."

"Then why you come see us?  We have good home.  My mommy and their Mommy are very good to us and our daddy gives us ice cream sometimes.  Their daddy spoils them rotten," she said wistfully.  "Their daddy might even buy them a pony."

"I sincerely doubt it," Xander said, looking at the pouting girls.  "It seems that Arsene wants to miss out on the movie tonight."  Arsene came back with a glass of water for her.  "Thank you."  She kissed her on the forehead.  "That was very nice, but I told you to stay right with us."

"Yes, mommy."  She sat down and did her best to be good.  Finally she giggled and nudged Melissa pointing at a woman across the food court.  "She's wearing a puppy coat."

Melissa looked over. "I think that's supposed to be raccoon," she said, grimacing in distaste.  "Eww."

Xander looked, then looked at her daughter.  "It is raccoon with a rabbit trim.  Very good."  They beamed at her.  "Leave the woman with bad taste alone.  You can't eradicate bad taste the world over.  We'd have to start with Fujiko's trunk of thin clothes."  Goemon coughed as he appeared. "We would.  Did you see the picture of her on the bulletin board this morning?"

"I had and I shuddered to think of the men leering at my son inside her."  He looked around and counted heads.  "You're all fine?"

"They are," the social worker agreed, standing up to him.  "But I will be watching.  She had some sort of ...thing and saw a sniper."

"Very well," he agreed.  "Children, hurry up."  They finished their sundae like magic and gathered around.  "Arsene, I want her to carry you out. You are quite obviously your father's daughter.  We will be with her and all look quite happy at her decision."  He helped Xander up.  "Can you walk?"

"Yeah, but I won't be able to drive," she complained, still clutching her forehead.  "It's like a cold milk headache but magnified and all over."  He gave her a gentle pat to the back. "Thanks.  I saw a horrible case if she died.  The person who took it over took us to court.  I had to take off the choker.  I died because of it since you couldn't cut out the newest son."  He stroked her back as she shuddered.  "They destroyed it to supposedly help me past my torture and Lupin was too busy to come snatch them."

"It would not happen.  Not even the world's biggest diamond would keep them from showing up to help their children.  Not even the prankster would be in their way."  She leaned against his side.  They followed the social worker out, helping her into her car.  He looked up at the nearest sniper spot.  "There," he said, nodding.

The social worker pushed her button and said something into it.  A few security people ran up the stairs and captured that person before he could shoot her.  "I thank you.  I will still be watching," she said firmly, getting in to head back to her office and do her report.  Thieves apparently had to be much more knowledgeable than she had thought.

Goemon picked up Xander and carried her to the car, letting Ishi take control of the stroller and the girls.  "You need to rest," he ordered.  "You have not been resting."

"Fine, Goemon," she agreed quietly.  "Can you drive?"

"I can, or I can get us a driver," he noted, helping her into the passenger's seat and buckling her in.  He watched as Arsene and Savanna did the straps on the baby seats then got themselves.  "Excellently done," he praised.

"Can I have the movie tonight too?" Arsene asked.  "I only stole the lady's necklace."  She held it up.

"I got her bracelet," Melissa offered.

"We will go by and drop them off.  It is best not to aggravate her.  She could make you live with someone else."

"The daddies wouldn't stand for it.  They'd steal us back," Arsene said firmly.

"So would we, little one.  Calm down," Xander ordered.  "It'd just cause some momentary problems and she was trying to be good."  She glanced back, seeing the confused look.  "Her job was to check and make sure that you guys were being treated well and taught things.  Other parents aren't as great as yours.  Sometimes they're mean and beat their children badly or don't feed them and things.  Her job is to take out the parents like that.  She thought that since we're thieves that we must not love you like we do.  She's since found out she was wrong, but pissing her off could make her change her mind and make her watch you guys harder."

"Which could mean a juvenile facility if you're caught shoplifting," Goemon said.  He shut the door and got in to drive.  Xander and Jigen had forced him to learn the basics, though he hardly ever did it.  He slowly drove them back to this house and got them inside and cleaned up for dinner.  He had to come and get Xander out of the car, testing her pulse before carrying her onto the couch.  She was quite tired and ill, he was worried about her.  He went to call his family's doctor, bringing him up to look her over.  "She just had a set of twins," he said quietly while they stared at her.  "Now she is pregnant again because her men are not careful enough.  She slept the whole way back from Tokyo and while I carried her into the house."

The doctor got down to look her over, finding out what was wrong fast enough.  "She needs to take some vitamins and needs to have a better diet, Goemon."  He stood up with his help.  "I can prescribe her some things to help. Can you make sure she eats?"

"She is not getting ill."

"Some women don't," he offered, doing up his bag.  "I thought Fujiko was your wife."

"She is.  This is Sylvia, a coworker.  She is Jigen's mate."

"Ah."  He nodded and looked around.  "No worrying father?"

"They're in Europe.  They nagged her and she walked away. I shamelessly stole her for my own helper.  Will she be fine?"

"She should be.  She may need to deliver in a hospital instead of here.  How was her last one?"

"C-section," Ishi said from the doorway.  "Arsene had another of her mother's mood swings and called her father."  He grimaced.  "Uncle Lupin is livid.  I could hear the shouting from across the room."

"On the matter of the social worker?"

"That too," he agreed, heading into the kitchen.  "Father, should I work on the vegetables?"

"Please," he said loud enough for his son to hear him.  He looked at the doctor.  "Is there anything we can do right now?"

"Right now," he said, digging inside his bag again. "I do have some very good prenatal vitamins.  She should have known to take them."

"She never has in the past."

"Then her doctor was remiss."  He handed them over.  "That is higher in calcium and iron.  I'll order you some medicines at the pharmacy in Iga.  Does she have any allergies?"

Goemon's eyes widened and he pulled up her purse, searching it for the wallet, and the card she carried inside it.  He handed it over.  "Those that we know of."

"Very well."  He copied it down and handed it back.  "Make sure she gets up to eat.  Make sure she rests.  Carry her around all you like.  It's good exercise.  Make her get some gentle exercise however.  Some calm walking in the woods or the like."  He bowed and left, heading back to his car.

Goemon set the vitamins down and went to find Arsene and her wonderful cellphone.  He took it from her bed and hit the send button, getting Jigen.  "Calm him.  Now."  He waited while Lupin snatched the phone and they fought over it.  "Quit, children," he snapped.  "Your own act better."  They settled down on the other end.  "The social worker has agreed that the children are wonderful and need no further intervention.  No further work was needed than getting her to talk to them and Xander making her feelings known privately.  As of right now, your wife is considered very weak."  He rolled his eyes at the protest from the other end.  "Your wife had a real vision.  She had a splitting headache.  She is officially on bedrest from now on.  The doctor said to make her rest, take vitamins, and to get only gentle exercise.  If you cannot behave, you will not get her back until the baby is born.  Which will have to be in a hospital according to him."  He hung up and went to help his son prepare dinner with the girls.  "Arsene, do not worry your father so in the future.  He was worried that he would have to come steal you from another family."  She nodded, looking ashamed.  He gave her a gentle hug.  "It is a normal feeling to want help.  You have already surpassed your mother in many ways since she's never asked for help in her life."  He gave her a gentle smile.  "Now set the table.  You as well, Lotus.  Quit playing with the herb pots."  He cut up the meat, his son wasn't allowed to play with the sharpest of knives yet and it would take one of them.

In the living room, Xander rolled onto her side and gave the vitamins a dirty look.  "I'm fine," she said quietly.  "I'm perfectly fine."

Goemon came out and lifted her chin up.  "If you do not follow orders, I will let your men come fuss over you," he said quietly.  She settled down and nodded.  "Thank you.  You rest until dinner.  You can take your first pill then.  We will get your other medicines tomorrow."  He went back to cook dinner.  His son was definitely not allowed to play with the stove yet.  A wok over a campfire perhaps, but not the stove.

***

Lupin hung up his phone and glared at Jigen.  "Did he just say he was stealing her from us?"  Jigen nodded.  "We really should kill him."

"Ooh, is the little Lupin monster upset?" a voice cooed sarcastically before the woman appeared.  "Is his favorite plaything gone?  Been stolen by the big, bad samurai?"

Jigen pulled his gun and shot her.  "I've had enough of that."

Lupin gave him a look.  "The Don wanted her alive."

"Yay."  He walked away.  "We should head to Japan."

"We should," Lupin agreed, following behind him. "After a talk with Pops."  Jigen gave him a look.  "I heard Zenigata was quite insightful about Lavelle and Sylvia."

"Shit.  I pity Dawn now."  They got in, Lupin driving this time, so they could leave the area to the people following them around.

***

Zenigata woke up to someone covering his mouth and glared at the man above him.  "Let me go," he ordered through it.

Lupin bent down.  "Don't even try to complain, old man.  Dawn's asleep with the aid of a gas canister.  The kids are the same way."  He pulled a chair over and sat down.  "I came to thank you for being so helpful with the social worker.  Xander had to work his ass off to keep from killing her or taking the kids."  The man on the bed blanched.  "Exactly.   Not only is that something that Xander doesn't want bandied about, but he did not want anyone to know about his torture at all.  Fortunately the social worker was appeased after talking to the kids.  It seems Xander's been teaching them a lot and she's very impressed.  Even more impressed that Arsene and Melissa took her jewelry without her noticing.  It seems she was a petty thief in her very young days."  Zenigata swallowed, starting to sweat.  Lupin gave him a cold look.  "You nearly had our children taken and given to someone who wouldn't love them like Xander does.  You nearly got those same people killed and at least one social worker and the cop they'd be bringing with them killed.  You nearly got Xander to commit to taking an herbal abortion pill."  Zenigata hopped up and went to get sick.  "Good," Lupin called.  "Now you know how I feel."  The cop came out, looking miserable.  "With all the times she's saved you and you do that to her?" he accused.  "I should leave you to her.  Fortunately she's so sick and weak that Goemon's carrying her everywhere.  And we can't go to her because of that social worker."  He stood up.  "I hope you're satisfied with your day's work, Zenigata.  I no longer protect you."  He walked out, going out to drive away.  He went to find his daughter and get a long hug.  Her boyfriend had better not mind.

Zenigata lay on his bed, thinking about this mistake.  This was the one thing that he couldn't forgive himself for either.  He had seen how happy that boy was with being a parent.  It suited him fully.  He rolled over and held his wife until she woke up and gave his head a shove.  "I messed up," he whispered.

"Thought I had a gassy taste in my mouth," she murmured, giving him a long hug.  "How did you mess up?"

"I gave a social worker the truth about Xander," he admitted. "I didn't praise her enough though.  I only gave her the facts."

She sighed and gave him a squeeze back.  "Is she dead?"

"No, Lupin said she saw sense after talking to the kids."  She gave him an extra squeeze.  "I messed up so bad.  He said Xander thought about that herbal pill thing."  She shuddered.  "I made him think about that."

"They started well before you gave her any information," she promised.  She looked out the window, thinking uncharitable thoughts about certain thieves.  This wasn't her husband's fault!  She would have to write him a nasty email in the morning.   When she finally made it in there she found one waiting on her from Jigen explaining what had happened.  She grimaced and shuddered.  Her husband had some fault but he didn't need to tear into him that way.  She replied and made a reasonable, if screechy and preachy, argument in her husband's defense.

***

Xander woke up in the morning in a bed and looked around.  "Where am I?" she asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.  A familiar form brought in a tray.  "I'm back here?"

"Only for a day, Lady Xander," her maid said quietly, brushing her hair off her forehead.  "Come bathe.  We have some very pretty things for you to put on."  She helped her into the bathroom, bringing the tray with her so her mistress would eat.  She needed to eat.  "How are your twin kits?" she asked quietly, working on Xander's mass of hair.

"Tiring.  The baby girl has a small heart condition, it's weaker than it should be.  The boy is doing just fine. They're both very happy and spoiled babies."

"Excellent.  That is what we were hoping for."  She got the last knot out and moved to draw the bath water.  "Eat, mistress.  You have to eat or this one will be weaker as well." Xander obediently ate her breakfast.  "Good girl," she praised, taking the tray and helping her into the bathtub.  "Here we go, let me get your back for you.  I could never reach my back when I had my own kits."

Xander nodded, bending forward.  She had missed this sort of spoiling.  Lupin and Jigen had scrubbed her back the first time when she stopped being able to reach it herself, even with a backbrush.  Her shoulders ached already so she shifted a bit, wincing in pain.  "Do we have anything I can take for them?"

"I'll have something made for you," she promised, working the soft soap into the oily skin.  "I'm using something with tea tree oil, it should help some of the problems your skin is having."  Xander nodded, letting her do whatever she wanted.  It felt good and she needed this spoiling.  It wasn't like she could get Goemon to scratch her back for her.

Trying Really Hard

Goemon woke up and looked around, noticing he was up before all the children.  He started to get out of bed but found a scroll floating beside his bed.  He snatched it and unrolled it, frowning at the simple words.  "One day," he growled.  "Then we will assault your world and retrieve her.  She needs to be resting."  The scroll disappeared with a pop and he got up to go start breakfast so he could bathe.  This was not how he had expected this first month to go.

***

Xander walked out of her room, following the page to the meeting chamber.  She bowed to her host.  "You wanted to see me so bad you couldn't wake me up?" she teased gently.

"I tried, you wouldn't wake," he admitted, coming down to help her into a chair.  "Sit, Xander.  You are quite tired."  He stroked a hand over her forehead.  "I brought you up here to have one of our healers see you and your daughter when he takes you back.   You obviously need it.  Where are your mates?  Have they abandoned you?"

She sniffled and shook her head, looking miserable.  "No, we had an argument.  I did something I felt I had to do to help someone out and protect an officer I can admire for his skills.  Lupin got a bit upset with me and started to nag.  I couldn't handle it in the shape I'm in so I left."  She pulled a handkerchief out and wiped at the tears.  "I hate hormone swings."

"I always hated to see them on my mate too," he soothed, stroking over her hairdo.  "You are fine and still admired.  You are quite a woman and man in your own right without them."  She gave him a watery smile.  "Would you like to walk?"

"The doctor said I wasn't to do more than gentle strolling," she admitted as she let herself stand and followed him out of the meeting area.  They strolled through the gardens.  "Why did you really take me?"

"I wanted to talk to you about your youngest daughter.  I'm afraid that the time you spent up here may have affected her.  We've shielded you this time," he said quietly at her frown.  "Our healer thinks that may be why she is so much weaker than her brother."

"I'm pretty sure it had more to do with how I couldn't stand food for nearly six months," she admitted.  "I was in pretty pitiful shape myself when I gave birth."

He patted her on the hand over his arm.  "I understand.  Still, we would like to talk to you about having her up here as a representative.  She has the bloodline to be our envoy to the European syndicate.  We have been needing a new one and she is the perfect candidate."

"She's not even a year old yet."

"I know, which is why we're talking on it now.  If possible, we'd like to pop around on her and look in on her," he admitted with a grin for her.  "You have to admit, we could teach her much."  Xander nodded, then pushed in a hairpin so her elaborate hairdo quit shifting on her.  "Would you like to sit?" he asked as they came to a bench.  She nodded and sat down so he stood in front of her.  "You really are weak," he said, again stroking down her cheek.  "You should not be so."

"It's carryover from the last one on top of this new one."

"I understand, but you are not in any shape to be worrying about anything."  She blushed.  "Are you well otherwise?"

"Yeah, Goemon and I agreed to take the kids back to Japan."

"I saw," he admitted with a smirk.  "Your daughter is quite adorable in her pink nightgown."  She grimaced.  "Did you mind that I peeked in on her?"

"No, the fact that someone put her in pink."  He shrugged lightly, then winced.  "Sorry, my shoulders ache each time I get pregnant."

"Some people carry stress in their neck, you obviously carry it in your shoulders."  He moved and worked on a hard knot.  "Would it be acceptable to you for her to take up that position?"

She moaned, then nodded.  "As long as her father agrees."

"We thought to ask you first since you spend more time with her but I will pop around tonight to ask him."  He gave her a hug.  "Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?"

"No, I'll be fine," she said, giving his arms a pat.  "They'll eventually come spoil me again."

"I'll make sure they know they're needed for such tasks.  Even if it was your fiftieth kit they should be the same as the first."

She shuddered.  "I'm not having any more after this one."

He laughed and gave her a squeeze.  "I understand.  You have enough for any two people counting the others."  He walked back around her.  "I read the books that your son was named from.  Quite cute.  Hopefully he'll live up to his name."

She looked down at her stomach, laying a hand on it.  "Janus said this one was going to be my white knight side," she said softly.  He tipped her chin up.  "I have no idea what to name him."

He leaned closer, tickling her with his whiskers.  "Junior," he said slowly and clearly, then grinned.  "For now, let us have our healer look you over."  He helped her back up and inside to the healer's chambers.  "Here she is," he announced.

"Ah, Lady," he said, bowing.  "Come in and get comfortable.  I don't see many human mothers but I have seen many kitsune mothers in my time."  She sat down, watching this human as he worked.  "You know one of us?"

"I knew Fihad when he was alive," she said quietly.  He gave her a small smile.  "You are like him?"  He nodded.  "Then I need you to look at my daughter."

"I will.  For right now, I'm going to do this the normal way.  I have some things I can get your friend to make for you."

"Will they work for or against the human doctor's prescriptions?"

"Probably with, we'll check once he has gathered them.  Now, for the first thing, you need a good massage.  We can handle that here."  He helped her up and into another room, getting his personal masseuse to help her back and shoulders.  She was much too tense.  He went back to confer with his lord and master.  "She will be fine," he promised.  "She is quite tired and sore.  She needs time to recuperate peacefully."

"She has other kits that she's taking care of," he noted.  "Hers and others."

"Then someone needs to get onto her husbands.  That is not good for her."

"No, but she seems to enjoy it."

"That may be, but she needs more help than she has presently."

"There is one there with her.  He does quite a lot more than most men usually do."  The doctor nodded.  "You may speak with him when you take her back."

"Of course, Lord.  Thank you."  He bowed and went back to work some magic on the poor woman. She hadn't finished healing from the last incident and needed his help.  He noticed she was quite full in that area so he switched the type of magic he was using, using a touch of chaos to heal her.  It soothed most of her internal bruising and the other nastiness left over from her last bout of pregnancy.  Human men should not be allowed to do this to their women.  He would have to find the husbands and tell them off.  If he was allowed to do so by his master.

***

Jigen woke up when a furry thing brushed past his face, reaching out to snatch it thinking it was their damned cat walking next to him again to beg for attention.  Instead this one slapped his hand and huffed in irritation.  He opened his eyes, looking at the being.  Then he got up and went to nudge Lupin awake.  "There's a message."

Lupin sat up and rubbed his eyes.  "What?"

"Just like your daughter," the messenger said dryly, crossing his arms so he could level his most impressive glare at them.

"When did you see Sierra?" Lupin asked, scowling back.  "Don't give me that look, she left, not us."

"Still, you should have known better.  Your wife is weak, tired, and ill.  Yet, you are not even on the same continent.  Should we make it so she doesn't remember more than you've recently died and she's clinging to the one she's with?  We can do that you know."  He flicked his tails about a bit.  "It would be my pleasure to see the woman taken care of like she deserves.  You may not realize this but you did not pay attention to her during her last pregnancy, nor this one."

"We paid her a lot of attention," Jigen defended.

"Then why did you not send her to a healer when she couldn't keep food down for months on end?  You didn't leave her to try and deal with the awkwardness of a pregnant body that wouldn't bend or reach the way it would before this happened to her?  You didn't go out and find new companionship since she was pregnant?"

"I never cheated on her except that once, and she knows about that," Lupin said bitterly.   "Did she tell you I did?"

"I meant other people to talk to, but if you had been mine I would have had you fixed," the Kitsune Lord assured him.  "As is, she was so ill our healer nearly begged to keep her for a few days.  Since she's going to look over her daughter, he said he could stick around there for a bit to help her more.  She is so ill that it is even worrying her protector.  By the way, we like him much better.  We see him taking care of her and carrying her places.  We do not see you treating her like she is special or delicate.  You'd almost think she was a hunting dog in whelp the way you treat her."  With a flick of his tails he disappeared.

"I think it's time for us to go steal the Ray," Lupin said bitterly.  "Before we get bitched out again."

"Are you sure you want to do that?"

"I'm very sure.  We didn't...she didn't eat last time?"

"I remember making a few sandwiches but I think I ate those," Jigen said, thinking back.  "I remember her eating with us and the kids."

"No, she sat there but I don't remember her really eating.  I remember her sharing a plate with Lotus a few times."  He looked confused. "Why didn't she say something?"

"Because she's Xander?" Jigen suggested; that pretty much explained everything to him.  Lupin nodded so it must have been good enough for him as well.  "I'll give you first shower."

"Thanks."  He got out of the bed and padded into the bathroom in his boxers, going to finish waking up.  Ray had just gotten back from a long and nasty chase, he'd probably spend all day in bed, with Emmajean if he could manage it.  They'd have to tie her up.  She was in for quite a shock, she'd never been treated to their special attentions.

***

Ray looked up as handcuffs went around his wrist, grimacing at the men standing beside him.  "You could have knocked."

"Yeah, but this is important," Jigen said, pulling a chair over so Lupin could have the end of the bed.

"Xander's sick as shit," Lupin told him.

"The six-tailed one told us that," Ray interrupted.  "She needs spoiled with attention, not things."

"Can I do the honors?" Emmajean asked.

"Go for it," Ray agreed happily.

She got free of the handcuffs and picked up a foam bat, hitting them both with it.  "You idiots!  Leaving her alone!  You didn't pay any attention to her last time and you nearly lost her then!  Now you come here instead of there to ask us what to do for her?  You're married to her!  You helped make her who she is!  Figure it out!"

Jigen stole the bat.  "If we could, we wouldn't be here," he pointed out.  "All we know how to do is get presents."

"That's a start," Ray suggested bitterly.

"What do we get her?" Lupin asked.  "Fujiko was much more straightforward.  We only had to get her jewelry."

Ray groaned and shook his head.  "I don't think she *wants* anything, you duck schmuck.  She wants you to pay attention to her.  To coddle her, to treat her like the fragile being she is.  To scratch the spots on her back that appear whenever she's knocked up.  She's your wife, treat her like you would your wife!"

"We do," Jigen defended.

"By leaving her alone with Goemon for three months?" Emmajean asked.

"It hasn't been three months and he took her with him," Lupin defended but he was slumping a bit now.  He knew they'd been wrong about this.  "We had to stop that idiot prankster."

"I heard how ya did it too," Ray noted.  "Not smart, Lupin."

"Hey, not our fault," Lupin defended.

"Yeah, right," Emmajean snorted.  "Try the other one, it makes me bark."  The men gave her a look.  "What did you do during the first one?"

"They took her out to dinner, to shows, bought her nice clothes and chocolates, took her on long walks, and stuff like that," Ray told her.  "She told me at a convention."

"As soon as we did, she complained," Jigen told him.

"Of course she did.  She's not used to being treated decently by anyone," Emmajean said, taking the bat to hit him a few more times.  "Idiots!  Almost all men are idiots!  I swear you're both idiots!  What did you expect *Xander* to do?  Beg for more?"

"Lupin, you've called her your treasure, your prize, and all sorts of other gushy thief mushy stuff.  Treat her like it," Ray suggested.  "Before Goemon does."

"A woman could get addicted to being carried around," Emmajean said with a small grin.

"You'll weigh nearly as much as I do when you're fully gone," Ray protested.

"Congrats," Lupin said tiredly.  "Don't make out mistakes.  We thought we were honoring her wishes."

"Lupin, when have you known her to truly know what she wanted and be able to express it outside the bedroom?  You treat her like your mistress.  And now that she's pregnant you're treating her like she's an inconvenient mistress.  She's the sort of woman that Goemon's mother was.  She's womanly. She loves the kids.  She probably doesn't much mind being pregnant, but you're about at the end of your rope.  She will hang you for this.  She's already been so upset that...."  He shook his head and took a deep breath.  "I'm not going there."

"We heard about the near-taking of the pill," Jigen offered, holding his head now.  "We thought Goemon would watch out for her and get her calmed down.  He'd make sure she'd call when she wanted to see us."

"Did you ever stop to think that there might be a reason why Goemon understands her?" Emmajean asked.  "The woman is everything he's ever expected in a wife, yet she has no interest him.  They're best friends and fighting buddies.  There's been rumors that people have begun suggesting that he take her from you because he would understand her more of the time."

"Carry a girl and she's yours forever," Jigen said bitterly.  "We want to fix this."

"Good," Ray agreed.  "Then I'd start with a nice apology and dinner out.  Away from the kids.  Remind her that you liked her long before she ever thought of motherhood, and that you liked her for more than her dirty mind and quick draw.  Fujiko never felt sexy while pregnant."

"She did," Lupin countered.  "Goemon made her feel that way."  He stood up.  "Thank you.  Any idea about the housing situation?"

"Yeah," he snorted.  "Fix it before she decides to find one on her own.  The one wherever isn't big enough but she'll definitely find one for all of them fast enough."  He rattled his chains.  "Let me go."

"The key's in your nightstand, they're your set," Jigen said tiredly, following Lupin out the door.  "Dinner?"

"Dinner is a good start.  Let's stop and find her something special on the way too.  A day won't hurt or help anything," Lupin suggested, giving Jigen a look.  "Do you think he would?"

"I know he would.  She's a damsel in distress and he's a samurai."

"Yeah, I guess his code of conduct will have her sleeping at his house and being second mother to his kids by the end of the month," Lupin said, starting to sound depressed.  "Maybe we'll find something in Tokyo.  I don't want to wait."

"Sure," Jigen agreed, following him as always.

***

Lupin looked at the reservation girl at the airport in shock.  "Excuse me, I'm a what?"

"Sir, you've been reported as a danger to the airlines," she said quietly.  "I don't know why."

Lupin looked around, then whistled and pointed at the nearest guard.  "You, come here!"  The guard came over, giving the woman a look.  "Tell her who and what I am."

"He's Lupin the Third, he's a thief.  Why?"  Though, he noted mentally, he didn't look like the carefree thief you saw in all the old wanted posters.  Age must have hit him hard.

"Because someone's trying to keep us away from our wife, Sylvia, while she's pregnant and ill," Lupin told him.  "Have I *ever* been noted for bombing things?"

"No," he agreed, shrugging at the reservation girl.  "Not ever.  He's more likely to steal a plane than to blow one up from his reputation."

"I can't get around that.  Someone turned him in as a threat to all airlines."

Lupin leaned down and pounded his head on the counter.  Jigen stepped forward.  "Listen, babe, our wife is ill.  So badly ill they're putting her into the hospital.  We need to be there.  Isn't there *some* way we can get around this thing?  We're not going to blow anyone up.  It's not our style."

"I'm sorry, I can't make you any reservations while this is here."  She gave them a pathetic look.  "You might be able to find a private plane possibly, if they don't check."

Lupin nodded, looking at the guard.  "Did Zenigata do this?"  He shrugged and escorted them to the private plane desk.  He felt sorry for the womanizing man, he had been brought this low by a dame.  "Hi.  Someone malicious is trying to keep us away from our wife."

"Our wife?" the woman asked, looking at them.  "Oh, you're him."  She grimaced.  "Who?"

"Not a clue," Jigen admitted.

"All we know is that they're spreading lies.  We'd never hurt anyone who wasn't a target and the airlines haven't ever been a target," Lupin said smoothly.  "We like you guys.  We've trusted you guys for years, even to ship weapons through for us.  I don't know what's going on."

Jigen pulled out a piece of nicotine gum and chewed it slowly.  "Dawn," he said finally.

Lupin grimaced at him.  "It's her husband's fault that she's so damn ill!" he snapped.  Jigen gave him another shrug.  "Fine."  He looked at this new person.  "Our wife is in Japan.  She's sick and pregnant.  She's so badly off our partner keeps carrying her around."  She winced.  "She accidently got pregnant right after having the twins."

"Poor woman.  No condoms?"

"They keep breaking," Jigen said dryly.  "We don't know why.  We think someone cursed us that way."

She sighed and looked in her computer.  "Well, we have a few people who won't care.  Including one who's under threat of investigation of smuggling."  She looked at them.  "He'll be in later tonight."

"Nothing now?"

"Not that won't refuse because of these...rumors."  She shrugged.  "Can't you wait that long?"

Lupin sighed and shook his head, pulling out his phone.  "Murami, you're gonna be pissed with me, sit down and take deep breaths when you see the purchase I'm going to make," he warned, then he hung up.  He put down his special credit card, the unlimited one.  "Any near bankruptcy?  I'm under orders to add to the family's holdings anyway."

She frowned at him and looked behind her.  "Hey, Olivia, I've got a solution for you," she called. A tough woman came out of the break area.  "These nice men have a pregnant and ill wife they desperately want to go to.  They're so desperate they want to buy an airline."

Olivia walked closer, looking them over.  "You look familiar."

"He's Lupin the Third," the guard said helpfully.  "Someone's keeping him from his wife by spreading rumors that he's a threat to all of you."  And a pathetic older man he was becoming too, he even looked miserable.

"And it's just not true," Lupin said, starting to sound desperate.   "I swear it's not."

She grimaced and nodded.  "My plane is up for sale, along with my skills.  It's fairly old, but reliable."

"Hey, old we can handle.  Will it get us to Japan?" Jigen asked.

"We've flown in so many prop cargo planes over our career that we sigh in relief whenever we see any sort of jet," Lupin noted.  She snickered.  "Honestly."

"I believe you," she admitted.  "I respect your mate.  She's a tough woman.  She looking for a girlfriend on the side?"

"We'd have to talk about that," Jigen told her, giving her a look.  "Lupin gets really jealous sometimes."

She snickered.  "Fine.  My plane's up for two-point-six mil.  My skills are sixty-thousand euros a year."

"Done," Lupin agreed.  "And you agree to give the kids lessons when they're older."

"Fine," she said with a wave of her hand.  She looked at the credit card, then at him.  "You're going to pay the interest rates?"

"Our financial manager will pay it off this year," he said smugly.  "It happens in our field."

She snorted and went to run it, punching in the amount.  Then she gaped and looked at him, making him nod.  "Wow.  I'm adding on my yearly fee up front."

"Deal," Lupin agreed suavely.  "I'm good for that.  We'll have to bring her back sometime."

"Sure.  She okay?"

"She just had twins then the condom broke," Jigen told her.  She shuddered.  "Yeah.  She's so ill Goemon carries her around everywhere."

"That poor woman.  Ever think of a vasectomy, boys?"

"Just as soon as she'll come hold our hands," Lupin told her.  "I don't need more kids, I love the ones I have, and all I really want is for her to be all right."

"Good," Olivia said firmly.  "I'm sure she'll help you with that during a mood swing."  She handed back the card and the slip, watching as he signed it and then answered his phone.  She snickered at him pleading with someone.  "His financial manager?"  Jigen nodded, chewing on the gum harder.  "You can smoke on mine."

"Bless you, you saint," he said, kissing her on the cheek.  "Lupin, come on.  Can we go now?"

"Give me two hours.  Go find a really pretty present.  Nothing that'll get me arrested, but a really pretty present."  They nodded and headed out to find her something.  She looked at the reservationist, then the guard.  "His credit card paid that much without a blink."

"He's a world-renowned thief," the guard suggested.  "They probably couldn't spend it all.  It's either this or the kids won't have to steal," he said smugly.

The reservationist leaned closer.  "You missed today's paper," she said smartly, smirking at him.  "He cheated on their wife.  She took their credit cards, the kids, and went to Orlando to do *all* the resorts.  The kids shoplifted about three grand total, American," she shared.  He gaped and Olivia looked horrified.  She nodded.  "Really."

"He cheated on her?"

"Apparently he admitted to it.  He's learned his lesson.  From the gossip, she threatened to go to Rodeo drive next time with that female thief, Fujiko."

They all snickered and went to share that around.

***

Lupin looked at Olivia as she walked between their seats.  "Thank you," he said, giving her a look.

"Not an issue.  I'd do anything for a good woman and I heard she was quite good."  She walked back to the galley and pulled out a soda.  "Get your own, boys.  There's no stewardess around here."  She smirked at them.  "Unless you want to hire one and give me someone to sexually harass."

Jigen smirked back.  "Sure.  Find yourself one."

She winked.  "I think I can do that.  So, what'd you get her?"

Lupin opened his briefcase and pulled out a brochure.  "I got her a nice vacation, one where there's a doctor nearby.  We got her some presents too."  He pulled open the velvet case and showed it to her.  "Those do it you think?"

"I think she'll probably like 'em a lot.  No flowers or candy?"

"I've got a sixty-pound box of chocolates being shipped to her," Jigen admitted.  Lupin looked at him.  "It's harder to get food through Customs than it is weapons."  He put out his cigarette.  "Thanks for this, Olivia."

"Hey, you guys were pretty fair and Sylvia is really pretty.  I figure by now she's probably really tired of men and their things."  She went back to the front.  "Hey, Lupin, remember to find her cute swimwear.  I doubt she'll go nude."

"Thanks, Olivia."  He closed everything back up, looking at Jigen.  "Give me one."  Jigen tossed over his lighter and pack.  "Thanks.  You think she'll talk to us right away?"

"No," Jigen admitted. "Another good reason to send the chocolates ahead."

"Yeah," Lupin agreed, pulling one out and lighting it.  "Did you know Melissa said we should both quit, that it was bad for them."

"It is," Jigen admitted, taking the pack and lighter back.  "What are we doing about a house?"

"I don't know," Lupin sighed, tapping off some ashes.  "I love the main hideout in France.  I don't like any of the others as much.  Of course, we could find a good one nearby and have it."

"There's that big one on the other side of Zenigata's mother," Jigen suggested dryly.  "Or the one on the other side of the Imperial ranch."

"I've always liked that house.  It had many easy entrances," Lupin agreed.  "Plus there's a horse ranch next door so the girls can go stare to their hearts' content."  Jigen nodded, liking that idea.  "You think she'd like it?"

"I do and it's on the market," he admitted.  "They're in tax debt.  They snorted too much of their fortune."

"Hmm.  We can suggest it to her and see if she likes it."

"Or, hey, Mark's father's place is going up for sale.  He's retiring to Sydney."

"That is pretty country but I'd prefer the wetter part of the country."

"Yeah, I don't like the desert either but Xander might," he noted.  "She grew up near there."

"She hated the desert during the Arabic jobs," Lupin reminded him.  He took another drag then tapped off more of the ashes as he watched it burn.  "I don't want to bankrupt the kids."

"Lupin, we're not going to do that.  Your fortune is pretty vast."  Lupin gave him a look.  "Isn't it?"

"It is, but I haven't added much to it," he admitted.  He finished the cigarette and put it out.

"That's a waste."

"It might be, but we'll have to sit down with Murami soon.  That is if Dawn hasn't done something there too."

"If she did, we get to cap her, right?" Jigen asked.

"Yeah, if she did something to Murami, I am going to kill Dawn."

"Good," Jigen agreed, tipping his hat down so he could get comfortable in his chair.  "Wake me before we land."

"Sure, Jigen."  Lupin pulled up his laptop and logged onto the satellite system.  "Olivia, will a satellite link bother your instruments?" he called.

"Nope.  Why?"  She came back to the doorway to look at him.  "You've got your own satellite?"

He smirked.  "Yeah.  It came in handy and we snuck it onto an early NASA flight.  It was too handy not to have."  She rolled her eyes.  "At least this way I can chat with someone and check the bulletin boards for new information."

"Go for it."  She went back to her driving.

Lupin logged on, calling Murami through it.  "Hey, princess."  She snickered.  "You okay?  Jigen just pointed out that Dawn's campaign against us getting near Xander could affect you."

"I'm fine, Lupin.  We had the yearly raid like usual, nothing out of order here."

***

Murami looked at the agents in her office.  "I'm talking to a client, can't you people leave?"

Zenigata looked at her, then shook his head.  "No, you have proof, I know you have proof."

"He never does anything but hand me money, Inspector.   Nor has he ever.  I've demanded it to be that way because I didn't want to know.  I've also handled his father's will and things of that nature."  The phone in her hand said something and she smirked, handing it over.  "It's for you."

"What?" Zenigata growled.  He went pale.  "What?"  He looked at Murami.  "You helped my wife too?"

"Well, I do have her retirement account," she admitted.  "I've also got the account where she put all the pawned money.  Why, Inspector, did you need to look at them?  I'll need her permission."

He growled and tossed her back the cellphone, picking up the desk phone to call his wife.  "Dawn.  Are you still in the life?" he demanded.  He growled louder.

Emmajean came over and took the phone from him. "Dawn, your mate is about to die of a heart attack."  She listened then sighed.  "Dawn, if you piss Lupin off, he'll start a campaign against you personally.  You're keeping Xander miserable for longer."  She rolled her eyes.  "Dawn, listen to yourself!  Your big brother is pregnant, ill, and so weak that she *has* to be carried everywhere.   Even if she's mad at them, she'll need them.  She'll need them now."  Dawn appeared and she hung up the phone.  "Now fix it."

"I can't fix all of it," she admitted.  Her husband stared down at her. "Don't give me that look!" she snapped.  "They hurt you!"

"Dawn, he acted exactly like he should have.  If someone had helped you be that badly hurt, I'd have come and threatened them too."  He crossed his arms, glaring at her.  "What did you do?"

"I listed them as a danger to the airlines," she said quietly, looking down at her feet.  "I got onto the thieves' bulletin boards and put out rumors that Sylvia is on her own or joining up with just Goemon because her men dumped her."  She glanced up at him.  "And that the baby was Goemon's."  He grunted.  "Also I kinda, um, did what Xander did to that pedophile last year in Japan and sent some of their money to a charity."

"I fixed that," Murami offered.  "Dawn, how could you?  Xander *needs* them.  I heard from her, she sounded so weak and tired that I was worried about her.  Lupin was nearly crying when we talked last night.  He was drunk and depressed about her.  The woman needs to be held and comforted while she heals."

"They accused my husband of...!" she started but her husband clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I admit that I fucked up, Dawn.  I didn't give her more than the facts of what she's capable of.  I didn't give her anything about the woman's education or background beyond the torture and that they're the same person.  I didn't say anything about what I had seen about how good a mother she is to those heathens.  They may be thieves for the most part but they'll be like him and Lupin, they'll have morals and a code of conduct.  They might even be as straight as Goemon is."  She looked really miserable.  "Now, you will fix this.  I will not see that one die because you got petty for me fucking up."  He stormed out.

Emmajean chased after him, catching him.  "She loves you enough to stick up for you," she said quietly.  "Even against her friends and family."

"She shouldn't."  He got free and went out to head out for some fresh air.  He hated it when he had to side with that crook, but this time his wife was wrong and she needed to fix it before he could lose his temper further at either one of them.

Emmajean went back but stopped outside when she heard Dawn sobbing pitifully.  She took a deep breath then walked in and grabbed Dawn.  "Come on, we'll go fix this," she soothed.  "You have to fix this before Xander hears."  Dawn nodded and let herself be led out. "We will be watching you of course, ma'am," she said, nodding at Murami.  "Do you do straight clients too?"

"Mostly I just deal with Lupin and his crew.  Even if she had managed to take all of their money, they could live off Xander's money."  Emmajean looked impressed for a moment then sighed.  "No one knows what Xander's done over the course of his career.  Not even Lupin.  Him I do have information on but you'll never get it because it's all in my head.  Now, please leave."  Emmajean nodded and led Dawn off, taking her back to the office.  Murami picked up the phone and called Lupin's number, getting his laptop by the noise.  "You okay, boss?"  She put him onto speaker so she could sit down and rest.

"Just fine, Murami.  They gone?"

"They are, and Ray's woman led Dawn off to help her fix this.  By the way, I stopped her trying to steal your money earlier."  He grunted in annoyance.  "She was in tears, boss.  Her own husband walked away from her this time."

"Pops did what?" Jigen asked.

"He said he fucked up and it was his fault for not telling the whole truth.  She tried to defend herself and he stormed off."

"She turned against Xander for him," Lupin said bitterly.  "It's good to know that we found her limit.  How was the cop?"

"Emmajean looked glowing.  Zenigata was so disgusted he needed to go have a smoke.  He looked about ready to cry too."  Both men grunted this time.  "How are you traveling?"

"We bought a plane and a pilot's service," Lupin told her.

She winced.  "Ow.  Now I know why you warned me.  Thank you.  Do I have to work out pay slips or anything?"

"No, she put the year's onto the credit card too," Lupin admitted.  Fortunately he couldn't see her grab her chest and groan.  "You okay?"

"Fine, boss.  Thanks for the warning.  I'll pay it off quickly.  Say hi to Xander for me and tell her to call, that I want to be a vicarious mother through her this time."

"Sure," Jigen agreed, sounding like he was smiling.   "You sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine with some drugs," she said, hanging up and going to take something for her headache and chest pains.  Her clients would drive her to drink some day soon.  They'd probably even help her by buying the first few rounds.

***

Xander looked out across the bridge.  It was a nice bridge.  Fairly busy.  He was back in disguise so no one knew he was him or Sylvia.  The bridge overlooked a big river, a smooth, flowing, peaceful river.  It was really nice here.  She leaned on the railing to watch the water, letting her mind flow away with the water.  "Being a fish would be easier," she told herself quietly.

Endings and Beginnings.

Note: Death Warning off screen.

Lupin looked up as a slightly familiar figure appeared beside his bed.  "Yeah?" he asked tiredly.  He hadn't slept in a few days.  They couldn't get near Xander because Goemon was protecting her as hard as he could.  She wouldn't come to the phone because she was either upset or asleep.  The chocolates and presents had been signed for by her but she wasn't saying anything in return.

"Lupin the third," Anyanka said dryly.  "Husband to my former lover, the one who helped me ascend after death."  He sat up, giving her a harsh look.  "Now you recognize me?"

"I do," he admitted.  "You only show up for Xander."

"Yes, I do," she agreed, smirking at him.  "The problem then becomes what to do about you when a wish comes true."   He scowled at her.  "Someone wished that Xander would find peace.  Real, true peace.  The sort that he has never known and probably won't until he dies."

"No!  You can't," he said, standing up to get into her face.  "I won't let you."

"You have no say over it."  She leaned closer and stole a kiss.  "Fortunately, I like the loony bastard.  I like him enough to give you one chance to fix this.  One wish and it can't be totally counter to Xander's own."

"Xander made it?" he asked, thinking madly.  "What was his?"

"That he be able to real peace, true, real, soul-healing peace."

Lupin swallowed.  "Then I wish...."  He looked over as Jigen walked in with a small grocery bag.  "Xander made a wish."

"For?"

"Peace.  Real, soul-healing peace."

Jigen blanched and grabbed the table.  "Then what is she doing here?" he demanded.  "Go stop him!"

"I can't," she said firmly.  "I can offer him a wish to counter Xander's.  I can offer him a chance but I can't mitigate the first wish."

"Then I wish Xander's saved by someone who gives as much of a damn about him as possible."

"Done," Anyanka said, disappearing.

Lupin looked back at Jigen, who frowned.  "That should have sent us."

"Or one of his groupies," Jigen countered.

"Or Goemon," Lupin noted.  He looked up.  "Anyanka, would you let us know what's going on with our spouse?" he called.

A portal appeared and showed them where Xander was leaning on the bridge, one foot braced and the other slightly off the ground as she leaned over to look into the water.  There was a...content look on her face, something neither of them had seen in a long time.  They both shuddered. Someone, a little boy, came up to Xander and tugged on her robe. "Ma'am?" he asked politely.

Xander smiled down at him. "What's wrong, little one?"

"My puppy's lost.  Can you help me find him?"

"Sure.  Let's start with the nice officer over there.  Most people report lost puppies to him."  The boy looked scared.  "Don't worry, he won't hurt you.  I won't let him and if he's the least bit mean I'll smack him good.  Okay?"  The boy nodded and took her hand, letting her lead him over to the police officer.  "Hi.  This little guy just came up and asked me to help him find his lost puppy and I haven't seen a parent," she said quietly.

The officer nodded.  "I've noticed one running around in the little bit of ornamental trees," he offered, smiling at the little boy.  "Come on, we'll go see if that's your puppy.  Ma'am, would you like to come along?"

"Sure, I was only watching the leaves float past."  She followed them, letting the little boy hold her hand.

"No," Jigen moaned, shaking his head.  "No, no, nononononono."

"What?"

"That's not a cop.  The uniform's wrong," Jigen told him.  "She's not in Kyoto or Osaka.  That's their uniforms."

Lupin whimpered.  "This isn't what I meant."

"He does care and he's the only one there who might," Anyanka noted as she reappeared.

"Then I want one," Jigen said, glaring at her.  "That's not fair and you know it."

"Fine.  I can do that.  What's your wish?"

"That Xander had real friends around him before that boy came up to her, ones he wanted to talk to and who he trusted.  Whether it's Goemon or us doesn't matter, but he needs to get over this."

"You're willing to let Goemon have him?" she asked.  "He'll cling to whomever saves him for a bit."

"If I have to," Jigen told her, looking miserable.  "I'm obviously not what she needs most of the time."

"No, she doesn't need men who don't pay attention to him," Anyanka noted.  "Nor does she need this stress.  Earlier she found out that she's starting to have high blood pressure as well."

"Then send us to her.  We're trying to make up for it," Lupin pleaded.  "Please, Anyanka.  He's ours.  We've learned our mistakes.  We want to be there for him. We've sent messages and tried to talk to him but Goemon keeps us away and Xander himself won't talk to us, no matter what we do."

"Of course not," she snorted.  "You couldn't just show up?"

"I don't remember where the school is," Lupin told her.  "Jigen never knew."

She waved a hand with a sigh.  "I have to grant the wish," she admitted.

"Can I have a second one?" Lupin asked.  She gave him a look.   "I want it to be us who goes to help him, not Goemon, Marcus, Ethan, Fujiko, and especially not the kids."

"I don't want the kids to see him like that either," Jigen agreed bitterly.  "Are they okay?"

"They have no idea what's going on," she admitted.  "You're sure?  You think she'll listen to you?"

Lupin stood up.  "I do.  She does love us, even when we're fuckups of the highest order."

Anyanka nodded.  "Then you've got about ten minutes.  She was unconsciously standing on the railing.  She doesn't realize she's doing it."

She disappeared and they appeared on the bridge behind her, with no kid in sight.  They flanked her, Jigen turning to lean against the railing guarding them.  Lupin leaned beside her, close but not intimately so.  "Understanding the water meditation?" he asked quietly.  She nodded.  "Then could you explain it to me?"

"Water just is.  Like time it wears down things, but it's always the same.  Yet it's not really the same because each drop of water is moved from the spot where it had been sitting by the time you blink.  So it's the same thing, yet it changes all the time," she said quietly, continuing to stare down at it.  "It never has any doubts about its path, no moral imperative, nothing that conflicts with its natural goal - to get to the ocean and make more baby water."

Jigen let out a quiet cough.  "Yeah, and it don't have feelings, wants, or desires.   It's always there."

"Yeah, it's always there, somehow always in the background of everything, yet it can be ornamental and showy when it wants to be.  It can be life-giving and nourishing, or it can be harsh and cold and kill and destroy," she admitted quietly.

"Like you," Lupin said.  Xander looked at him.  "We've been trying to talk with you.  We got worried."

Xander frowned at him.  "I tried to call but I ended up falling asleep after dinner."

"It wasn't an accusation, Xan, it was a statement of fact.  We miss you and we're worried about you.  There have been all sorts of rumors about you being too sick to live."

"Nah-uh.  I've countered all those," she said, still frowning at him.  She glanced at Jigen, who moved a piece of her hair behind her ear.  "How did you guys find me here?"

"Easy. We had some mystical help," Jigen admitted.

"Dawn....."

"Not Dawn, we're on the outs with Dawn," Lupin admitted, stroking her arm.  "Your ex helped us."

"Gunn?"

"You made a wish for peace," Lupin said gently.

Xander looked up.  "That was peace spelled 'peace' not 'piece'," he complained.

"We have no intention of touching you that way until you're all better and strong enough to mouth off to us again," Jigen said firmly.

Lupin nodded.  "As a matter of fact, we're going to get vasectomies as soon as you're well enough to go with us.  I hear they're pretty painless these days."  Xander looked shocked.  "We never wanted to hurt you, Xan. I wanted to talk to you about it.  It was really dangerous and I was scared for you."  She shook her head slowly.  "Yeah, I was.  Chicago's like New York, only with less dirt.  It's one of those very complicated cities and I didn't want you to have to worry the rest of your life about some person you pissed off by stepping on their toes.  I'd never want that for you."

"Or you and the kids?"

Jigen snorted.  "They might try to hurt us, but we'd still protect you and the kids," he said, stroking his fingertip up her cheek until she shivered.  "Sorry.  I wanted to comfort you."

"Then why not come up right away?" she asked.

"Because I didn't know where the school was, neither did the kids, and Goemon said we had to wait a few days until you were better rested," Lupin told her, giving her a hug.  "Come back down, Xander."  She looked really confused.  "Look where you are, sweetheart.  Come to me."  She looked down, then looked really confused.

"Your mind was concentrating on the peace and it did what it wanted without your body overriding it," Jigen told her.  "It wanted the peace too."  They helped her back down then each took an arm, strolling off.  "Should we get you something to eat?"

"Please don't.  I've got morning sickness this time like Fuji had with Ishi."

"Then we won't make you eat, but how about a drink?" Lupin asked, pointing at a nearby beverage cart.  "Lemonade?  Water?"

"Pink lemonade?"

"If they've got it," he promised, giving her a gentle squeeze.  They found the cop they'd seen earlier and looked at him, then at the beverage cart person.  "Since when did Tokyo's cops wear Osaka's uniforms?" he asked, pointing at the guy.

The cart owner frowned, then shrugged.  "I don't know.  What is he doing with that child?"

Xander glared at the man, making him look up.  "I'd run," he suggested.  The man took off running.  "This is where I need to be thinner."

"He'll get his," Lupin promised.  "This is the Don's favorite park.  He'll have guards around."

"He's in Ireland this month."

"I heard, some of his guys will still be here playing with the geese."  He nodded at the cart tender. "Do you have any pink lemonade?"

"In a bottle.  Minute Maid," he offered, pulling one out.  "Quite cold."

Xander touched it.  "Got any that are somewhere between that and outside temperature?"  He nodded and dug around, coming up with one.  She smiled and pulled out her wallet but Lupin was quicker.  "I can get it."

"Why?  I'm good at buying you good presents," he admitted, letting her take her drink and then walking her off.  "It's odd, but I never liked buying Fujiko presents.  I like buying you things though."  He gave her a look.  "Guess that means I like you more."

"Do you?"

He stopped and kissed her gently, cupping both cheeks with his hands. "I do.  I have for a very long time, Xander Harris.  No matter what form you're in I still like you a lot.  I might even love you but I've never sat down and weighed it out against what I thought love was."  She sniffled and he grinned.  "None of that.  I can be mushy.  Cry on Jigen if he gets mushy."  She nodded and hugged them both.

"Come on, we'll drive you wherever."

"I took a cab down."

"So? Is it waiting?" Lupin asked.  She shook her head.  "Then we're good because I don't know where the school is."

She looked around.  "I don't see your usual rental."

"That's because we got sent there, we didn't drive over," Jigen said quietly.  He was resisting the urge to pull her closer and hold her, it wasn't what men did in public, but he did put an arm around her back.  "How much is cab fare back there?"

"Close to two hundred dollars."

Lupin winced, then shrugged.  "That's fine.  We can stop at an ATM."

"I need to call Murami anyway.  Someone said that my credit card bounced earlier."

Lupin handed over his cellphone.  "She's 9 on the speed dial."  He took her other side, holding her hand as they walked out of the park.

Xander drank her lemonade, listening to the cheerful greeting.  "Murami, it's Xan."  She said something.  "Who did that?"  She grimaced.  "I'll get her later.  Why did you turn down my treats for the kids?"  She started to look confused.  "Yeah, my special Visa declined."  She stopped, listening as the woman went over the accounts on line.  "Who did that?"  She groaned.  "Damn that bitch!"  She took a deep breath.  "Can we get it back?"  She slowly calmed down.  "Yeah, thanks.  Love you too.  You are the bestest."  She hung up and handed the phone back.  "It seems that when Dawn went to bankrupt you guys earlier today she got my accounts instead.  Only two of them and only two of the smaller ones.  Both of my emergency ones, so about six million."  They winced and shook their heads.  "I'm about to have a meeting with Dawn in the middle of a graveyard at midnight.  She has no idea what the fuck she just did."  She dialed Dawn's cell from memory.  "You bitch," she started out.  "How dare you touch my money!  How dare you try and keep my men from me and touch my money!  That is no excuse!  Yay!  Do you know what he told her!  In graphic fucking detail!"  She winced and dropped the phone.  "Ow."

"Shh," Jigen said, pulling her closer and helping her sit down.  "We're right here.  It's just pain.  Calm down and it'll go away."  He looked at Lupin, who was tucking the phone back into his pocket.  "Can we hit an ATM on the way?"  Lupin nodded.  "Then get us a cab.  I want her sitting down where we can get her calm again."

"I'm fine," she protested.  "It was just a pain."

"Bullshit," Jigen said, frowning at her.  "You're too damn tough for your own good, Xan.  That had to have hurt if you crumpled in on yourself like that.  Let us fuss."

"Fine, just get me off the ground, it's chilly," she complained.  "Besides, I promised the kids treats."

"We'll be the treat today," Jigen told her, helping her back up.  "I wish I was as strong as Goemon.  You don't need ta be walking."

Lupin picked up her lemonade and hurried to get them a cab.

***

Goemon looked at Anyanka.  "I'm satisfied," he noted.

"Good.  It seems they do care."  He nodded, looking at the picture again.  "Think they'll do it again?"

"I believe Lupin will become hyper-protective soon.  She'll probably have to do this once more to get any freedom back."  He glanced at the child who had made the wish, a very complicated and devious wish at that.  "Are you satisfied, Savanna?"

She nodded, playing with her silver streak. "I am.  Mommy's happy and the daddies are coming back soon."  She looked at the demon.  "Thank you, ma'am."  She bowed to her then to Goemon.  "I'm going to go play on the rope jungle.  Please?"

"Go," he agreed, giving her a gentle pat.  He smirked at the girl's back.  "That was a plan worthy of her mother."

"It was," Anyanka agreed.  "Complicated but it gave them all the impetus they needed to mend this.  Jigen actually said he'd rather lose her to you for a while than to lose her permanently."

He grunted.  "We'll see.  I thank you for telling me what she had wished."

"Oh, we're not allowed to fuck with Xander or his kids unless there's a damn good reason or we believe he wouldn't mind.  So now I'm off to fuck with Dawn," she said cheerfully.  "Expect to have Xander's money back by tonight or an equivalent amount."  She wiggled her fingers.  "You'd make one killer punishment demon.  You're sure I can't talk you into that or an incubus position?"

"No, I believe I'll pass," he said dryly.

She shrugged. "Pity."  She disappeared.

Goemon opened a bottle of holy water and poured it where she had been standing then went to mark all the doorways like Xander had done a few weeks back.

***

Little Arsene looked up as the cab pulled up, then she screamed and went running, just far enough away not to get run over.  "DADDIES!"  She hugged both their legs, watching as her mother was again carried inside.  "She okay?" she asked as she followed them.  "Baby brother okay?"

"Your baby brother's fine," Jigen said, smiling down at her.  "That was good to stop where the cab couldn't hit you, Arsene."

She beamed and went to help the other kids by tucking in the mommy so they could hog the fathers for a bit.  When they didn't leave the bedroom they adapted and crawled into laps and around them.  "Mommy, you find some of the best treats," Arsene said happily, giving her arm a hug.  Fred was napping on her now so she couldn't really hug her like usual.

Goemon walked in with a tray of glasses for the adults.  "Why did you not just send a tracking device?"

"I tried, you tossed it out," Lupin told him.

"Ah.  Sorry."  He shrugged and helped Xander sit up a bit more since she didn't look comfortable.  "How are you feeling?  You forgot your vitamin this morning."

"They taste bad," she whined.

"Still, you must take them and the healer's medicines.  He'll be back tonight and he will pout if you're not better."  She sighed and took them off the tray with her glass of juice.  "Thank you, Xander."  He let the others take their own glasses of juice.   He patted his son on the head.  "Let them cuddle for now, son."

"When is mommy coming home?" Ishi asked.

"We left her heading for Russia with Marcus," Lupin soothed, patting him on the head.  "You can cling to Xander with our girls for now if you want."  Ishi nodded and hugged himself back to her side, he was next to the floor so he wasn't in the way.

"Why was my wife headed for Russia?"

"We don't know," Jigen admitted.  "I know we need to have a meeting about Dawn."  He gulped his juice and handed it back so he could cuddle the kids.  "What have you guys been doing?"

"I've been training," Lotus said from the doorway.  "Sierra, we still help with dinner tonight?"

"Sure," she agreed, smiling at her friend.  "We'll help, Uncle G."

"Thank you, girls. We'll cook in a bit."  He gave the men a look, then smirked at Xander.  "We must let her rest."

"I'm fine," Xander protested. "I haven't had cuddles all day."

"I'd suppose that you'd want your husbands to cuddle you more," he said gently.

Melissa looked at the kids.  "Guys, the parents want to cuddle," she said, sounding almost exactly like Xander would.  They pouted at her.  "Hey, it's movie night.  We can hog them during it.  They'll have to come out and then we can sit up and nibble and tell them things during the adult one."  They each got their share of hugs then left to go to their chores.

Goemon smirked at them.  "She is quite good at motivating the others."  He left them alone, taking his son to hold him.  "I'm sorry your mother isn't here, son."

"I don't want her to be possessed again, dad," Ishi said quietly.

"If she were, Uncle Marcus could fix it," he promised.  "If not, Uncle Xander would definitely scare it away."  His son gave him an adoring look.  "Now, get your textbooks.  You have not done much with them and I want you to be smart enough to do many great things."  His son gave him one last hug and went to get his textbooks, tackling his math first.  It wasn't his best subject, and Xander couldn't find anything that he likes to relate it to yet.   Most of the other girls came in to do their own when they saw what he was doing, all but Lotus, who went to 'commune with a tree' by sitting under it and working on her reading.

***

Lupin stroked Xander's arm.  "Want to shift over so you're in the middle?"  She nodded and shifted over, letting Jigen have her other side.  "Thanks.  We feel better when we're both around you."  He gave her a gentle kiss.  "Vanilla?"

"Vitamin," she said.  "Tastes nasty.  Big, huge pill too."

"I saw," Lupin soothed.  "But if it'll help you heal, then you need to take them."  He went back to stroking her.

"How are you feeling really?" Jigen asked.  "The demon said something about your blood pressure?"

"It's a little high.  The doctor I saw earlier said I was going normally for such extreme circumstances.  He did want me to watch my diet.  I had a soda before they did a finger stick."

"Why did they do one of those?"

"Because I was dizzy," she admitted, looking down at her son's head.  He was sucking his thumb.  "He's so content sometimes."

"Of course he is.  He knows you love him no matter what he'll end up being," Lupin soothed, starting to stroke her hair now.  "The same way we do you."  She gave him a look, then rolled her eyes.  "Seriously.  Even if you made us go on the run for real again, we'd still love you."

"Even if we had to take down everyone in Chicago to do so," Jigen agreed.  He shifted closer to rest his head on her shoulder so he could stare at the son.  "Hey, Fred."  His son shifted in his sleep, getting more comfortable between her breasts.  "Isn't he heavy?"

"He's good," she promised.  "I had to do that."

"I know you did," Lupin promised.  "I understand.  It was pointed out that if certain cops had done it back in the day that I'd have done it for them too."  He gave her another stroke then moved in to cuddle her too.  "Sorry if we're crowding you but we missed you."

She sniffled.  "No mushiness. I can't take it."

"You cry if it'll make you feel better," Jigen promised.  She sniffled harder and hugged them both as much as she could with how she was laying.  "You do know I was teasing when I called you a brat, right?"  She shook her head so he looked up.  "I was.  I know you're not a real brat.  You don't cause trouble on purpose."

She snorted.  "Thanks, Jigen.  Really."

"Hey, everyone causes some problems by accident. It's what the human race is here for," Lupin promised.  "We'll help him find a better mushy name for you soon."  He touched her stomach, feeling the hardness.  "Wow.  You feel like a melon in there."

"The doctor said that was normal, that it'd be better as soon as I relaxed."

"Then let us help with that," Jigen ordered.  "I give great foot massages.  I also do pretty good with shoulders."

"I can do really great lower back ones," Lupin promised, "plus we haven't spoiled you any recently."  She looked shocked. "I haven't.  A lemonade isn't spoiling."

"No, but the offer of a vacation in the Caribbean and the chocolates were," she said quietly.

"Hmm, so's the jewelry we found for you," he said, nuzzling her neck, "but that's still in my things."  She pushed him away.  "Sorry.  I was doing what the cat does."

"I noticed.  Where is the cat?"

"It stayed with the stomach of doom.  Apparently it's supposed to go to Goemon's next son," Jigen told her, smirking at her.  "We'll see it when she sends the new one back here to rest."

"She's what?"

"She's hit her midlife crisis," Lupin admitted, going back to stroking her stomach.  "She's missing being twenty and wearing flashy clothes and making men drool."

"Then she needs to get over it," Xander said firmly.  "Ishi needs a mother and Lotus really does!"

"Yeah, but I think she expected you to fill in there too," Lupin told her.

She sniffed in disdain.  "Of course I am.  Ishi is like my own son, the same as Arsene and Sierra are.  They're all my kids."

"See, then she doesn't have to worry about it so much," Jigen noted.  Someone knocked on the door and both of them stilled, then groaned.  "Enter!" Jigen called.

Melissa came in and shut the door, making them both sigh in relief.  "Ishi's dealing with math, daddies."  She came over and crawled in with them.  "We don't mind sharing the mommy with Ishi, Arsene, Sierra, and Lotus, plus the new one.  We like them all.  They're like our sisters and brothers anyway.  Ishi did ask where his mother was however.  He wants to see her soon."

"I'll do what I can," Lupin promised, giving her a kiss on the forehead.  "How have you been?"

"Pretty good, but we need to talk about Savanna.  She's got mommy's planning skills and she's presently conspiring against Arsene."  All the adults stared at her.  "Who do you think made the wish?"

"She made a wish," Xander said flatly.  Melissa looked at her and nodded.  "Through Anyanka?"  She nodded again.  "Why?"

"To get you three back together again.  She and Arsene were really miserable and they wanted you to be happy, mommy."

"Savanna!" Xander yelled.  "Come here!"  She came in and then squeaked when she saw their looks.  "In and shut the door."  Her daughter did so and climbed up with them, giving her father a hug.  "What wish did you make, daughter?"

"To have you be happy and fix this," she admitted, looking pitiful. "I wished that they'd be able to go to you and you could work things out and come back happier so you wouldn't be so tired and they'd be able to carry you around instead of Uncle G."  She sniffled and wiped her nose with her hand.  "I'm sorry, but it helped, right?"

"It did," Jigen agreed, "but that could have been really dangerous."

"Nah-uh, I set it so it had to be your own idea to work things out.  The demon didn't make you do anything you normally wouldn't and it was after Mommy was already on the bridge."

"Uncle Goemon found out and stepped in to make sure she couldn't force you to do anything," Melissa admitted.

"Tattletale," Savanna sneered.

"No," Xander said.  Both girls looked hurt.  "Well, yes, she is, but sometimes there are good reasons for it.  Like when you caught Lotus playing with her father's sword and told us.  In this case, it could have backfired a lot, Savanna.  Any of us could have gotten hurt or the demon who came might not have been Anyanka."

"I called her directly," she said hopefully.  "I planned it all, mommy.  I wrote it all down so I'd get the words right and everything.  Wanna see?"

"Sure," Lupin agreed.  She hurried to get it.  "Melissa, thank you for letting us know that she was doing dangerous stuff.  You're a good sister to the horde."  She beamed.  "Only in times when it's really important though, got it?"  She nodded and went to go back to her spelling.  He got up to close the door once Savanna was back, taking the notebook to look inside.  "Wow.  She really did plan this, down to the words. Much better than our countering ones, Jigen."

"What?" Xander asked.

"Anyanka came to us to see if we wanted to make a countering wish," Jigen admitted.  "Lupin wished that someone would go help you who liked you as much as possible, thinking we'd be taken.  But we weren't.  Instead I had to go in and redo his so we'd get sent there so we could plead and beg."

"Which is exactly what she had planned," Lupin said, handing over the notebook to the mother before curling up next to her again.  "That is very detailed, Savanna."

Xander groaned and put it down. "I'm not sure if I should be proud or upset."

"Be both," Jigen suggested.  "I am."  He looked at his precious oldest daughter.  "Kiddo, you nearly screwed up badly."  She opened her mouth.  "Ah!"  She closed it and pouted at him.  "It's good that you planned it out, but you did try to manipulate us.  That's not allowed."

"It helped."

"It did," Lupin agreed.  He gave her a fond smile and a pat.  "It was a plan worthy of your mother as well."  She beamed at that.  "But you still should have let us handle it.  It could have hurt her a lot."

"Un-uh.  The demon said that her heart was making a wish already.  That's why she was on the bridge.  I represented a chance to fix it for him," she repeated.  "The demon said so."

"Hmm," Xander said, looking at his daughter.  "Fine.  It was a great plan, Savanna.  You're very good at this stuff.  I appreciate the hell out of it.  I do not want you to ever do it again.  No more wishes unless things are going to go horribly wrong and someone will die."

Savanna leaned up to get into her face. "Mommy, you nearly did," she said quietly.  "Uncle G is so worried that he made a wish for you to be okay again."  She gave her a kiss on the end of the nose.  "Did you tell them about Sarah yet?"  She shook her head, giving her a small frown.  "Then do so.  I wanna see Daddy squeal in joy too."  She beamed at them.

Lupin looked at her.  "What's up with Sarah?"

"The healer made her a little bit stronger," she admitted, frowning at her daughter.  "You're still in trouble for making that sort of wish."

"Yes, mommy," she said patiently.  "Tell them!"  She bounced a bit.

"Apparently my kitsune buddy likes Sarah for the position of envoy from the European syndicates," she told them.  "That way she'd be protected, not have to worry about her heart condition, and she's got the bloodlines to do so."

"Wow," Jigen breathed, looking at Lupin.  "I'm impressed.  Hey, fuzzy tails," he called.  The kitsune appeared, giving him a dirty look.  "It's not like you told us your name."

"Good point."  He looked at Savanna.  "That was a plan worthy of a thief," he praised.  She scowled. "It was."  She pouted.  "In the future, ask if it's correct if you have a doubt."

"Yes, sir," she pouted, looking at her parents.

"I agree," Xander admitted.  "It was plan worthy of me stealing that gold from Cairo."  Her daughter snorted and hugged her around the stomach.  "Thanks, now go back to whatever.  You're not grounded since it didn't work out that badly.  Next time you'll be spanked."  Her daughter gave her a look, then left to go back to her homework.  "She just demanded that we tell them about your plans for Sarah."

He hopped up, sitting on the foot of the bed.  "It would be most helpful.  We haven't had one since Dolune's days.  Plus we do have healers all around and other things.  She's going to be slightly magically active anyway.  It's part of why she's so weak according to our healer.  That solves your problem of protecting her and ours of not having an official envoy."

"Who are you using now?" Lupin asked.  The kitsune pointed at Xander.  "Oh."  He looked at Jigen.  "She's your daughter."

"I like that idea," he admitted.  "She'd be safe?"

"There's always minor politicking about in the courts, but she'd be safe enough.  She might even find that she loves someone up there," he said smugly.

"Um, cross-species stuff might upset me," Xander noted.

"We do have other humans," he said dryly, grinning at her.  "You don't think she'd adore my youngest daughter?"

"I do, if only because she's got very soft fur, but I don't want to think about martial relations.  Ever, if possible."

He paused, then shuddered.  "You're correct.  I'll make sure she doesn't sleep with her."  He grinned at them and his tails waved around.  "Would that be acceptable to your parents?"

"I wouldn't mind," Jigen admitted.  "She'll be safe and if she likes it I'm all for it."

"Good.  Then we'll pop around now and then to help her with protocol."  He frowned at Xander's stomach and moved closer, touching it.  "You were upset."  She nodded.  "You should not be."  He took her with him, leaving her son there on the bed where she had been lying.  She went directly to the healer's quarters.  "She was upset and her men fixed it for her.  She's still cramping however."  He turned her over into his careful care.

"Poor thing," the healer soothed, taking her into his healing baths.  "Come, you rest in here and then we'll do another massage."

She sighed and did as he said.  She couldn't argue with him, the spell on the suite made sure no one could fight the healer about his orders.

***

Lupin carried his son out of the bedroom, finding Goemon watching the girls carefully chop up vegetables.  "The six-tailed thing took her," he explained at the confused look.  "Sarah's to be an envoy."  Jigen came out with a fussy Sarah.  "Bottles?"  Goemon got them some and handed them over.  "Thanks."  They sat down with the kids to feed the babies.  "Hey, Ishi, what's wrong?  You're scowling at the book, little man."

"I hate math," he said bitterly, putting down his pencil. "It never makes sense like it does for Savanna or Melissa."

"Hmm.  Have you tried looking at it in different terms?" Jigen suggested as he sat down.  Ishi nodded, pouting at him.  "What have you tried?"

"Gems, gold and silver, chains."

Lupin looked at the book.  "Long division.  I'm impressed, Ishi."  He considered it.  "Okay, then let's go at this another way.  How about this.  Have you done areas yet?"  Ishi nodded, looking hopeful. "Okay."  He thought about the image he wanted to build in the boy's head.  "Beside you is a huge blue dragon.  It's like the Imperial beast who likes your sister.  It has skin that's shedding.  The beast is about six feet high and about as long as the driveway.  How much skin is that?"

"He's mostly barrel shaped," Ishi said thoughtfully, picturing it in his head.

"Nah, he's pretty trim so he's a big cylinder," Jigen told him.

"So he's like a pipe then."  He sat down to work it out.  "Father, how long is the driveway?"

"About half a mile to the gate," Goemon said, giving them a look.  "Dragon?" he mouthed.

"They like them," Lupin mouthed back.

Ishi pushed over his paper.  "Like that, Uncle Lupin?"  Lupin smirked and nodded.  "Wow.  Okay, now what?"

"Now, you've got make your sister a coat out of it so that nothing can hurt her," Jigen told him.  "It'll take about two yards of cloth to do so by the pattern so maybe three just in case you get a weak spot."  Ishi worked that out.  "After that, you want to make yourself some armor.  It'll cover about from your shoulder to your hips.  Don't worry about sleeves, they'll get in the way of your fighting with the sword."  Ishi went to measure himself and then figured that out.

"Remember to double it for front and back," Sierra said helpfully, working on the same problem.  "Like this, daddy?" she asked, letting him see.

"Very good," Lupin agreed, giving her a pat on the head.  "Ishi?"  Ishi came back and did that part of the problem.  "Now, can you get both from the dragon's skin?  If so, how many times?"

Ishi worked that out, then smiled at him.  "Two and a third times," he said happily.  "So I can make Lotus an extra coat, just barely."

"Good job," Lupin praised.

His father kissed him on the head.  "Good job," he agreed.  "Can you apply that back to your current math problems?"

He looked at it, then nodded and started working on the first one.  "If I make the big number the whole cloth and the little one the amount that has to come out, I can do that."

"Good.  Next comes fractions," Jigen said fondly.  "I hated fractions."

"I was pretty good at them, I did mine in areas," Lupin admitted.  "Things like ventilator pipes and things."  His daughters looked at him like he was God and Melissa snorted.

"I'm doing mine in carat weight," she said proudly.  "Mommy said so."

Arsene spit at her.  "I don't need that.  I've already got that down.  She wanted me to do it again with measurements because I needed more work with them."

"That's fine.  You're still little.  You've got time to learn all that you'll need to know," Lupin soothed.

"Does that mean we can take a few days off and go to Disney Japan?" Sierra asked innocently, giving her father her best begging look.

"I don't think they'd let any of you guys in," Jigen told her, starting to laugh.  "They've got your pictures somewhere so they won't let you guys in accidentally."

"So we'll learn the art of disguise," Melissa said with a negligent shrug.  "We need to anyway."

"True," Lupin agreed, looking at Jigen, who frowned, then at Goemon, who looked horrified.  "If you guys get to the point where you're doing equations by the end of the summer, then we'll go."

"Plus you'll have to be at least three chapters in your language books," Jigen added.

"And at least two more in geography and history."

The kids sighed, then nodded.  It was doable if they actually worked at it.

Ishi looked at his father.  "Father, I need the next history book, I'm nearly done with mine."

"Congratulations," he said proudly.  "We'll move up as soon as Xander can find the next one."

He nodded and went back to his math.  It made so much more sense now.  "Uncle Lupin, how would one make a kimono?  I think they're really fascinating."

"I don't know," he admitted.  "Has Xander assigned you a research paper yet?"  He looked up and nodded.  "Then why not do it on that?  Start with the encyclopedia for reference terms and where to look.  Then we'll start online."  Ishi nodded, going back to his homework.  "Did you want to do that for a living?"

"No, but I think they're really pretty.  They're like wearable art and I like Auntie Xander's collection."  He looked at his father.  "Where are the others?"

"They're back in Geneva," he admitted. "I only brought the practical things."

"We need to find a new formal house," Lupin sighed.

"Can we have a pony there?" little Arsene asked cheerfully.

"No," Jigen said.  "No ponies.  If you're lucky we'll find a house next to one where some live."

She frowned.  "Horsies are good, Uncle Jigen.  They make us move better.  Like dance classes."  The other girls nodded.  "We learn how to ride and all that stuff."

"We'll see," Lupin admitted.  "When you're older you'll get dancing lessons and that stuff.  Things that'll make you fit in better with the higher levels of society."  They all beamed at him and went back to their homework.  They had a goal now, they'd have to meet it.  He saw the incredulous look from Goemon.  "I did.  Grandfather found a few people who could come in for short-term teaching assignments.  I learned how to dance, how to do some minor acrobatics, and things like that."

"Really?" Jigen asked.  Lupin nodded.  "Then why did I get to teach Xander how to tango?"

"Because you wanted it more," Lupin said like it made perfect sense.  "She had just become yours and you needed to bond."

"Fine," Jigen said, shaking his head.  "I get to set up the curriculum."

"Of course you will, Jigen.  I'd never dream of teaching your daughters anything without you."  He smirked. "Not even about boys and girls."

"I believe Xander has done that quite well," Goemon said, interrupting the friendly argument.  "He provides some very detailed cards on the speech for certain parents."  They both looked at him.  "That is why I said he could teach Ishi at the first sign of puberty."  He went to help the ones doing vegetables.  "Very good, girls.  Very even, Savanna."  He patted them on the back.  "Go study, I'll do the rest."  His daughter pouted at him.  "I'll save you some of the vegetables without the meat, daughter."  She nodded and went to the table to do her homework too.  "We're having stir fry tonight," he noted.

"That's fine," Jigen agreed.

"I can help cook if you want," Lupin offered.

"No, it is suitable to the house and their growing needs."  He pulled out a wok to start on his part of the dinner.  If his son wasn't allowed to cook with the stove, the others definitely weren't.  There was no telling how bad the fire would be if Savanna got to play with it.  She thought they were pretty.

***

Ray looked up as someone brought in a wad of paper.  "What's that?" he asked, taking it to look over.

"One of the bugs you've planted in the past came active a few days ago, Inspector.  We've been monitoring it, but today something odd just came up.  We thought you'd want to know."  He nodded and left.

Ray sat back to read the transcripts, frowning at the content.  "When did I plant that one?" he muttered, continuing on.  There were a lot of long pauses and things said by the kids.  Finally he came to the last page and sat up.  "That house is in Geneva!  Damn it, we couldn't ever find his private house!"  He picked up the phone to call his boss.  "Yo, Boss.  One of the bugs I planted on one of them in years past just came active.  I know which city Xander's house is in now.  Yeah, Geneva.  Did you want me to do anything with this?"  He grimaced.  "I know, but you're not here."  He chuckled.  "Fine.  Sure, I'll save the transcripts for you.  There's a lot of long pauses and nags for Xander to take various meds.  No, she's still pretty weak.  No, like extremely weak.  Yes, sir, of course I will, sir.  You have fun at that meeting."  He hung up.  "And maybe I'll get to look at Xander's comic and anime stash," he said happily.  He had wanted to see how extensive the thing was.  Plus her kimono collection was supposed to be really great.  He looked up when he heard a noise and passed out as a dart hit him on the arm.

"Unfortunately, you'll have to ask Xander about that, Raymond," Marcus said dryly.  "It looks as though I'll have to deal with this myself."  He headed off with the transcripts, dropping them into Lupin's lap.  "They know the city, we'll have to pack up Xander's house for her immediately.  Where?"

"I'll hire movers to get everything packed and stored," Lupin promised, pulling out his phone.  He called his best friend in Europe.  "Hey, Murami.  We've got to pack up Xan's house.  The cops put some sort of bug on us and now they know where it is, city-wise.  They'll want to go through it if we don't."

"Ray did say that he wanted to paw through Xander's collections."  He looked up and frowned.  "I'll be right back.  Fujiko's alarm just went off."  He disappeared before anyone could even open their mouths to protest and didn't come back.

"Murami, Marcus was just here, he said something's up with Fujiko," Lupin said quietly.  "I don't know, they were headed for Russia."  He nodded and hung up.  "She'll track them.  Get onto the bulletin boards.  I want to know who's been bragging."  Jigen nodded, going to find their laptop and do that.  "Goemon, it seems someone wanted to talk to your wife," he said, glancing at the kids.  Goemon's face went completely slack.  "We're not sure yet.  Murami said she'd heard a rumor that Fujiko sent Marcus out to do something for her last night."

"That stupid woman," Goemon said, switching to French.  His own son didn't understand it that well yet.

"Who is?" Ishi asked, showing he was much more proficient than his father had thought.  He looked at him.  "Did something happen to the mother?"

"We're not sure yet," Lupin admitted, keeping in the same language.  "We're checking it out now.  She sent Marcus away last night for some reason."  Ishi slumped and leaned back in his chair.  "If there's any way, Ishi, we'll help her."

"I know you will," Ishi said in English.  "You used to like her.  Mother said so."  He closed his books.  "Father, I'm going to get rid of the anger."

His father gave him a hug.  "I understand.  I'll come check on you in a while, once we know anything.  Do not tell your sister."  He nodded and left to start off on a long, involved, physically draining kata.  Goemon looked at Lupin.  "She sent him off last night?"  Lupin nodded. "Why?"

"Murami didn't know."

Jigen came back.  "She sent him to find something to soothe a craving, something that had to come from Germany.  She asked someone to watch out for him while he was there."  He put down the papers, then looked at Goemon and shook his head.  "I'm sorry, man."

"She's gone?" he asked, sounding dead.

"Someone just popped up and said that he had the child, but his typing was rudely interrupted by Marcus and his sword.  Marcus let it be known that anyone who touched you and your family felt the wrath of him and Lavelle, as had happened to that one.  That's all he said."

"What's going on?" Arsene asked, looking at her father.  "Is Auntie Fujiko okay?"

"We don't know yet, dear.  We do know that Ishi's younger brother is born and we're waiting for Marcus to come back."  She nodded and went back to her studies.  "Why don't you guys go do that in the living room?"  They packed up everything and went in there to work on things.  "I'm sorry as hell, Goemon."

"It is not your fault," he said stiffly.  He closed his eyes and forced himself into calmness.  "Fate has played against us many times but this time she did not take enough into account.  I could not change it by being there."

Marcus came back, his shirt bloody, and a screaming baby in his arms.  "I'm so sorry, Master," he whispered, handing him over.  "She was already gone when I got there.  It was fast.  He shot her.  I took the baby."  He fell down crying.  "I failed."

Lupin forced his face up.  "You didn't fail, kid.  She sent you away."

"I warded the baby, not her."

"Well, anything affecting her would affect the baby," Jigen pointed out.  "It was reasonable and you'd find out when she was in labor before she did."  He helped Marcus stand up.  "Go clean up.  The kids can't see you like that."  He nodded and trudged off.  "Goemon?"  He was staring at his son.

"Goemon," Lupin said, putting his son onto the table so he could stand up and take the baby.  It woke the father enough to have him look at him.  "Let's get the baby cleaned up and checked over.  We'll bring her back to France."  Goemon shook his head.  "No?"

"Here," he ordered, taking his son to clean him up.  He let his own emotions out when they were alone.  In his own way he had loved Fujiko but he had always felt it wasn't enough for her.  Now he couldn't try harder.

Lupin walked in and hugged him.  "Hey.  It happens in this life.  She adored you.  She had since you proposed that way, big guy.  She loved you enough to not force you to deal with her at her worst."  He turned him around, letting him vent his tears on him.  "Shh, it'll be okay," he soothed.

Jigen came in and took the baby to clean up.  "Hey," he said in greeting, working on getting the slime out of the soft fuzzy hair.  "I'm an uncle.  You'll get to see a lot of us soon."  He got that part cleaned then worked on the tiny chest and arms.  "You're nastier than your big brother was."

"The blood is dried on," Goemon told him.  "As is the birthing fluid."  He pulled back and wiped off his face.  "I want her buried here."

"We will," Lupin agreed.  "Wherever you want unless she left orders to the contrary with Murami.  She didn't say anything when I called her."

"Thank you."  He took his son back.  "I want to do this."

"We can help, Goemon.  That's what friends do," Jigen reminded him.  Goemon nodded and let them help both of them.

***

Lupin walked out to where Ishi was meditating and tapped him on the shoulder.  "Hey."  He squatted down in front of him.  "We need to talk, little man."

"Mother's gone," he said flatly.  Lupin nodded.  "Who?"

"Someone Marcus killed."

"Why wasn't he there?"

"Fujiko sent him off on a pasty hunt in Germany.  By all indications she knew that this person was after her and decided to take him on alone."  He tipped the boy's chin up when it fell.  "Your mother was always very confident of her skills, Ishi.  Sometimes too overconfident.  I doubt even Marcus being there would have helped.  The local cops said it was a sniper shot from a roof across the street."

Ishi swallowed.  "My brother?"

"Inside.  Marcus had a telltale set up on the baby so he could rush back at the first sign of labor.  You wouldn't know this but Fujiko usually didn't feel the first few pains and he knew he'd need to be there sooner because of her age and things.  As soon as he felt it he went back and ... took the baby. Fuji Kenji Morris is inside taking his first nap."

"Morris?  After the old cat in those commercials?" he asked, losing his grief for a moment.

"Your mother demanded in her papers that this one have that name in it.  She was apparently having some odd moods while pregnant this time.  In short, we'll be bringing her back here in a few days, as soon as they release the body.  Murami will be coming back with it."  Ishi nodded.  "I want you to know that our arms are always open for you.  As far as I'm concerned, you're one of ours too.  The same way I see Melissa and Savanna.  You and Lotus are our kids.  I know Xander feels the same way too."  He moved some of the dark hair.  "We haven't told Lotus yet but she knows something's wrong with her mother.  Your father wants you inside.  He's in shock.  If you want to cry with him, you can.  I know you can.  If you want us, you can have us."

"Xander?"

"She's not back yet but as soon as she is I'd expect a long cuddle," Lupin admitted, giving him a faint smile.  "She is rather like that."  He nodded and got up, heading inside to hold his father.  His father was great and manly, but she was his weak point.  Lupin got up and went to find Lotus.  "Hey," he said once he found her.  She looked up, tears already streaming down her face.  "Did someone else tell you?"

"I can't feel her."

Lupin picked her up and held her. "I know you can't, sweetheart.  We're still here for you though."

"The brother?"

"He's inside."  He gave her a squeeze.  "Your dad could use a cuddle too."  She nodded and got free, running inside to hug him.  Lupin went to take the other kids aside and help Jigen tell them.  He hadn't managed it yet.

***

Murami looked up as Dawn appeared with something.  "What?" she asked flatly.  "Causing more problems?"

"No.  I can't fix the other one I caused," she said bitterly.  "They needed the money, that's why I gave it to them.  If I made them give it back or took it back it would hurt their orphanages."  She put the bag down.  "This is to replace what I stole."  She backed up.  "I'm sorry.  I overreacted because I was protecting Zenny."

Murami nodded.  "I understand, Dawn.  I would have done the same thing if it had been done to my husband while he was alive."  She pushed the bag aside.  "There's news and I'm not sure if Lupin wanted you there or not.  Fujiko was shot."

Dawn went pale and found a chair by feel. "Is she all right?"  Murami shook her head. "The baby?"

"Marcus had a telltale on the baby.  He took it from her body as the police got there.  They let him go when he told them what had happened.  She'll be released in a few days and be going back to Japan then."

Dawn nodded, swallowing hard.  "I'll tell Zenny and Ray.  Thank you, Murami.  Tell Xander I'm sorry."  She disappeared, taking off running through the halls to her husband's office to cry on him.  "Fuji was shot," she sobbed.

Zenigata pushed her back.  "Is she all right?"  She shook her head.  "Oh, damn."  He held her closer, trying to calm her down.  Ray came in, looking confused.  "Fujiko Mine died."

"In Russia," he said, handing over the folder.  "She sent Marcus off on a pastry chase to get him out of harm's way.  He came back in time to greet the cops and to take the baby from her, then he disappeared again.  The cops said it was necessary, he only told them a few things."  He took Dawn to hold while he read the folder.  "Shh, the baby's fine.  He's with his father.  They'll take care of him and the rest of that family."

She pulled back to look at him.  "If I hadn't fucked up so badly then she could have been with them."

"Not even, princess," Ray said firmly.  "Fujiko went off to have one last bout of fun.  She had a midlife crisis moment and headed off with Marcus to protect the baby.  She told one local thief in Russia that she was sending Marcus away with the baby once he was born."  Dawn looked stunned.  "She wanted to go be wild and have fun again.  She didn't want to be a mother for a few months.  She knew Xander wouldn't care if she took off for a bit and left the kids with her, so she did.  She intentionally sent Marcus away knowing that there was a new hit out for her.  We're lucky Marcus saved the baby at all."  She nodded, clinging to him again.  "I'll email Lavelle in a few minutes, Zen."

"That's fine.  I can just as easily email Lupin and ask if we can go to the funeral."  He tossed the folder down.  "They don't have any idea who?"

"All they know is that Marcus found him and took him out since he was bragging that he capped her and the baby.  He was on the bulletin boards when his typing stopped and Marcus interrupted to note it was him now and that Lavelle and he would be going after anyone who hurt their kids.  Not Lupin, not Jigen, not Goemon, Lavelle - with Marcus backing him up.  She said that the people on the board at the time decided it wasn't worth it to them to *ever* go near any of those kids until they were old enough to join the life, and then they expected them to follow in the same wonderful principles.  Fujiko had her laptop on and was chatting on it when this happened.  The cops literally interrupted while he was taking the baby out so Marcus tersely explained what was going on.  Their own coroner noted she'd been dead for nearly thirty minutes before he took the baby."  They both shuddered.

Dawn straightened up.  "I can't get to them."

"We'll go the normal way, Dawn," Zenigata said firmly.  He pulled something out of his desk and looked it over, then opened it and checked the phonebook.  "Have the crooks had their numbers changed?"

"I updated my old phone last year," Dawn admitted.  "It's current."

Zenigata nodded and sat down, pushing the send button.  "Hi.  I heard.  We're all sorry."

***

Jigen looked at his phone, then frowned at Lupin.  "It's Pops."

"Give," he ordered, taking it from him.  "What do you want?" he demanded.  He scowled when he heard the quiet words.  "Thanks, means a lot."  He hung up and tossed it aside.  "I'm not talking to him."

"Obviously," Goemon said as he walked in.  "What did Zenigata want?"

"To tender his 'sorries' and to ask if he could come to the funeral."  Lupin gave him a look.  "You didn't get to hear yet how Dawn decided to fuck Xander over."  He shook his head.  "You know that Zenigata shared some information with that social worker?" he asked briskly.  Goemon nodded.  "We went and faced him down about it.  I no longer protect that man and he knows it.  So Dawn decided to take it out on Xander.  Gave some of his money away to charity without asking him.  Had us listed as enemies and threats to all airlines.  Things of that nature.  We managed to get here by buying an airplane and a pilot's yearly salary."  Goemon looked stunned.  "It was literally the only way we could get here."

Goemon came over and hugged him.  "Dawn has always been as fierce in her protection of what was hers as you are," he noted quietly.  "I'm sure she feels horrible."  He pulled back.  "Zenigata and his people may come as long as they are respectful."  He picked up the phone.  "Is it in here?"

"Yeah, that one's mine," Jigen admitted.  "It's under P."

Goemon nodded and found it, hitting the send button.  "You may attend the funeral if you are respectful and decent.  If not, then we do not need your presence."  He hung up before anyone could say anything.  Then he went back to the kitchen.  Cleaning was making him feel better.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "Keep me from making it a double one," he requested quietly, going to lie down with the babies.  He needed to rest to get Xander through this.

Jigen sat down, staring outside.  "We need to find a new main hideout and stay there, together," he told himself.

Goemon came out and handed over a brochure.  "Here.  It was mailed to us by someone.  It's next door to someone named Ripper."

"That would be Rupert Giles, vampire bastard," Jigen said dryly, taking the brochure to look over.  "It's nice."

"It is, and he has horses as well," he noted, going back to his cleaning.  "Or there is that old Imperial farm that's being sold."

"We've thought about that one," Jigen admitted.  He settled in to read it.  This one had everything they needed, including enough space for all the kids to train and roam.  Plus the people next door raised hunters and jumpers.  That meant the kids could go stare at horses when they wanted a pony.  Plus, it got a supposedly beautiful coat of snow each year.  He walked it into the bedroom Lupin had decided was theirs.  "Here.  Someone sent it to Goemon.  Or he suggested the Imperial ranch again."

Lupin looked at it.  "Where is this one?"

"Britain.  Next to Ripper's estate."

Lupin looked up at him.  "Gee, I wonder who sent it," he said bitterly.

"Probably Ethan.  You know how much he likes Xan still."  He sat down, smoothing down some baby hair.  "You guys need to sleep in a bed."

"They're fine for right now, Jigen. They're comfy and cuddlesome."  He looked through the brochure.  "Nine inches of snow annually?"  He shuddered.  "That means we'd be nearly snowed in."

"Xander might like snow.  He's never really been around snow during the winter except during jobs," Jigen pointed out.

"Maybe.  I'll let him see it to see if he wants it or somewhere else.  I'd like somewhere warmer, somewhere we don't have to travel forever to find real civilization."

Goemon walked in with something.  "Marcus just brought that.  This one is from Ethan and Ripper personally.  Ripper relented when he realized it meant he'd have to see children daily."  He looked at them.  "Were we coming with you?"

"You know you're our family too," Lupin said, staring him down.  Goemon nodded.  "If you don't want to, you don't have to, but we'd never complain if you did."

"Then I might like that idea," he admitted.  "It would be best for the children not to be alone right now."

Jigen punched him on the arm.  "You too."

"Quit that."

Jigen smirked at him.  "You're mushy."

"I'm allowed," Goemon said firmly, glaring at him.  "I can be as mushy as I need to be.  I can also steal your wife from you now since I'm a widow."  He gave them a look.  "Do not strike me again."

Jigen smirked at him.  "You're protesting too much."

Goemon sighed, then shook his head.  "You are transparent.  I will come with the children when we go."  He went back to calling the appropriate people to deal with these things for him.  Fortunately she had left some instructions in an email to Murami and him through Lotus' email account.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "Nice job," he said quietly.  "All we have left is Xander."

Jigen sighed then nodded.  "That'll be the hard one."

"It will," he agreed, looking over this one.  "This is really nice.  The Watcher's Council is getting rid of a lot of their property.  We can add this to the family estates and split it up among the kids."

Jigen took it to look over, smirking at the blatant desire for them to be closer.  "I guess vampires do have a heart."

"I guess so," Lupin agreed, stroking the kids' back.

***

Marcus appeared at the gateway, bowing to the kitsune guarding it.  "I must speak with the Lady Xander.  It is most imperative.  Family business of an unpleasant nature."  The guard looked him over.  "I am Marcus Wyndam-Pryce.  She does know me.  I'm Goemon's apprentice."  The kitsune led him up to a grand castle, making him wait in a little room.  Finally Xander's kitsune friend came in wearing regal robes of state.  Marcus bowed properly to him.  "I'm here to inform Xander of some unpleasant, yet necessary, news, Lord of the Kitsune."

"Why?"

Marcus looked at him.  "Fujiko Mine was killed earlier today."  The fox spirit groaned and shook his head.  "Her son was saved by me, but I got there nearly a half-hour after she had died."

"Fine.  Do not break it hard.  She is back in the baths.  Wait here.  I'll retrieve her.  We were going to bring her back tonight."  He walked away, his robes sweeping the floor as he moved.  He tapped on Xander's door, walking in at her grunt.  "Xander."  She looked up, then went back to placing a pin exactly into her hair.  "Here, let me."  He finished her hair for her.  "There, how's that?"

"Good.  What's wrong?"  She turned to look at him, careful not to scrape her stomach on the table.  "You look upset, something wrong with your kits?"

He shook his head.  "No, dear one.  Something wrong at your home.  Marcus is here to speak with you."

"My kids?" she asked, starting to breathe harder.

"No!" he said firmly, forcing her to calm down.  "Fujiko."  Xander's face fell.  "Come, I'll lead you to him."  He helped her stand up and tie her obi.  He looked at her kimono.  "I've never seen that one.  It's very pretty.  Did you steal it?"  She blushed and nodded.  "I must say, you have wonderful taste.  The red and gold motif is wonderful on you."  He took her arm as she put on her sandals and walked her down the halls.  "Prepare yourself, it is not happy news."

"I didn't figure it was if he came all the way up here."  She knocked on the door then walked in, stunning Marcus.  "I liked it," she defended.

"You look adorable in it, Xander."  He helped her into the room's lone chair.  "Fujiko was shot."

"I figured it had to be bad.  The baby?"

"With Goemon.  I had a telltale on the baby so I could get there for the labor.  The baby wasn't feeling much distress until about a half-hour after she died."  Xander hung her head, shaking it.  "I did get the upstart who dared to do such a vile thing.  It was fast, a perfect sniper shot.  I doubt her heart had any chance to do more than beat once.  There was almost no blood around her."

"Thank you.  I should go back.  Goemon will need me."  She stood up with a small grunt of annoyance.  "This is the bad part of being pregnant."  She bowed to her friend.  "Thank you for hosting me again and fussing over me.  Will we see you soon?"

"You will," he promised, kissing her on the cheek.  "They need you more right now.  You'll see me within the year."  She nodded and let Marcus lead her away.  He sighed and shook his head.  "Goemon could do it without you," he whispered.  "You make us more stable up here."

***

Xander appeared and her men had the instant dropped jaw reaction.  She blushed a bit.  "I liked it," she defended.

"You look adorable in it," Lupin breathed, then he coughed and elbowed Jigen unsubtlely.

Jigen swallowed.  "Really darling, Xander.  I take it you heard?"  She nodded and moved, letting Marcus come back.  "Goemon's locked himself in his room."

"Thanks."  She headed that way slowly, going to give him a hug.  She undid the lock with a hairpin, then put it back as she walked inside.  "Hey."  She knelt beside his futon, looking down at him.  "Goemon?"  He blinked up at her.  "I just heard."  She stroked a hand down his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

Goemon nodded, pulling her closer to hug him.  "Thank you."

"Hey, you deserve better.  So did she."  Goemon looked up at her.  "No one deserves to lose a spouse or a child, Goemon."  She went back to soothing him.  "How is the baby?"

"The baby is fine," he said tiredly.  "He's over there if you wanted to look."  She shook her head.  "No?"

"No, you need more cuddles than that one does.  He's got tons of people to cuddle him and you don't.  Or won't.  I guess I never got the point of that part of manliness."  She shifted closer so he helped her lay down next to him.  "Shh, I'm here.  You rest and I'll protect you while you think and rest."  He nodded, putting his head against her shoulder.  "You're the only one who hasn't said anything about my outfit," she teased.

"It's darling, and very you, but it is dark in here."  She created a small light and he snorted.  "Trying to induce them into jumping you sooner?  Put that out?"  She put out the light.  "That is a maiden's robe," he chided.

"I know, but they both had their mouths open in shock."

"That's because it does suit you.  You are the most adorable thing in that.  My mother got married in one such robe."  He stroked her stomach gently when he felt movement.  "Calm down.  I am not taking your fathers' spot, I am simply letting her comfort me."

"I'm all for hugging," she promised, smoothing down his hair.  "Do we know anything?"

"Just that the Russians aren't being very cooperative," he offered.   "Other than that, only what Marcus has shared."

"I'll get onto Marcus later then," she promised. He nodded and she felt his eyelashes move so he must have closed his eyes.

Lupin stuck his head in.  "Goemon, not to be insulting, but we didn't mean you could *steal* our wife," he joked weakly.

"I'm cuddling him, he needs it," Xander told him.  "You can have some in a bit unless you want us to shift over so you can have my back.  It's not like I've ever slept with him, Lupin."

"I know," he said as he came in and shut the door.  "Scoot."  They shifted some and he curled up behind Xander.  "I know Goemon needs you but some of the rest of us could use you too.  Ishi's looking for you to hug you too."

"We need one room wherever we're going permanently that has one of those big, native beds where everyone can nap together," she decided.

"We're moving?" Goemon asked.

"We're looking at things for a new main hideout since no one seems to be able to close the one in France," Lupin admitted.  "We'll be kidnaping you and the kids if you don't come along."

"That would be a very loud house," Goemon noted.  "I doubt we could meditate at all."

"Goemon, we're looking for a place the size of the one in France.  You can have your own section of the roof even," Lupin teased.  He looked across Xander's shoulder.  "I promise we won't mob you."

"Fine," he sighed, smirking up at him.  "You do fuss greatly."

"Yeah, and Xander loves me for it."

"Nearly as much as I do when you become an overprotective boob," Xander agreed, adjusting her pleats so they covered her better.  "There.  Now rest.  I'm still tired.  Even though I did get a few great massages, some nice soaking time, and a very nice dinner."  Lupin kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks, Arsene."  He shivered and wrapped an arm around both of them.

"I am not Jigen.  Get off," Goemon said patiently.  Lupin pinched him but his hand did move to wrap more around Xander's stomach.  "Thank you.  How he's put up with you for this long I do not know.  You are very clingy."

"Yay," Lupin said dryly.  "Another thing Xander likes about me."

"Keep it up and I'll go sleep with the kids," Xander warned.  They quit playing.  "I know it's stress relief, but you're giving me a headache, guys.  Really."  They both cuddled her better.  "Thank you."  She closed her own eyes, letting Goemon wrap her up again.  He needed the cuddle more than Lupin did.  He was just jealous and it showed.

Outside the door Ishi backed away and went to Jigen's room, tapping gently.  "Why is your wife and Uncle Lupin cuddling my father?" he asked.

"Because your father needed some cuddles, the same as you did, kid.  C'mere."  Ishi came over and hugged him, relaxing in the stronger arms.  "This is all Xander's doing for your dad, I promise.  No matter how many times Lupin thinks she'll be stolen she won't be."

Ishi nodded and crawled up beside him, taking the comfort offered.  "I do understand.  I was going to get the same from her.  The girls are very clingy tonight."

"All girls seem to think that the best thing after bad things is a hug," Jigen advised wisely. "Sometimes you've got to humor them."  He stroked the soft hair.  "You take a bath tonight?"  Ishi nodded. "Good kid.  You rest."  Ishi nodded and relaxed, closing his eyes and letting himself be comforted.  "Poor little guy," Jigen said quietly once the boy was asleep.  "Raised in this madhouse.  Maybe we should find Goemon a nice, normal woman who can help him sometimes.  Or a really good housekeeper for the rest of us."  He went back to his reading.  He wanted to know exactly what he should be doing with Xander since she was so fragile and the healer had given him the book.  It was very informative on kitsune pregnancies as well.

***

Ray walked up to the woman behind the desk.  "I'm here to claim a body," he said gruffly.  "One Fujiko Mine."

"She's already been buried," the secretary said, giving him a dirty look.  "Who are you?"

He flashed his badge.  "Interpol.  You'd better hope her family doesn't hear of this.  They wanted her buried back in her homeland, with them."

"Bah!  She was a thief," she said dismissively.

"Did you find any current warrants for her arrest?" he asked coldly.  She stared at him in shock.  "Did you?"  She shook her head, looking confused.  "Then that makes her a former thief, one who has helped us a few times to capture some people who were worse.  Now, as for her not having a family, her husband has already called a blood debt on the person who hired that man to kill his wife.  Her children would also like her closer as well.  If you buried her, you're going to be digging her up at your own expense and writing a very long letter of apology to her husband for going against his wishes."

"She has no family," she said firmly.

"She does, I sat there and watched her wedding as part of my surveillance.  Not only is her husband Goemon, but she was also one of Lupin's gang and he has personally stated that she'll be brought back to be buried as her husband demands or he's going to come back into service to make your miserable, cold, dreary country sorry.  Now, where is she?" he asked coldly.

"We buried her in a numbered grave," she said, pulling open a filing cabinet drawer.  "I'm not sure who you would go to talk to about having her dug up."

"That's fine, right after this, I'm heading above you to your boss."  She blanched.  "Now, file."  She handed it over.  "Thank you."  He strode off, heading for the highest person in the local ICPO office.  He tapped then slapped the door open.  "We've gotta talk," he said coldly.  "You buried Fujiko Mine's body without her husband's permission.  He has *vowed* to come make everyone involved in that sorry and his boss, Lupin, has promised to come bankrupt every one of your country's banks."

"Who are you?" the head asked carefully.

"Inspector Ray Kowalski.  You can call Zenigata if you need proof.  He got the threat from Lupin personally."

"We did not know she had family."

"Then you obviously aren't logged into any of the files or the ICPO systems.  It lists in her files that she doesn't have any current warrants, has actually helped us on occasion, and does have a husband.  Her wedding was put under surveillance by Zenigata personally."  The man swallowed.  "Now, we've got a problem and I'm here to solve it for ya.  I'm one of Zenigata's boys and we'll be fixing it now."

He picked up the phone.  "Let me call him."  He dialed the Paris branch.  "Get me Zenigata," he demanded.

***

Zenigata answered his desk phone.  "Zenigata," he said tiredly.  He sat up and looked across the room at Ray, then blinked.  "Yeah, that's my guy," he said, nodding.  "Yeah, he's there for her body.  Yes, I did get a few threats from Lupin in my email if we didn't hand her back to him.  I'm not sure, I passed them over to the field operative who handles that for me since I can't go into the field anymore.  Yes, that would be Ray," he agreed. Ray's head popped up and he had the classic 'huh' look on his face.  Zenigata held up a finger.  "Yes, I would say that you burying her against her husband and children's wishes will probably get a great many people killed.  I've studied Goemon as part of Lupin's gang now for decades.  I have never once seen the man cry, not even when his children were born.  I saw him cry over this one.  I'd say any and all threats are legitimate and they can always think up worse."  He smiled.  "Thank you for your cooperation.  Yes, please tell Ray to call me later," he requested.  "I want to know what he had to do to fix this one.  We're trying to protect life and property this time, it's more important than our need to honor all the rules.  Thank you for your cooperation."  He hung up and looked at Ray.  "Do you have a twin?"

"No, but Xander does do a mean version of me," he noted.  He went back to his freecell game.  "They buried her?"

"They did and someone went to fix it.  They're you apparently."

"That would be Xander," Ray agreed.  "I wish him luck, I hated that place the last time I was up there."  He blanched and looked up.  "Shit, Sergovina."

"Who?"

"The blonde I had drinks with," he groaned.

"You slept with her?"

"Um, yeah.  Wasn't married then," he noted dryly.  He pulled out his desk drawer and the phone that had been delivered to him weeks ago.  It only had one number in it and he dialed it.  "It's me," he said in greeting.  "There's a cute blonde, Sergovina Rusklana.  Yeah, her.  How did you know about that!"  He grimaced.  "Fine.  Yes, we did, thank you."  He hung up.  "He was watching us have drinks," he said in a funny voice.

"Probably wasn't the first time," Zenigata said dryly.  "Not much else to do up there it seems like.  Especially when you can't go sightseeing because you're on duty."

"Is that why Commander Minsk kept trying to get into your drawers?" he asked with a grin.  His boss gave him a cold look.  "Just askin', boss, really," he said with an innocent grin.

"Are you sure you're not Xander and the real you is there?"

"I know I'm not there.  Remember, I had ta go help Emmajean puke again this morning.  Xander wouldn't do that."

"Xander's had a lot of morning sickness this time.  I'm sure he'd be able to help her quite well," Zenigata said, leaning back to watch him. "Too bad he's a wiggly person too."  Ray gave him a harsh look.  "Come on, I know it's you, Lavelle."

"Actually, it's not me," Ray told him.  "Lavelle is in Russia.  Jigen and Lupin are in Osaka to get the guy who was usin' kids ta get Lavelle into his custody to try and rape and kill 'im.  Goemon is back at his school mourning and watching the kids.  But that's okay because I'm still good," Ray admitted as he pulled off his choker to become Marcus.  "Morning."

"Marcus?" he asked, looking shocked.  "You're that good too?"

He smirked.  "Of course I am.  Who do you think taught me?"

"Xander," he said bitterly.

Marcus smirked as he stood up.  "Got it in one," he said fondly.  "Any word on the main house?  Lupin wanted to know but he's refusing to even say your name at the moment.  Something about making Xander miserable."

"That was Dawn, not me," he defended.  "I told her not to."  He stood up.  "Where is Ray?"

"With his wife, who is still puking I believe.  Her uncle got injured in a shootout and a small riot.  She's flying to his side with Ray.  They wrote you an email I believe."  Zenigata turned on his computer.  "Now.  I believe it's time we talked, Zenigata.  Lupin is quite peeved at you.  Jigen will back him up in his honest and reasonable anger.   Xander nearly spits each time he says your wife's name and young Ishi has decided that you had something to do with all this mess.  I am the only one who you can justify yourself to."  Zenigata gave him a confused look.  "Ah, then you don't know.  They did find the person who wrote the letter and shot her.  I did actually.  He was busy composing an email to you about how he had, and I quote, taken out your dirty laundry so you were once again clean."

The cop's mouth fell open and he sat down again.  "They were going to come after me?"

"More to the point, I believe they wanted your attention and approval as a very clean and worthy cop.  So therefore he was trying to clean up after you.   No Lupin, no taint, no obsession, then you could go back to being a regular cop.  I do not believe he was working alone.  I do believe that he was working with a young man who is one of Lavelle's groupies.  I do also believe that he would attack you if you came to the funeral.  You or your family.  As none of us are willing to speak to your wife and only I am willing to speak to you now, I thought it best to warn you.  Since I have, I'm going to go back to talking to a realtor about a house."  He waved and disappeared.

Zenigata picked up his phone, calling his house.  "Dawn, watch out.  The person who shot Fujiko wasn't acting alone.  No, Marcus was just here.  He said he's the only one who would warn me."  He slumped.  "Are you sure?"  He nodded.  "Thank you."  He hung up and put his head down.  "I don't want this anymore."

***

Xander walked out to the plane, seeing a familiar body checking it over.  "Hildegard?"  She turned and he realized his mistake.  "Sorry, you reminded me of someone I met long ago."

"No, I'm Olivia.  Hildegard is my step-sister.  How'd you know her?"

"She helped me out of Istanbul way back when," he said bitterly.  "I was in pretty bad shape at the time too."

She looked impressed. "Then you're...."  She noticed the body.  "That her?"  He nodded.  "We've set up a secure resting spot for the flight back."  She led the cargo people to the hold, letting them lock the casket into place.  "Thank you."  She went back over the locks as the supposed cop joined her.  "You're Lavelle," she said quietly.  He smiled at her.  "Get that a lot?"

"Quite."  He waved a hand at the doorway.  "We ready?"

"Just one last shipment.  Marcus needs to join us."  She straightened up and closed the door, making one person yelp.  "Nosy bastards."

"Probably the local Interpol."  He went to the door leading into the plane.  "Marcus?"  Marcus looked back at him.  "Great.  Can we go, please?"

"Sure, right on it," she agreed, moving past him.  "How did you do that?"

Marcus smiled at her.  "Trade secret."

"Cute."  She checked the door, making sure the handle was fully locked since he hadn't.  She looked back at them.  "Lupin still hasn't hired me a stew to sexually harass.  If you want something from the galley, go ahead and get it.  We've got some crackers, some nuts, and some soda."

"I'll do that soon," Xander promised, rearranging his choker to become Sylvia.  "Morning."  She grinned.

"How did you do that?"

"Magic."

"Huh."  She came over and kissed her, then grinned.  "That's why I took this job, so I could do that."  She went to start the plane.  "Tokyo, right?"

"Yup," Xander agreed, buckling in.  Marcus handed him a bag.  "What's this for?"

"For when your stomach rebels, Xander.  It was bad enough I had to see Emmajean doing such.  Oh, Ray wanted you to know that her uncle will be fine, it was a minor gunshot wound to the arm, but that his favorite gun was trashed during it."

Xander groaned.  "Poor Eugene. I'll have to send him a card.  His mother gave him that one."  The plane started off and he looked out the window.  "Hey, Olivia, you might want to hurry it up.  We've got a cop car behind us."  The plane turned onto a runway and the cop car went in another direction.  "Good, they're after someone else this time," she said happily.  The plane taxied and lifted off, heading back on its mission.  Xander did indeed get sick and was quite nasty for half the flight.

***

Xander looked across the small gathering of people for the funeral.  It was a nice day, kinda breezy and warm, but nice enough.  Fujiko probably would have gone outside to read on a day like today.  On the other side of the casket were Zenigata's crew.  On this side was Lupin and his crew, plus the local former Don and the present Don.  It was a great show of respect and Xander could only hope his was like this.  The kids were all back at the house with a very serious woman guarding them courtesy of the new Don.  Only Ishi and Lotus were in attendance.  It was their mother and their father had given them the choice.  They had decided to come but they knew they had the right to go running for the car if they needed to.  It had taken some maneuvering to get her body back from Russia, mostly on Xander's part.  The minister at the end of the casket closed his book and stepped back.

Lupin stepped up first and put down a white rose, then stepped back to lean against Xander's side.  Jigen stepped forward and put down a blue one, he had never felt as strongly about her as Lupin had.  Xander sniffed his then put his own white rose on the casket, moving to let Lupin fully lean against him.  It wouldn't look too odd for those watching even though he was in male form.  Goemon let his children go up before him, then he put down a white rose of his own.  The others stepped up to pay their own respects.  Xander watched particularly hard as Zenigata and Dawn stepped forward.  They were very respectful and he couldn't fault their manners in this case.  He and Dawn shared a short look but his eyes were behind sunglasses and hers weren't so she couldn't tell what he was thinking. He saw her stop and look back at the casket before taking her husband's hand.  Then they walked off together with Ray and Emmajean behind them.

Xander waited while the other crooks spent their respects and said quiet words of mourning to Goemon before coughing quietly.  "Goemon?"  The samurai looked at him.  "Wasn't there supposed to be a body in there?" he asked, looking at him.

Goemon nodded, swallowing hard.  "There was.  Is there not?" he asked quietly.  Xander shook his head.

"Why not?"

"I don't know," Xander admitted.  "I didn't think to look back in Russia.  It was heavy enough and it felt right somehow.  Now it doesn't."  He looked at the minister.  Then he looked at Lupin.  "Take the kids to the car," he instructed.  Lupin nodded and walked over to where the kids were waiting for them, taking them to the car.  It was a bit away and didn't have a direct line of sight.  Xander looked at the minister.  "Is there?"

"No," he admitted, shaking his head.  "There was at first.  Now there is not.  I have no idea what has happened to it."

"Was she dead?" Jigen asked.

The minister sighed.  "Undoubtedly dead, sir.  I do not know what happened."

"Who had access?" Xander asked.

"No one not of the temple.  I do not understand."

Goemon stood as straight as he could.  "How would one move a body out of your temple without someone knowing?  There were guards."

"I don't know."  He looked at the picture of Fujiko on display, then shrugged.  "I've seen many bodies, but this one had makeup already on it.  I do not understand," he repeated, seeming to plead.

"Marcus said he removed the child," Jigen said firmly.

"Yes, and I did not see any sign of any marks other than the autopsy marks," the minister admitted.  "I'm so sorry."

Goemon nodded.  "I thank you.  She obviously is dead, even if she is not."  He turned and Xander and Jigen escorted him back.  "Tell no one."

"I'm not," Xander promised.  He took his hand and held it.  "If this was her will, then she had her reasons.  If it wasn't, then we'll find out and do something about it."

Lupin stepped out of the car, looking at them.  He smiled and took Xander's other hand to hold.  "It'll be okay.  We'll let you steal Xander all you need, Goemon."

Goemon gave him a look.  "I'll come if I need such comfort," he admitted, climbing into the back of the car with his children.  "Are you both all right?"

Ishi nodded.  "We'll be fine, father.  Thank you."  They both moved closer, hugging him as hard as they could.  "Would you be upset if we hugged Uncle Xander too?"

"Not in the least.  He is quite good at comforting after bad things happen.  He comforted me after you were born and after Lotus was born," he said with less enthusiasm than normal.

"Okay," Lotus agreed.  She smiled as Xander climbed in, moving over to sit in his lap.  "Can I cuddle you now?"

"Sure, kiddo.  My lap is open to either of you.  You remember that, Ishi.  You don't have to be a big, strong, tough guy right now.  It's normal to want to cry."

"Even I want to," Goemon agreed. His son sniffled and let go of all the pain he'd been holding inside.  Lotus shifted back over to hold him too.  Her big brother needed her now.  Goemon looked at Xander.  "If it does, then we will act.  Until that happens, we will not go looking."

"We won't," Lupin admitted.  He took his usual spot beside Xander in the back of the limo, holding onto him.  "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine.  The baby's not too bad right now," he said contently, resting against his husband's side.  "I'm going to go for a walk in the woods later."

"That's fine," Jigen agreed.  "Want company?"

"No.  You two can hog the kids tonight, I want to spend some time alone."

"That's fine," Lupin agreed, giving him a gentle squeeze.  "Why were you staring at Dawn?"

"Because I was evaluating my chances of beheading her," he said honestly.  "She tried to hurt me and the kids.  I won't stand for it."

"She replaced the money and she said she was sorry," Jigen offered.

"Yay.  She wasn't.  Now I know where her limit is."  He shrugged, giving him a look over the top of his sunglasses.  "I'll have to wait and see if something needs to be done."

"If it does, we'll do it for you," Lupin promised.  "That way you don't have to."  He went back to stroking the hard stomach.  "We'll be fine and you'll take a nap on the way home."  Xander nodded and yawned on cue, stroking her stomach like that always helped make her sleepy.  "Good boy.  You rest, Xander."  Xander nodded, putting his head on Lupin's shoulder and closing his eyes.  Lupin removed the sunglasses and put them aside, making sure Xander would nap.  "You guys could nap too," he offered.  "It's a few hours back to the house."

"Yes, Uncle," Lotus said dutifully.  She curled up against her brother, scowling when he pushed her away.  "I need cuddles too!"

"Sorry," Ishi said, pulling her closer again.  "I don't want to be clung to."

"Tough."  She nuzzled his shoulder and fell asleep with her arms around his stomach.

"You try to rest as well," Goemon ordered.  "The girls will be quite fierce in their desire to cuddle you later."  Ishi nodded and closed his eyes, leaning against his father's side.  He waited until Lotus was snoring and Ishi was drooling on him to speak again.  "Was I unfair to her?" he asked quietly.

"Hell no," Jigen said firmly.  "If this was her idea, I'll kick her ass for ya."  Goemon gave him an understanding look.  "You don't do that to your mate and kids."

"Thank you."  Goemon relaxed. "If what was said was true, then something else is going on.  I would like to know what."

"As would I," Lupin agreed, glancing down at Xander.  "I think he'll find out first and tell you."

"Do you think this was her idea?" Goemon asked.  "You have known her longer."

"I might have, but you knew her better than we ever could," Lupin pointed out.

"What does your heart tell you, Goemon?" Jigen asked.

"It tells me that it was not her idea, but that could be denial.  I have noticed that I turned a blind eye to her stunts in the past."

"We won't let you this time, buddy," Lupin promised.  "We'll even take her out to a woodshed for you if necessary."  Goemon nodded, looking down at his children.  "Even if it weren't true, then she wouldn't be coming back," Lupin said gently.  "She knows this was a permanent step.  There is no going back after this."  Goemon nodded, looking relieved about that.  "If you even think you see her, I want to know immediately."

"I will," Goemon assured him, looking much relieved that they weren't going to make him deal with this alone.  "Xander brought up a point.  Marcus is most active recently.  She is going to be back in bed relatively soon if her health gets worse again.  We need to be somewhere more stable for the children and I do not want to go back to the house yet."

Lotus woke up when they hit a pothole and blinked at him.  "Daddy?" He gave her a gentle smile and pushed some of her hair around.  "We're not going home?"

"Not yet. I do not want the pain of the house yet, Lotus."

She nodded.  "I understand.  It reminds me of mommy too."  She gave his hand a pat then moved it out of her hair.  "Don't make it too messy or Arsene will complain."

"I won't. Would you like it if we found a nice house to stay in for a while?"  She nodded.

"How about if we found a nice lady to help Xander with you guys until after he gives birth?" Lupin asked.  "Would that be okay?"

She looked at him.  "She take the place of the mommy?"

"No, she'd be taking Marcus' place," her father told her.  Ishi woke up and blinked at him.  "We were talking about finding a new nanny for a bit since Xander will be back in bed as soon as we get home.  Would that upset you?"

He tipped his head to the side.  "Not to take Mommy's place?"

"No, not to take her place," Goemon agreed.  "Someone to teach you when we are all busy and to help Xander with your care while she is ill."

Ishi gave him a serious look.  "Then I do not see a problem with a formal nanny.  Uncle Marcus is obviously busy since he wasn't there."

"He blames himself, Ishi," Lupin told him.  "He blames himself for not being fast enough to protect her.  He's very mad at himself and he won't be back for at least a week.  I knew he'd want to say his goodbyes in private."  Ishi nodded. "It doesn't mean he loves you less."

"Why wasn't he fast enough?" Lotus asked.

"Because your mother sent him off to soothe a craving the baby had," Goemon told them.  "She sent him away and he put a telltale on the baby.  So he felt it when the baby started to struggle.  He went back then and saved your brother but he was unable to save Fujiko."

"Oh."  Ishi stared out the window.  "Did he try?" he asked it.

"He did," Lupin assured him, making the boy look at him.  "Your Uncle Marcus loved your mother like his sister.  He never would have left her alone if he had known what would happen.  That's why he blames himself."

"He turned all his anger at the people who got your mother on himself for not bein' fast enough," Jigen told him.  "He's just as upset as you."

"Okay," he said quietly, staring at them.  "Who is this new nanny person?"

"We're not sure yet but the old Don, the one who came up to visit when you first got there, said that he knew of one," Lupin told him.  "We'll be meeting with her first, then you guys will get to meet her.  Deal?"  Ishi nodded and hugged his sister so she'd ease up on his ribs.  "It's okay, kids.  We'll be right there with you the whole time.  We're not letting you guys go off by yourself for a very long time."

"Yes, sir," Lotus said tiredly, closing her eyes again.  "We should nap.  Melissa will want to cuddle."

"Melissa needs her own boyfriend.  I'm not hers," Ishi said firmly.

Jigen shuddered.  "That's a damn scary thought," he noted.  "Those two having a kid some day."

Goemon gave him a look of horror.  "No.  Lords no.  Please, not that."

Lupin snickered.  "That would be one stubborn kid," he agreed in a lighter tone of voice.  Both the twins were as stubborn as Xander and as prone to giving way as an elephant napping in the sun across a road.  Ishi was nearly as stubborn.  That kid would drive their parents insane.  Not to mention the grandparents.  Xander snorted and woke up, looking at them.  "Ishi said Melissa thinks he's her boyfriend."

Xander shuddered.  "Just don't, Ishi.  She'll drive you insane."  Ishi pouted at him.  "Seriously.  It would be one of those times when you'd be legitimately leaving on long vacations each month."

Ishi nodded.  "I won't.  I don't like girls, they're yucky."

"That's a good thought, son," Goemon agreed, patting him on the head.

***

Epilogue

Commandant Mahoney looked up as two more of the kids coming in for the camp appeared, coming out of a cab.  He smiled at them, it was obvious who at least one of their parents were.  One looked just like Jigen.  He walked over to take their bags.  "Hi, girls.  Sierra and Savanna?"  They nodded, grinning at him.  "Which is which?"

"I'm Sierra," she said, shaking his hand.  "I'm going to take Uncle Ray's spot one day."

"And I'm Savanna.  I want to be a CSI," she said proudly.  "I'm also a gun person.  I've got a message for Eugene, sir.  Is he here yet?"

"He's out by the range doing his daily practice.  Don't you want to get settled in first?"  She shrugged. "Okay.  We'll get you settled in first and then you can go see him.  Or later today since you'll have him over your group."  He led the girls to the check-in desk, smiling at Jonesy as he checked them in.  "These two are Sierra and Savanna....  Girls, what last name did he make you go by this time?"

"I'm a Lupin," Sierra told him.

"And I'm a Jigen," Savanna told him.  "They said it was pretty useless hiding it."

"Okay," Jones agreed, finding their forms.  "Here we are."  He smiled at them and let them sign their names.  "We have you in Building 'B', Sierra.  It's more for the people who don't know what they want to do or for those who want to be general cops.  Savanna, you're in a pretty small group.  You're in Building 'J', which used to be the boy's dorms.  You'll have the technical people and the computer people there.  Okay?"  They nodded so he handed them maps.  "There you go.  Ask any officer if you get lost."  They beamed and trotted off.  He looked at Mahoney.  "Is that really a good idea?"

"They want to be cops.  Lavelle trusts us to treat them fairly."  He shrugged.  "He donated the money for the camp when we came up short.  It came legally through some financial granting place.  I asked and the Governor said we could run it."  He shrugged.  "What better way to show them how bad it can be?"  He went to help some other lost kids. Hightower had scared some earlier by being so big and scary so it fell to him.

***

Savanna snuck out onto the range.  "Mr. Eugene, sir?" she asked.  He looked down at her, taking off his sunglasses.  "Hi.  My mommy said I was to give this to you," she said, handing over the brightly wrapped package.  "He said it was pretty hard to find but that you needed one because you were one of his favorite buddies to play with and that he knew you'd miss your old one."  She beamed because she had remembered the exact message.  "Oh, he said there were pictures in there too underneath your present."  She looked at the range.  "Are we gonna get to use real guns?  Our mommy made sure we can shoot already when he taught the other kids.  I can use a gun, a small crossbow, a regular bow, and a bolo.  Plus a stake, a kendo stick, and I'm a really good planner," she bragged.

"Wow.  You're already very well trained, Savanna."  He patted her on the head.  "Thank your mommy for me, okay?"  She nodded.  "Now, go get changed.  You've got line-up in a few minutes."  She ran off and he opened his present, giving the gun inside a watery grin.  "Oh, Lavelle," he sighed, touching the forty-five lovingly.  "I found one of my own but it wasn't the same.  This one is exactly like my old one."  He pulled it out to touch it.  It was perfectly balanced and had just the right grip for someone who would use it.  "Wow."

Mahoney coughed.  "Gene?"  He smiled and showed it off. "Lavelle?"  He nodded.  "Cool.  Anything else sent with the girls?"

"Pictures."  He handed over the box while he loaded his new gun and tried it out a few times.  It was exactly the same.  "Wow, just like Mom's."

"Wonderful," Mahoney agreed, giving him a pat on the back.  He smiled at the picture of Ray being frantic and pacing beside Emmajean's bed during her labor.  He laughed at the picture of Lavelle and the kids with Lupin's head peeking in from the side.  He nudged Eugene and handed them over.  "Here."

"Thanks."  He smiled at them too.  "Man, Lavelle's got a wide family.  Oh.  I just realized.  Savanna called him the mommy and called him a he."

"He did say he was pregnant when he popped around for the wedding."

"Yeah, he did," Eugene agreed, looking at both pictures.  "He's got a big family."  He tucked them both into his wallet and then went to help with line-up.  "Attention!" he called as they appeared.  The kids all went to attention.

"Thanks.  Welcome to the first annual Children's Camp," Mahoney said, moving forward to talk to the kids.  "You know you're here to see if being a cop is the right thing for you.  Most of your parents are cops, though a few of yours aren't."  Savanna snickered at that and he gave her a look.  "Some of your parents have even been on the other side of the law," he agreed, shaking his head.  One boy raised his hand.  "Yes, son?"

"Sir, my father said he was ordered to raise little cops by a gunman.  He wasn't sure if I was eligible or not."

"You are.  He told us what Lavelle told him.  Don't worry about, son."  He smiled at them.  "For the next six weeks, we'll give you a taste of the police life.  You'll learn a lot about the law.  You'll learn a bit about what the academy can teach you.  We'll even give you all a gun safety lecture."

"That's my part and I'll need to know tonight who else has already had that lecture," Tackleberry interrupted.  Those two girls both raised their hands with one other kid.  "Thank you."  He took down their names and would pay special attention to them on the range.  He had no doubt Lavelle's daughters would respect it but others wouldn't.

"Also, you'll get to learn something about some of the specialities.  Some of you already know what sort of cop you want to be.  In case you hadn't noticed, we've split your groups up so the more technical could go through their things together and those who wanted to be other sorts could go through as a group."

One boy nudged Sierra.  "I bet you're one of those dweebs," he sneered.

"No, that would be my sister, Savanna Jigen.  I'm Sierra Lupin.  Get it right, putz.  Before I use you for a practice dummy."  She faced forward again and raised her hand.   "Commandant, my parents said you could arrange for those of us who had daily physical exercises to do them?  Who do I speak to about that and taking my first blackbelt test?"

"You'll speak to Lieutenant Jones about that," he said, smiling at her.  "You're going for a blackbelt?"

"Technically, I'm not sure where I am.  I'm being privately tutored in that and I needed to know where I was in relation to others.  Thank you, sir."  She quieted down when she noticed the others staring at her.  "What?" she demanded.  "My parents said so."

"Other kids take riding lessons, she got martial arts classes," Mahoney soothed.

"Yeah, not at all like our sisters," Savanna said bitterly.

"You could still go bad," Sierra reminded her.

"But I don't want to!  I want to work with guns but not shoot people like the dads."

"Enough," Eugene called.  The kids settled down and nodded at him.  "Thank you."  He stepped forward.  "I want you all to break up by floors and buildings.  I'll have the technical people underneath myself and Lieutenant Hightower," he announced.  "Go to the field on the other side of the building.  You'll meet up again for dinner."  The kids from those floors trudged over there.  "All yours," he said happily.

Mahoney smiled at him.  "Thanks."  He looked at the remaining kids, staring at the two Zenigata children.  "The rest of you will be underneath me, Jones, and Proctor.  Consolidate your lines."  They moved in to fill in for the blank spots.  "Good.  Now let's go over what you'll be doing schedule-wise each day for the next six weeks."

***

Xander looked at the kids attending their first summer camp.  "Okay, guys.  Let's find some order here."  The kids all looked at him and gathered closer.  "Thanks. I'm Lavelle.  I'm a gunman.  You're here to learn if you want to be a thief or not."   They all nodded.  "As such, we'll be teaching you a bit about the skills you'll need to cultivate."  The older kids snorted.  "You guys, pipe down or go clean toilets."  They quit.  "Thank you."  He looked at them all again.  "As I said, I am a gunman.  I am also a decent enough lockpick, a fairly good thief, a decent enough swordsman, and a lot of other things.  The other thieves with us will be helping you where I'm not competent enough to teach you anything.  Lupin will, of course, be doing impression management and lock picking.  Goemon will be in charge of physical activities, including scaling walls, climbing ropes, and will be helping Lupin in teaching the art of breaking and entering.  Jigen and I will be teaching you gun safety and expanding your knowledge of them.  He likes old school stuff and I like artillery.  I'll also be doing the art of disguise," he admitted with a grin.  "I know a few of you won't want to go into the life after we're done with you.  We respect that.  We also won't have the camp in the same place next year."  Everyone nodded, that seemed reasonable enough.  "Good.  Now, we've sorted you by age.  Since there's some of you that are older, yet only partially experienced in the minor things, we'll be doing rotations of lessons.  You older kids get us first thing in the morning while the younger ones get Goemon.  We don't like mornings nearly as much as he does."

Ishi snickered.  "You can say that again."

Xander grinned at him. "Hush, Ishi."  He rolled his eyes.  "Some of them are our own kids.  We know that they've had the benefit of our experiences for way longer than most of you.  We're not asking you to live up to our standards in the next six weeks.  We're asking you to do your best and to try.  For now, you older kids go to the craft building and go see Lupin.  Ishi, I'm making you a team leader of the younger group.  Paula, I want you heading the younger teenagers, from ten to fourteen.  Mike, I want you to head the kids from fifteen and up.  Got it?"  They nodded.  "Good.  Mike, you're team A.  Go see Lupin.  Paula, you're team B, go see Goemon.  Ishi, you're team C, go unpack now.  Then you're to go see Jigen.  He's not ready for you guys yet."  They headed off, heading for their assigned buildings.

Lupin came out of the building and gave him a hug.  "Good job, Xan," he whispered, going back to teaching the arts he knew.

Xander skipped off to the range to help Jigen set up the small pistols.  "Lupin said I did good," he repeated.

Jigen gave him a kiss.  "You do good with the kids.  You're a natural mother, and sometimes a Natural Mother to deal with," he teased.  Xander hit him on the arm and stole another kiss as the kids joined them.  "You guys unpacked and junk?"  They all nodded.  "Good.  How many are we missing?"

"Four," one girl said.  "You don't like girls, Mr. Jigen?"

"I like 'em just fine, but Lavelle and Sylvia are unique cases.  It keeps them sane," he told her.  "Don't worry about it.  You won't catch us again."  The kids tittered and giggled.  Ishi led the last kids to them.  "All here?"  Ishi nodded.  "Good.  Ishi, step up and show 'em what they're doing."

Ishi stepped forward. "I'm not the greatest with guns, but this is one," he said, holding it up.  "It's a pistol, an older thirty-eight revolver.  Jigen says they're very accurate if the shooter is any good."  He checked it and then let the kids look it over.  "Are we practicing loading today?"

"We are," Jigen agreed.  "Good kid."  He patted him on the head.  "Get back into line."  He waited until everyone had gotten to see the gun.  "On the side is a little switch.  Did any of you not see it?"  One girl raised her hand so the gun was handed back to her and she searched until she found it.  She dropped it when the cylander popped open. "It's okay," he said patiently.  "Lots of people have that reaction to the older guns."  It was handed back and he showed it to them.  "This is the only way to load this thing.  You put the bullets in so the thick part rests on the outside and the tapered end goes inside."  He put one in to show them.  "Got it?"  They nodded.  "Good, file up slowly and get your own and a set of bullets.  We'll practice that today before going over the gun safety lecture.  Once you have yours loaded, put it on the shelf in front of targets.  Each of you take one."  They nodded and came up to get theirs.

One girl struggled and struggled but she couldn't quite get the thing inside the hole.  She burst out in tears.

Xander moved over to her. "Hey, it's all right," he soothed, giving her a pat on the head.  "We can't be great at anything.  Let me show you."  He showed her how to put the first one in instead of her trying to put it in backwards.  "Now you do it."  She did the next five.  "Good job," he praised, smiling at her.  "Now put it on the shelf."  She did so, taking the last open spot.  He and Jigen shared a look.  This was going to be a long six weeks.

All Better Now.

Note: Happens before the epilogue in part 23.

Xander groaned and held her stomach as she climbed off the couch from her nap.  She was now about five months along and the weight was getting to her.  She waddled into the kitchen, grabbing a sandwich off the cutting board.  "Thanks, Ishi."  She kissed him on the ear.  "Never, ever, make a woman have children. Only let her if she knows what to expect."  She headed into the back yard of the school, going to find a comfortable place to sit in the sun and nap. She needed a lot of naps these days, and while it was bothering her to do nothing all day, she knew it'd be over with eventually.  Her men had offered to have themselves fixed and she believed them.  Otherwise she would fix them and they knew this.  She sat with a grunt of annoyance and dropped herself into a proper meditative position, as close as she could get with her gravid and expanded body.   She closed her eyes, knowing she'd never make it fully down before something happened.  Like another nap.  She was woken up by someone lifting her.  "I can walk," she complained, swatting at Goemon as he picked her up to carry her inside.

"No, you can't."  He put her back into bed and tucked her into it.  "There.  Stay."  He went to do his own meditation, passing by Lupin on the way outside.  "I put her back into bed."

"We saw you carrying her again," Jigen admitted from the kitchen table.  He was working on Sierra's Spanish with her.  "She napping in the sun again?"

"Like the family's cat," Goemon agreed, going out to take that same spot.  It was still warm from Xander's hind end and he enjoyed warm meditation cushions.  It made him feel more connected to the rest of them.

Lupin shook his head.  "I'm wondering where that habit is written in the samurai's code."  He sat down, working with Ishi on his history. He was doing world history now and having problems keeping things chronological so they were doing a timeline.

Someone coughed from the doorway from the living room.  "Hello?" she asked quietly.  Everyone looked at her.  "I was told to come here and interview for the position of nanny."  She dropped her bag and bowed properly.  "I am Bix."

"Bix?" Lupin asked.

"It's nickname.  My actual one is long and tongue twisting," she admitted with a small smile.  She moved forward to shake his hand.  "It is nice to meet you, Mr. Lupin.  Thank you for giving me this chance."  She bowed to Ishi.  "I have watched your children for the last few days.  In my bag I have a few books for all of you."

"Where did you come from?" Sierra asked.  She looked her over.  "You look like you came out of Feudal Japan."

"Nearly," she admitted. "My people believe the older ways are the best.  I'm from a hidden enclave up in the mountains."  She smiled and bowed to Goemon as he came back in.  "I was sent to be the new nanny if you so approved, great samurai.  My name is Bix.  I would be glad to answer any questions about my training and other charges."

"The kitsune sent you?" he asked dryly.

She smirked. "I did serve the Lord High Kitsune's second spouse as a maid and nanny, but he did not ask me.  I volunteered.  The Lady Xander was quite fascinating when she was among us.  Plus, my family comes from an enclave of traditionalists in the mountains.  They thought I would be more respectable."

Goemon shrugged.  "Then we can talk."  He led her outside to talk to her.  His sons and daughter would need very specific types of attention and training.

Jigen looked at Lupin.  "*Lady* Xander?"

The Kitsune Lord appeared with a trunk and dropped it.  "She is demonic royalty," he noted dryly.  "Where might she be?"

"In bed.  Goemon carried her in there after she tried to nap in the sun," Lupin told him.  He gave him a look.  "You okay?"  The regularly smooth and soft fur was now in disarray and sticking up in odd places.

"Just fine.  The politics have gotten a bit fierce recently, nothing further.  I do trust Bix with my own kits.  She's quite good, very traditional.  She can even cook from what I understand.  Try her, if you don't like her send her back and we'll look some more."  He waved his tails and left.

"Demonic royalty," Jigen said, looking at Lupin again.  "You mentioned that once."

"The thing that had her was a prince, she was considered his consort of some sort or another," he admitted.  "I suppose that makes her a Princess."

Bix walked back in.  "We are speaking of the Lady Xander?"  They nodded. "Then your suppositions are correct.  Though the Kitsune do not allow any to claim any higher rank than they have within their courts, she is a Lady to our way of thinking. As a full envoy herself, plus as what she is and what she has done.  My former Mistress was quite impressed when Xander found a thieves' store-cavern in the desert and shared it with her spouse.  He presented some as a birthing gift to her youngest female kit."  She patted Ishi on the head.  "Your father wanted you in on this discussion."

"Sure," he agreed, walking back out with her.  "You're not a kitsune?"

"No, I'm not.  I was raised among them.  They stole me when I was very young because I was very pretty and innocent, but very maternal and nurturing.  I have been tainted toward their ways by that, and shared blood with one to make myself a partial one, but I am not naturally a kitsune."  She let Goemon see his son.  "Here he is."

"Son, she was sent to be the nanny and I know you wanted to speak to her first."

Ishi looked at her, then shrugged.  "I don't have any questions right now, but I'll probably be nosy later."

She smiled and nodded.  "I understand.  I do want you to know that I am not here to take the Lady Xander's place in your life, nor your mother's.  I am here to help your father care for you and the other children.  Plus to occasionally pick on the Lady Xander when she gets too serious," she admitted shyly.  "That is fine with you?"

Ishi nodded. "It's good that you know you can't replace them."  He looked at his father.  "Am I due for more chores tonight?"

"No."  He frowned as his son went back inside.  "He is not usually so rude."

"He is grieving, it is normal," she said, helping him back up from his sitting position.  "I have been there myself when my parents died.  It will soon scab over and be a step removed from the pain."  Goemon gave her a long look.  "My mother died when I was the age of the second youngest son in the family.  My father died a few years earlier.  I hid my grief by being an exceptionally conscientious nanny.  My charges often claimed that I was quite clingy."  He nodded, holding in a smile.  "So I do understand.  If I can help them, I will.  If not, then I am here for whatever your family needs."

He nodded.  "I thank you.  The other parents will want to talk to you also."

Lupin came to the door.  "Xander said he likes her."

"She did?" Bix asked, bouncing a little.  "She really did?  I thought she didn't know me that well."

"Xander watches people very closely," Lupin admitted, letting her back inside the house.  "Watch out for Melissa.  She's having a baby Midol moment."

Bix snorted.  "She is a young woman.  There are many confusing things to being that age."  She went to find the children, smiling at them.  "Hello."

Arsene looked her over, then sighed.  "You're the new aunt?"

"I'm the nanny," she corrected.  "Nothing further need come of that."

Melissa gave her an evil look. "Are you a thief?"

"No, but I was working for the kitsune before this.  I have seen and helped many thieves after their battles and nights of fun."  She walked in and sat between the girls.  "I have no problems with thieves, or the daughters who will go straight.  I am here to take some of the stress off Lady Xander while she is ill and to let the great Goemon rest and grieve a bit easier.  As such, I have brought books with me for you all, some in each field I can help you learn further.  I have also brought some special pictures of great treasures throughout the world."  Arsene perked up at that.  "I would much like it if we could get along, girls, but I won't fight you if you cannot accept me."

Melissa looked at the bed, then at her.  "We'll wait until Lotus meets you."

Bix chuckled.  "Mistress Lotus and I have already met.  We met last week when she called out for the kitsune to give her back her aunt."  They gaped at her.  "I was sent as a messenger to tell her to be a bit more patient.  She was quite upset that we had stolen the precious thing."

"Wow," Arsene said, shifting closer.  "What do you know about jewels?"

"Not as much as I would like.  I have seen many and can usually tell a good fake from the real thing.  The kitsune court is very political and very much a continuous game to be on top of the others.  The same as some social circles are down here.  I can teach you how to fit into such places both anonymously and in plain view.  If you would like."

"If Lotus says you're a good person," Melissa noted.

Savanna came in sucking her thumb and playing with her hair.  "Mommy said she's a wonderful nanny.  She took care of baby kitsune and made them stunning people, even an assassin."  Both future thieves looked impressed.  "She and Ishi are talking."

"That is more than acceptable," Bix said, smiling at her.  "Is that comforting?"

"No, it's how I think best," she admitted.  "I'm studying for a math test."  She let her thumb go but continued to play with her hair.  "I don't know what else to do and my hands need something to do."

"I could teach you how to crochet," Bix offered.  "That takes both hands, can be quite stunning, and yet very useful to make afghans."  Savanna nodded and smiled at her.  "Then let me retrieve my bag.  I have some yarn and a hook inside."  She went to get them, bringing them back.  "Ah, here we are.  This book was sent for Master Ishi, and these for you two," she said, handing over their picture books and a new manual on locks and alarms.  "That was recently translated into English for you both. That has never really been done before."  She found her yarn and hook, handing them to Savanna.  "Let me hand this to Ishi and I'll be right back."  She got up to do that, coming back to sit behind Savanna.  "Now watch my hands," she instructed quietly, moving through the first few steps.  Savanna's hands came up to help hers and she let her do it.  Savanna grinned as a chain formed beyond her hand.  "Now turn it around thusly," she instructed, taking it back to do the first one.  Savanna took it to try, having to undo a few tries but eventually she got it.  "Now, if you don't skip any, it'll stay flat.  If you do skip then it will start to curl.  Depending on your pattern, you can do either."  She stroked over the soft hair.  "The finer threads can even be used to make lace.  I'm not that good."

"Wow," Melissa said, watching her sister.  "That's how afghans are made?"  Bix nodded.  "I bet that takes forever."

"If I do nothing else, I can make a baby blanket in about two days," Bix admitted.  "That's with my usual pattern for my former charge's nursery.  Just doing it this way, I can probably do it in about a day."  Savanna sped up.  "Slowly, dear.  You'll want your first one to just be rows."

Savanna nodded and shifted away to keep working.  "I can study doing this," she admitted, taking it and the yarn back to her room.

Lupin came to the door.  "You crochet?"

She beamed at him.  "It's a good way to worry."

"I bet," he agreed.  "Lotus, it's nearly dinner, don't you want to wake up?"

"No."

"Fine.  We'll save you something."  Lotus rolled onto her side to glare at him.  "Hey, you're usually the hungry one.  Have you been listening?"  She nodded. "Good.  Then you can talk to Bix here and then come eat once you've cleaned up and gotten ungrumpy."

Bix crawled over and attacked her, tickling her until she screamed and swatted at her.  "You're not grumpy, are you, Mistress Lotus?"

"Yes!"  She scowled, but her eyes were full of mischief.  "I'll have to get you back for that."

"I suppose such a wonderful future witch as yourself would," she agreed.  "However, you must study before then."  Lotus pouted.  "If you do not push your lip out, I will give you the other book the kitsune translated, just for you."  Lotus lost her pout and accepted the book.  "Here you are.  On magical tree keeping.  So one can keep an Ancestor's Tree or a Holy Tree."

"Wow," Lotus said, opening the front cover.  She frowned at the words.  "They're very big words."

"Then you'll just have to learn them, won't you?" Bix asked, smirking at her.

Lotus nodded, straightening up.  "I will."  She climbed out of bed, going to wash her hands and face, her book tucked inside her shirt.

Lupin smirked at her.  "Good job.  What sort of book did she have for you two?"

"Great treasures," Arsene said, holding it up.  "We should go move some of them," she suggested, snuggling up to him when he walked in to squat beside her.

"Some of those are very protected," Bix said gently, smiling at her.  "Some of them are even so heavily guarded that your father and great-grandfather never tried for them."  She noticed the girl drooling.  "If you wish, I'm sure your father could help you make a great many plans."

"Wow.  The Tower of London," Lupin said with a bit of his own drool.  "The secret cavern.  My grandfather got caught in there," he told Arsene.  "He said that it was nearly impossible."

Bix coughed and pulled something out of her bag.  "Not for those who know their ways around the security systems."  She took her bag and went to put it with her trunk.  She smiled at Jigen.  "I left them with the book of great treasures that I was instructed to bring."

Jigen snickered.  "I'm sure we'll get those three back soon.  What sort of book did you give Lotus."

"You know how some people keep spirit trees?"  He nodded.  "I gave her a book on tending and creating one of those."  Goemon glanced at her.  "It has quite big words."

Goemon nodded.  "Excellent.  She needs to practice her vocabulary and reading.  It is a harmless bit of magic as well."

"Yes, though you should perhaps talk to the young lady about her chatting with tree nymphs?" she suggested.  "When she called out to the kitsune to give the Lady Xander back, we found her waiting by chatting with a tree nymph about pollution and purity of air and water."

Goemon shuddered.  "I will watch that."  He paused and looked at her, giving her a long look.  "She called out to them and you came?"

"I was sent," she admitted.

Lotus came out.  "She was sent with the message because I threatened to braid any tail hair I saw because they had the Auntie Xander and wouldn't give her back," she said firmly, taking her usual spot.  She pulled out her book.  "Come see, daddy."  She let him hold it.

He looked inside, then smiled at Bix.  Whoever had translated had used the largest words possible on purpose instead of easier words. "Quite interesting words."  He handed it back and patted his daughter on the head.  "I'm sure you'll get to read it soon."

"Thank you, daddy."

Ishi came out of the back and scowled at her.  "What did you do, steal a book?"  He sat down and frowned at Jigen.  "Aunt Xander is napping again."

"The new little guy needs a lot of energy," Jigen reminded him.  "If she's napping, she's not in trouble."

"Too true," Goemon agreed dryly.

Lupin came out dangling the pretty necklace.  "Look what the kitsune sent as a challenge," he said happily, handing it over.  "Out of the British crown jewels."

Jigen whistled.  "It's ugly."  He handed it back.  "Why did they steal ugly things?"

"To eradicate bad tastes," Bix told him, smirking at him.  "The kitsune who does that has a habit of stealing ugly things and destroying them until they're their base components."

Lupin pulled her closer, putting an arm around her shoulders.  "Tell me more, Bix," he said sweetly.

She patted his cheek.  "He said he'd come down if you could find his name and call for him," she said with a smile.

"Does the mommy know him?" Lotus asked.  Jigen looked at her and she paled.  "Sorry," she said quietly.

"We don't mind if you call Xander that," Goemon offered.  "If you want, you may.  I will not force it onto either you or your brother."  He looked at Ishi.  "She can continue to be your aunt if you want.  I have no thoughts of Xander taking your mother's place."

"You'd better not, we'll have to hurt you to make you forget them," Jigen told him, frowning at him.  Goemon gave him a frown back.

"Really, we would," Lupin agreed.

Bix ducked underneath him and went to take care of the crying infant.  "Let me, Lady Xander," she soothed, taking the baby from her.  "You go back to your rest.  I am more than qualified to change diapers and it's a nicety not to have to dodge a tail as well."  Xander let out a weak laugh and laid back down, covering back up.  "Thank you, Lady Xander."

"Cut the royalty shit," she ordered tiredly.

"Of course, Xander.  You rest."  She kissed her on the forehead.  "You obviously need it."  She changed the wet diaper and carried the little one out.  "Here we are, just a bit wet."

"You're here for her too, huh?" Jigen asked.

"Eventually, if I stay that long," Bix admitted, giving him a look.  "There are many dances done in the political courts, such as the one she'll be serving in, but for right now the only thing I must teach her is not to eat plants and not to swallow things that she gets into under sinks."

"She's not really crawling," Lupin said, taking her to hold.  "Hey, Sarah."

"She'll probably be a bit late with that," Goemon offered, bringing over a plate of biscuits.  His son took one and he smacked his hand.  "You can wait."

"Yes, father."

Goemon went to gather the rest of dinner.  "Food," Jigen yelled, bringing the other kids running.  Savanna was crocheting and her sister was giving her a dirty look.  "No crafts or books at the table," he ordered.  Savanna sighed and put it aside.  Lotus carefully put her book down next to her planted herbs.  Ishi sat up straighter and grabbed his biscuit again, this time getting to keep it.  "Is Xander nappin' again?" he asked.

"She is," Bix said quietly, bowing her head.  She looked up after a moment.  "Thank you for that courtesy.  Children, did you not want to eat?"  They grabbed things and handed them off through the adults, piling their plates high.  They needed the food more than the adults did.  One empty plate was made for Xander then everything else was stolen by the kids.

"Gee, hungry?" Lupin asked.

Sierra gave him a serious look.  "We're going to have a growth spurt again soon, Daddy.  We should go shopping soon."

"I'm sure you should, but we'll wait until you start to outgrow stuff," he told her, looking very firm on the subject.  Arsene pouted at him.  "What?" he whined.

"I wanted a pretty outfit for when the baby was born so we could go visit," she said pathetically.  All an act as her eyes showed.

"If you've grown by then, you can have one," Jigen told her.  "If not, then you can wear your blue one that you've never worn."  She sighed and nodded, looking down at her plate.  "Thank you."

"Auntie Fujiko taught us all about pretty clothes," Melissa reminded him.

"Yes, she did have whole closets full of many pretty outfits," Goemon agreed.  "Nearly enough to fill a storage building."

"Whenever you're ready, we'll help you go through them and decide what to send to some shelter or somewhere," Lupin said quietly, looking at Goemon, who nodded.

"Why would we do that?" Ishi asked.

"Because some people aren't as fortunate as your mother, they can't steal from the places she did and they certainly can't shop like she did.  We'll give them to those people so they can have them.  It's call charity and it shows that you like your fellow beings enough to want them not to suffer," Lupin instructed.

"I think Xander was intending a dose of reality at a homeless shelter for that lesson," Jigen admitted.

"She was what?" Goemon asked.

"One with kids," Jigen admitted.  "Helping out during a lunch or something.  She does give some of her yearly income to charity."

"Hmm," Lupin agreed until his mouth was empty.  "I heard about her donation to the Shriners that kept a hospital open.  Plus to the Denver Children's Burn Center, wasn't it?" Jigen nodded.  He looked at the kids.  "Your mother, or aunt, thinks it's very important that you learn you're not as unfortunate as you think you are.  Therefore, she will be instructing you on matters pertaining to other human beings."

"Is that why she takes our old toys and gives them to kids who don't have any?" Melissa asked.  Jigen smiled and patted her on the head.  "I just wondered, she accidentally got my bear last year but she showed me the kid who it went to needed it more."

Arsene sat up straighter and nodded.  "She did.  She had us helping at that children's thing a few months back too."  The other kids but Ishi nodded.  He scowled at them.  "She didn't think you could go, it was mostly for girls and she didn't want to upset you by making you hang around hundreds of them."

Ishi shuddered.  "I'm around enough girls, that would have been horrible."  Sierra pinched him and they frowned at each other.  "I am."

"You're not.  There are boys around.  Feel lucky, your mommy thought about sending you to spend all the time with us when Lotus was born."

Lupin gave her a long look.  "How would you know that?  You weren't born yet?"

"Auntie Fujiko noted it when she was drunk last year," she admitted, looking ashamed.  "I eavesdropped, daddy.  I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay," Lupin promised, tipping her chin up with his fork since he couldn't reach her.  "It's okay.  You can talk about her.  If we can't talk about her then we can't remember her."  Ishi burst out in tears and headed for his room.  Lupin started to get up but he heard a shuffling noise and glanced back to find Xander going for him.  "Let me," he called.

"Stay," she ordered, closing the door firmly behind her.  She pulled Ishi into her arms.  "She loved you, little guy.  She loved you and Lotus a whole lot."  He shook his head.  "Yes, she did," she said patiently.  "Your mom realized that she wasn't always the best mother in the world to you, so she sent you to us to ease the corners she had walked you into. " Ishi backed away from her.  "You never realized that we spent the first week talking about her so you'd figure it out?"  He shook his head and looked miserable.  She sat down with a sigh.  "You see, Ishi, some people are meant to be parents.  People like your dad.  They've got nurturing instincts so deep they're like a never-ending well.  Your Uncle Jigen has some of that too, when he's not hiding it," she said with a faint smile.  "Some people want with every fiber of their being to be parents.  I'm like that and your mother had a bit less of that.  She wanted to be a parent eventually, and when you came along as a surprise it wasn't such a bad one for her. Your father carried her through most of her pregnancy with you, even more than he does to me now."  Ishi gave a little grin at that. "He's wanted you since the first day, both as a continuation of the line, but also as a baby.  He knew he'd make one kick-ass father and he does.  He cares so much for you guys that it's blinding and an inspiration for the rest of us.  I've looked at him a number of times with the girls."  Ishi came closer and hugged her again.  "Thanks, little man.  See, your mother knew she'd have to have kids someday by marrying your dad.  She wasn't really ready for it but she thought it might be okay.  She didn't really understand what a full-time job a kid is, but she knew she'd have to be a mother and expected Goemon to be able to pick up some of the slack."

"He did," Ishi said.

"He did," Xander agreed, stroking her cheek against his head.  "But then Lotus came really quickly and it kinda...scared your mother.  There was already one baby that *needed* her.  I don't think your mother's even had a pet before to care for.  With you she got a big pet needing her attention and affection.  It changed her a lot.  It also scared the shit out of her sometimes.  Those times, you saw a lot more of us.  Your Uncle Lupin was always pretty good at reading your mom.  He got some super 'mom reading' power from his grandfather."  Ishi chuckled and gave her a squeeze.  "And since I'd always wanted to have kids, I adopted you guys as my might-as-well-be kids.  Goemon never seemed to mind and your mom was always really happy to let someone else change the diapers and get up in the middle of the night."  Ishi laughed harder.  "So you saw a lot more of us than was probably normal, but we think of you like ours."  She made Ishi looked up at her.  "We'll never be your mom.  I'll never take her place and Bix won't even try.  Now, she and your dad are a lot alike and I personally think he'd like her some day, once he's not grieving, but that's for a later problem.  For now, I don't want you think that we're pushing her aside.  We're not.  We're trying to remember her as she was, not as some fairytale mother.  Like all humans, she had her faults.  She would have gone after Dawn for me for what she and Zenigata tried to do with that social worker. She nearly killed your dad a few times for being so polite and nice to her.  She was always used to big, bragging guys like your Uncle Lupin," she shared.

Ishi wiped his cheeks off.  "I want to miss her more," he admitted.

"Of course you miss her, Ishi.  Even if it doesn't seem like enough, it is.  If she can feel anything she knows that you guys miss her.  She knows that Goemon feels guilty about leaving her alone like she wanted.  She knows that your Uncle Marcus is drowning himself in a bottle for the same reason.  She knows that your other uncles are eating themselves up inside for not checking the boards and trying to go help her.  Not that they knew about the contract out for her, but if they had they would have been there.  The same as I would have been."

"But you're tired and sick," he said miserably.

"Yeah, and?"  She tweaked his nose, making him grin a bit.  "Even tired and sick I'm a match to most any thief in the world, Goemon Ishikawa the Fourteenth.  You forget, I do a lot of things on my own."  She created a small chocolate and handed it to him.  "Including stealing stuff all the way from Geneva," she admitted with a grin.

He nibbled it.  "I knew you weren't her hiding to protect Uncle Lupin from missing you.  For a few days, I thought you might be her pretending to be you."

"I know, Ishi.  The same as I know that it was important for you to think that.  The hope you carry is a great and wondrous thing for any child to have, but in this case I don't think it'll happen.  Those of us who are left will have to fill in for her as best we can.  Sure, I can do many things she could, but I can't burn rice like she could."  Ishi chuckled again and leaned against her side, which was just the wrong thing to do since the baby chose that moment to kick strongly.  "Ooh."

"Auntie!"  He stepped back and helped her lean back.  "You stay there, let me get Father."  He opened up the door and ran out to the dining room.  "The baby hurt her again," he said, pulling on his father's arms.  "Come on."

"I'm coming," he agreed, coming to help Xander back into bed.  He gently prodded her stomach, familiar with normal baby feelings after much practice.  "I believe he wanted to have the last word, nothing more sinister.  We can have him looked over tomorrow if you want."

She took a deep breath, then nodded.  "Please.  I ache."

"I know you do, Xander.  We will have you seen as soon as humanly possible."  He tucked her in, letting his son help, then led him back to the table.  "The baby kicked her wrong and it made her ache."

"A few good hours of massage should help most of that," Bix said, nodding at the men.  "My mistress often had such problems bearing kits.  When the body is tired it makes it worse but it can be compensated for."

"Foot, back, or stomach?" Jigen asked.

"Her lower back particularly.  You'll want her to stay relaxed.  The more upset and uptight she is, the worse it'll become."  Jigen nodded and went in to soothe her.  Lupin coughed.  "I'm sorry if I overstepped myself, I simply relied on past experience."

"No, that was helpful," Lupin admitted.

"I promised we would call her a human doctor soon," Goemon offered.

Lupin nodded.  "Good.  Let's do that soon.  I want an ultrasound as soon as possible.  She seems too tired to me."

Lotus snorted.  "Woman was not meant to have babies every few months, Uncle.  It's not good for them.  They start to feel like a cookie cutter or something that makes license plates."

"A wise saying from your mother I have no doubt," Lupin said, grinning at her.  "It was an accident, Lotus.  We didn't want Xander to have another one."

"You did promise to make sure it couldn't happen again," Goemon reminded him gently.

"We promised we would go when Xander could come with us," Lupin defended.  "We will, as soon as she's steady enough to go out on her own power for a few days."

"As long as you don't hurt her again," Arsene said, glaring at her father for *daring* to make her auntie hurt that much.  "I'm never having babies because they hurt you so bad."

"Not all mothers have those sort of problems," Bix reminded her gently.  "Some have no problems at all and happily carry many children.  There's a woman in Arkansas who just had her fifteenth a few years back, and came out saying she wanted more."  Goemon gave her an incredulous look.  "It was in the news," she vowed, holding up a hand.  "I copied it just in case, so I wouldn't ever forget that lesson."

"Fifteen kids?" Melissa asked, looking disgusted. "Why?"

"Because they wanted a large family," Lupin told her, sipping his iced tea.  "Hopefully her husband has money?"

"He's a former state senator and a contractor if I remember right."

"Good."  He put down his glass, then shuddered.  "Even if she wanted, we'd be drawing the line with this one.  I don't care whose son he is, there will be no more unless Goemon wants another one sometime."

"I find three to be a good number," Goemon admitted.

"Daddy, what happens if you remarry?" Ishi asked.

Goemon blinked at him for a few moments, then sighed.  "Son, no one can tell about such things, but it is not something that I have planned for my future.  Not that I planned on marrying your mother, but it seemed right.  If it happens, it does."  He noticed Bix relaxing.  "You have some wisdom on that subject?" he asked.

"Just that my mistress said you were too caring to be left alone by women for long," she noted.  "She did tell me I was to guard you against them so they couldn't kidnap you for their own purposes."

Lupin snickered.  "Husband-hungry women hunting poor Goemon.  I can just see the whole pack dressed like Elmer Fudd."

Goemon swatted at him. "I know it's nearly impossible, but try to behave."  He looked at Bix.  "I can assure you, you won't have to protect me from them.  I am quite good at driving away women."

She smiled.  "If you say so, but I'm under strict orders to hurt any who attempt to take you away from your children."

"As you wish," he noted, trying hard not to smirk at her.  "Why did your mistress advise you so?"

"Because my mistress was one of the top matchmakers up there before she left in disgrace."  She cleared her throat.  "Her mother had her convinced that only having female kits was a disgrace to her husband and had her drawn away after much agonizing convincing.  Her husband fought hard for her but her mother's ties were stronger."

"Bitch," Lotus said.

Bix looked at her.  "While quite an appropriate term for the woman, I doubt you are supposed to be using that word."

"No, she's not," Goemon agreed.  "Behave as well."

"Yes, daddy."  She leaned against his arm and yawned. "I think I'm ready for another nap."

"Your brother slept most of the time while he was growing as well," he soothed, stroking her hair.  "You'll find much more time awake once you finish this growth spurt."  She nodded and closed her eyes.

Ishi snatched her plate and emptied it onto his, earning a head shake from his father.  "I'm hungry," he defended.

"I'm sure you are," he agreed.

***

Xander looked at the guy doing the ultrasound for him, then grimaced.  "Why does it look the baby has two heads?"

The man chuckled. "It's an echo, nothing more, ma'am."  He moved the wand and pressed another button.  "There, that's a better view."  Xander nodded.  "Should I print that one?"

"Please.  Can we tell gender?  I'm pretty sure I'm having a boy but I can't be sure yet."

The man moved the wand a few more times, then smiled.  "I'd say, unless the cord is in the way, that you're not."  He highlighted a section on the screen.  "That's not boy parts."

Xander grimaced, then looked up, sending a shaft of mental hatred at Janus and the Powers.  "Okay, so we're having a girl.  Just one girl, right?  I've had twins the other two times."

"I can't see a second one."  He checked but nothing happened.  He put up the wand and took the printed pictures, handing them to her while he wiped her stomach off.  "There you are.  Clean."  He helped her sit up.  "Who are we sending the results too?"

"I'm picking a new OB today," she admitted.  "Do you have any recommendations?"

He nodded, smiling.  "There is one, he's quite good.  He's local, upstairs actually, and he's very gentle with his patients.  He cheerleads quite effectively during deliveries."

"How is he on having a strange relationship?"

"I have no idea.  I don't think he's ever really dealt with that," he admitted.  "You might ask.  You can set up an appointment to interview."  He steadied her as she stood up.  "There you are.  Did you have any more questions?"

"Bathroom?"

"Up the hall, right before the desk."  Xander nodded, giving him a hand-squeeze before waddling that way.  "Poor thing," he sighed.  He shook his head and pulled out the disinfecting wipes to clean off the table after he ripped off the shielding paper.

***

Xander walked out of the hospital two hours later, much happier with everything but one thing.  He noticed that it was unnaturally dark so he looked up, seeing the clouds covering the area, then beside him at a darker than average shadow.  "Ethan," he said dryly, waddling that way.  "You needed something?"

Ethan pulled her closer and hugged her, patting her on the stomach once he was done. "This one is male, the new white knight, but it will not totally and always be male, the same as you're not."

"She's getting my choker?"

"She's getting my copy of your choker, Xander.  I find that I don't really like being female that often and it bothers my demon."  He smirked at him. "Janus pouted at me until I came to explain this to you."  He looked up, the clouds were starting to shift.  "I must go.  Kisses and hugs to the little beasts.  We'll be seeing you soon in person, I know we will be.  Lovies and all that, dear one."  He smirked and disappeared as a shaft of sunlight penetrated the cloud cover and his extra shadow.

Xander snorted, heading down to where she could catch a cab.  She found Lupin waiting and grinned at him.  "Done with the meetings?"

"No, but I skipped out," he said happily.  "Jigen can look at the guy and tell him he's an idiot."  He opened the door, letting her slide into the front seat.  "Good news?"

"The baby looks fine, it's a girl, Ethan's gifting her with his copy of my choker so she can be a boy on occasion.  Janus was definitely sure this one was going to take over my former white knight spot.  Plus, I picked out an OB.  I explained to him about having two of you, having had two sets of twins, this one being an accident.  He was very understanding.  He checked me over quickly and said that my stomach was tense because of stress, nothing further.  That it should calm down.  He said to keep taking my vitamins and that I don't strictly have to be on bed rest."  Lupin grinned at that.  "But he did recognize me as Sylvia, mostly because I told him so, and he said that I was not to do anything that would jar my body too badly.  I have another appointment in a month."

"Excellent," Lupin agreed, taking the card to put into his wallet.  "Let's rescue Jigen before he has to shoot his way out."  He started the car, heading off to rescue Jigen from the meeting of doom.  He noticed Xander changed fully to Sylvia.  "Going in?"

"Yuppers.  I can get him free faster."  He noticed the woman in the next car staring and smiled and waved at her, making her look startled and change lanes.  "I hate people like that."  Lupin chuckled as he patted her on the thigh.  "My new OB also said he does vasectomies."

"Then we'll go during your next appointment to talk to the man and have ours done," he agreed happily.  "I hadn't looked forward to finding a good urologist who wouldn't try to hurt us."

"I checked with the former Don's wife, she went to him.  He's really nice.  He likes you by the way, thinks you're cute."

"Hmm.  Gay?"

"As Mary Poppins," Xander agreed dryly.  They stopped in front of a small house and he got out with a groan of protest.  "Be right back with Jigen."  She waddled that way, boldly walking in.  The guards started, staring at her in shock.  "You're keeping my husband and I have new pictures of the baby from the ultrasound.  Where might Jigen be?"

"That one," he said respectfully, pointing.  "Do you need escorted?"

"We will need to confiscate weapons," the other told him.

She gave him a look.  "I trained under Goemon too.  I am a weapon."  She walked that way, smiling at the other guard when he walked out of the room.  "Hi, here for the hubby."  She walked past him, forcing him to move.  She smiled at the guy behind the desk, waving.  "Morning."  She handed over the pictures.  "Ethan's gifting her with that special choker he made for himself."

"Her?" Jigen asked, smiling up at her.  She nodded.  "Well."  He patted her stomach.  "Mine?"

"There's no way to tell unless we do an amnio and I really don't want the long needle in my stomach.  But, my new OB does also like you guys.  The old Don's wife went to him with her last one."  Jigen smirked at him.  "He's also agreed that he can do fixing things.  He likes Lupin."

"Who are you?" the man behind the desk asked bitterly.

She looked at him.  "Sylvia."

"Oh."  His eyes went wide.  "You're pregnant?"

"Did you think I was fat?" she demanded.  He nodded and she glared at him.  "I am *not* fat, thank you very much.  I'm nearly six months pregnant on the heels of having a set of fucking twins!"  He flinched and nodded, holding out his candy dish.  "I only accept treats from Jigen and Lupin," she said firmly, looking down at Jigen.  "Lupin's waiting. Are you nearly done?  I could use some pampering."

"Nearly," he agreed, standing up.  "We are done, right?"

"Go," he agreed, waving a hand.  "I see you really are no threat to us after all," he added smugly, smirking at Sylvia.  Until she pulled a dagger and threw it, pinning his tie to the desk.

She walked over slowly, staring down at him, her hands on her hips.  "I will let you know this now.  Others already know this and have decided it's in their best interest not to get any ideas about our family.  The children are mine.  Goemon's, mine, Lupin's.  They're all like mine.  I protect them at the expense of other's lives.  I have no compunction about killing people who come after my children or my mates.  Got it?"  He nodded, looking amused.  "Good."  She smiled.  "Remember this.  Jigen's the nice one.  I came in a bit...damaged due to some torture.  Jigen and Lupin helped me refind myself."  She turned and took Jigen's hand.  "Sorry, standard warning and all," she said happily.  "Keep the dagger, I've got others."  She walked him out, letting him get into the back even though she moved that way.  "I gave the standard warning about thinking about hurting our kids."

"Good," Lupin agreed as he drove off.  "How did it go?"

"He's amused.  He thinks we're really retired and so old-school we can't deal with the current world."

"Hmm.  I'm sure he'll find out different.  I heard some gossip at the lab.  Kenji's back."  Lupin shuddered and Jigen groaned.  "One of the nurses' husbands was a victim of his.  He was released for some reason."  She got comfortable.  "She blatantly said that since Lupin the Third was in town, that it might get solved."  Lupin snorted.  "So I looked at her and I said I'd pass that on, that I was your daughter's nanny.  She got me all sorts of magazines."

"Good job," Jigen agreed.  "Kenji's not the person to screw with."

"Let him come near me or the kids," she reminded him.  "Someone will have to go."

"Agreed," Lupin admitted.  "I don't want you taking on Kenji though, Xan.  He's dangerous.  He's a snake of the highest order."

"Yawn.  And Dolores wasn't?"

Lupin pulled off to the side of the street, looking at him in shock.  "That was you?"

"That was me," he agreed brightly.  "I told her not to touch what was mine."

"You do know that the Europeans want whoever did her in?"

"Her uncle knew it was me.  He knew it was me at the funeral," Xander protested.  "I told him exactly what happened and all about her little love drug."  Lupin's mouth fell open so Xander shrugged.  "Sorry.  He thought I was quite restrained in only breaking her neck. That's why he called off that bounty.  Because defending what is mine is more than acceptable."

"Apparently so," Lupin agreed, looking stunned.  He swallowed.  "Wow.  What else have you done that we didn't hear about?"

"Probably lots of things," Xander said with a small shrug.  "I'm not always that open about things.  Can we get me some ice cream?"

Jigen smirked and patted him on the back.  "Sure.  You can have some ice cream.  Lupin?"

"Yeah, that's fine.  Then we'll do some minor shopping for you too," he agreed, checking the traffic before pulling onto the street again.  Xander groaned and grabbed his arm.  "Pain?"

"Park!" she demanded.  He parked and a car went past, running the red light in their former lane.  "I don't know what it is, but that's the second one," she announced.  "Bad accident.  I'd have miscarried."

Jigen looked stunned. "You've had another of those?"

"I saw the social worker being shot by a sniper and the court trial after that," she admitted softly.  "I would have died after that."

Lupin shivered.  "Okay.  We can handle that too."  He suddenly lunged over, hugging Xander.  "Thank you."  Xander patted him on the back.  "Still want some ice cream?" Xander nodded, hugging him back.  "Then we'll go do that," he promised, pulling back.  "You okay?"

"I have a headache."

"There's some tylenol in the glove box," Jigen offered, moving to work on her shoulders around the headrest.  "You relax.  We'll handle it."

"Thanks."  She relaxed, letting him spoil her.  "It's too bad we can't get gellato."

"There's one place but it might be closed," Lupin offered.  "Or we can pick up the stuff and make some back at the house."

"Please?" she begged, eyes closed.  "I want some lemon gellato."

"Of course, Xander," Lupin said, smiling at her pleased and happy voice.  He hadn't heard that one in a while.  "Should we have dinner out?"

"If you want.  Bix is cooking tonight."

"Then we'll have dinner out tomorrow night," Jigen offered.   Lupin parked in front of an ice cream shop and they all trooped inside to get something for their woman.  She was amazing and getting more so every day.

***

Goemon looked up as the messenger walked up to where he was working on weeding around the house, standing up and dusting off.  "Yes?"  The envelope was held out so he took it.  "Nothing to sign for?"

"No, Goemon.  Have a nice day.  The Don of Osaka says so."

Goemon looked at the envelope, feeling around it.  "A bomb, how charming," he said dryly, tossing it aside.  "Tell him I said I'd see him soon."  The messenger's eyes went wide as someone came around the house.  "Inside, son."

"Why?"  Ishi looked at the messenger, waving when the man kept staring.  "Are you a pervert?"

"No," he said, his voice high and squeaky.  "Not in the least."  He turned and ran off, calling his boss from the car.  "There are children here!" he shouted.  "Goemon called the one that came out his son!"  He listened.  "I do not hurt children.  I'm sorry, but pass this one on."  He hung up and rested his head on the steering wheel until a warm muzzle brushed his hair around.  Then he started, feeling it press against the base of his skull.  "Who are you?"

"Sylvia," she purred in his ear.  "You just threatened the man watching my children as well.  I really do not appreciate that."

"I'd never hurt a child," he said quickly.  "I didn't know that there were children."

"And yet, asking around would have told you that we had children," she noted casually.  "In which case, you're perpetually dumb and over confident as well.  Who sent you?"

"The Don over Osaka."

"Hmm.  Isn't his brother over Yokohama?"  The guy nodded.  "Interesting.  Only him?"  He nodded again.  "Any idea if this is a contagious disease?"

"Not that I know of.  The man hates Goemon, that's all I know.  Please don't kill me."

"I won't," she promised.  "Though I am going to leave you as a present.  You'll live, simply remember to change jobs."  She shot the tranq dart into his neck then got out of the back of the car, moving up to push him over and take the wheel.  "I believe it's time we had a discussion with the man.  Should he meet me or Lavelle do you think?" he asked the unconscious body.  Of course, there was no answer.

***

Lupin looked around the yard, then at Goemon.  "What happened?"

"I threw a rock at the letter bomb," he admitted, looking at the damage.  "Lotus is quite peeved at me."

"I bet."  Lupin nodded, looking around again.  "Who?"

"The new Don in Osaka."

"Hmm.  Good.  Where is the wife?  We sent her ahead and noticed the car outside the gates."  Goemon gave him a horrified look.  "Oh, no.  Jigen!"  Jigen came to the doorway. "Xander's taking on this annoyance for Goemon."

"He did threaten the children," Goemon pointed out.

"She's in the mood to be merciful," Jigen offered.

Lupin gave him a stunned look.  "So?  She's taking him on alone."

"As she's done before," Jigen pointed out dryly.  "Car?"

"I moved it into the driveway," Lupin told him. "Come on."

"Coming, boss," Jigen said tolerantly, giving Goemon a look.  "We'll be back by tomorrow."  He went down, letting Lupin drive since he was so hyper.  "How long ago did this all happen?"

"I don't know.  We had to do the groceries and that took an hour."

"Just don't crash us and the car," Jigen said patiently.  Lupin took the mountain corner like a pro, speeding up as they went down the hill for a bit.

***

Lupin jumped out of the car when he saw Xander strolling up the street - dirty, nasty, ripped shirt and dirt smudged face giving away that something had happened.  "Are you okay?" he asked, grabbing her to hold.

Xander pulled back, grinning at him.  "Just fine, Lupin.  He was having a dinner party for his daughter's sixteenth birthday party.  The Don was not happy to meet me but he did get the point."  She looked down at her top, then at him.  "I think I need clean clothes."

"You look like you set a fire," Jigen said, looking worried.

"Um, not really.  His daughter did.  She's like those people in Cairo that I told you about.  I called them and they're on their way up to get her."  She grinned at him.  "Can we get me some soda on the way back to Goemon's?"

"Sure," Lupin agreed, helping her into the back seat.  "You rest back there, Xan, we'll drive us all back."  He looked up the street.  "What burned?"

"Their library.  She threw an awesome fit when she found out her father had conducted business like this on her special day."  She yawned.  "Soda?"

"Going," Lupin agreed, turning the car around and heading out of the suburbs.  They had managed to catch a train down and bring the car on it.  The next one going back to Tokyo would be in another two hours so they had plenty of time.  He glanced at Jigen, who shrugged.  "Hey, Xan?"  He got a sleepy mumble.  "Is he going to be a problem?"

"No, she set fire to him first," she admitted. "He set the library on fire."  She curled up on the seat, getting comfortable on the jacket that had been under the seat.  "I'm using your red jacket for a pillow."

"That's fine," Lupin agreed softly, speeding up.  He didn't want any part of this.  Jigen grunted as he lit his cigarette, then handed it over and lit another for himself.  "Thanks, man."

"Welcome."  Jigen puffed away, glancing back now and then to check on Xander and the happy smile she was wearing while she napped.  "This was scary and odd."

"It was, another Xander moment," Lupin agreed quietly.  Behind him, Xander beamed on, liking her happy dreams.

***

Goemon looked up as someone appeared on the lawn, looking at the cloaked figure.  "You are?" he demanded calmly.

"Not here for you, Goemon Ishikawa the Thirteenth," he said, pushing his hood back to expose a thin face with a pointed chin and nose.  "Where would our helper be?"

"Which one would that be?" Goemon asked.

"Xander."

"She's asleep."

"She?"

"She," he said firmly.  "You may speak with her husbands if you wish."

"That would be fine.  I needed a better account of last night's problems."  He waved at the house.  "If I may?  I have no problem and bear no ill-will to the children of the family."

"Then that is fine," he agreed, leading the way inside.  "Jigen, where is Lupin?"

"Tucking Xander back in.  She wandered again," he said, looking up from his game of solitaire.  "Who's that?"

"I'm from the group that Xander occasionally helps," he introduced.  "My name is Paul."  Jigen nodded in greeting.  "Is he not all right?"

"He's presently pregnant," Jigen told him.  "He's also presently trying to sleep and sleepwalking."

"Pregnant?  Xander?" Paul asked, looking confused.  "Goemon said he was a she....  I'm afraid I don't understand."

Lupin came out.  "All tucked in again.  Who're you?"

"He's Paul, he's part of a group that Xander occasionally helps," Jigen introduced.  "He's confused as to why Xander is female and pregnant."

Lupin looked at him.  "Janus."

"Oh.  I wasn't aware that he was praying to him now."

Lupin smirked.  "You're from Cairo, right?"  The man looked stunned and nodded.  "He told us a bit about you a few years back since we knew something about that stuff.  Presently, it's nap time.  Can you wait or come back?"

"If I may ask," he said delicately, "how is he pregnant?"

"Oh, that choker thing turns him female and then the payback for the torture is from Janus and the Powers," Lupin said smugly, sitting down and taking Jigen's cards to finish his game for him.  "Go nap with her."

"Sure."  He got up, heading into the bedroom to try to keep Xander in there and asleep for a bit longer.

Paul took Jigen's seat, looking at him.  "How did you hear of us?"

"I'd heard rumors, nothing very concrete, but one of you did try to work for us once," Lupin said simply, then he shrugged one-sidedly.  "It happens that we're very good."

"It happens that you're more than that," he said firmly.  "The Europeans are looking for you to solve their current problems by taking control of the present fighting."

"They can blow me," Lupin said tolerantly, nearly singing it.  "I don't want that sort of stress."

"I don't doubt it, no one else does either," Paul agreed with a small smirk.  "This was retribution?"

"No, it was more compensation," Lupin admitted.

"This time has nearly been retribution," Goemon noted.  "Lupin, I was checking my email earlier and your mail is now defaulting to mine."

"I'll check it in a minute," he said, gathering up the cards once he hit a deadend.  He looked at the young man.  "I don't know much, but how is the girl?"

"Fine now that she realizes we're not going to pamper her like her father and mother did," he said dryly.  "She's now learning how to control that nasty temper of hers before she burns up others.  Her inheritance has been frozen for the moment until the local police can explain the fire."

"He set himself on fire after figuring out his plan to blow up Goemon wasn't going to work."

"That's about how we explained it too, though we simply opened his files for them with her help.  They were quite impressed and Yokohama's is also falling quickly.  Strangely enough, Xander keeps being mentioned as someone to consolidate operations."  Lupin dropped the cards, looking at him.  "That's why we needed to talk to him."

"Jigen, wake her up," Lupin called.  "They want her to consolidate Japan and Europe."  Jigen came to the door, looking stunned.  "Yeah.  Europe's moving toward war and this destroyed three of the more powerful people in Japan.  People keep talking about her."

"Oh, hell no," Jigen said, shuddering.  "All of them under one banner?  Ours?"

"All of them under one banner, hers," Lupin corrected.

"You would be her chief advisors," Goemon pointed out.  "As I would."

"Are you here to talk to him about that?" Lupin demanded.

"No," Paul said with a small smile. "More to warn him and to offer our support if necessary.  We do want him to run some negotiations, with us backing him of course.  All of you have fairly long reputations and strengths that none like to act against."

"We can run a negotiation," Lupin agreed.  "Where and when?"

"Vegas, two weeks?"

"Xander's not allowed to fly," Goemon told him.

"Tokyo's not exactly neutral territory," Paul pointed out.

"No, but our other hideout locally is," Lupin offered.  "It's small, how many people?"

"Sixteen."

"It's got six bedrooms."

"Five main groups, plus a few others."

"Have them rent trailers," Jigen offered, going to wake Xander up.  "Hey," he said softly, shaking her gently.  She swatted at him. "One of your buddies from Cairo needs to see you.  They want you to run negotiations to settle down the Euro syndicates and locally."  Xander gave him a confused frown, eyes still closed.  "Come on, Paul needs to see you."

"Paul?"  She got out of bed and padded out, squealing and hugging him.  "About time you came to see me!"

"Xander!"  He looked her over, then shook his head.  "Why didn't you tell us about this!"

"Oh, fuck off, Paul," she said with a frown.  "What's going on now?"

"Europe's Dark Syndicate just lost their Don two days ago.  It's presently semi-open warfare.  Most people would consolidate under your bosses but they don't want that."

"It would hamper us a bit," Xander agreed dryly.  "What else?"

"Last night got rid of Yokohama's, Osaka's, and Kyoto's Dons.  They're running around in panic trying to stop the hemorrhage of losses."

"And?"

"They would allow you to run a negotiation."

"As me?"

"As you, as Sylvia, as whoever," Lupin agreed.  "We can back you up for that."

"The problem becomes where to hold it," Paul told him.

Xander beamed, leaning down to whisper in his ear.  "There.  Enough room for everyone."

"They said you couldn't travel."

"I can't travel and stay.  I'd have to be back in two weeks for my next appointment."  She shrugged.  "That good with you?"

"Fine with me, Xander.  Thank you."  He stood up and hugged him, pulling back to look down at the ball of stomach.  "You kicked me," he said in outrage.

"She likes to do that," Jigen said dryly.  "Where?"

"Geneva.  I bought an older apartment building and had it renovated," she admitted.  "As a fallback spot of last resort."

"That's fine," Lupin agreed, smiling at her.  "Good job, Xander.  That good, Paul?"  He nodded.  "Then we'll go there in a few days.  Can you spread the word?  How much room do we have, Xan?"

"Maybe enough for fifty if we're being generous."

"So, thirty would be fine?" Paul asked.  "Seven groups?"

"There's six apartments and a large meeting room," Xander told him.  "Unless someone wants to sleep in the basement or get a hotel room."

"That can be arranged," Paul agreed.  "Thank you, Xander.  How long before you can get there?"

"Four days?  I still have to be back in two weeks."

"Fine," Paul agreed.  "If it's not fully worked out, then we can deal with the Asian ones after that.  Would you allow us to support you?"

"As opposed to who?  Marcus?  Marcus works wonderfully as a second-in-command for the group.  We can run the negotiations and Lupin and Jigen can worry about the formal stuff while Goemon comes along to keep me from going all mood-swingy on everyone."  Goemon snorted.  "You can."

"Of course I can," he agreed.  "We can leave within two days."

"Bless you, Goemon.  You and your kin to however many generations you run."  He bowed.  "I'll spread the word immediately."  He disappeared, leaving like Marcus and Ethan did.

"Wow," Jigen said, looking at Lupin.  "How many of these people do we know?"

"We're considered elder statesmen," Lupin pointed out smugly.  "The young kids have been raised with horror stories of us."

Jigen snickered.  "Good.  It'll make it go faster.  I'm going to this appointment."

"We both are," Lupin said firmly.  "That way we know everything as it happens."  Jigen shrugged.  "Good.  Let's pack the kids later tonight, we'll leave tomorrow.  Goemon?"

"That would be fine.  Most everything in the house is non-perishable."

"There's a food pantry the next town over," Xander suggested, giving him a hopeful grin.

"I can see them benefitting," Goemon agreed.  "Ishi can help me with that."  Xander beamed and hugged him.  "Go back to your nap."

"Sorry, I'm really wide awake now," she said happily.  "Jigen, Lupin, can I have a few rubs?"

"Rubs?" Jigen asked, looking her over. "Where?"

She stepped up to him and patted him on the crotch.  "How about here?" she asked, smirking at him.  He nodded, swallowing hard.  "Thank you.  I'll meet you in there."  Lupin snickered and beat Jigen in there.

Goemon shook his head once the door was shut, taking an inventory of what was in the cabinets and what probably shouldn't stay here while they were gone.

Tripping.

Note: Still before the epilogue in part 23.

Xander looked down at the kids, smiling at them.  "We're going to Geneva," he announced.  "There's a very important meeting that we have to run so other bad guys can't get overly upset and kill each other.  We'll be shifting everyone to an apartment over there for a few weeks, then coming back here."

"Should we pack?" little Arsene asked.

Xander nodded.  "Yes, you should," he agreed.  "Pack anything you absolutely can't do without for the next three weeks to a month."  They nodded and went to do that.  "Remember to include your school books," he called after them.

"We'll pack one bag with them," Lupin called. "Bring them to the table."  He kissed Xander gently.  "How are you feeling?"

"Tired and cranky. You?"

"About the same actually since you kicked me all night," he admitted with a small grin.  "Getting me back for her?"

"Yup."  She smirked at him. "Is it working yet?"

"Definitely, but Jigen wanted to know if you'd nap with him for a while.  He didn't get kicked and I made it seem like it was special."

"Okay."  She headed into the bedroom to lie down.  "I'll pack later," she said when Jigen woke up a bit.  "I'm cuddlesome now."

"You're troublesome," Jigen countered.  "No kicking."  He pulled her closer, wrapping himself around her so she couldn't kick him without a lot of effort.  "Now sleep."

"Fine," she sighed, resting her head next to his.  She burped and he grunted, letting her go a bit.  "Sorry.  Let me brush my teeth and take something for my stomach."

Jigen helped her onto her back then flipped her over, holding her from that side.  "Better," he decided.  No stinky breath from Goemon's miso soup and pickled radishes.  No belching in his ear.  No possible kicking.  No baby kicking.  And she wanted to be cuddled.  It was great for him.  Let Lupin have her front, it was probably his kid anyway.

Xander drifted off, gently stroking her stomach.  "Wow.  You are one strong baby, baby Jigen," she whispered.

Jigen smirked.  "Not necessarily," he whispered once he was sure he was the only one awake.  Xander flipped over and snuggled into his chest, letting the baby kick him for a bit.  "Oh, well, payback is a bitch."  She nuzzled him and he patted her on the back.  "No wiping your nose on my chest, Xander."

"Hmm?"

"Sleep," Jigen ordered.  Xander nodded and drifted off again.  Jigen looked at Goemon as he came in.  "You're the expert, what's with her and the nose-wiping?"

"It's called nuzzling.  It's a comfort action."  He stood at the foot of the bed.  "Why are we going to Geneva?"

"To host that meeting."

"Which she'll be doing."

"Are you going to let *Xander* go to Geneva by herself, like this?" Jigen asked dryly.

Goemon considered it, then shook his head.  "I withdraw the question. What is this new hideout like?"

"I have no fricken' idea," Jigen admitted.  "I've never even heard of this place before.  You'll have to ask her and the baby."

Goemon nodded.  "I'm sure we'll all fit somehow.  Lupin has called Olivia.  She'll be meeting us tomorrow morning."  Jigen nodded.  "I had heard rumors....  Is she seriously attracted to your wife?"

"She likes to flirt," Lupin said from the doorway.  "Does this mean I get to pack for both of you?"  Jigen shrugged.  "Good.  Then it can only be better than Goemon's attempts, which left her without anything but workout clothes."  He came over, packing her things quickly.  She hadn't brought that much with her.  "Nothing pretty, Goemon?"

"I figured you would be taking care of that, as you should," he said firmly.

Lupin smirked at him.  "Fine, we'll buy her more pretty things.  You can help."

"Then no one would watch the children."

"We're not bringing Bix?" Jigen asked.

"I had forgotten about her."

"She's one quiet woman," Lupin agreed.  "I didn't even wake up when she came out to do breakfast this morning."

"I was already up," Goemon admitted, sitting on the foot of the bed.  "Are we sure this is necessary?"

"Think about it, Goemon.  If we don't go, then everyone and their brother could start fighting again," Lupin pointed out, stopping his packing to make his points.  "We're being asked to handle the situation for everyone, to make sure that some sort of arrangement is worked out and the truce starts up again.  Otherwise, Europe and Japan will both be massive war zones."

"Then we'd have to move to the US to get away from them all," Jigen offered.  Goemon shuddered.  "Exactly.  Even if we went to Hawaii, we'd still never fit in.  So let's take the time to do this.  We'll be back in time for her next appointment so we can bother the doctor with her.  Then we'll settle back and help the kids to make their Disney Tokyo goal."  Lupin shuddered. "Tough, we promised."

"We did," Lupin agreed patiently.  "I still hate Disney.  Can't we steal from them?"

"With all the shoplifting the children did, I'm surprised that they didn't have to restock the resorts."

"Hey, we kept Arsene from bringing home a dolphin," Xander said tiredly.  "It was hard work doing that."  Lupin whimpered, shaking his head.  "It was a pretty decent plan too.  All she needed was to know how to drive a truck and a crane."

"Oh, damn," Lupin winced.

"She had someone nearly blackmailed into it," Goemon added.  "Melissa helped quite a bit."

"Shit," Jigen said, shaking his head.  "Our girls are amazing, Lupin."

"Tell me about it," he said with a bright grin.  "Just proves it's the father's contributions that make the kid so special."  Xander gave him a harsh look.  "Mothers have a lot but thieving skills obviously come from the father."  She lunged up, grabbing Goemon's sword before he could react, but fortunately he caught her around the waist and took it from her.  "Sorry, didn't mean to insult you," he said, running away.

Goemon looked at her. "You still telegraph your intentions."

"Yay."  She laid down with a huff, glaring at Jigen.  "Feel the same way?"  He shook his head slowly.  "Good, lay there and be a good body pillow."

"Yes, dear," he agreed, nodding.  She was one scary bitch!  He looked at Goemon, who smirked.  He kicked him on the thigh.  "That's it, no more lessons with you, samurai.  I'd hate to wake up one morning looking like my daughters."

"Shh!"

"Sorry," Jigen said quieter.  He pulled her closer, holding her tightly.  Goemon snickered, walking out with a smug air.  "We need ta fix him up on a blind date."

"It's too soon and you won't do that to my buddy."

"Aren't we buddies?" Jigen demanded.

"Yup, which is why I went after Lupin for that crack.  Notice you're still whole."

"Hmm. Good point.  Did you get his pants?"  She looked up and smiled.  "Good girl.  Demand a treat now.  Just like every other woman on the globe."  She pinched him, making him wince.  "Yes, dear."  She snuggled back in, getting comfortable.  He laid there and let her do whatever she wanted.  She was one scary bitch and she was all his.

Outside, Lupin was looking down at the gaping hole in his pants, taking long breaths and sending many silent prayers she had missed him by mere microns.  She had even gotten his underwear in a few spots.

***

Their pilot, Olivia, walked back to where Xander was curled up in her chair, leaning down to kiss her gently.  "Hello, precious one.  Going home and leaving them?"

"Going to host some meetings so Europe doesn't explode into conflict," she said tiredly, grinning at her.  "Leaving the men just seems like a good idea at the moment.  They never let me nap."

"After doing this to you, I'm sure they're feeling quite manly.  I'm sure it's natural."  Xander nodded, she had experienced this problem before.  "Then you try to rest.  Let me look after the little Lupin, the little Jigen, and the little Goemon with the nanny."

"Sure, have fun," she agreed with a yawn.   "Savannah, help her look after the kids until the daddies get on?"

"Sure, mommy," she said quietly, looking over from her history book.  "You napping again?"

"Yeah, I think I will," she agreed, closing her eyes.  "Be good, kids."

"I'll watch them, Auntie Xander," Ishi said calmly, looking at Arsene and Melissa.  "This time you won't be able to steal anything from anyone."

Melissa held up a set of keys.  "Really?"

Olivia coughed and took them, holding in her smile.  "Very nice work, I hadn't even missed them yet."

Arsene held out the sunglasses.  "Here, I think you dropped these too.  I found them," she said in her most innocent voice.

"I think we should nickname you Kender."

"What's a kender?" Sierra asked, bouncing in her seat.  "Are they neat, like elves?"

"When you get old enough, read the D&D novels, kids.  You'll like the kender.  They're always finding things."

Xander snickered.  "I can see her being one.  She'd look really cute with a topknot."  She shifted to her other side. "Can I lay it back?"

"Not until we take off, or the gravity push could hurt your back."  She looked over as Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon walked on, closing the door behind themselves.  "We all here?"

"Finally," Lupin agreed, smiling at Xander.  "Got another kiss?"

Olivia smirked.  "Of course.  I figure she's probably tired of men after all the times you've woken her up to make sure of your virility."

Jigen shook his head.  "Not me, I never wake that woman up.  I can hold off until the morning."  He looked at the girls, seeing Arsene looking confused.  "What?"

"What's a D&D novel?  Can we read those yet?  She said I was a kender."

Lupin coughed, then couldn't hold it in any longer, he had to cackle madly and lean against Goemon for support.  "Oh, so bad, yet so right," he gasped.  "I'll have to get the first set."

"They might be above them," Olivia pointed out, heading back to the cockpit.  She came back and took the keys that Ishi had taken from her hand from his, giving him a pat on the head.  "Sneaky little thief."   She went back to the cockpit, starting the plane before the kids could take the keys again.  "Who am I going to be teaching to fly my beauty?"

"Teach Ishi first.  He looks bored and it can only help him in math," Jigen told her.  Ishi gave him a stunned look.  "She's going to teach all you kids how to fly."

"Cool," Ishi agreed.  "Can I learn how to fly an ultralight too?"

"Not until you're old enough to buy one for yourself," Goemon said firmly.  Jigen gave him a look. "Those are dangerous."

"Traveling any way is risky," Lupin said, calming himself down.  He sat between the two future thieves.  Jigen sat with Lotus and the other two.  Goemon got to sit with the little kids.  Xander started to snore.   "Do we have word on Marcus?"

"He's no longer drunk but he is in Russia still," Goemon said quietly, looking at his son.  "He said he would come in for the meetings."

"It'll be fine, Goemon," Jigen assured him.  "We'll help you all we can."

"Yeah, we all know Xander won't let you out of her sight any more than we will," Lupin agreed. He looked around.  "Did we forget Bix?"

"We sent her on ahead," Jigen reminded him.  "To look at the apartments for us."

"Oh, yeah.  Cool.  Thanks."  He shrugged, getting comfortable.  "Any time now, Olivia."

"I'm doing an engine check with him.  We have low pressure."  She came out and opened the door, heading down to check the hoses again, then came back wiping her hands off.  "There, fixed.  We had a slipping hose.  Easily fixed."

"Will it come off while we're flying?" Sierra asked, clutching her sister's arm.

Olivia shook her head.  "Not in the least, little one.  The pressure of the wind will keep it in place.  Even if it did, we have redundant systems and nothing bad can happen when I'm flying you.  Now, let your sister have some feeling back in her hand and relax.  It'll be a pretty short flight and you can work on your reading."

Sierra nodded, slowly releasing her sister.  She looked at her Uncle Jigen.  "What does redundant mean?"

"Look in the glossary," Jigen said dryly.  "Like you would for any other words."  She nodded, taking out her book and flipping back there to look it up.  She relaxed, looking much more calm.  "Good girl."

"What's redundant mean?" Arsene called.

"Look it up," Lupin ordered.  "If she has to, you do too."  She sighed and grabbed the dictionary.  "Spell it out mentally if it helps," he said when he saw her scanning the page.

"Reden?" she guessed.

"Un."

"Redundant?"  He nodded.  She found the entry and passed the book onto her stepsister.

Savannah looked at her Uncle Lupin.  "Are backup plans redundant?"

Lupin grinned at her.  "That's a very good question, Savannah.  No, they're not.  That's wise planning because you can't know everything that might happen.  There are all sorts of variables that could affect a job that no one can really anticipate."

"Cops," Jigen agreed.

"Barking dogs," Goemon offered.

"Pops," Lupin said.  "Not exactly a cop, but still."  He grinned at her.  "Plus freakish weather, asleep guards, guards who thought they heard a noise, guards who are with their girlfriends in a closet somewhere."

"More guards being hired or the ones you've bribed not showing up that night," Jigen added.

Goemon snorted.  "Walking into an unannounced party.  Freakish weather patterns that mean it's sunny going in and a hail storm when you come out."

"Car trouble," Jigen and Lupin said in unison, then grinned at each other.

"The car being blocked by people who double-parked," Jigen added.

"Road construction that's suddenly cut off traffic to move a large truck," Lupin agreed.  "Plus buyers who don't want it when they get a better look at your haul.  The price of gold shifting."

"A few too many poker games," Goemon said bitterly.  Jigen and Lupin both nodded at that one.

"That's why you should always have backup plans and a way to save some of your money," Lupin instructed.  "Even if it's only a savings account.  We learned that lesson early on because we didn't save enough and sometimes had to pull jobs right after the last one because we were broke."

Arsene patted him on the hand. "Is that why you convinced Auntie Money Lady to join you?"

"Yes, that is why I convinced Murami to join us," he said with a smile.  "Good deduction.  Are you sure you don't want to be a cop?"

"Why?  They're boring, daddy."

"Good point, princess."  He patted her on the head.  Olivia finally started to taxi, getting them into the air fairly quickly.   "Break out your books.  You all have some homework to work on."  They sighed but did as ordered.  He might take away all treats if they didn't.

***

Bix looked around the apartments, nodding in appreciation.  They weren't exactly sterile but you could tell that not many people had stayed there yet.  The room she was in was done in tans and creams, making it quite light and yet fairly solid feeling from all the wood furniture.  It had a slightly rustic look, but it was all very French as well.  Not French Country, just handmade instead of machine made.  Interesting.  She went to look in the bedrooms.  There were four of them, which made her think someone was going to be sleeping on the couch, but they would manage it for a month she had no doubt.  She headed in the other direction, looking in the kitchen, the study, and the porch.  For some reason there was a ladder up to the roof from there.  She came back in and found a cleaning crew.  "Hello," she said softly, startling them.  "I'm the nanny."

"They're coming in today?"

"They should be here within four hours.  If you're using bleach, one of them is very pregnant so can we open the doors?"

"Sure, but you might get birds," the younger woman of the crew noted.

"That's fine."  She sat down, watching as they went around to dust and clean.  Once they were done, they went down to do the next one down and Bix held out a hand, saying a short spell.   All the listening devices they had planted landed on her hand, allowing her to bundle them together.  She chuckled.  "Well, I'm sure they'll be happier and less stingy in the lower rooms," she decided, picking up a book to read.  Someone had left an older Xanth novel there. Much nicer than the stodgy books in the library on demonology and magic.

***

Lupin walked in the front door, looking around with a small look of amazement.  "Wow."  He walked into the living room, dropping his bag on the chair.  "Bix?"

"Bathroom," she called.  "Be right out."

"Okay."  He smiled as the kids trooped in, herded by Goemon, who was once again carrying Xander since she was still mostly asleep.  He looked at Olivia.  "I'm not sure how many rooms there are.  If there's not one for you, I'll put you up in a suite."

"That's fine," she agreed, putting down Xander's bag and briefcase.  "Guys, go find your room."  Most of the kids headed that way, Ishi followed his father to help him tuck his aunt into bed.  She smirked at Lupin.  "You've got some competition."

"I know," he said dryly.  "But Goemon's honorable.  Ishi's the harder one to get around." Jigen came in with the baby carriers.  "Get 'em all?"

"Yeah.  Left my stuff in the car though."

"I'll get it," Lupin agreed, taking the carrier to put them on the couch, then going to do that for him.  The poor man had fed all the kids on the plane.  He deserved a break.  "Someone scan for bugs soon."

Bix came out of the bathroom shaking her hands.  "We'll still need hand towels in there."  She walked over to check the kids, smiling at Olivia.  "Hi."

"Hmm.  Wanna be a stewardess on the flights, honey?"  Bix blushed.  "Oh, you are adorable," she cooed, pinching her on the rear.  Bix blushed brighter.  "Fine, I'll leave you alone until you're ready to try woman-lovin', dear.  Need me for anything else, Jigen?"

"Not yet.  Bix, do we have room for her?"

"There's four rooms that I saw."

Xander padded out and pushed a button, opening a wall.  "Five rooms."  She walked into the kitchen, getting a can of soda, then obediently went back to bed before Ishi could fuss at her.

Bix glanced in there.  "I can take that room and leave Goemon the third room with two beds.  That way he can have his son with him."

"Ishi's not old enough yet to appreciate girls," Jigen told her.  He looked at the kids, then at her.  "What about them?"

"It's good practice for the girls," Bix told him.

"Not for many years," Lupin and Jigen assured her together.

She chuckled.  "That is also a function of babysitting.  Either you learn that you don't like children or that you'll be an excellent mother and that you'll adore them all."

"Like you?" Lupin asked.

She nodded.  "By the time I was the girls' age, I was already helping in the nursery.  My clan's leader took me in and I helped with his family's children most of the time.  When I was taken by the Kitsune, they were nicer about it, but still."

"No hopes for some of your own?" Jigen asked.

"I haven't found a man worthy yet.  There's not many human men up there you know.  The healer is three times my age.  Most of the other young males are young, brash, and stupid creatures.  They might improve with age, but I have no desire for someone whose main goal in life is to fight."  They both nodded wisely.  "That's also why I came back.  I figured I might be able to find a man who meets up to my exacting standards somewhere on this plane."

"The world is half-full of them," Lupin agreed, smirking at her. "Goemon?"

"Is not what I want."

"Really?" he asked, looking interested.  "Who might be?"

She blushed.  "I have no desire to be with a fighter.  I'd lose them sooner."  She pinched him.  "I can find my own dates, thank you.  Going out with the girls means that I meet many men."

"And women," Jigen added.

She blushed.  "And them too, though I am not really like that," she admitted.

Lupin gave her a hug.  "Just tell us if you need off for a date or something, Bix."  He headed into the bedroom, startling Olivia, who was working on Xander's shoulders for her.  "I said you could kiss her, not grope her."

"I haven't gotten to grope her yet," Olivia said, giving him a smug look.  "I'm slowly taking your place."

"I noticed."  He nudged her out of the way and blew on his hands, moving to work on her back himself.  She moaned and arched up into his hands.  "Better?"

"Lower and to the right."  He moved, making her sigh in contentment as he worked on a sore spot.  "Hey, Olivia, did you want to crowd in with us or would you rather go to the Hyatt?"

"I'd rather go to the Hyatt," she offered.  "Fewer kids there."  She grinned and winked at Ishi.  "You'll be a stunning man when you grow up."  He blushed and grabbed his aunt's soda to hide behind while he finished it off.

Lotus wandered in with a book.  "Mommy Xander, what's this book on?" she asked, letting her see the spine.  "It feels sparkly."

"It's on void magic, sweetheart, not your sort."

"Oh, okay then."  She went to put it back.  Her father followed her, taking her out of the study and locking the door.  "Hey!  My doll is in there!"

"I'll get it in a moment," he promised, sitting her in the living room.  "Help your uncle watch the babies."  He went to look in the study, shaking his head at the narrow range of readable books.  There was one bookshelf full of books they could read themselves or to the children, but nothing really caught his attention.  He did find his daughter's doll and carried it out to her, locking the study again.  "I believe we should probably leave that room alone.  Xander seems to have decorated it in early Watcher."

Marcus appeared, giving him a long look.  "It's not that great a collection.  I call the patterned couch before anyone else can get it."  Olivia chuckled from the bedroom's doorway.  "Good evening, Olivia.  Have a nice trip over?"

"Tolerable.  The plane needs some fixing so I'm going to check into the Hyatt and do that."  Lupin handed her something.  "You sure?"

"Don't spend me broke or anything, but for the plane repairs and reasonable expenses."

"Thanks, boss.  You're nice to work under."  She pinched him on the butt and strolled out, going to find a room first and then look over her poor baby.

Lupin looked at Marcus.  "Where have you been?"

"Mopping up that idiot's power base in Russia."  He handed over an envelope.  "From the syndicate in Moscow.  They're not happy, but they're also mostly in jail for daring to send that idiot after her."  He sat down on the couch he had chosen, looking at the children.  "Hello, dears.  Are we pretending to nap?"  Fred cooed and kicked his feet.  "Just as I thought, you are rather sneaky, aren't you?"  He got up, letting the children free and taking Fred to hold since he was awake.  "How have you been?"

Fred cooed at him again, liking this human spoiler very much.  He made sucky faces and Marcus produced a bottle, letting him have it.  It was such a good slave for him.

Goemon looked at the baby's expression, then at the father.  "I believe he'll start to have the same problems Ishi did soon," he said wisely.  "He's got that Emperor look on his face."

"He is, he's the only Lupin son," Lupin agreed brightly.  "He is an emperor of the empire with his sisters, the empresses."  He sat down, looking at the babies.  "Hey, Sarah, are you awake?" he cooed.

"Let her sleep already," Jigen said, shaking his head. "Hopefully this one will be yours so  you can spoil another girl rotten."

"I doubt it, but I wouldn't mind," Lupin said, staring down at the daughter.   Goemon's son burped so he cleaned him up, then lifted him up to hold for a bit.  "Hey, there Kenji.  Happier now?"  Kenji blinked up at him quizzically.  "Don't worry, the world will get clearer soon enough."

Goemon took his son and went to sit with Xander for a bit longer.  His sons needed to bond and she was the only female available now.

***

Xander looked up as his buddy appeared, grinning at him.  "What's up?"

"I've come to hide for a bit since it's not appropriate to be at the ceremony and to ask if you wanted to attend my kit's First Magic Making ceremony."

"Which one?"

"The one you helped with his bow work the last time," the Kitsune Lord admitted.  "He'll be doing his first official act of magic today."

"Wow.  Sure.  Will it take long?"

"I hope not.  I don't like staying on the human realm for too long and I can't be up there.  That way no one can say that I helped him."  He waved a paw around.  "It's protocol."

"Oh, I understand.  Let me get changed?"

"You have clothes in your room," he said, tweaking her nose.  "We found one of your own this time."

"What happened to my stuff?" he called.

"Ray found out where your house was," Jigen called back.  "We had it put into storage so he couldn't paw through your anime."  He came to the door.  "No pun intended," he said dryly.  "What's up?"

"My son's First Magic Ceremony is today and he wanted Xander to attend."

"We've got those meetings starting tonight," Jigen pointed out, leaning against the door.

"It shouldn't take more than two hours," the Kitsune Lord promised.  "Please?  He's in a blind panic."

"Sure," Jigen agreed.  "Lupin's handling the greeting stuff."  He smirked as Xander climbed out of the bed.  "You behave.  We don't want to have to come get you this time."

"You could come if you requested," the Kitsune suggested.  He checked his claws, glancing at Jigen.  "We wouldn't mind.  With his delicate state and no official escort up there, it would be reasonable to assume bringing her husband."

Jigen looked in the other room, catching Goemon's eyes.  He got a waved hand.  "Thanks.  Should I change?"

"At least put on a tie, dear.  It's an official ceremony," Xander pointed out, hurrying to change her looks.  "Sylvia?"

"Definitely."  The Kitsune Lord grinned as she changed.  Her stomach stood out so much better on this form.  "She is quite large."

"She is and she's tiring me out, but I love her already," Xander agreed.  She looked over.  "Hair things?"

"I found some for you.  I pulled up a whole outfit.  The usual maid is waiting on you."

"Cool.  Let's go."  Jigen finished tying his tie and they went with him, landing in her suite.  "Thanks.  Have fun teasing Lupin and the kids."

"Of course.  I adore your children, Xander.  Fred is quite the little kit in the making."  He disappeared, leaving them together.

Xander picked up a small gold bell and rang it, bringing her maid running.  "We just got told.  Clothes?"

"Here, Lady Xander," she said, holding out the outfit she had been checking over.  "There is a spot but I managed to get it out."   She helped Xander out of her old clothes and into the new outfit, tying the obi for her.  Then she sat Xander down, working on her hair.   "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Jigen admitted.  "This last month has really kicked her ass."

"I see."  She glanced at him, then rang the bell, bringing another maid.  "Help him into something more appropriate."

"I can wear this," Jigen protested, but the woman was already stripping him out of his black suit and blue shirt, putting him in a softer, silk suit and a lighter shirt.  "At least it's nearly the same."

"Yes, but it's more appropriate for the ceremony," his maid told him.  "The hat?"

"Stays," he said firmly.

"Any human cloths could make the spell backfire," she explained, looking apologetic.   She ran off, coming back with two hats, one bowler hat and one cap.  "Would either of these work for you, sir?  We don't have any fedoras in the closet right now."

"I'd look British," he noted, staring at them.   Xander stood up and whispered in his ear, making his eyes half-close.  "Fine, the driving cap is what she wants and I can't refuse her or the baby right now."  It was handed over and his other suit was bundled up.  "It's clean."

"I know, but we'll be storing it in a special chest so the unnatural fabrics can't contaminate anything up here.  It's been a problem in the past.  Lady Xander, our Lord and Master wanted to know if you wanted to start keeping an outfit up here."

"I'll bring something up my next trip," she agreed, letting her maid finish with her hair.  "We done?"  They nodded.  "Good, let's go."  She took Jigen's arm and they strolled out together, Xander nodding at each person they passed.  "Ah, the Incubus' ambassador," she said fondly, taking his hand to shake.  "Well met."

"Well met, Lady Xander.  Is this one of your mates?"

She nodded. "This is my mate Jigen."  She stroked his arm.  "He is quite overprotective."

"With your past I would be as well," the ambassador agreed, holding out a hand.  "I was not the one who took her.  I have nothing but respect for her."  Jigen shook his hand, nodding in greeting.  "It is quite nice to meet you, I tasted your partner once for a quick snack, he was quite filling."

"Yes, he certainly is," Xander agreed dryly, making the demon laugh and Jigen give her a look.  "You don't find him a full meal's worth?"

"And then some," he agreed, shaking his head.  "Where's this thing taking place?"

"In the interior garden," the ambassador told him.  "I'm not invited, but it is a quite impressive accomplishment.  He's created one of the few time switchers.  This one should give an hour forward."

Xander looked impressed.  "Wonderful.  It's been a while since you guys have had a mage around from what I've heard."

The incubus sighed and nodded.  "Definitely, and he is quite conscientious, if a bit odd and stringent on the rules.  That is the purview of the young however."  He bowed to them.  "Have a nice ceremony.  If you wish to speak afterwards, I'll be in my rooms."

"No, we're only up here for this.  We're hosting the meetings in Europe," Xander admitted, walking on with Jigen.  "Next time we'll have lunch."

"Of course, thank you, Lady Xander," he called after them, smiling and waving.  He looked at the maid who had stayed.  "He is quite strong willed.  Didn't react to me at all."

"Goemon is more so," she shared quietly, glancing around.  "I saw him back then, he was quite strong."  She winked.  "And now he's a widower."  She skipped off to spread the news.

Xander and Jigen walked into the garden, nodding at the others gathered.  "We were invited by the kit's father," she said quietly, smiling at the young fox spirit.  "I am quite happy to witness this ceremony.  I'm looking forward to learning from you so I can teach Lotus some more."

The boy looked stunned.  "The nymph liker?"  She nodded.  "She's fully human?"

"She is," Xander agreed.  "Goemon's her father."  She took a seat with Jigen's help.  "I heard you're making a time switcher? That's very prestigious."

"It is," he said proudly.  "I've practiced now for years.  If I might ask, who is your escort?  We've never been introduced."

"This is Jigen, one of my mates.  Jigen, this is Konish.  He's the second youngest?" she asked.  The kit nodded.  "The second youngest of our host's kits."

"Hi."  He shook the paw gently.  "Good luck."

"I certainly hope I won't need luck."  He stepped back to his mentor's side, looking at him.  "That girl is human?"

The mentor snorted.  "I doubt it, even if they don't realize it.  No humans do magic."  A flare of magic went up and Jigen suddenly had a lit cigarette in his mouth.  He stared at Xander, who shrugged.  "You aren't fully human either," he said darkly.

"I am, I'm simply tainted, thank you," she said stiffly.  "If you don't believe me, you can ask the ambassador."

"Enough," Konish said firmly.  "Petty bickering comes later, after you're all drunk."  Xander chuckled and smiled.  "Thank you.  My father?"

"Safely bugging Lupin," Jigen agreed, sitting beside his wife and putting an arm behind her back.

"Trying to make sure Sarah takes my place some day," Xander added.

"Interesting," Konish admitted, stepping up to the table where his things were.  "The rest of the ceremony went earlier.  If I may?"  He looked at his mentor.

"Should you turn this into a temporal switcher, you shall pass into adulthood as a mage and as a kitsune lord in your own right," he intoned.  A bell rang overhead.  "Remember your training, boy."

Konish swallowed and laid a paw on the small device, saying the complicated spell with his eyes closed.  Eventually he stopped speaking and backed away.  "I believe it should be our envoy's right to test the device," he announced.  His mother gave him a smile for that courtesy.  "If you wouldn't mind, Lady Xander?"

"Will it affect my kit?"

"No, it shouldn't," he said kindly.  He walked over, helping her up.  "If you wouldn't mind?"

"Sure.  How?"

"Touch the blue switch to go ahead, the red one to come back," he said quietly.  She nodded and touched the blue switch, sparkling up and disappearing.  He frowned and looked at his mentor.  "An hour forward should be blue, correct?"

The mentor smirked at him.  "You are stronger than you thought, Konish.  You've managed to send her backwards instead."

"Um, explanations?" Jigen requested.

"She'll be right back," Konish admitted, looking panicked.  He glared at his mentor, who backed up.  "You gave me the right spell, correct?"  The man flinched, seeing his father's resemblance quite well.  "FATHER!"  His father appeared, looking completely calm and unruffled.  "The device went backwards."

The Kitsune Lord looked up, then slowly took a few deep breaths.  "How long ago?"

"Just moments," Jigen offered.  "What's going on?"

"First Ceremonies are always done outside so that any buildup, whether from anxiety or anticipation, can be cleared and not make the first spell too much stronger.  The reason the castle is shiny is because of one such incident indoors," Konish told him, turning to look at him.  "I made mine a bit stronger, but it went backward instead of forward."

"She'll be back soon, Jigen," the Kitsune Lord soothed.  "As soon as she gathers her bearings.  Going backwards is often disorienting."  He smiled and patted him on the back, exerting some force to knock him out.  "Son, how many sparkles were there?"

"A great column of them, Father."

"Fine.  Now I know how Xander met my own father."  He took Jigen with him, putting him down onto the couch.  He found Lupin and Goemon both staring at him in shock.  "He's only asleep.  I seem to be gathering a few new memories of the past at this moment.  I'll be right back."

"Lotus," Lupin ordered.

She did something and the Kitsune Lord found himself trapped in the apartment.  "Well," he said, frowning at her.  "That is quite advanced, Lotus, congratulations."

"Thank you.  Where's Auntie?  We miss Auntie."

"She'll be back shortly, sweetness.  The device sent her backwards instead of forward and she should be right here very quickly."  Lotus grinned.  "If I can go to make sure of that?"

"No, you'll be staying until she's back," Lupin agreed.

"When is she?" Goemon asked.  The Lord looked at him, giving him a stare down his muzzle.  "No," he said woodenly.  The Kitsune nodded.  "How?"

"Anxiety."

Goemon looked up.  "Let my ancestors have some patience with her then," he said gently.

"Excuse me?" Lupin asked.  "She's when?"

"She's back with his ancestors again," the Kitsune admitted, flinching when Lupin started to look pissed. "I'm sure she's on her way back.  She had the device with her."

"She'd better be," Lupin agreed. "She's six months pregnant!"

"She won't age and neither will the baby until she's back in her proper time," he promised.  "That is the way the spell works.  We often use the backward function for medical reasons."

"Good.  She'd better be back!"

"She will be," he soothed, knocking him out too.  "Goemon, we should proceed as if nothing has happened for the moment.  She'll have to be back by tonight, even if she had to live all the way through to this time."  Goemon nodded, standing up.  "Shall I watch the children?"

"Yes.  You cannot leave this apartment anyway."  He headed downstairs to greet the newest group that should be coming in soon.   He met them at the front door, nodding them inside.  "Welcome to the meeting."

"Where is Sylvia?" the second in command asked haughtily.

"She met with a friend suddenly and had to visit with him.  She'll be back shortly, by tonight at the latest."

"Lavelle?"

"No, he will be here tomorrow."  He showed them to the last apartment.  "This is yours.  There may or may not be listening devices.  We found some earlier and have not had the chance to sweep for them.  We have detectors if you do not."

The lead nodded, looking at him.  "I hear you're honorable, we'll trust you that far, but we brought out own.  Dinner?"

"Is at nine.  The other major people are here in the building. We have the top apartment and there is a meeting room above you, with the other half of the floor being taken by a recreation room with a television.  Feel free to check them over as well."

"Where's Lupin?" the second demanded.

"Asleep.  The children have been quite demanding.  Jigen is also asleep."  He bowed.  "If you need anything, I'll be somewhere, simply yell for me."  He walked off, going to check on the others and the extra spaces.  The recreation room was quite comfortable.  Two pool tables, a large seating area around the television, which already had people watching soap operas, and a few snack and soda machines.  "Are we expecting many more?"

"They're being greeted by Dolune's last person at the other hotel," one of the men watching tv told him absently.  "They'll be in for dinner tonight."

"That's fine.  We're eating on the roof.  Food's already being sent up."  He went to check on that, finding the tables set up under some netting and the serving area being set up.  "Will we be ready in time?" he asked.

"We will be," the cook told him.  "Thank Lupin for this opportunity."

"I will.  The others staying here are all in."

"Good.  Thank you, sir."  He went back to directing things, setting up his cooking area.  That way no one could say anything about any additives and no one could say that anything was poisoned.   He even remembered to set out the test kits in case someone was *really* paranoid.

Goemon headed back to their apartment to check on everyone.  He found Lupin awake and moaning.  "The chef is nearly set up."

"Good.  Thanks.  I called the hotel the others are at, they're mostly in, but one group is feeling put out."

"Are they major?" Jigen moaned, sitting up.

"No, they're not, but they think they are.  They're taking up a suite now and we're sending a car for them later."  He looked up at the fuzzy being.  "How much longer?"

"Certainly by dinner," he admitted.  Then he snickered.  "I had often wondered how Xander had met my father.  I didn't think I had introduced her the first time they had went back there."  He went into the kids' room to play with them for a bit.  Human children were often more fun than kits.

Lupin looked at Goemon.  "Is she safe?"

"If any of my clan are around, they would protect her," he promised. "She was known to be under my protection."

"Good.  One less worry," Jigen agreed, lighting a new cigarette and taking a long puff.  "My clothes and hat are still up there."

"They'll be down soon too," the fox spirit called.

"Good."  Jigen took another long drag, nearly halving the cigarette.  "Poor thing."

"Poor her, poor us!" Lupin shouted, standing up.  "We've got to do this without her and we're not exactly known for being partisan."

"We'll survive and move on," Goemon said quietly, stopping the fit in the making.

***

Xander woke up on the lawn, groaning and holding her head.  "Damnit."  She sat up, looking at the kitsune guards staring at her.  "When am I?"

"When?" one asked, looking horrified.  He looked at the device another had picked up.  "When was that made?"

"After the new millennium."  She stood up, still holding her head.  "I need to go back.  It was a mistake during a First Magic Ceremony."  She looked up as a familiar, yet younger, kitsune ran out to stare at her.  "Good, you're still alive."

"Xander?"

"Yup.  Your kit's First Magic thingie went phooey and I'm back here again.  Can we get me sent back soon?  I'm six months pregnant."

"Wow."  He blinked, then looked up.  "FATHER!"  His father strolled out.  "Apparently my own kit's First Magic went wrong as well."

"It seems to run in the family," the current Lord of the Kitsune admitted, staring at Xander.  "Do we know you?"

"I'm Alexander Harris.  From the next millennium.  I've been back here before but I was with Goemon."

"Ah, I heard of that.  We can send you there."

"Can't you send me back to my own time?" she suggested.  "Like I need to be?"  She patted her stomach, weathering the kick.  "We're not looking forward to this birth in the least."

"Oooh, you are with kit," her friend said, rushing over to pat her stomach.  "Hello, baby.  Boy or girl?"

"Girl.  She'll be taking my place as the new White Knight."

The father looked horrified. "You're demonic."

"I'm tainted.  I was given against my will.  I'm also the envoy from the European thieves to you in my time.  My daughter will be taking my place officially."  She shrugged, dislodging the paw.  "Your father's giving you horrified looks," she said quietly.

The Kitsune straightened up, looking at his father.  "Can't we please send her back?  We don't want her kit to be harmed, Father.  She is quite the thief and assassin in her own right."

"You are?"  The Father looked at her so she pulled out a foot-long hairpin, waving it around.  "Oh."  He blinked a few times.  "Our Court Mage is fairly old, we'll see what we can get from him."  He nodded at his son.  "Escort her, son."

"Yes, Father.  Are you hungry, Lady Xander?"

"No, thank you.  I'm still a bit nauseous now and then."  She took his arm, walking with him and the guards behind her. "If you want, I can remove the hair things," she offered, not looking back.

"If it wouldn't be an imposition," one guard agreed.

Xander pulled out hair pins and handed them back, plus the silver dagger she always carried in her bodice.  "There, all my weapons but my hands and feet."  She grinned back at them as they turned a corner.  "I'm very well trained."  She walked into the meeting chamber, bowing to the others present.  "It was a First Magic Ceremony problem," she told them.  They all gossiped.  "I see there's no incubus here?"

"No.  We're not on bad terms with them but we never thought to offer them an envoy's position," her escort noted.  "Is there in your time?"  She nodded.  "How very interesting.  Anyone else of note?"

"The second or third son of some Elf.  Nasty conceited bugger who thinks he's spectacular because he's got pointed ears."

"As do most elves," their host noted dryly, taking his throne.  "Someone find Mangus!"

"Coming, Lord," came the quiet, crackling voice.  He walked into view and looked at Xander, then at the device.  "Oh, dear.  Demonic?"

"Given against my will as a consort," she admitted.  "Long story, totally unbalanced my time.  The Powers actually punished their own warriors over it."  The mage looked impressed.  "This one's," she said, squeezing her friend's arm, "second kit had his First Magic rite today.  It was supposed to send one an hour in the future.  It sent me *all* the way back here from the next millennium."  The mage scowled and took the device to look over.  "He said a red switch."

"It's disabled," the mage told him simply.  "Who was this kit's mentor?"

"Roalsinth.  He had been studying under Rossenworf, but Rossenworf retired from politics."

"Alfred?"

"The fourth."

"Oh."  The mage looked disturbed. "We're only to the second in this time.  I'd say his mentor sabotaged it."  He went back to looking it over, shaking his head.  "This would take another First Magic rite and another very anxious kit to make it send you back."  He looked at Xander, then came over to touch her choker.  "I can't believe that fell into human hands."

"I've had it for a while now.  It's how Janus decided I should be paid back for being given, along with helping me bear kits of my own."  She patted her stomach.  "I'm six months along."

"You will not age until you reach your proper time," he assured her.

"The baby?"

"Will also not develop any further.  For you both, time has effectively stopped."  He stared into Xander's eyes.  "I'm not sure we can send you all the way back."

"We can't fix the red switch?"

"It was never coded into the spell.  His mentor did not like humans in the Court?"

"Not in the least," she agreed.  "He didn't think humans could do magic."

"Oh, no," the Lord sighed.  "At all?"  She nodded.  "Then what can we do?  We can send you to your guardians until we find a solution."

"Is it a matter of raw power?  I can siphon off of my future captor's magic if I need to," Xander offered.  The mage gave her another funny look.  "Hey, I didn't choose it, someone chose to give me.  I had no say in that decision."  The mage nodded slightly. "You can do a memory transference?"

"I can."  He laid his fingers against her temples, using the back of his hand to filter it out.  He stepped back with a gasp.  "No!"

"Unfortunately," she agreed bitterly.  "Like I said, I can suck some of Hell's energy if you need it."

"No, no, it's not as necessary as redoing the spell would be.  To do that would take a few weeks at the very least."  He looked around, then at the human.  "There are very few humans around here right now, Consort."

"Not an issue.  I've been around the demonic since I was born, little did I know at the time.  I've even hung out with vampires in the past."

"So I saw."  He looked at his Lord and Master.  "It will take me weeks, Lord."

"Then we should send her to the humans to watch over.  That way the baby is not tainted by us."  He noticed her stroking her stomach.  "The Goemon clan will protect you?"

"Probably.  Goemon himself isn't with me this time though."  She glanced around.  "Right at the moment, I could use him."

"Then they should protect you," her friend said firmly.  "I will go with you, Xander."  He took her hand and rushed her out, taking her to the woods.  "Change, dear one."  She undid the first clasp of the choker then redid it, becoming more like she was last time.  "Close."

"Yeah, I know," she admitted.  She did it again and he nodded.  "Thanks for this."

"Ehh, not an issue."  He walked her up to the gate, startling the clan.  "Hello."

"Kitsune!" one man yelled, pointing.

"I'm not here to steal, only to return one which was returned to us," he said, letting Xander step forward.  "I believe you know her?"

The new head of the clan stepped forward.  "Barely.  Xander."

"Sixth."  She bowed.  "It's not my fault.  This one's future kit mismagiced me back here."  She shrugged, then winced, stroking her stomach.  "I won't be here long and they wanted to get rid of me."

"You're not a problem.  You take care of many needs."  He came over, taking her hand from the spirit.  "Thank you for returning her.  If we may be of service, tell us."

"You're already of service to us.  My father is quite upset that this happened and messed up his precious garden," the future Lord admitted with a small smirk.  "Take good care of her.  Behave, Xander.  We'll figure it out for you."  He disappeared.

Xander stepped through the gate.  "Did the Fifth die?"

"He did, a few months back," he said gently.  "No relative this time?"

"No, it was a First Magic rite.  A ceremony to celebrate the official start of his adulthood.  I was up with another mate."

"Another mate?"

"He never told you," she said flatly, stopping him to look at him. "English?"

"I do understand," he said slowly in English.

"Good," she said, switching to her native language.  "Your relative was not my intended.  He was guarding me for my intended.  The Fifth titleholder said to say we were betrothed.  The child I carry is my husband's.  Goemon, my Goemon, is my best friend and my buddy.  He and his children are staying with us while he mourns his wife."  The man nodded quickly.  "This one is fully a Jigen."

"Jigen?"

"Yeah, it's not an old line," she admitted bitterly.  "I won't be here for more than a day."  She groaned and bent over. "Stop it, daughter," she whined.  "Not now."

"Get the Grandmother!" he snapped in Japanese.  Someone went running and carried her out.  "Grandmother, they sent her back while pregnant."

"The Kitsune said I wouldn't develop more until I reached my correct time," Xander admitted.  "Doesn't keep her from kicking me."   She straightened up with help, waving at the shocked old woman.  "Hi.  Me again," she said dryly.  "A kid mismagiced me during a First Magic rite."

"Hmph.  Children should not be allowed to do that."  She took her hand and led her inside.

"Great, another woman," one of the new guards sneered.

Xander looked at him, then stepped closer.  "Repeat that?" she suggested coldly.  She glanced at the Sixth, who waved a hand.  "As I requested, repeat that?"

"You are naught but a woman," he sneered.

She backhanded him, then kicked him.  "Get up.  Say it again."  He stood up, spitting some blood out.  She attacked, making him back away and cower.  "Good," she said, sneering at him.  "I am more man than you will ever be, even pregnant, tired, cranky, and with swollen feet."  She stomped into the house, making the watching warriors clap.   She came back out.  "Hey!  You still have my weapons and my hair pins!" she yelled at the sky.  They fell beside her feet.  "Thank you!"  She gathered them up, tossing the knife at the man who rushed her, getting him in the shoulder with the silver dagger.  "There.  That should teach you to be more cautious yet not hinder your movement."  She walked over, grabbing it and yanking it out.  "Next time, do not discount a woman.  We have to fight many things, including idiot men who believe they are God."

"Who do you think protects the farm while we're hunting?" the Sixth asked. "She made sure they would be trained.  I much appreciate that my wife doesn't want to fight, but I treat mine better."

"Good."  She headed in to sit in front of the fire, curling around her stomach.  "I ache, Grandmother."

"I understand, Xander.  We all do."  She stroked her back, making her calm down.  "You rest.  All expecting ones should rest."  She nodded, falling asleep right there.  The Grandmother smiled at her great-grandson.  "She will be fine."

"Is she really?  They said the baby would not develop."

"Probably not.  She is tired and frustrated.  Perhaps a gentle hunt tomorrow?"

"That would be fine," he agreed.  "That was quite a toss of the knife."

"She is trained," she reminded him.  "As she proved on those men who attacked the last time she was here."

"True.  Thank you, Grandmother.  I will leave her in your care."  He went to put the warriors through their paces again.  Some of them had obviously forgotten about her, even though it had not quite been a year.

***

Xander came back from the hunt with two regular foxes and a few other small animals, handing them to the other women to clean.  "There, food and fur."  They giggled and bent together to figure out what to do with the fur she had provided them.  "Any word yet from the many-tailed creatures?"

"Not yet," Grandmother said patiently.  "You can bother them tomorrow, Xander.  For now, come taste this."  She walked over, tasting what was on the spoon. "Too salty?"

"A bit, but then it's not my usual taste sensation."  She shrugged.  "It's stew.  I haven't had stew in months."

"Very well.  It should last well enough," she noted, putting it back over the fire.  "Let's find you a place to sit.  You could use some more womanly chores I think."

"Sure," Xander agreed.  She liked this older woman, she trusted her not to hurt her.  "I need to do a summoning circle," she said thoughtfully.  The old woman gave her an odd look.  "They can't deny me help.  They turned me into the person I am when I was taken prisoner."

"Do you believe the Kitsune Court can't send you back?"

Xander sat down, looking at her.  "Their mage was really old and said that the young one who mismagiced me's mentor sabotaged it so he couldn't bring me back.  The 'back' switch wasn't coded into the spell."  The old woman gasped so Xander looked behind him.  "You are not welcome in this house," she said, standing up.

"I am not here for them," the demon growled.  Xander pulled the silver dagger.  "You expect to kill me with that?"

"No, I expect to kill you with the marks on my body that one of you carved into me."  She loosened her collar and the demon bellowed, holding his eyes.  "Now then, I believe you weren't invited?"

"No, I come bearing a message," he pleaded.  "Please, do not kill me."

"Fine, we will leave these people alone and you will tell me this message before I do finish you off and drag your mangled body back to hell.  Outside!"  The demon ran and she bowed to Grandmother.  "I may be back or not.  It depends on how long it takes me to kill him if he hurts someone."  She strolled out, glaring at the demon's back.  "Stand down, he's going to leave and he's going to tell me whatever it was he absolutely had to tell me."  The demon nodded, falling to his knees.  "Now then, what?"  The clan elder handed her a sword.  "What was the message?"

"I was sent to retrieve you," the demon whimpered.  "You are a strong unbalancing person.  You are destroying the local order by being here."

"Then send my ass home!"

"My Lord wishes to, Consort!  I swear, he vowed it was not a trick!  He knows what was done to you by our kind and he vows it is not a trick!  Please!"

"Fine, leave," Xander growled, lunging.  The thing disappeared.  She took a deep breath and handed back the sword.  "I'm going to kill part of hell.  You have a nice night."

"Consort?" the elder asked.

Xander loosened the top of her kimono, showing off the marks.  "I was once taken hostage by one of the higher ones, who tried to claim me by torturing me.  He thought he owned me until he died and I was rescued."  She pushed the collar back into place to make his stunned look go away. "That is one reason why your clansman guards me.  To keep them from coming back."

"No wonder the Kitsune like you," one of the younger sons noted.

Xander grinned at him.  "Partially, that and what I'm able to do on my own.  It is the reason why I'm so strong.  I had to survive and it forged me stronger than any sword ever made."

The elder nodded.  "Understandable.  Only a strong person would survive.  If you can, there is one who is torturing the countryside, eating sheep."

"What's it look like?" Xander asked, starting to frown.  "Not many prefer sheep."

"About three feet tall and about as wide," the younger son told her.  "It's purplish and it hates sunlight."

"Hmm.  That could be two things.  One of them hates music.  The other hates humans, it eats sheep to try and drive the humans into leaving.  Both are killed with judicious use of fire or silver in delicate areas, namely the crotch.  The first also can be killed or driven off by discordant enough music.  I know Greece had a few problems in my time with those things.  Try the music first.  Also, try coating the wool with something pungent and slick, that way it can't get hold of it and you can smell them when they run."

"Thank you, Xander," the clan elder said, smiling at her.  "You picked this up from your capture?"

"No, I picked it up when they pushed it into my head as a punishment for not breaking fast enough," she admitted bitterly.  "Along with some other handy facts.  It's very handy when you go to fight them all the time."  She smiled and disappeared to the nearest portal she could feel open.  The demon was staring at her.  "Leave the Kitsune alone unless you have been invited."

"I mean them no harm," the demon said.  Xander growled and it fell at her feet, groveling.  "Please, consort!"

"Take me to your Lord and Master, I will speak with him or kill him."

"Yes, Consort."  It touched his foot and moved him to the Nether Court.  "Here you are, Consort.  May I leave?"

"Go."  The demon hurried out, not even looking at the demon on the throne.  "You yelled?" she asked bitterly.

"I do not know why you are what you are," the Dark Lord admitted.

"Then read my memories.  Without touching me otherwise."

"Thank you, Consort."  He came down, towering over her and put a very gentle hand on her head.  Then he flinched and backed away, looking horrified.  "I am sorry, Consort."

"Good.  Now, can you help me get back to my native time?"

"Not really.  Their magic is not ours."

"I knew that," she snapped.  "That wasn't the question."

"You dare talk so to him!" one of the courtiers said.

Xander took off her outer kimono, leaving the shift underneath.  The demons all screamed and ran off, all but the top one.  "No pain?"

"Much pain, Consort Alexander.  Please, rerobe."  She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.  "I mean you no harm, Consort.  No matter what I did to you then I mean you no harm now. Your child will one day destroy part of us and I would not change the balance to correct what happened to you."  He sat down and Xander put back on the kimono, but didn't hitch it.  "What would you have us do so you cannot unravel the present time's history?"

"I want to be sent home.  It's really pretty simple."

"Our magic is not theirs, but there is some similarity.  Tell me, in your time did we have an envoy to their Court?"

Xander nodded.  "An Incubus."

"One which would not be able to hurt them, but is quite good at passing on messages and self-protection," the Dark Lord agreed.  "I will send an emissary to them.  Until then, may we find you a place to rest?  I know that your condition is not comfortable at times."  Xander shook her head.  "Surely you do not want to go back to the human realm."

"Yes, I do, I don't trust you or your kind."

"I know you do not, but I will not touch you.  I will make sure that none of my demons touch you.  Or you could stay with them?"

"If they would allow it.  I doubt the clan would allow me back after you sent your messenger."

"I doubt that would come to pass, but it is best if you're not there.  There is a battle tonight."

"I am trained."

"I know, but you are also pregnant."

"They are my clan as well, as Goemon is my teacher.  They are my duty and my privilege to protect."

"Then we will send you back for that," he agreed, waving a hand and opening a portal.  "Change, Consort, it will be easier."

"Weapons?"

"You wish a boon?"

"I can go kill some of them and use them."  The Dark Lord looked stunned so Xander changed clothes then summoned some fighting leathers to him from the wardrobe closet the Incubi kept.  He put on the boots and walked through, heading through the woods at a quiet run.  He came upon the raiding party and grimaced.  "I know you," he whispered.  He heard a branch creak behind him and turned, hitting the guy he didn't know and killing him quickly by snapping his neck.  Then he lifted off the bow and arrows, plus all the other weapons.  Except the ninja stars, he didn't know enough about those to not hurt himself or someone who wasn't his target.  Then he notched an arrow and let one fly at the raiders, making him shriek and die.  The others jumped up, swords and bows in hand, looking around for their attacker.  "This is not an allowable action," he called in Japanese.  "It is not honorable nor will it be tolerated."  Some people rushed for his position so he climbed a tree quickly, getting them from above, and a few more in the camp.  Then he casually jumped down, staring down their leader.  "You try the Clan Goemon, you try me.  I am quite happy to kill you all for their honor."

"You are gaijin," he laughed.

"I am?  Are you sure?"  He put the bow onto his back and pulled the sword.  "Then test me."  He bowed and the man lunged, letting Xander do what he did best, dance to the side and hit him as he ran past.  "Sorry, I'm not a wall-to-your-back fighter."  He attacked, destroying him to ease the rage inside him.  It was a good release.  The others screamed and scattered so Xander looked at the newcomers, then waved.  He went to find another target, taking on a warrior wearing their device that had been at the clan's compound earlier.  "Are you one of them?"  He fell to his knees, begging and pleading for mercy.  "That is for the elder to decide," he announced, knocking him out.

"Who are you!" one of the warriors demanded.  "Foul demon!"  He raised his sword but Xander turned and glared at him.  "Xander!"  He backed off and bowed.  "Is this what they caused in you?"

"That too," he admitted, brushing back his silver hair.  "Elder, I believe he may have been passing information."  He looked but the idiot was moving.  Xander flipped a knife, burying it in his ankle.  "I told you not to move!"  The man cried out and cowered.  "Good!"  He turned back around, nodding at the woods.  "There's more out there.   They summoned things.  Go back to the compound, guard the women."  They ran off that way.  Xander started the spell to banish the demonic, finishing it and wavering for a moment before taking off as well.  He lunged into the middle of the battle with a yell that would make Goemon start in fright and started to hack at anything nearly resembling a human.

"Hold!" the elder yelled.  They surrounded Xander.  "Calm, Xander."

Xander dropped the sword, then pulled his bow, drawing to hit the being in the house.  It screamed and the woman it had been trying to eat screamed as well.  "I didn't get her."  The elder went running.  Xander walked over and sat on a stump, holding his stomach.  "Changing gender is not fun," he instructed.

"You can?" one of the women asked timidly.  Xander looked up and nodded.  "The baby is still in there?"  He nodded, letting her pat his stomach.  "How do you do that?"

"A very strong spell, it was a gift in reparation for what happened to me."  He stood with her help.  "The Grandmother?"

"It was stripping her of her magic," the elder said from the house.  "Can you help her?"

"I can try," Xander admitted, heading that way.  He looked at the elder as they met in the doorway.  "You know I didn't bring this, right?"  He nodded, getting out of the way.  "Grandmother.  Let me look you over," he said gently, kneeling beside her.  He brushed her hair back and ran a gentle hand over her forehead.  "The damage is extensive but let us see what we can do."

"No," she said weakly.  "I will not be healed this time."

"Grandmother!" the elder shouted.  "You must let him!"

"I will not!" she shouted back.  "It is my time!  My husband awaits me!"  She grabbed Xander, locking eyes with him and putting a bloody hand on his stomach.  "What is mine is now hers.  Guard her, guardian, she is the Light."  Then she passed out.

Xander worked to stem the flow of blood from the wound in her stomach but it wasn't stopping.  "Elder, do I follow her orders or yours?" he demanded.

"Hers," he said bitterly.  "She was always aware of such things."  He walked over and helped Xander up, watching together as the old woman gasped and died with a smile on her face.  "We will bury her with full honors."

"I'll do whatever I can to help," Xander agreed, lifting his chin.  "Including change back."

"It does not matter to us, Xander.  Now that the rest of us know, we do not mind."  One of the women grabbed Xander and put him behind her.  "Are you mad?"

"I am protecting her!  She bears the next Grandmother!"

"Yes, sweetheart, for my time," he soothed, giving her a hug.  "So the Light can live on in my time."  She relaxed under his gentle voice.  "Now, you go rest.  We will be very busy tomorrow with the funeral."  She nodded, wandering off and lying down.  Xander shrugged.  "It works with my kids too."  The elder burst out laughing and Xander gave him a careful hug.  "It's all right.  She outlived nearly everyone in the country she was born with."  The elder nodded and walked him out.  "I couldn't help her," he announced.  "Jin, your wife is asleep.  I talked to her like I would my daughters and she fell asleep."  He nodded, walking inside to check on her.  Xander looked around the woods.  "There are still others out there.  I'll be back in a while."

"We can fight!" one of the warriors said.

"Against things like earlier?" Xander countered.  "Can you find the one inch of their skin that makes them vulnerable without dying?  The Clan needs you more now than it did before.  Others may be coming to take advantage of the weakness they think the other caused.  You're staying!"  He grabbed his sword and bow, taking more arrows off a few dead bodies.  Then he jogged out into the woods, going to fix this before something worse happened.  How dare someone send demons against his clan!

The elder looked around.  "Grandmother pronounced him a guardian, though a strange one.  We will support him until he comes back.  That was the Lady Xander's other form."

"Even the Light must hire assassins to take out the worst of the dark," one daughter noted calmly.  "So has my Watcher told me."

He nodded.  "Exactly.  I would have his training looked at when he comes back.  Even though he is pregnant, there is much we can work on with him.  Our clansman trained him oddly and while I understand why, I wish him to have the purer form of the art he has chosen as his main one."  They all nodded, moving to clean up the bodies.  "Bury them in a single grave, mark their clan marking on it and send a letter with their badges and any good armor back.  Let it be known that none come near us."

The warriors cheered and the women proceeded to loot the bodies for anything useful.

***

The Kitsune Lord looked bemused.  "I had wondered why we had an envoy from Hell in the form of an incubus," he said, making Lupin give him a funny look.   "It is an anomaly.  We do not allow most demons into our court, yet we do allow an envoy into the court and allow him great access to our people.  I even listen to the present one because he has some good ideas and knows people and their ways."   He waved a paw.  "It is not the norm for other Spirit Courts to allow regular demons."

"Why is he there?" Goemon asked.

"Xander told the Dark Lord that in our time we had one, he saw that it was a good idea, and then he sent one to help with the magical problem of Xander's.  He told us all that by the way."  He looked over as the door opened, waving his tails in greeting.  "Evening, human."  He looked at Lupin again.  "Xander is so far fine."

"Thank you.  You still can't leave."

"Xander?" the man said, staring at the Kitsune.  "You're a fox?   A walking, talking, multi-tailed fox?"

"I'm a Kitsune, the head of my people," he said stiffly.  "I am no more a mortal fox than you are a mortal aardvark."  He looked at Goemon again.  "We were also told that Xander helped defeat an attack on the clan but the Grandmother died during it.  He is presently with a Watcher."  He flicked his gaze at Jigen, then smirked.  "It is quite odd how families sometimes intertwine for generations."

"Kitsune are myths," the man said, looking confused.  "Are you one of those people who dresses up for fandom stuff?  I know Lavelle's like that.  Are you a buddy of his!" he demanded.

The Kitsune walked over to him and grinned, showing his teeth. "Do I look like a mere mortal in a costume, dumbass?"  The man instantly got a hurt look on his face.  "There is more to this world than you can appreciate.  Currently, we favor Lavelle and Sylvia as envoys to our kind from your kind of thief.  In the future, one of Jigen's daughters will be our envoy to your kind.  If you cannot accept this, then why do you want to rule over a people who know of us and treat us with respect?"

He reached up and slowly pulled on an ear.  "Oh damn," he whispered, turning and running away.  "There's a demon down there!  They're friends with Lupin!"

Lupin groaned and covered his face with a hand as he shook his head.  "Okay."  He looked around, then smirked.  "You can't get out yet!  I know how to get up there now!  I'll send Jigen!"

The Kitsune Lord came back with a present. "I was only retrieving Xander's birthday present," he defended.  "Please don't send Jigen.  He didn't like his last trip into our realm."  More men ran in and he waved, grinning at them.  "Hi," he said in his best American accent.  "How are you?"  They all gaped and a few whimpered.  "Thought he was kidding?   We *adore* Lupin and his gang, but especially like Lavelle and Sylvia.  Her daughter will one day serve as an envoy to us."

"They met through Goemon," Jigen said helpfully.

The people stared at Goemon, who grimaced as he fed his son.  "I am feeling unreasonable at the moment since my son will not sleep."  They backed out, heading back to call the others and talk about this.

"Hopefully they don't think that's how we do everything spectacular," Lupin said faintly, looking at Jigen.  Jigen snorted and shook his head.  "Good."

An older man walked in and looked at the kitsune, then at Lupin.  "Envoy?"

"To their Court," Goemon told him.  "Sylvia and Lavelle act as such until Sarah is old enough."

"You don't run things."

"No, but we know enough to keep the two worlds separate most of the time," Lupin admitted.  "Sylvia's up helping them with something right now.  A kit that's having a problem."

"Oh."  He nodded.  "We should name you the head."

"Do it and watch everyone die," Jigen warned.

The old man laughed.  "I'm sure it wouldn't have to come to that, Jigen.  Calm down.  We'd let you play second to him.  It would afford you a lot of protection for the kids."

"We let Lavelle handle anyone who touches the children," Goemon said gently without looking up.  The old man shuddered.  "Exactly."  He did look up.  "Is there any word on what I called you about?"

"Not a thing, Goemon.   They swear up and down that it was she who died.  The only identification they had was from Marcus, who was cutting your new son out at the time.  They went with that."  He shrugged.  "I'll do some more checking but you never told me why you wanted to know."

"Her casket was empty," Jigen said quietly.  "If she's misburied we want to move her to her proper spot for him and the kids."

The old man nodded.  "Then I'll keep looking.  It's possible that it was simply that.  They gave you any casket to dig up.  I am sorry she died, Goemon."

"Me as well," he agreed quietly.  "Thank you for your help."

"Hey, this is the sort of thing I don't even need a favor for," he admitted.  "This is something that's wrong. You don't mess with someone's dead."  He nodded at the fox spirit.  "Dolune would have loved this, Lupin."

"I only met them through Lavelle," Lupin said dryly.  "All his fault."

The Kitsune nodded.  "I only met him because I was after a treasure in a house where he was rescuing a kidnaped daughter."

"Another thing we have to inadvertently thank Fujiko for," Jigen admitted.  Everyone nodded.  "How was dinner?"

"Decent enough.  Most everyone growled at each other, sticking to safe topics such as monetary markets, fantastic crimes, and whether or not this was all a big trap."

"If it was, we would have taken you out when you walked in the front door," Jigen pointed out.

"Which is what I told them.  Most of them listened.  Some of them think Lavelle's going for something exotic and he'll be popping up soon."

"Not for a bit," Lupin admitted.  "Not for a very long time."  The old man nodded and left them alone.  "I want him back," he told the Kitsune.  "I miss my pregnant one."

"We are going as fast as we can.  I promise, it all happened back then and nothing I do now  can make that speed up."

"Fine, as long as someone's working on getting him back," Jigen agreed. "I'd hate to see him after so long without us."

"We'd never walk right again," Lupin agreed.

Jigen looked at him.  "I was thinking more the miserable part than the sex part but you're right."

Lupin grinned. "I often am."

"Unless there's a woman involved," Goemon said, having the last word.  At least until his son belched and cooed.

***

Xander walked through the twilight, enjoying the crisp air.  This is why she loved going to Goemon's house.  No smog.  No pollution.  No noisy beasts, cars, or neighbors.  She saw a cabin ahead with a plume of smoke and a light in the window and snuck closer, finding a man lounging in the doorway waiting on him.  "Mystic, how may I address you?" he asked politely in Japanese.

"You may address me as Mystic, none else have I been called in years," he admitted, looking the boy over.  "You are not natural?"

"I am very natural, it's the result of higher magics."  He crossed his arms.  "I am searching for more warriors against the Clan Goemon.  Have you seen any?"

"There are a few in the valley, but they are Watchers."  He stood up, moving closer.  "I do not know of you, yet you are familiar."

Xander drew in a breath.  That nose and those eyes.  "I know you."

"It is not often that such connections occur.  Where do you know me from?"

"From my time.  There is one, he looks just like you.  As my children do."  He smirked and he knew he had seen that look before.  "Great one, I am known as Alexander."

"Welcome, Alexander.  A warrior?"

"A guardian tainted against his will."

"A guardian was where you should have stopped."  He reached over slowly and put a hand on Xander's stomach.  "She will be fine but you will have a while before you make it home.  Tell your mate that I said she was fine and to make her the guardian you should have been trained as."

"I have every intention of it if I'm around," he agreed calmly.  "If I'm not, then Goemon will."

"Excellent.  Sometimes the light is in need of harsher methods to scourge the dark.  Would you dine with me?"

"I don't want to rob you of food."

"I'm sure you're not.  Come, eat.  You must be starving.  The child feels hungry."

"The child is rather cranky about all such things," Xander agreed, following him into the cabin.  "The Watchers, are they those who watch or those who train?"

"Those who do both, they come for a girl of the clan."  Xander grimaced. "If you interrupt the time flow, it can back up and change streams."

"I know but I hate the Watchers."

"I'm sure you have your reasons.  She will stay local until she dies an honorable death."  He brought over two wooden bowls and a small pan of food.  "Here, eat, guardian.  You must keep your strength up.  You may rest here tonight as well.  The Clan will need time to get used to this new you."

"I'd rather I went back and was the other me.  It was easier."

"A woman's life is not easier than a man's."

"No, but I can handle their chores and the pregnancy goes better in that form.  In this one I simply look fat."  The mystic laughed, shaking his head. "How did you come here?"

"I came from the continent.  I was brought here by a dream, and then I shall move on again.  I do not know why I was sent, only that the Powers said it must be so because of the darkness that gathers in this valley."

"Some of it isn't demonic."

"No, some of it is the clan war that is going to happen soon.  Some of it will be the handover of power when the Emperor dies.  Some of it will also be the problem that you represent.  The Kitsune will start to solve it and they can find you here.  It may take a few extra years back in your own time to fix things, but you are up to the challenge."

Xander nodded.  "Thank you, wise one.  How may I repay the meal?"

"If you could find a meat beast, I'd be most pleased," he admitted.  "Or if you could teach me why my aim sucks."

Xander beamed.  "As I have recently with my own children."

"If you would not mind."

"I would not mind.  I would feel honored."  He nodded and took out a few pieces of food to nibble on.  "Please, I don't want to take your dinner."

"You are not.  I ate earlier.  I made that for whichever guardian came this way."

"There is more than one?"

"There is you, the girl, and one of the boys.  He shares the same gifts as the Grandmother and I do."

"She died."

"I felt.  It was her time, it was not painful to her."  He patted Xander on the hand.  "Eat, before I feel the need to scowl."  Xander dug in, eating quickly.  "Good boy.  Then you must rest for a bit. You must be tired."  Xander shrugged.  "You aren't?"

"I've felt worse."

"I'm sure but the baby needs rest."

"The baby needs many things, rest is only one of them.  The other would be to develop again."

"It will happen soon, Xander.  I vow it will.  The Dark One has said so as well.  Apparently you scare him."

"I scare many people," Xander said dryly between bites.  He belched and finished up the food.  "I thank you.  I'll look for a food beast for you tomorrow."

"That would be fine. There is no hurry."  Xander nodded and yawned.  "Take the pallet in front of the fire."  Xander got up and padded over there, laying down around his sword.  "So easily ordered.  My line in his life must be quite strong."  He cleaned up the dishes and sat down to watch the boy sleep.  He was important.  His dreams had shown him that much.  He looked over as the girl walked in and nodded her inside.  "He is resting."

"Good.  Does he hate me for what I am?"

"He hates the trainers you have now for what they are," he corrected.  "We have apparently been very bad to him in his life."  He patted her on the hand. "Learn all you can from him, Mai.  He is quite smart and knows how to defeat many things, including his own nature."  She nodded, sitting down to listen to him tell her about other creatures.

***

Xander was gotten by his friend a few days later from the clan compound.  He had even waited while they held the funeral then gently tapped Xander on the arm.  "Hi," he said weakly.  "Time?"

"It is," he agreed, nodding at the clan elder.  "Thank you, you have done wonderfully guarding this most precious burden for us."  He took Xander back to the house, letting her gather up the things she wasn't leaving here, then took her back to the court, where he settled her into a room and got her someone to help her bathe.  Humans could be dirty sometimes and his father would be sensitive to that.   Once Xander was cleaned, coiffed, and ready, he led the way to the audience chamber.  "Our Mage has got it reconfigured finally," he shared.  He bowed to his father.  "I'm sorry, she was in the middle of a funeral."

"I understand," the Lord said, smiling at Xander.  "We can get you partially back."

"How partially?"

"Within a few years," the incubus told him.  "None of us together can do the whole thing.  We'll get you as far as we can, and then hopefully your friend there can help you in that time?"  He looked at the young Kitsune, who nodded.  "That's fine then.  Thank you.  Come, Consort, we'll need to do the same thing over and have found a young one who is nearly ready for his First Magic."  He led the way to the garden but Xander walked past, heading for another one.  "This way, Lady Xander.  That one...."  He paused.  "It happened there?"  She nodded.  "Then we should move it.  Gather everything.  I'll escort her."  She gave him a wary look.  "I would not hurt you, Lady Xander.  I would never hurt you even if I could."  She nodded, letting him escort her.  The things were quickly set up and they watched while the kit did his first spell, then they got together to add some power to the reconfigured device before handing it to her.  "The blue button if you wouldn't mind."

Xander closed her eyes and pushed the button.  She found herself in Paris and looked around at the night sky.  "Well, I'm closer," she decided, heading to find a newspaper stand or machine to find out the date.  His future plans would need him to do some things depending on how close he was to being in this time.  He found out it was the same year he had gotten pregnant with the twins and his mind quickly supplied a plan.  "Murami."  He checked his wallet, his cash was applicable now.  He hailed a cab and took it to her office downtown, tipping the cabbie a bit.  Then he got out and headed upstairs.  She always worked late and it wasn't much past dark.   He knocked his usual knock then walked in, making her gasp and reach for her gun.  "Whoa!" he shouted, holding up a hand as he changed his image to who he usually was.  "It's me, Murami.  We've got to talk."

"What's wrong?  You're on a train."

Xander relaxed.  "Good, then I'm not creating a paradox."

"Paradox?"  Her gun dropped from her fingers.  "You're pregnant!"  Xander closed the door and walked in, moving to stand in front of her.  She hesitantly reached out to touch her stomach, then withdrew when the baby shifted.  "Holy God, Xander.  What is going on?"

Xander pulled out his wallet and handed over his most recent license, the one he had gotten not even six months earlier.  "I'm not supposed to be here.  It was a mistake in a spell.  Not cast by me, but still.  I just had another delightful interlude in Imperial Japan."  He sat down, stretching out.  "I ache, Murami."

"Want a soda?"

"You are a goddess," he pleaded.  "Thank you."

She nodded, getting it for him.  Then she sat down to look over the license.  She slowly looked up at him.  "Two-thousand-five?"  He nodded, popping open the can.  "That can't be.  It's not even two-thousand-three yet."

"As I said, I'm not supposed to be here."  He sat the can on his leg, holding it steady with one shaking hand.  "How much do you know about what Marcus and I specialize in?"

"I heard about the slayage stuff, though I don't believe it.  Frankly it's too fantastic."  Xander nodded.  "Is this about that?"  He nodded again.  "Something got you during a fight?"

"No, a friend's kid's first spell ceremony went wrong due to his mentor.  So I went far back in time and they could only get me this close to home.  The baby won't develop until I'm running forward again.  I won't age until then, but that leaves a few problems.  Ones named Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, and Fujiko."

"Oh," she said flatly, handing back his license.  "This isn't a practical joke?"  He shook his head.  "Are you sure?"

"Murami, I'm on a train here, you said so yourself.  In three days I'm going to escape with Jigen outside of Vienna when we switch tracks.  I'm going to head to the house I just recently bought to go back to repairing it.  Lupin's going to be told he can't impregnate his mothers because they're having their periods so he's going to follow me because I just pulled a spectacular diamond job in Russia.  He's going to find me sleeping on the lawn.  He's later going to find out that I'm pregnant with twins, thus getting Fihad brought back to life."

"Oh, hell," she whispered, eyes wide.  "Do I look like an anime character?"  He grinned and nodded.  "Not a joke?"

"Not a joke.  I wish it was a joke.  I'd love to say it was a joke.  I'd really love to be curled up with Goemon rubbing my back because this little girl is heavy and he does it the best.  But I can't and now I need to make some plans with you since I can't really pull jobs right now."

She calmed herself and nodded. "I understand, Xander.  I don't think you should pull a job. Being in two places at once will only start some odder rumors than normal.  What do you want to do?"

"I just thought of something earlier today when I was making possible plans during the funeral's crying portion.  I own a building in Geneva."  She grimaced.  "Besides the house."

"You don't."

"I do in my time."

"Oh."  Her eyes lit up.  "Oh!"  He nodded.  "Where?"  He leaned forward, putting his soda on a coaster to write out the address.  "That's a wreck."

"Yeah, but if I'm staying here until I hit the place I left, then I have time to deal with it.  It'll let me wear out some frustration too."

"Okay.   Let me think."  Murami got comfortable and thought it over.  "That would keep you out of sight, mostly.  I'm supposing you know when you were in town and you can always hide yourself easily with that choker.  Since you said the baby won't be going forward until you are, then you won't have to worry about a delivery problem.  We'll have to arrange for contractors."

"I am a contractor, Murami."

"Good point.  So we'll have to get supplies.   Plus some furniture and things.  That may take a few months."  She looked at him.  "I remember the building."

"So do I.  Now I know why it struck such a chord in me too," he said dryly, sipping his soda.  "I haven't had this in nearly three weeks," he told her.  She shuddered.  "Oh, don't worry, there's been a few good fights back then.  I was with Goemon's clan yet again."

"Again?"

"Again," he agreed with a small smirk. "The other was a problem with Fujiko and a wish."  She shuddered.  "My feelings at the time.  At least Goemon went back with me that time.  This time I got to go all by myself."

"Poor baby.  What do we need to do right now, Xander?"

"I need a room, I need some clothes.  I need that building and I'll need a lot of stuff because I remember building it suddenly."  He grimaced.  "I hate those suddenly appearing memories."  He shook his head and wrote out a list for her.  "Here you go.  I'll need that."  He pushed it over and handed the pen over too.  "I know I have an overflow account that I never touch.  I usually use it to pay for any sudden shopping trips and I don't pay that much attention to my balance sheets.  Which I will be curing myself of in the future by the way.  Just so I know when things like this will be happening again."  She snorted, shaking her head.  "Seriously.  This makes two.  I honestly don't know if the Rule of Threes applies to such situations so I'm being cautious."  She nodded.  "Can we use that account?"

"We can," she admitted. "I was going to have to siphon off some of the interest soon anyway to keep it under the payback maximum on the more open accounts."  He nodded, taking a longer drink.  "How can you stand drinking all that soda?"

"My body appreciates it," he said with a one-sided shrug.  "I like my body and it likes it so I don't argue with my body most of the time.  Besides, the baby likes it too."  He grinned. "It's a girl this time.  The twins are Jigen's and they're both girls.  Talk me out of Amanda.  You did it the last time."

"What are their names?"

"Savannah and Melissa.  Savannah has silver hair."

"Okay, I'll remember that," she agreed, nodding slowly.  "Just that?"

"If I can stay out of the way and I can find some magic books then I might be able to figure out how to get back by myself. The Kitsune have a definite range of ability and I have a range of my own, only I usually only study battle spells and the like."

"I don't need to know.  I'll authorize that account.  I've got your spare ATM card, I don't know why but a thought came to me that I needed it."

"It's always a wise idea to keep an extra one with the way I travel sometimes," he said bitterly.  "I'm still sorry about that whole cruise ship fiasco."

"Not an issue, Xander.  I was happy to help you then."  She got up and he carefully looked away while she opened her safe.  She brought out a small envelope and a bank envelope.  "You recently gave this to me to hold.  Should I?"

He looked at it, then frowned. "I didn't."

"You did."

"Um, no, I didn't," he admitted, looking at her.  Then he grinned. "I told you the Rule of Threes applied."  She handed it over with a hand wave.  "Thanks, Murami.  How long should it take to buy the building?"

"To buy the building, get the permits, and all that stuff? Maybe a month?"

"Okay, then I'm going to find a modest hotel and lounge around for a month. I'll be looking in the local magic shops for new books while I'm here in town.  I'll give you a phone number tomorrow.  Is this card only to that account?"  She nodded.  "Okay.  The PIN is 1325, right?"  She nodded.  "Thought I hadn't changed it in years."  He stood up with a grunt and a pat to his stomach.  "I and the stomach of doom are going to, probably, the Radisson.  We'll call on you tomorrow afternoon, a phone call. I don't expect to be up before then."  She nodded, walking over to give him a hug.  He noticed she searched his back for straps. "It's real."  He lifted his vest, letting her see his full stomach.  "See?"

She nodded, patting it.  "Thank you, Xander, for not trying to do this behind my back."

"I'd never do that, Murami," he admitted with a grin.  "We love you.  Did you know that the future Fourth calls you Auntie Money Lady?"  She laughed.  Then her eyes went wide.  "Yes, there is a Fourth and she's one kick ass kender."  He winked. "Don't tell Lupin that, he'll have to figure that out for himself."

"Xander, can you tell me anything?"

"You're still living in my time.  You've watched over us all and lived through the small tragedy and the large one we've recently had.  The timing on this sucks, Fujiko just died in Russia about a month ago."  She slumped a bit.  "It was a quick sniper shot while she was pregnant with the third baby.  He's adorable by the way.  Goemon's besotted and he's pouring all his energy into the kids while we pillow around him to make sure he doesn't roll off the edge of the table of grief."  He shrugged.  "It happens in our life, Murami."

"I know," she said softly.  "Thank you, Xander.  I'll be waiting to hear from both of you."

"Don't expect the me from here until we leave the train outside of Vienna.   Oh, Pops is going to be married soon.  Start looking for a tasteful present to suggest to Lupin instead of his big bottle of viagra."  She snickered, shaking his head, and he hugged her again before leaving.  He headed for the Radisson, knowing it had comfy rooms.  On the way he stopped to change his appearance back to Melody and then he visited two ATM's to get some fresh cash.  He found an open shop and walked in to get some clothes, weathering the many pats to the stomach.  By the time he checked in, he had everything but dinner and there was a McDonald's attached to it.  He walked up to the front desk.  "Is there a room open?" she asked in a honeyed accent.  The desk girl smiled and nodded.  "I'm in town on business and I'll need to be in one for at least a few weeks, maybe longer.  I don't need a suite, but something nice and with enough room to pace would be great."

"We have a businessman's room," she offered. "It's got a bigger desk."

"That would be fine.  Thank you."  She put down her card and the woman checked her in.  Once she had her card, she went to the restaurant to get dinner, then went up to rest.  It was time for a nap.

***

The Kitsune Lord showed up about six weeks before Xander was about to begin moving forward again.  "I know it's been a long time," he defended at the opening mouth.  "You know how magic runs though."

"I do.  I was hoping I wouldn't have to keep going this way.  I was also hoping to see you last year."

"I know, and I wish I could have done that, Xander."  He smiled and held out a hand.  "Ready?"

"Hell yes.  Should I leave the clothes?"

"Bring them."  Xander packed quickly and they popped forward to the correct time.  Xander sank to her knees with a groan of pain, holding her stomach.  "Give it a moment," he soothed, squatting down to pat her on the back.  "You'll be fine soon.  She's fine, I can read her energy signatures."  Goemon came out to the study to look in on them.  "She's fine.  She's readjusting."

"It's just after midnight," Goemon offered, coming in to pick her up. "Follow."  He carried her into the main bedroom, making her men scramble to get the bed ready for her.  "She's in some pain."

"It's nothing," the Kitsune said.  "The baby's shifting and kicking hard because it's growing again.  She got out of the habit and now she's getting used to it again."  He put down the bag.  "Xander, will there be another?"

Xander looked over and nodded.  "To go back and make some things ready for me, like giving Murami some cash for me and things."

"That's fine, we'll work on that together," he promised.  He bowed to Lupin.  "Am I done?"

"Thank you," Jigen said, giving him a short head fur ruffle.  "You brought her back to us."

"I do adore Xander," he admitted. "She makes life interesting and we're all about that."  He smirked and disappeared with a twitch of his tails.  He collapsed onto his bed, letting his favorite mates comfort him.

"Why did he only have four tails?" Goemon asked.

"I'm supposing he came forward since magic was stronger last century," Jigen said with a shrug.  "I'm not worried about it, Goemon.  She's back, that's all I care about."  Xander let out a tremendous belch.  "Lupin, food."

"Going," he agreed, heading for their kitchen.  He found Bix cooking.  "For Xander?"  She nodded, handing over the first pan.  "How did you know?"

"You've been talking about it all day and the cusp of the new day would be safest," she pointed out.  "That way there would be no interference or chances of misjumping.  It was logical knowing my former master."  She smiled at him.  "We'll check the baby tomorrow before the meetings."

"Sure."  He carried in the food, letting Xander pig out while they checked her over. He didn't even care when a very warm green pepper hit his bare back.  He wanted to taste her, make sure she was all right.  He licked her stomach and her taste exploded across his tongue, making him moan in delight.  "Xander."

"Still," she quipped, eating faster.  Then she hugged Goemon.  "You okay?"

"I'm fine, Xander.  I'll leave you three alone to comfort each other."  He padded out, sitting in the living room again.  "What is a Xanth, Bix?"

"An alternate world where magic works and everything is a pun."  In the bedroom Jigen moaned loudly and she grinned at him. "Sounds like it's back to normal."  She came out to sit with him.  "Is she all right?"  He nodded, giving her a short sideways look.  "What?  Food on me?"  She checked herself.

"No, just wondering how much of this you knew."

"I wasn't there when you went back and I wasn't privy to information last century either," she pointed out.

He raised an eyebrow.  "How old are you?"

"Technically, I'm fifteen.  I'm also closer to three hundred."  She grinned.  "Time runs funny up there in case you hadn't noticed."

He leaned closer.  "Do not tell Lupin that.  He will throw a fit," he said quietly.  Then he patted her on the knee and went to his bed, taking the book with him.  It sounded interesting enough.   Ten years ago he would have tossed it aside as trash, but he had learned so much more since then so he now knew that it was possible.

Bix leaned back, getting comfortable on the couch.  Marcus appeared, staring down at her.  "What?"

"Who are you really?" he asked, looking her over.

"None of your business, Marcus.  Take a nap."

"I'm not tired."

"Be that as it may, it's after midnight and it's going to be a long day.  Take a nap."  He grimaced but did settle down.  He recognized the sound of authority when he heard it.   She brushed her hair back.  "Thank you."

"Don't worry, Bixana.  I will not tell him," he said with a smug smirk at the ceiling.

She stood up to look down at him.  "Do try, he won't believe you," she pointed out.  "Now quit before I kick your ass."  She sat down with a sigh and picked up the nearest magical book to read through.  It was quite interesting, she had never really studied void magic.

Too Late

Notes: Will Start out before Epi in part 23, but then will cover up to that point and end afterwards.

Xander looked around the table, grimacing in distaste at the looks he was getting.  Since he was in female form still, he suspected some of them didn't understand that women were the tougher species, but then again....  "Does anyone have anything they *have* to say about my furry friend?  If so, say it now or forever hold your peace.  And I do mean that."  No one said anything.  "Good.  Any other odd ideas coming from that?"

"Since you're acting as the envoy, aren't you serving their interests?" one woman asked.

Xander looked at her.  "Melnorma, if I was serving their interests would we be having this meeting?  I mostly explain you guys to them.  Like any good diplomat, I smooth over things that some idiots have done and make them mostly leave you guys alone."

"They help you," she pointed out.

"Well, not really," she admitted with a frown of concentration.  "It's very rare that we go do anything *together*.  We're more social friends than partners or anything.  I like the guy, but he can teleport and that's not exactly my best talent," he said dryly.  She chuckled.  "Besides, it's more of an acknowledgment that I'm good.  They respect me because I'm good and I protect them in return.  From what I understand, I'm the first envoy since Don Dolune sent someone."  That got some impressed looks.  "I do not know who that was or I'd refer you to them."

"Fine," she said, waving a hand.  "Then I have no objections."

"Anyone else?"

"Why don't we just name you in charge?" one really young guy asked.  He was obviously taking style tips from Lavelle and attitude tips from Lupin.  "Since you seem to be a lynchpin in the European syndicates, it would make sense."

"Paperwork, ewww," she said, scowling at him.  "Naughty!"  She balled up a piece of paper and threw it at his head.  "Bad doggy!"

He smirked.  "If you say so.  You'd do it very well."

"Then I'd have to play more politics.  I hate politics and I hate covering for people.  Besides, it would take me away from my kids.   I like my kids and they're being home schooled.  Lupin said this would be his version of hell as well so drop it."

"Fine," the young guy said smugly.  "You run a family in your own right."

"Which is why I'm doing this.  Lavelle will be taking over for me sometime later. Lupin's doing some of them, Jigen's doing some of them, and we're all being very respectful of Goemon or else.  Do we catch my meaning here?"  Everyone looked stunned.  "He just lost his wife, people.  The first person I hear picking on him, like the one I nearly caught last night, will be losing body parts.   Goemon did teach me as well.  Do we have a clear understanding?"  Everyone nodded. "Good.  That is the only rule I'm making besides we can keep it polite, even icy yet polite, but the first cranky person means I get to have a mood swing too."  She leaned back, patting her stomach.  "Now that that's out of the way, let's get to the real business here.  We all work for someone else.  We all also do some freelance work.  We know most of the people who Lupin is meeting with in the other room.   That means we all have an idea of who should run it.  I'd like at the most three good suggestions out of the sixteen we have to pass on to him."

"By talking them up or down, then the others would know the new people's weaknesses as well," Melnorma pointed out.

"That's because I understand that we have to be able to trust our bosses to some degree," Xander explained.  "If I didn't trust Jigen to have my back instead of trying to shoot me in the back, I wouldn't be the shooter I am.  The same with Lupin.  I know you've had some problematic run-ins with a few of the men because you're female."   She nodded.  "Things like that need to be known about so we all understand every fault of the person who's coming in.  I don't want this to turn into open warfare and I certainly don't want someone in the office who's going to kill us all after a job."

She nodded.  "Reasonable.  Then I'm nominating Lupin."

"He won't take it," Jigen noted as he walked in.  "Mine's done."  He handed over a piece of paper.  "The seconds wanted these two."

She looked at the names.  "Nobi?  Out of Vienna?"  He nodded.  "And the other is Justina.  Interesting."

"She's fair, she's strong, and she has the ability to tie three of the largest factions together by marrying well," Jigen pointed out.  "It would create more peace and her kids would be better suited for it, especially her son Kyle."

"Kyle is one kick ass second for his mother's businesses," the young guy noted.  "Also, she appreciates the odder of us."

Melnorma looked down at him.  "She hates having other women in the business.  She sees us as competition."

"Yes, but she's not really actively hostile toward you," the young guy pointed out.  "She's definitely got a point, some of the females in the business aren't that stable, like her during her last pregnancy."  She nodded.  "Plus, to be fair, there's not that many female freelances and you'd mostly go through others for your sort of assignments instead of taking one directly from her."

"True, but she could influence it so we wouldn't get as many jobs."

"Then her husband would be of more importance.  Justina's a great businesswoman," Jigen pointed out.  "For the *Family* stuff she'd not be as good as her son, who's only sixteen.  His father would have been the ideal solution."  A few people shifted guiltily.  "I get it, guys, it's not an issue."  He lit a cigarette and someone snatched it and put it out. "There's ventilation."

"Tough.  Do that in your apartment not around me."

"Fine."  He put his hands in his pockets.  "My group came up with the suggestion of giving Brock a chance to be Kyle's new step-daddy.  If not him, then definitely Don Lugasa's second son, idiot though he is."

Melnorma thought about it, then nodded slowly.  "If you could get Brock to agree, it would suit all of us.  He is known to be rather hard though.  Very strict.  I'd almost wish that Gryphon would marry her."

"He's terminal, sweetheart," Jigen admitted.

"Shit, I hadn't heard," she said, scowling at the polished wood of the table.  "Fuck."  She shook her head.  "Okay.  I like Justina but she would need a settling influence and I don't like Brock.  Anyone else have a few suggestions?"

"What about Nobi?  I've only worked around him once," Xander asked.

The young guy shuddered. "I'd rather not go there.  If you guys are really bored, can you take him down next?"

"Just because he doesn't like the odder people in the life," Melnorma started.

"No, he loathes us.  He threatened Lupin earlier," Jigen told her.  "He threatened back with a mood swing.  The guy laughed so Lupin said you could kick his ass later, Syl."

"Thanks, Jigen," she said with a fond smile and a touch to his hand.  "I'll do that as soon as we're done."

"I still say you should do it," the young guy noted.  The others nodded.  "Or Lavelle."

"Taking away mine or Lupin's fun would make the rest of us cranky and we'd have to take it out on someone," Jigen said firmly, looking at the young guy.  "Besides, Lavelle hates paperwork.  He can't even remember how to balance his checkbook."

"There's seconds for that," Melnorma pointed out.  "Have Lupin run it, let Lavelle or Sylvia deal with the hitters.  Let you deal with us if they're indisposed.  Let Goemon deal with the tougher issues.  It's the perfect and best fit."

Xander looked at Jigen, who sighed and nodded, so he changed back.  "As some of you were aware, we are the same.  It's a boon from where I was taken hostage once."  He put his feet up on the table so his stomach would quit hurting.  "Sometimes it's easier."  Everyone gaped.  "Another good reason not to make it us."

"You pass very well," Melnorma noted.  She frowned at his stomach, then reached over to touch it.  "Holy shit, you're pregnant."

"Just a few days over six months."  He smirked at her.  "I had the twins and Fred and Sarah too by the way."  She withdrew her hand.  "There's a lot of strange shit in my past and it's a herald of that.  It won't be affecting the kids and it doesn't really affect me."  He looked at the rest of the table.  "Of course, the first one who pushes this around so I get picked on about it, I'm still letting myself mood swing on them.  My Sylvia side might cry after killing them horribly but the rest of me would only piss on them."  Everyone nodded, looking quite sincere.  "Anyway, we've got to give off a recommendation.  Any others?"

"I like Justina but we do need a more family oriented person that's not Brock," the young guy noted.  Everyone nodded, they liked that solution best.  "How about... Jigen?"  He smirked at him until another paperball hit him.  "Sorry, Syl...Lavelle."  He shook his head.  "Don't you get confused?"

"No, we call him by his real name at home," Jigen said dryly.  "He's only Sylvia or Lavelle on the job."  The door opened and Ishi walked in.  "What's wrong, little man?"

"I'm bored and I'm preventing myself from killing the girls," he said, crawling into Xander's lap.  "Can I stay?"

"For a bit," Xander offered, patting him on the back.  "For those who don't know, this is Goemon Ishikawa the Fourteenth."  Everyone waved weakly.  "Goemon's oldest is very good already."  He grinned and tickled him.  "What did the daughters do this time?"

"Arsene and Melissa are making stupid plans and I told them so," he pouted.  "It's not good and I don't want to help."

"So don't," Jigen offered.  "Tell us instead so we can stop them from creating hell on earth tonight."  Ishi leaned closer and grabbed his tie to pull him down and whisper in his ear. "How did they get that idea?"

Ishi shrugged.  "I don't know but I think Uncle Marcus did it."

"I'll talk with Uncle Marcus myself," Jigen said firmly.  "They'll stop or they'll be grounded to the apartment, no dinner out."  Ishi smiled at him.  "You can only go out if you've done all the chores your father set for you."  Ishi nodded. "Good."  He patted him on the head.  "As you can tell, the next generation is already taken care of."

"Well," Melnorma said, shaking her head and smiling at Ishi.  "Hello, young man.  I'm Melnorma."

He shook her hand.  "Hi, I'm usually called Ishi so we don't confuse me with Father.  Are you a hitter or a second?"

"A hitter," she admitted with a smile.  "You're quite polite but I'd expect nothing less from you.  Are you going to take your father's spot?"  He nodded.  "Excellent.  I hope to see you later in your training.  I'm taking over the academy."  Everyone looked impressed.  "It's my turn."  She smiled at him.  "Do you want to learn how to be an assassin?"  He nodded.  "Then I may see you during that part of your training."

"Thank you.  I look forward to it.  Auntie Sylvia does a lot of my training so far."  He got comfortable in the lap.  "Sissy said that Justina is having a bad week.  That she's going to get hurt, Uncle Jigen."

"Lotus say how?"  He shook his head.  "Then I'll talk with her.  Want to come with me?"

"No thank you."  He smiled as he snuggled in.  "He's comfortable and this time I can hog him without the girls complaining."

"You're not taking away from their attention," Xander soothed, stroking his back.  "You never need to worry about that, Ishi."  He nodded, shifting sideways.  "Sorry."

"That's okay.  The Syndicates started out as real families, it's good to see that some of us keep the old ways," an older man on the other side of the table noted.  "Is she going to die, young man?"  Ishi shook his head.  "Just be upset?"

"To Lotus, having a bad week can mean breaking a nail, losing her homework, or being attacked," Jigen admitted, leaving to talk to the girl.

Xander grinned at the old man. "I can tell you really want to suggest someone we haven't thought of."

"I had been going to suggest my own boss.  He's level, steady, and unfortunately married.  Justina would make a wonderful business partner for him or a second and her son could learn that way."

The young guy looked at him.  "He's not very flexible on the new ways.  I heard he can't stand hackers."

"He respects their jobs, not their flaky natures.  The same as he hates Lavelle and Lupin for theirs."

"So he's a serious businessman," Melnorma said, considering it.  "I've never done anything for him.  Is he any good?"

"He's good to his people.  He's fairly steady, he's fair.  He won't put up with shit and he loathes Lupin.  That's why he sent me instead."

"He does know that coming after us or the kids means we get to retaliate and have to do this again?" Xander suggested.  The old man nodded.  "I'm figuring that's why he only complains about us?"

"Often and loudly," he said with a grin. "He won't put up with anyone who's odder or who does odd things like your group is known to.  He's one of the most fair however.  He's hired Lupin in the past to fix something for him, just did it through intermediaries."

"Which is where Justina would fit wonderfully," the younger guy noted.  Everyone nodded, liking that idea.  "Would he be able to work with someone like Lupin the Fourth?"

"By the time she's old enough, he'll be retired and Kyle could be in charge," the older guy pointed out.

"Excellent idea," Xander admitted.  "I'm not sure if Kyle could stand little Arsene but I'm supposing he'll have to."  Everyone snickered.  "Like the tide, an irritated Lupin will always come back."  That got more laughter.  "By the way, those of you who are missing things, it was probably the girls.  Come up and ask the parents and we'll search their rooms.  Arsene and Melissa like to have contests on who can steal the most.  They stole a lot in Orlando."

"Why did you take off that way?" the young guy asked. "If it's not too personal."

"Lupin slipped up and I decided I was pissed so I took his cards, all the kids, and went to Orlando," he said with a smug look.  "He's since learned that lesson."  Everyone shuddered.  "Exactly."

"It was fun.  We had to talk Arsene out of stealing a dolphin," Ishi offered.

"Hmm.  Melissa wanted to steal a Donald costume.  There for a few hours she thought he was the real Donald Duck."  That got a few muffled laughs.  "They're only nearly seven."

"Good point," Melnorma agreed.  "You're doing very well with them.  How is their education being done?"  Lavelle wiggled his fingers.  "There's a wonderful set we use at the academy, I'll send you a few of them to look over."

"Thank you, that would be helpful.  I'm doing the best I can, but sometimes the kids stump me."

"As they should.  That's one of the functions of children."  Ishi gave her a look.  "All adults forget some things about being a child."

"The brain only holds so much," Xander agreed, patting Ishi on the back. "Sometimes things have to be forgotten for more important things, like watching your nephews being born."  Ishi gave him a confused look.  "I caught you, little man.  I watched you being born."

"You did?"  He nodded.  "Wow.  Was I gross?"  Xander nodded again.  "Ick."  He shuddered.  "No woman of mine will ever have children."

"You'll have to carry on the family name some day but that's not for a long time yet," Xander soothed, stroking his back.  Ishi gave him a disgusted look.  "It's not *that* bad, Ishi, trust me."

"I do, but you're always tired."

"That's because there wasn't any time between Fred and Sarah and this one.  Otherwise I'd be perfectly fine, like I was with them."

Ishi put hands on each side of his face, staring into his eyes.  "You were always napping with the twins too, Uncle Xan-Xan.  I'm never doing this to a woman."  Xander lunged forward and kissed him on the nose.  "Eww!"  He wiped it off and swatted at him.  "Grumpy."  He settled in, scowling at the table.  "Are we picking someone who'll like us when we start working?"

"We're trying very hard," the older man noted.  "I think my suggestion could do that and if he can't then the next generation, who is a bit older than you, would be able to fully."

"Any complaints?" Melnorma asked the silent members, who shook their heads.  "Then let's suggest that plan."  She took the paper Xander held out, writing it down.  "All in accordance?"  Everyone raised their hands.  "Then let's find the bars and have a drink.  I don't even want to know how those kids got out."

"I'm fully female as Sylvia," Xander noted. "The twins came out the hard way both times."

She whimpered.  "You insane thing," she said in awe.  "Two sets of twins and you're having another one?"

"This one wasn't planned, but then none of them have been to date.  It simply seems to happen sometimes when we're not real careful.  Then I get stuffed up and Lupin and Jigen try really hard to be sweet and nice about it.  The same thing happened with Lotus. That's why she's only nine months younger than Ishi here."

"Only nine months?" the young guy asked.  "I thought breastfeeding and recent birthing were hormonal methods of birth control."

Xander snickered.  "No, that's a myth.  Otherwise I wouldn't be pregnant.  I'm assuming many women each year say the same thing when they go in for their six-week postpartum checkup and find out they're pregnant."  He looked horrified.  "Also, there's a myth that periods tell you when your next cycle is, it's wrong, kid.  Take it from me.  Periods tell you when your *last* cycle was.  Always remember that."

"Condoms save on laundry too," the older guy said dryly.

"They certainly do," Xander agreed.  "And make very interesting presents when you're sending a message to someone when they wake up and find one next to their ear on their pillows."   Everyone shuddered.  "Hey, that's what I do a lot of.  I like giving the gift of odd messages."  He grinned at Ishi.  "I snuck in on him one night and gave him blue hair."

"Mother was not impressed," Ishi told him.

"I heard.  She yelled at Lupin for it."  He gave him a hug.  "Good job," he whispered.  Ishi nodded, clinging to him.  "Okay, if there's no new ideas, then I'm going to adjourn so we can get some ice cream and keep the girls from stealing everything shiny you own."  No one said anything.  "Adjourned.  Have fun until the lunch."  He stood up, carrying Ishi with him.

"Let me walk.  I'm heavy," Ishi complained.  "You shouldn't lift things."  He continued to be carried. "Father, Uncle Xan-Xan is carrying me!" he called.

Goemon came out of a room and sighed, picking Xander up and taking her up to the couch to lay her on there.  "Rest," he ordered.  He took the papers his friend held out.  "Interesting."  He went to show them to Jigen, who decided that the hitter's plan was better and since he was with most of the seconds they liked it too.  Goemon brought it to his group of specialists, getting their recommendations.  Most of them were truly freelance and it really didn't matter but a steady hand was always better to work with.   Then that one went to Lupin via Arsene since Goemon caught her trying to break into a snack machine.

Arsene walked boldly into the room her father was in, handing over the folded paper.  "Mommy's group came up with it, Daddy.   Everyone else seemed to like it."  She looked at the rest of them, then waved and smirked at their shocked look.  "No, I'm not a myth."  She giggled, sounding like a lighter version of her father's trademark cackle.  "I'm the Fourth."

"Yes you are," Lupin said, giving her a fond grin.  "A very good Fourth.  What did you get caught doing?"

"Trying to break into the candy machine to get Lotus a candy bar.  She's pouting."

"Bring her down here, I'll cuddle her for a bit."

"She's frustrated, daddy, not sad."  He gave her a look.  "Fine, I'll share you again," she sighed, heading up to get Lotus and bring her back down, dragging her the whole way.  "Here," she said, climbing up and forcing Lotus to come with her by not letting her go.  "This is Lotus Goemon.  She's Uncle G's daughter."

One of the bosses smiled at them. "You are definitely your fathers' daughters," he praised.  "The adults need to do some things.  Can't you two go play?"

"I am playing, I'm playing with your head," Arsene said with a bright grin. "I enjoy it."

He roared with laughter, shaking his head.  "Definitely a mini-Lupin," he agreed once he calmed down.

"She's also an astounding thief with her step-sister Melissa.  Between the two they shoplifted about six grand worth of stuff out of the theme parks in Orlando."

"I wanted a dolphin but Ishi told Mommy and Mommy didn't think I could do that because it would hurt it," Arsene said earnestly.  The others smiled at her.  "I had everything set up too.  I wasted perfectly good blackmail material on the guy to fish my pretty baby out."

Lotus patted her on the arm. "It's okay.  You can always use it later.  I doubt he'll be getting a job anywhere else since he's a menial."  Arsene perked up.

Lupin hugged them both.  "Good job."  He looked at the table, then at the person on his immediate right.  "There was a suggestion made by the hitters, the seconds, and the specialists.  They were asked to suggest based on stability, strengths, and to share any weaknesses that might affect the meeting group."  He looked at the person directly opposite from him.  "They managed to find a compromise.  A two-tiered compromise."  Everyone sat up straighter.  "They all wanted Bob to head things, citing his connections, his family oriented training and structure, but they wanted Justina to second with him so her son could one day take over."  Everyone looked from Bob to Justina and back.  "I'm assuming that everyone thinks that he'll let Justina handle the odder things and people so he doesn't have to know."

"I would," Bob agreed, leaning back.  Lotus stared at him.  "What?"

"You're odd but you'll live for at least ten years.  You really will have to get over your fear of the unusual.  One day I will be a powerful witch."

"I'm sure you will, but I wouldn't have use for one."

"I can already enforce growths around houses to make them stiff and so no one can get in."  He gaped at Lupin, who nodded.  "See?  You have to get over it some day."  She looked at Justina.  "You like us?"

"I respect people with different skills," she noted.  "Even the odd ones. I'm one of the few who likes your Uncle Lavelle's comic book habit."

Bob looked at her, then nodded.  "What about your son Kyle?"

"He's sixteen."

"He's also exactly like his father," one of the other men pointed out.  She glared at him.  "Sorry.  His dad was one I could have supported instantly."

"Us too," Lupin admitted.  "That was the second tier of the suggestion.  That his mother take the second's job so he'd get a good bit of on-the-job training and get to know the various people.  Letting her handle the odd things would leave Bob to run the monetary front and to make the bigger plans and to consolidate the smaller elements."  He handed the paper to Bob.  "Do we have any counter suggestions?"

"I do," one of the men noted.  "I still say you'd make a better one than they would together and Kyle would benefit by working with you anyway."

"We'd loathe the job and we'd have to kill anyone who might come for the kids," Lupin pointed out.  "That'd decimate Europe's power plays within a year."

Bob looked at him.  "True, but it would get things done.  We all know I'm due for surgery soon."  Justina gasped and he gave her a gentle smile. "Something routine, dear.  Nothing too tragic or horrible."  He looked at Lupin again.  "Plus, I've heard rumors that you have envoys?"

"To the Kitsune," Lotus said proudly.  "Sarah will do that instead of Uncle Xan-Xan."

"Xan?" Justina mouthed.

"Lavelle," Lupin told her.  "His real name."

"Oh."  She nodded.  "I thought that might be a stage name as it were."

"No, a middle one," Lupin admitted with a small smirk.  He looked at Lotus, then at Arsene.  "Did he tell them?"  Arsene nodded, grinning at him. "I'm guessing there was a good reason then."  He looked at Bob.  "When are you going in, how long is it going to take to recover, and can we get Justina up to date for you?"

Bob laughed, nodding.  "My thoughts exactly.  You deal with the others around the world and you know enough about us to take any of us down."  Lupin nodded, giving him a small smirk.  "I also know that I'm not going to be able to take over immediately.  I don't want to undermine Justina."

"It would solve the housing lag for me too.  We're living in Norway right now.  I'd feel the need to be closer to central Europe."  She looked around. "This is really nice, Lupin.  Which one of you owns it?"

"Lavelle and Sylvia."

"Oh."  She pursed her lips, looking like a duck's bill.  "Think they'd sell it?"  He shrugged.  "I'll ask later.  If not, maybe they can tell me who their contractor is."

"Lavelle and Sylvia," he said dryly.

"Really?"  She smiled.  "At least I'd trust him."  She grinned.  "Think they could?"

"Six months pregnant," Lotus said quietly, looking at her friend.

"I knew it!" one of them said, jumping up and pointing at Lupin.  "You're gay!"

"No, I'm indiscriminate," Lupin said patiently.  "Get it right."  He looked at Justina.  "I know he looked at a lot of places before he bought his house here.  He might be able to help you.  Or Jigen might, he's got a condo around here."  She looked thoughtful.  "Again, you could move anywhere.  It's a wonderful thing to have a 'net connection and a phone."

Bob snickered.  "Yes, but I'd like to be in the same city as my second.  Sending documents makes them less secure.  I presently live in Flavora, Italy.  It's a tiny little town near the assassin's academy."

"Woman offered Ishi a chance to go there," Arsene said, smiling at her father.

"Really?" he asked, grinning at her.  "That's very good eavesdropping, princess."

"Thank you, daddy.  Can I have ice cream with Ishi?"

"Let Lavelle have him, princess.  He needs her more right now."  He kissed Lotus on the top of the head.  "We spoil her rotten."  He tickled her and she swatted at him, giving him a look from under her lashes.  "We don't?"

"No.  I don't have any new dollies," Lotus told him.

"We'll have to fix that, won't we?" he cooed.  She nodded and rested against him again.  "Of course, my princess needs to pick out a new doll too."

"I'd rather have a leather skirt," Arsene tried.

"Not until you're old enough to look good in one, daughter."

"Yes, Daddy," she sighed.

"You're very good at that," Justina pointed out.  Lupin nodded, smiling at her - a very happy look without a touch of smugness.  "I'm assuming your other heir is going straight?"

"Sierra and Savannah both want to be cops.  One wants to be a Crime Scene person.  The other wants to take over her Uncle Ray's job and chase her sisters around the globe," Lupin shared.  "That leaves these two, Melissa, Ishi, Goemon's youngest, my son Fred, and the new one who could follow in our illustrious footsteps."  Lotus tugged on his hand.  "Yes, dear?"

"Fred be like Uncle Lavelle, Unclie.  Kenji be like his kitty name."

"Thank you, dear."

"Welcome."

"She'll be following in Marcus' footsteps if she stays in the life."  Lotus tugged on his hand.  "Yes, dear?" he asked patiently.

"'Nother baby."

"Which one?  The current one?"  She shook her head.  "Then where might it come from?"

"He big.  He brat."

"Oh."  He blinked a few times.  "Who's his daddy?"

She shrugged.  "Not know.  I not hear that."

Bob coughed.  "She could be speaking of your son, who approached Jerome for training last year," he said delicately.

"I have a son?"

"You don't?" Justina asked.  "I thought you were ignoring him because of his mother."

"No.  I didn't realize I had another mother to deal with.  What did she name him?"

"Paul."

"Paul...."

"Lupin."

"Oh."  He grimaced.  "Anyone got a handy picture?"  No one produced one.  "I'd like to meet this son.  I've never heard about him.  It's good enough that I have two older daughters as well."

"Lupin, invest in stronger condoms," Bob said, giving him a long look. "Before you take over the world."

"I'm the empress of his empire," Arsene told him.  "And a Kender."

Bob pressed his lips together until he could say politely, "I'm sure you are, Arsene."  Then he excused himself and went to laugh his ass off out in the hallway, leaning on the wall.  When he calmed down, Lavelle was across from him.  He reached over to touch the moving stomach, looking up at her.  "You're the same after all?"  He nodded.  "I thought so.  Why do you pretend?"

"Because I can split myself off into parts.  Sylvia and Lavelle have almost nothing in common."  He shrugged.  "Which one?"

"Arsene.  She pronounced herself an empress of her father's empire and a kender."

"She is.  Trust me, I'm putting her in a top knot soon."  He walked into the room.  "Why are Ishi and I the only ones eating ice cream?"  Lotus and Arsene scrambled down to follow him back upstairs.  "Come on, guys.  Let's figure out where Melissa is searching this time.  Then we'll work on Lotus' plants after the treat and after Arsene and Melissa tally up their thefts so everything can be given back."  They passed through the tv room, gathering Sierra and Savannah from the couches.  "Melissa, ice cream!" he yelled as they ran up the stairs in front of him.  She popped out of a hallway and joined them.  "We're ending the theft contest.  We'll tally with the daddies after ice cream then let people have their things back.  Stealing during this meeting will only cause problems."  He shooed them into the apartment, pausing to look at Bix as she did a kata on the porch.  A light dawned in his head and he shook it, heading into the kitchen to help Marcus dish out ice cream.  "Jigen, want some ice cream?  Bix, ice cream!"

"She'll get some after her workout," Marcus noted, licking off his finger.  He handed off the last bowl and the kids found places to perch and nibble.  He looked at Xander.  "You were staring at her, expanding your harem?"

"No.  Her movements seemed very similar."  He shrugged.  "Don't worry about it."  He grabbed an extra scoop for himself, earning a frown from Marcus.  "There's two of us."  He walked out to sit on the porch, closing the door so the babble couldn't interrupt her.  "So, you're the last of the other side of the family?" he asked, taking his first bite.  She blinked at him, then moved on again.  "You don't have to answer that."

"You're breaking my meditative state."

"Sorry.  Don't worry, there's always nap time."  He took another bite and she relaxed, going limp.  "Marcus dished you up some."

"No, I'm good."  She stared at him.  "Don't tell him."

"I'm going to have to tell him.  He thinks he's the last."

"He is the last, of his side."

"I remember.  We went back and visited in the time of the fifth and sixth."  He grinned.  "You look exactly like the one who was a slayer."

She nodded.  "My great-grandmother."  She sat next to him.  "Please, Xander.  Let me tell him."

"You've got two weeks.  He deserves the right to know."

"I will," she promised.  "Marcus found out my first name."

"I noticed how you moved.  What is your first name?"

"Bixana."

"Hmm, and I thought some American mothers were bad," he mused, taking another bite. "Get some ice cream and come back to it, Bix."  She nodded, doing that. "Interesting times you will live in, young one."  He patted his stomach. "Don't worry, we're eating the ice cream."  He winced as the kick happened.  "What?  I know it's not raspberry but we're in the wrong place for gelato.  Sorry."

***

Xander looked down the table at Lupin.  "We need to soothe a craving," she told him. She was back in female form for those who didn't know.  "I've been craving raspberry gelato or ice cream all day."

"We brought the machine, we'll make you some later," Lupin said, cutting up the next bite of steak.  "Can you wait that long?"  She considered it, then nodded.  "Okay.  We can do that later."

"Berries are out of season," Justina noted, looking at Xander.  "How are you feeling?"

"Six months along."

She winced. "I remember."

"It's not too bad, but I'm tired all the time still.  I just got done having the twins when this one came to be."  She stroked her stomach.  "Not that I don't love her or anything, but wish we had waited a bit."

Jigen nodded.  "No more."

Xander grinned at him.  "We do have that appointment in nine days."

"Nine days?  You're here instead of where your OB is?" Justina demanded.  "Lupin, how could you take her away from her doctor at such a delicate stage!"

"Easy, she volunteered us," Lupin said, giving her a look.  "I didn't demand.  I want her near a very good hospital this time, just in case.  I want to have many discussions with the man as well and learn all that I can about how to make sure it can't happen again."

"They make operations for that," one man put in.  "Have her be fixed."

"Having me be fixed leaves him without me for a few days to a week.  Having him fixed inconveniences him for two hours," Xander retorted.  "It's faster and can be done in the office."  The man looked horrified.  "Welcome to the new millennium and women's lib.  We are in charge, or else you wouldn't be here," she said, glaring at him.

"A wise man never argues with a pregnant woman," Goemon told him.

"It is often disastrous," Melnorma added.  "By the way, in case you hadn't heard, I am now in charge of the family's school.  I have tended a tentative invitation to Ishi when he's of age, Goemon."  He looked at her, then nodded once.  "You would let him?"

"I would.  It would be beneficial.  If he chose that path."

She nodded.  "Of course.  I wouldn't take him otherwise."  She smiled at him. "Would you consider looking over some of the students?"

"I might," he conceded.  "Are there any who are special?"

"One or two.  One female is very good with a gun.  The other is a master of poisons.  That one wanted you on his Mastery board."

Goemon nodded.  "I would be honored.  I will speak with you later."  She nodded, picking up her fork again. "Lupin, Lotus wanted to ask if you could make sure she didn't have to eat meat tomorrow.  She got upset today when her brother helpfully told her what lamb was."

"Sure.  We can buy her some stir fry tomorrow, Goemon," Lupin agreed gently, smiling at him. "Did we have a talk with Ishi?"

"It's normal big brother behavior," Bob told him.   "We all did it at least once to our sisters.  Is he trying to give her away as well?"

"He thought it would be an excellent wedding present to give her to Lupin and Jigen," Goemon shared.  Everyone laughed at that.  "It is normal?"

"It is," Bob admitted.  "I tried to sell mine to a cashier once.  Fortunately she told my mother and she kicked my ass over it."  He ate another bite.  "You're very careful with us, Lupin.  The more paranoid among us thank you."

"You're welcome.  I didn't want anyone to say anything about a chance of poisoning."  He looked around.  "That's why all the food is prepared in front of you."  Everyone nodded and went back to eating.  He looked at Bob, who waved a hand, so Lupin tapped his glass.  "The higher ones have come to an agreement on who should be in charge.  That means we'll be meeting with the smaller groups and families tomorrow to get their opinions."  A few people looked pissed.  "This way we could see the more intense opinions of the ones who have the most to lose," he said.

Xander looked down the table. "The rooms only fit so many people and we did specialist groups and seconds today.  The more traditional ones.  They're the ones who're going to have to bear most of the burden of the decision.  Those who don't like it can take it up with me, and you might as well walk off the edge of the roof now."  Everyone looked at their plates and ate quickly.  "Thank you.  We did the best we could on short notice.  We only had a few day's warning."  She cut into her pork chop and looked at her husbands.  "Lupin, can I be pampered tomorrow with a good breakfast like you used to make?"

"Sure," he agreed, smiling at her and patting her on the hand.  "I can make you breakfast tomorrow.  Bacon and eggs?"  She nodded.  "That's fine.  It'll let Marcus sleep in until the girls pounce him again."  Xander grinned at him.  "Eat.  We want her to get bigger and stronger."

"She's already too damn big. She's the size of a water buffalo calf."  Goemon choked, grabbing his water to clear his throat.  "Sorry, Goemon."

"No, it was not an analogy I'd expect to come from you," he said soothingly.

Jigen looked at the more minor people.  "We decided that if you couldn't figure out how to get along with a pregnant woman you couldn't figure out how to get a working alliance in Europe going.  It's the same skills."  He cut into his pork chop then picked up the bones to nibble off of.  "Tell the chef he did great, Lupin.  They're really good this time."

"I'll pass that on," Lupin agreed with a small smile for him.  "I thought to give him a good trial.  We need a new cook at the new house."

"New house?" Xander asked, looking hopeful.

"I'm not sure which one yet," Lupin admitted.  "But I do have a few good choices for you to look at," he said with a smile.  She beamed at him.  "Do you want to live next to Ripper or by some horses?"

"Horses?"

"It's in France," Jigen offered.  "The other's in Britain."

"I figured that Ripper and Ethan weren't moving," she said dryly, grinning at him.  "Would that mean snow?"  Jigen nodded.  "Lots of snow?"

"The brochure said nine inches annually," Lupin admitted.  "But it's *hours* from the city.  The other's in France, an hour closer to Paris, and just as big."

Xander tipped her head to the side.  "I wanna see them in person.  Can we do that on the way back?"

"Between appointments," Goemon said firmly.  "I do not want you to miss this one."

"Fine," she agreed, bouncing and shifting.  "Thank you, guys."

"You're welcome," Jigen said with a small smirk.  "We like keeping you happy."

"Keeping you happy makes the rest of us sane and the kids happy too," Lupin agreed.

Goemon snorted.  "Keeping her happy means that you don't have more migraines or make yourself bald."

"You forgot the kids making *sure* she's happy and content," Jigen pointed out.  "By any means necessary."

"Including trying to send us on a long job," Lupin said dryly.  Everyone looked at him.  "Or did someone else suggest we go loot that new pyramid?"  Everyone shook their heads.  "That's what I thought.  The email wasn't quite grammatically correct.  I thought it might be my darling Fourth."

"It was Melissa actually," Jigen said proudly.  "Her plan.  Ishi wrote the email.  Arsene did the research for them."

Justina burst out laughing.  "I can see my son will adore working with your children, Lupin.  They'll keep him on his toes for the rest of his days."

"Why not, they do it to us," Xander agreed dryly.  He looked over as something came over the edge of the roof.  "'Scuse me."  She stood up and grabbed Goemon's sword, and with a credible yell went after the vampire.  It fought back, but not well enough.  Xander had it killed within moments.  Then she dusted off and handed it back.  "Thanks, Goemon.  I left mine downstairs."  She sat down and smoothed her napkin over her skirt.  "So, Lupin, are we going to have to do Disney Tokyo?"

"Probably.  The kids have mostly been through it," Lupin admitted.  "All but the math requirement."  He shook his head.  "That poor resort."

Bob drank some of his wine, then looked at Xander.  "How did you do that?"

"Easily.  I was trained to do that first," Xander said simply, giving him a slightly smug look.  "Did you need me or Lavelle to take care of such a problem for you?"

"No," he said weakly, blinking at him.  "You are well trained."

"I am.  They made sure of it."  She smiled and patted Goemon's hand.  "He was quite patient with me and my tripping problems."  She grinned at Jigen.  "And he helped me aim past my tits."  She picked up her fork and went back to eating.  "Eating faster means dessert comes quicker."  Everyone went back to eating, talking quietly about that wonderful attack.

"Next time bring your own weapon," Goemon chided gently.  "I taught you better."

Xander sighed. "Yes, Goemon, but it didn't go with the outfit."  He looked at him and licked his fork.  "My sword's going to the new one."  Goemon looked stunned.  "Lotus won't ever use one," she said quietly, "and the short sword would be better for her anyway."

Goemon considered it.  "It would," he agreed. "Whichever follows in my footsteps will get mine, yours can go to the other son."  He patted her on the hand.  "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

"I told the smith who made it that you'd be having another son some day.  That's why he balanced it to the right like the rest of the family's swords."

"His family gave you a sword?" Bob asked.  "I thought they were all dead."

"It was an odd thing, Don," Xander admitted.  "A very long and complicated story.  Maybe some other time?"  He nodded, looking content with that explanation.  She looked at Goemon.  "I believe you should work out with Bix.  She needs someone to watch her.  I noticed a form fault, the same one you tried forever to cure in me."

"I will watch her tomorrow," Goemon said, smiling.  He looked at Lupin, who had a raised eyebrow.  "What?  She would know, she had that same one."

"I remember you strapping that body brace onto her back," Jigen agreed.

"She looked really smooth earlier on the porch," Lupin told him.

"I'll watch tomorrow," Goemon said, stopping the discussion.  He knew Xander was saying something and he needed to figure out what.  He glanced at her and she tipped her head to the side, looking at his watch.  He moved it and she pinched him.  He frowned but continued to eat quietly.

Xander looked at Lupin.  "Are we going back to the school or back to Goemon's house when we head back?"

"We can go to whichever one Goemon is ready to go to," Lupin said quietly.

"I will have to face the house soon anyway," Goemon said.  "Best to get on with it.  That way we can be found."

"That's fine," Jigen agreed.  "We'll be there with you for a while."

"I would hope so since her due date is three months from now."  Goemon gave him a look.  "I would demand that she have all checkups this time."

"So do I," Lupin agreed, saluting him with his wine glass.  "I'm glad you love my wife as much as I do, Goemon."  Goemon blushed.  "Not that we mind you being a big brother to her, it's refreshing to know someone is looking out for her when we're not around."

"I look out for all my students," Goemon reminded him.

"I know, which is why we trust you with her," Jigen said with a smirk.  "Otherwise I might be jealous of the baby's attachment to your backrubs instead of mine."

"Guys," Xander whined.

Justina smiled at him.  "All fathers are like that.  My own was like that until he died."

"I'm sorry."  She looked at the other woman.  "I know some people if you wanted to move on."  Justina's eyes went wide so she grinned.  "Just checking."

"No, I think I'm fine so far," she admitted.  "Though I wouldn't mind."  Xander gave a meaningful look down the table then at her.  She looked and then looked at Xander, eyes wide.  "You think?"

"I do, I know."  She winked.  "At least for fun things.  He might be skittish still."

She nodded, licking her lips.  "I'll check on that.  Thank you, Sylvia."  She looked at Jigen.  "I'm sure that the baby appreciates his backrubs more because his hands are quite strong from all the swordwork he does.  I know when I shook his hand he nearly crushed me without thinking about it."  Xander nodded quickly.  "Feel good?"

"The man could make millions being a masseuse," she said simply.   Goemon blushed again.  "You could, big guy.  You're wonderful at working out the leg cramps I have."

"It is something I am used to doing," he admitted.  "It is no problem."

"Teach us that technique," Lupin ordered.  "I want to do that this time.  I missed doing it with the twins."

"That was your own fault," Goemon reminded him.  "The girls would have loved you to have been closer."  He looked at Jigen.  "I'll teach you as well."

"Thanks, Goemon. I could use it in other times."

"Hey, maybe we can work that into a job," Lupin suggested.

"You're still working?" Justina asked. "After they took you off the lists?"

"We're bored," he countered.  "Plus we still have to teach the kids."

"In other words, I'm still working and Lavelle's still working," Xander told her.  "The kids are being taught by the example I set and their stories."  She looked at Lupin.  "Someone told me about a very pretty emerald."  She licked her lips, making him raise an eyebrow and smile.  "Yes?"

"We'll see. You are delicate," Lupin pointed out gently.  "Slaying things is much different than doing a job."  Xander frowned and started to pout.  "We'll see," Lupin said more firmly. "I'm not having you hurt and I'm not having the baby hurt either."

"Fine," she agreed with a small sigh.  "Make me stay at home and be the mom."

"You are very good at it," Goemon pointed out gently.  "The children all adore you and cling to you as the only stability they seem to have."  She looked up, giving him a sad look.  "I understand.  We will do whatever we can to ease the burden on you."  He patted her hand.  "Please do not pout?"  She sighed and nodded. "Thank you, Sylvia."  He let her hand go, watching as she got up and hurried down the ladder to the house.  "I do not know what that was."

Jigen wiped his mouth and headed after her.  "I'll go."  Someone stopped him and whispered in his ear, forcing him to glare at him.  "None of your business."  He got free and climbed down the ladder.  He heard Xander getting sick and went into the kitchen to get her some soda.  She always needed it afterwards.  "Too spicy?" he asked when she came out, handing over the can of soda.

"No, odd surge.  I don't know what that was."  She sat down at the table, getting comfortable.  "I don't think I can go back up there."

"That's fine. You're pregnant, it's understandable."  He gave her a gentle hug.  "Want me to stay with you?"  She shook her head.  "You sure?"

"Yeah.  It sends the wrong expression."  She looked up at him and blew a kiss.  "Have fun at dinner."

"It's boring.  I'll have fun planning a visit tonight."

"Can I help?"

"No," he said with a smirk.  "I can do this one on my own."  He headed back up the main stairs, walking out into the warm night.  He took his seat again.  "She's fine."

"Are we sure?" Lupin asked.  Jigen nodded.  "Good.  I'll go down after dessert."

Jigen nodded.  "That's fine.  I'm going to do the bedtimes stories."

"I can," Goemon offered.  Jigen gave him a long look.  "I can."

"That'd be fine, Goemon," Lupin agreed happily.  "If you're comfortable doing it."  Goemon nodded.  "Then we'd love to let you explain why princesses don't ride out to save the prince instead of the other way around."

"Because the people who wrote the stories were from long ago when women did no more than house and farm work," Goemon said simply.  "They were incredibly short sighted."

"Xander told them it was propaganda against women's lib and women being able to do the job," Lupin told him.  Goemon snickered, shaking his head.  "She did.  I heard her say it. I had to tell the kids that the people were incredibly old fashioned and believed women were there to be pretty and have babies."

"And then Arsene asked if you weren't like that," Jigen reminded him.

"I had a long talk with her that night," Lupin agreed.  "She finally understands that having the twins was Xander's choice."

"Kinda," Jigen corrected.

"Okay, accidentally her choice," he admitted.

Justina looked at him, wiping her mouth.  "Perhaps you should steal a condom truck, a full condom truck?"

"We did, they break," Lupin said bitterly.  "Hence Fred and Sarah."

"And my twins," Jigen agreed.

"Is Sarah yours too, Lupin?" Bob asked casually.

"No, Sarah's mine," Jigen admitted.  Bob looked at him like he was insane.  Jigen just smirked.  "You wanted more information?"

"No, I don't believe I need more of a mental image," he said delicately.

Justina looked at Lupin.  "I'd like to talk to her soon if I may?  Share motherhood secrets and the like."

"Sure, if she agrees," Lupin agreed happily, smiling at her.  "I'm not forcing her into this, really."

"I'm sure," she agreed.  "Still, a working mother always has little tricks and I found a few that were quite useful that I could pass on."

"Sure," Jigen agreed.  "She could use some support right about now.  All she's got so far is Goemon."  Goemon gave him a cool look.  "Though he is very attentive.  He carries her everywhere."

"It was necessary, she was weak," Goemon defended.

"Fortunately you're stronger than I am," Lupin told him.  "I could never pick her up and carry her all through the school."

"Perhaps you should lift weights," Goemon suggested dryly.  Lupin gave him a look, then snickered.  "She could use the attention."

"I know, and I'm working on a way to spoil her.  Chocolates you think?"

"She's still sick, I wouldn't do that," Jigen offered.  "That emerald?"

"It'd piss her off," Arsene said as she popped up behind him.  "Hi!"  She waved.  "I snuck attacked."

"Sneak is appropriate in that sentence," Justina offered, smiling at her. "You are quite good at that.  You'll make a wonderful thief."

"I know," she said proudly, handing over the necklace.  "I found that downstairs on the floor."

"I wondered where it had gone to."  She looked at it.

"You *found* it?" Lupin asked her.

"Chill, the clasp is broken," she said firmly.  "She could have found it legitimately."  She looked at the girl.  "Pony up when you steal things, dear, it builds your reputation."

Arsene hugged her.  "Okay.  Is the cute blond guy waiting in the entryway yours?  He kinda looks like you but he's really big and strong and cute."

Justina smiled.  "I'll tell him you think he's cute.  That is probably Kyle."  She stood up. "Excuse me for a moment, Lupin."  She walked down the stairs, following Arsene.  "Did you want to be introduced?"

"Okay.  I like cute guys."

"You definitely are your father's daughter."  She gave her a pat on the head as they came out on the ground floor.  "Kyle?"  He looked at her and smiled. "What happened?"

"I got really bored, the pizza guy hates us, and I know I'm involved so I decided to come see what others have planned for *my* future."

She hugged him.  "I understand and we'll talk later.  We're having dinner.  This is little Arsene Lupin the Fourth."

He smiled down at her.  "You are adorable."  He pinched her cheek, smiling at her blush.  "It's okay, you'll grow up to be more stunning than your father ever was."  He looked at his mother again.  "Shall I escort you back to dinner, mother?"

"Please, dear.  Tell your father that we're on our way up," she told Arsene.  The girl nodded and took off running.  She leaned closer to her son's ear.  "She has a crush on you, son.  She thought you were cute."

"Just what I need," he said dryly.  "Like I don't have enough problems with that because of my girl at home?"

"I told you she was a whore, son."  She took him back up the stairs, walking out onto the roof.  She saw the men with the guns and sighed.  "Lavelle!"  Gunfire exploded and two of the three men fell backwards.  Then someone groaned.  "You too can die," she offered.

Lupin coughed.  "Please don't upset her," he pleaded.  "She's very fragile, Justina."

"I know.  Her?"  She looked at him and he grimaced.  "He's not here yet?"

"Not yet."

Xander came up the stairs with the shotgun as Lavelle, pointing it at the other person.  "Next?" he said dryly.  The other guy whimpered.  "I don't care if you're a cop.  Leave.  Now.  Before I get cranky."  The guy dove off the edge of the roof, grabbing the ladder on the way down so he could scurry back to his car.  Lavelle walked over and looked over the side.  "I've already disabled it.  Run!"  The man looked up and lifted his hood, then ran off.  "Hmm.  Big nose."  He looked at Goemon, who looked stunned.  "Did the idiot have kids?"

"Who would sleep with him?" Jigen asked.

"He was powerful, some would place a pillow over his head or use a position that wouldn't let his face be seen."  Lupin grimaced. "If it was, we're going to have a talk."

"Sure," Jigen agreed.  "Soon."  He looked at Lavelle.  "The other two?"

"Dying.  I called the ambulance.  You guys be quiet up here."  He stomped back down the stairs, letting the cops and paramedics in.  "Top floor.  They're on our porch."  They came running up the stairs.  "They were climbing up to the roof dressed all in black with weapons," he explained, handing over his gun.  "Another one slid back down the ladder.  He ran.  I only got a glance at his face when he looked up at me."

The cops looked at him, then around.  One of them dared to smirk at him.  "Out of shape, Lavelle?"

Lavelle grabbed him by the throat, pulling him closer.  "No, I'm not," he hissed in the guy's face.  "I'm not fat.  I'm not out of shape.  It's a fucking growth, thank you."  The man went pale.  "Now, are you going to take the guys with you or can I have them?"  Lotus tugged on his arm.  "Back to your bedroom, Lotus."

"Let him go, Uncle.  Please?  He's trying to be good."  Xander looked down so she gave him a cute, serious look like her father would.  "Please?"  Xander let him go with a groan.  "Thank you," she said seriously, giving him a hug around the thigh.  "You're very good at protecting us, Uncle."  She looked at the cop rubbing his throat.  "Aren't you supposed to be doing something?"  He nodded, heading off.  "Sit and read to me?" she suggested.

He sat down, letting her sit in his lap.  "What should I read to you?"  She handed over a book.  "You want to learn about portal magic?"  She nodded.  "Only if your father agrees.  Let's find one on temporal magic.  It's applicable to making plants grow very fast."  She smiled and nodded, getting that book for him.  "Good Lotus."  He checked the index then turned to the second chapter.  "Temporal magic is magic that deals with time," he read.  "As you progress through this chapter, I will attempt to explain the complex issues that are involved with temporal magic and how some of them can be gotten around as you deal with the paradox principle."  He scanned the rest of the page.  "As we progress with time, you must remember to keep in mind the paradox principle and how it can be used and abused to do what you need."

"Paradox principle?" the other cop asked in awe.

Xander looked up.  "The Paradox Principle states that you can affect yourself and other people's timelines by observing, interacting, or simply appearing in their line.  It also states that you can only be in one place three times and that if you interact directly with yourself it can freeze time and make the warp and weft of the timelines unravel by giving yourself information that can create a loop in time, thereby sticking you in that spot forever."  He looked down at Lotus.  "When dealing with plants, it's not quite as complicated.  Plants can't go back and screw things up for themselves by talking to their seedlings."  She nodded, gripping the book.  "Can you read the next sentence?"  He pointed it out.

"The Paradox principle is important to use positively instead of negatively," she read slowly, "because using it to your advantage will negate it to some degree and leave you with the most useful parts."  She smiled at him.  "Was that right?"

"It was," he praised, giving her a squeeze.  "Go on.  It'll make more sense if you read it and I explain it."  She nodded, working on the next sentence in her head before going on.  Xander looked at the cops.  "They were climbing up the ladder and I got them from below."

"That's fine, Lavelle.  I know you were only protecting your children.  Which one is that one?"

"This is Lotus."  He grinned at Jigen as he walked in.  "Help them?"

"I was ordered to take the magic book from Lotus," he said dryly, taking the book from her.  "Your father said that was much too advanced for you.  You can't quick-grow plants yet."

"I can so!  I did the tree house!"

"You did what?" Xander asked, looking down at her.  She looked hesitant, then looked at the cop with them. "We'll be talking later about that, young lady. You are a bit too young to do something so major.  An herb is one thing, a whole tree is another."  She nodded, pouting at him.  "Thank you, Lotus."

"I was being careful but the tree is so small that it's hard to balance in the tree house so I grew it," she defended.

"We'll be going back there so everyone can look at it for you," Jigen said quietly.  She gave him a long look and he nodded.  "Your father said so."

"Thank you, Uncle."  She reached over and hugged him around the waist.  "You're very nice to put up with us."

"We love you, kiddo.  We don't mind putting up with the bad things most of the time."  She nodded and went back to her room, taking the book with her since no one was watching.  Except the cop, who coughed and pointed.

"Bring it back," Jigen ordered.  It floated out.  "Thank you."   He grabbed it out of midair and put it back into his husband's hands.  "Here.  You keep it."

"I bought it, it's mine, I probably should," Xander agreed.

"Lavelle, I know this is listed as your house, but why is there a meeting?" the nice cop asked quietly.  "Something bad?"

"Keeping the area stable," Jigen said firmly.  "Don't worry about it."

"We're not, but we were all ordered to find one of you and ask that question.  The local cops want to leave you alone.  We all really, really want to leave you alone," he said, eyes wide.  "We just don't want to have to bring out the riot gear.  My baby's going to be born in another five months and I'd like to be there for that."

"Your first?" Jigen asked.  He nodded, grinning and producing an ultrasound picture.  "Boy?"

"You're really good at that."

"We read Sylvia's as well," Jigen admitted, handing it back.  "Our last is due in another three.  We want the same peace."

"Thank you."  He hurried out to help the paramedics gather everyone and left after them to make sure no one was going to be left behind.

Jigen looked at Xander.  "How did you do that?"

Xander blushed and looked at his lap.  "Um, I kinda was chasing someone and he went into the Police officer's Ball.  I, ah, kinda, um, took him out before he blew them up?"  He glanced up and blushed brighter.  "Sorry, but it saved a lot of grief and I wanted that idiot.  It was his bad luck to run into the ball."

"Pops laughed long and hard about that," Lupin said as he came down the ladder.  "Good job."  He gave him a short hug.  "You okay?"

"Just fine."  He grinned.  "They were very respectful."

"As they should be," Lupin agreed gently.  "Why don't you curl up in bed?  We called dinner short tonight."

"No dessert?"

"I'm going to the store right now to either find you some raspberry ice cream or gelato, or to buy the ingredients."  Xander beamed and kissed him before padding into their bedroom.  "Stay here, just in case," he ordered quietly.  "She still needs to rest."  He grabbed his wallet and walther, heading out into the dusk.  He found the one assassin wannabe and got him in the knee from behind, then left him there.  "Next time, ask permission to attend," he said as he walked over him.  He noticed a little kid looking at him.  "He tried to hurt my wife," he explained.  "She's going to have a baby."

"Wow.  You're very good."  She ran off to tell others.  And another rumor was added to the mythology of Lupin the Third.

***

Bob looked around at the lesser people, all of them were gathered in the hotel's meeting room.  "All right.  Let's get started."  Everyone stared at him.  "Yes, the larger groups chose me to head and Justina," he said, pointing at her, "to second me.  Her son Kyle is hers and Morgan's."  Everyone looked stunned.  "There was talk of having him follow after me."  A few people looked pissed. "I haven't worked with many of you."

"All you bigger groups are the same," one man yelled.  "You all run over us!"

"No, we didn't.  We're here to let you get to know us and see if you have a better solution."

"Hell, I'd be better than you," another man noted. "You've probably never been on the streets."

"He and I both have," Justina said quietly.  "I came up the ranks of hitters.  He came up the ranks of specialists."  Everyone stared at her.  "Yes, there are female hitters in the world, as Sylvia proved last night."  She stepped forward.  "We don't want to run you over.  We do want stability."  She looked around as the whining noise started, then scowled.  "That sounds familiar."

"Fuck!" Sylvia said as she appeared.  "Everyone sit still!  If you move the thing will hit you.  I can only guard so much area."  She turned and looked up, raising a hand and muttering something.  The whining stopped but a large explosion went off, contained by the shield she had constructed.  Then she wobbled until Bob caught her.  "It's safe.  We're having it swept," she said quietly.  "Give it a few minutes."  She passed out.

"Hell!" Justina said, coming over to help.  The shield failed and the bomb fell to the stage.  "Someone clean this up and put it into a baggie for the locals.  Someone call Lupin too."

"On his way," a small furry body said as he appeared.  "I told him about the bomb."  He knelt beside Xander, laying a hand on her stomach.  "Shh."  Everyone stared at it in shock.  "The baby is fine.  The shields we put on her held."  He looked at Bob.  "Welcome.  My Father wanted to know if you would like this one to keep being our envoy."

"I don't mind in the least.  He seems to be good at it."  He picked Xander up, carrying her down to the seats.  "Move."  Four people moved so he laid her across their seats.  Goemon rushed in.  "She's fine, simply unconscious."

"If she is unconscious, she is not fine," he said coolly.  He noticed the young kitsune, giving it a long look.  "You are a mere infant, why are you here?"

"I was browsing the proceedings and I saw the bomb start off.  I told her."  He skipped down, hugging Goemon.  "Can I play with Lotus?"

"You may," he agreed.  "Gently of course."

"Sure.  Thank you."  He disappeared, landing back in the apartment.  "Hi, Bix!"  He skipped into the room he could feel Lotus studying in.  "Your father said we could play."

"Let me get this one right first," she said absently, working on healing the plant next to her.  Finally she shrieked and jumped up and down, then went back to it, getting it this time.  Then she grinned at him.  "What did you want to play?"

"Hopscotch?"

"Sure."  She led him out to the porch, where Arsene drew out a board for them. "You can go first."

He grinned and picked up a marble, tossing it onto the board.

***

Lupin walked into the meeting room, looking at the bag of things and the cops standing around it.  "Decided to include the locals?" he asked Bob.

"One of the pieces had their sticker on it," Justina admitted.  "We think one of them built it and I'd rather keep peaceful relations with them.  It was my decision."

"That's fine," Lupin agreed, looking down at Xander.  "She's sleeping."

"She passed out after doing something that created a wall between us and the bomb."

"It's called a shield," Marcus admitted from across the room.  "A very strong one if it contained all the blast without moving."  He walked over.  "The sweep is done, there's no others."

"Thank you," Bob said, smiling at him. "You're very useful, Marcus."

"Thank you, Don."  He looked at Lupin.  "I can't bring her back like this."

"That's fine, I drove," Lupin admitted.  "Now, why is everyone cowering?"

"Because the cops came rushing in and didn't arrest anyone?" Justina suggested.

"Because Sylvia *appeared*," Bob said firmly.  "Then one very young kitsune, according to Goemon, came to help."

Lupin nodded.  "One came for her just before she left the apartment too."  He looked around.  "Okay, help me lift her since Goemon isn't around."

"Those bird arms of yours not that strong?" one woman asked smugly.

Lupin looked at her. "She's six months pregnant.  I don't want to drop her."  She backed off and lost her smirk.  "Thank you.  Sylvia is precious to us.  Anyone who hurts Sylvia or our kids gets hurt worse in return and we'll have fun."  He let Bob pick her up and hand her over, then staggered out under her weight.

Xander, of course, chose to wake up.  "Huh?"

"Shh, relax.  Let me get you into the car."

"I can walk."

"Hush.  Now I see why Goemon does this all the time.  I do need to lift weights."  The valet ran for his car as soon as he saw him, coming back and opening the door as quickly as possible.  "Thanks."  He got her settled into it and then turned to hand in the ticket and tip the man.  "We're going back to the apartment if anyone asks."  He got in to drive, making sure Xander was fully buckled in correctly before speeding off.  Then he carried her to the elevator someone had finally managed to turn on, taking her upstairs.  Jigen met him at the door and took her, putting her into the nest he had made on the couch for her. "Bob and Justina had it well in hand," he assured Jigen.

"Good."

***

Goemon walked in when he was summoned, looking up at the stage.  "Yes?" he asked calmly.

"They want Lupin to lead Europe."

Goemon looked at them.  "Doing so would make us live out our version of hell and take us away from the important task of our children," he said simply.   "Lupin said so."

Bob waved a hand.  "See?  I told you he won't take it."

"Then name Lavelle," the woman protested.  "We all know and follow them."

"Lavelle is the one most involved in the children," Goemon told him.  "It is usually he and I who do most of the childcare and Marcus who acts as the nanny when we're without one."  He looked at Bob.  "They're serious?"

"As anything," Justina said dryly.  "Fortunately no one's suggested Jigen do it."

"As is," Bob said, waving a hand.  "Yo, shut it."  Everyone shut up.  "As is, I'm not going to be able to take over for a few months anyway and Justina will have to move.  I'm due to have surgery.  Lupin will be filling in until I'm recovered and then he'll be handing everything over to me.  He'll be the one smoothing over all the rough spots that the last few have created with the other Syndicates."

"Next we have to do the same thing in Japan," Goemon admitted.  "Sylvia has an appointment in six more days."

"That's fine, Goemon.  We're agreed that everything can be done from somewhere else until we're ready to get some established headquarters.  Can you please ask Lavelle and Sylvia if they're willing to sell the other building?"  He nodded.  "Thank you."  He looked at the group.  "I promise, Lupin and I are very tight.  He passed it onto me.  He said he didn't want it, even Goemon said so."

"Most of us don't know much about Goemon," one woman in the back pointed out.  "We only know him from the posters and the legends of his sword."

Goemon sighed and pulled out his phone, calling the apartment.  "Jigen, it is I.  There is a push to name Lupin."  He listened and hung up.  "Lupin will be back in another hour, though he is quite peeved because you're taking him away from his pampering routine for Sylvia."

"You know," one smartass offered.  "We could name Marcus.  He won't protest.  He's been cross-trained the same way Lavelle has been.  He's more stiff and British than not so we wouldn't have to worry about the playful nature Lavelle can show.  Plus, we'll get Lupin anyway."  A few people looked thoughtful.  "They'd never leave their student to flounder and fuck up Europe."

"Marcus is *my* student," Goemon informed him.

"Yeah, and you'd protect him and Lupin goes with you on that," he said with a shrug.  "We'd still get him in a supervisory position."

"I'm going to ask his opinion on things," Bob said dryly.  "But I want to see what Marcus would do if you suggested that."

"I don't," Goemon said darkly, scowling at him.  Bob winced and backed away.  "Marcus is very involved in what he's doing."  He turned when the door opened, waving Jigen inside.  "No Lupin?"

"He's holding Sylvia while she pukes."  He looked at the group, then moved onto the stage.  "Everyone see me okay?"  They all nodded.  "Good, Lupin said to fuck yourselves.  If he had wanted it, we wouldn't be having this meeting."  He jumped down and patted Goemon on the arm.  "He's fixing lunch too."

"I'll be back within an hour hopefully."

"Good.  Lotus and her buddy are reading books on complimentary and matching magics together to do greater things.  Xander's involved, Marcus is working out and we can't get him out of his meditation, and they keep getting them back from me and Lupin.  Bix is still shopping."

Goemon groaned, shaking his head.  "I shall return."  He followed Jigen back to the car, letting him drive them back to the apartment.  "My daughter is too strong-willed for her own good."

"We see a lot of you in her too," Jigen agreed.

Goemon glared at him.  "I am not that stubborn."

"Sure, Goemon.  Keep telling yourself that," he taunted.  Goemon hit him on the arm, making him wince.  "Thank you for not hitting the one on the wheel."  He pulled into the garage and headed up the stairs, finding the apartment in a shambles.  "Lupin!  Xander!"

"Children!" Goemon called.   They searched the apartment, finding Lupin gassed in the bathroom and Xander unconscious again but with one hand raised.  There was a small trickle of blood off her palm.  He got her turned over and checked her over. "She'll be fine.

We must find the children."

Jigen opened the door.  "Kids!"  Arsene came running and hugged him.  "What happened?"

"Bad peoples!" she said.  "They take Bix and other babies!"

"The tapes," Goemon called.  "Arsene, is Marcus still here?"  She shook her head.  "Did he follow them?"  She nodded. "Good.  Come sit with the mother."  He headed for the security room downstairs to look at the tapes.  Six black-coated figures walked in and then the screen went blank.  He growled, pulling his sword and cutting the machine.  "Fine, we will track Marcus."  He pulled out his cellphone as he walked.  "Bob, it is I.  The children were taken.  Lupin was sedated.  Xander is unconscious again.  All we have is Arsene.  Marcus is following them."  He walked in and found Marcus in the middle of the floor.  "What are you doing here?"  Marcus didn't answer, only held up something from where he was laying.  "What is this?"  He read the address.  "Is this where the children are?"  He looked down but Marcus was now unconscious.  "Damn!"

Jigen came out of the bedroom, looking at the note.  "That's Xander's house."  He took the phone from the limp house.  "Bob, we need help at Xander's house. Yes, that one."  He hung up and went to look at the available weapons stash.  He found a few copies of his own gun and some of the ones that Xander liked best, then walked out.  "Arsene, I want you to stay here with them.  One of them should wake up, tell them to stay here and to guard Xander."  She nodded, sucking on her thumb.  "Someone will be back soon."  Someone knocked on the door so he opened it.  "Kyle, can you babysit?"  He nodded, looking confused.  "Someone took most of the kids, our nanny, knocked out Lupin, Xander, and Marcus.  Watch them."  He walked past him, heading for the car.  There was no way someone was doing this to his family.

***

Bob hung up and waved for silence, but Justina whistled.  "Someone took Lupin's children.  Lupin's unconscious, as are Lavelle and Marcus.  They need support.  Can anyone provide that?"

"On it," one man said, getting up and heading out with his people.

Justina looked at Bob.  "Who was that?"

"That was an Interpol agent," he said fondly.  "I do believe that was Ray's attempt at disguise."  He looked at the rest of them.  "As is, we will go back and search our things and the main building.  Those who want to help, they're going to Xander's other house."

"The one he restored?" one woman asked.  He nodded. "I know where that is."  She stood up.  "To me."  Her people followed her out.  You didn't touch a kid on their watch.

Justina looked at a few others.  "You, you, and you, organize a defense watch here.  We'll do the one back at the other building.  Report to us each hour."  Everyone nodded, following the orders.  It seemed like the thing to do and someone was in charge.

Bob smiled at her.  "Good work.  Call your son?"  She grabbed his phone to call her son's phone, getting him.  She smiled as she walked away.  "The rest of you sit down and work out the problems we're going to have.  This is why Lupin didn't want the job."  Everyone but one guy nodded and left to talk amongst themselves.  That one man stood up.  "You are?"

"A better second than yours."

"My personal one has been with me for many years.  She's a very good businesswoman.  What can you offer me?"

"Easy, I can make this all go away," he said, waving a hand.  The hand was shot.  He screamed and held it, glaring at the woman in the back.

"Lavelle and I may be on the outs, but no one touches Lavelle or his kids," Dawn said coldly.  "No one."  She walked closer, kicking him under the chin, then she handcuffed him.  "Let's see how Ray and Zenny like you, smartass."  She found a switch on him and kicked him until he groaned. "What's the switch for?"  He glared at her.  "I can shoot you again.  No one here will say a damn thing."

"Dawn, relax," Bob counseled.

She looked at him.  "I don't like you."  She looked down at the idiot. "Fine.  Then we'll do this *my* way."  She made her hand glow, just a simple illusion, and laid it on his forehead, making him cry out and writhe from the imagined pain she was creating.  "What does the switch do?"

"It sends the message to kill them," he shouted, pleading.

"Thank you."  She carefully pulled the batteries out and tossed them aside.  "Let's go. You're staining the carpet."  She hauled him up and drug him out to the cop car that had brought her. "He admitted to being the ring leader of the group who just kidnaped Lavelle's children."  The cop looked stunned. "They're working on it.  Let's get him into official custody."  He nodded, taking off to get that man into an interrogation room. They could use this to make him speak and give them something on the others in the room.

***

Jigen looked at the house, squinting at the quietness it had.  "No screaming."

"They're not dead," Goemon said firmly.

"No, they're not," Jigen agreed.  He turned when he heard a quiet footstep.  "Emmajean?"  She nodded, putting her cap on backwards and pulling her gun.  "What are you doing here?"

"Kidnaping is a police matter," she reminded him.  "Ray's behind me.  More are behind them.  Let's go."

"Been in there?" Goemon asked.

"Twice now.  Ray was really disappointed that he didn't get to go through Xander's anime collection.  Each minute puts them further into danger."

"We're going," Jigen agreed, taking second point.  Goemon got her other shoulder and they let her lead the way in.  She had the body armor on and they didn't.  He handed her the keys with a nudge and she used them, heading inside.

Ishi was holding a long dagger and scowling at them.  "They're gone."  He handed it to his father.  "They pissed me off."

"I'm sorry, son.  Is everyone all right?" he asked, hugging him.

"Mostly.  Lotus has a bad headache.  She stunned a few.  Uncle, the babies are upstairs napping in the mirrored room with Lotus.  Everyone else is in the tv room watching cartoons.  They're in the dining room."  He stomped off, going to tell the other kids it was all right.  "Auntie Emmajean is here with Uncle Jigen and Father."

Melissa looked up and then got up, giving him a hug.  "It's okay.  You protected us.  We still love you," she promised gently.  He got free but she grabbed him again and this time the other two held on too.  "You're our hero, Ishi.  You protected us."

He let himself be held.  It was rather...nice.  His father came in and he looked at him. "They said I was their hero."

"You are," Goemon agreed, smiling down at him.  "You did very good, Ishi."  He gave him a gentle pat to the head.  "We will gather the rest of the children.  Is your sister fine?"

"She's fine and she's using the brother as a teddy," he assured him.

"Thank you."  He headed up the stairs, finding two last people in Xander's own room, one of them hanging from inside the closet and the other lying on the bed in a puddle of blood from his head.  "I wonder who did that."

"I don't," Jigen said, shaking his head.  "I don't want to know, I'm not wondering."

"An excellent idea," Goemon agreed.  "Let us gather the others. I want to hold them."

"Sure."  He followed, grabbing Lotus and Kenji, letting Goemon get Fred and Sarah this time.  "TV room?"

"Yes."  He walked them down there, sitting down with the children to hold them all.  "It was quite a defensive action," he praised.  "Whichever of you thought that up did very well."

"Thank you," Savannah said quietly, clinging to her aunt.  She looked up. "It's not bad?"

"No, it's not bad," Emmajean promised.  "You can ask your Uncle Zenigata or Ray if you don't believe me.  Even we have to take out the bad guys sometimes."  She nodded and settled in for a longer cuddle.  "Sierra, did you want one?"  She shook her head, hugging her Uncle for now.   "That's fine, whenever you're ready."  She tapped her collar.  "The kids are safe.  They took them out."  She unclipped her radio and tucked it back inside her vest.  "Here, let's wait for Ray."

Ishi looked at his uncles as they came in.  "They slapped at my sister," he said coolly.  "I dealt with them for that insult."

Zenigata nodded, picking him up to hug him.  "I'm glad the crooks taught you enough so you could defend yourself, Ishi.  Good boy.  You did what you had to do."  Ishi nodded, relaxing against his chest.  "Goemon, I'll give him back in a moment," he said softly.

"I'm not worried.  I know you would not dare harm my son."  He gave the ones he held a squeeze.  "Two are upstairs.  The others are in the dining room."

"Kids!" Xander yelled, hurrying in.

"Ishi protected us," Melissa said, sniffling.  "He saved us."

Xander picked her up, holding her as tightly as he could.  "Oh, God, you're all right," he said, sniffing her.  "Thank you, Ishi."

"Welcome, Uncle," he said softly.  He looked at Ray, who went to check on the bodies. "I found a dagger."

"I put it in the kitchen, in the sink," Jigen said from under his pile of kids.

"I didn't think I left any," Xander murmured.  He sat down, pulling Savannah over to hug her too.  "You're okay too?"  She nodded, letting him be clingy.  He relaxed, then looked up at the cop.  "Give me Ishi.  He deserves the best cuddles."  Ishi was handed over.  "You are so good," he whispered. "You did what you had to do.  Never doubt that you did only as much as you had to."  Ishi gave him a trusting look and nodded.  "Good boy."  He held him as tightly as he did the girls.  "You're all okay.  That's all that matters."

"Dawn captured the one who suggested he could fix this," Ray said as he came back with the knife in a bag.  "Ishi, man, you did good.  You saved the girls.  Those men were very evil."

"Then it's a good thing I can't get to them, huh?" Xander said coolly.  "Ishi, I love you, little man."

"Thank you, Uncle Xan-Xan."  He kissed him and got out of the strong arms, transferring himself to his father's lap.  He even held Fred so he could share the proper hugs from his father. His father smiled and nodded.  "You're sure?"

"You did wonderfully.  Much more than I expected you to be able to do," Goemon praised.  "You did exactly what was needed and you protected them.  I am very proud, son."

"Thanks, daddy."  He rested his head against his shoulder.  "Can we go home now?"

"We'll be going back to our house later tonight.  The others will be following later."

"Fuck that, the meeting's over," Jigen said firmly.  Lupin rushed in.  "In here.  Ishi saved them."

"Thank God."  He bent down, giving Ishi a long hug.  "Thank you, Ishi.  You protected my greatest treasures."  He grabbed his kids to cuddle, leaving Jigen his.  "Thank God you're all right."

Lotus looked at him.  "Where kit?" she asked around her thumb.

"He ran home," Goemon told her.  "We'll check on him later."

She nodded.  "Thank you, daddy."  She leaned against his chest, more than happy to help hold her brother for now.  "Love you, Ishi.  Thank you."

"Welcome," he said gruffly.  He closed his eyes. "I need a nap."

"I think we could all use a rest," Goemon agreed, standing up and taking the children with him. "Car?"

"Bix?" Xander asked.

"She was still out when we were taken, daddy," Melissa told him.  "She's coming back later.  She had to get something from the library and she said it'd take hours.  She left just after you fell asleep."

"Thank you."  They trooped out to the cars, letting Zenigata take them back to the apartment this time.

Zenigata looked at Lupin.  "Are you taking it over?"

"Hell no.  This might happen again," he said quietly.  "I'd have to destroy everyone for that."

"Good.  Thank you.  Leave tonight."  He dropped them off and drove off.

Ray leaned on the roof of the car as Xander got out.  "You know, I love that house, Xan.  You did a great job with it."

"Thanks."  He gave him a light smile.  "I think it's too small for all us though."

"Really?" Emmajean asked hopefully.  "Really too small or just crowded?"

"With all the kids?  There's no way."  He nodded at the apartment building.  "I'm selling this to the new syndicate as well.  Send me an offer."  He walked inside with the twins, taking them up to hold them.  Once they were in there and Arsene had gotten to hug everyone, he looked at his lovers.  "Did Bob want this place?"  Lupin nodded.  "I can agree with that."

"Really?" Lupin asked.  She nodded.  "What about the other one?"

"Emmajean just gave me the most hopeful look," he sighed.  "She was rubbing her stomach too.  Their apartment is really small and the local branch is getting a new commander.  If it's not Ray then at least they could move their base of operations here.  It'd let them get to the other assassins easier.  I know Dawn's selling her house to move this way."

"At least you know they'll love it," Jigen agreed.  "It's your house, I won't argue."

Xander nodded. "Then I'd like that.  I'll have to take all my stuff to the new house."  He looked at Lupin, who smiled at him.  "That's okay, right?"

"We'd love to host your anime and kimono collection, Xan, you know that," Lupin pointed out.  "Now all we have to do is find a house."

"If we do, can I have a pony?" Arsene asked plaintively.

"Two of the houses we're looking at have horses next door," Jigen told her.  "We're not buying a farm."

Lupin looked at him.  "Why don't you like horses?"

"Because they're smelly, rude, and they eat a lot, then they crap even more. I'm not shoveling shit for anyone, man."

"Fine," Lupin agreed.  "They can visit the neighbor's horses."  The girls all gave him adoring looks.  "Goemon?  Any preferences?"

"I liked France," he admitted.  "I like my home better."

"Father, if we're not with them at least part of the time, Arsene and Sierra will stalk you," Ishi pointed out.

"You guys are welcome to come live with us for however long and however often you want," Xander promised. "The same way we'll be coming over to cuddle you all the time."

"You'll stalk us too?"  Goemon asked dryly.

Lupin smirked.  "Only if she wants to be tied to the bed and made to watch us play."

"You're being irrational again," Xander pointed out dryly.  "Are you sure I'm the pregnant one?"  Lupin's eyes went wide so she smirked.  "We'll pick up a test pack tonight in case."  He looked around.  "Someone call Olivia so we can leave as ordered.  We'll go back to Goemon's for now.  We'll figure out which house is the new one while there."  Lotus called the phone over, holding her head.  "You, no more until the headache goes away," he ordered.  "Or it'll make it permanent."

"Yes, Uncle," she said sleepily.  She rested against her father's side. "What about the books?"

"They can be packed up and put into storage," Lupin assured her.

"Not that you'll be reading them for a very long time," Goemon added.

"No, but Marcus might," Xander offered.   Goemon gave him a look.  "Fine, I'll behave and keep my books to myself."

"Thank you," Goemon agreed.

"Even the sex manual collection downstairs," she finished.

Lupin looked at her.  "I haven't seen them yet."

"Here we go, he's gonna pout because you wouldn't show him the naughty stuff," Ray said from the doorway.  He nodded at Xander.  "Really?"  He nodded. "Then how does this look?"  He walked in and handed over the paper.  "Lupin, Zenny was serious."

Lupin took the phone, dialing the phone he had given Olivia.  "Hey, it's me.  We're being asked to leave the city.  We good to go?"  He smirked at Ray as he hung up.  "We'll need another day."

"The asshole said you hired him," Ray countered.

"Really?" Lupin asked, starting to sneer.  "I think I should have a discussion with our friend then, shouldn't I?"

"Lupin, you're still a crook," Jigen pointed out.

"We don't have any warrants against us.  I can walk into any police station in the world," Lupin said smoothly.  "The only way for him to see the error of his stupidity is from direct contact."

"Done," Xander agreed, standing up.  He looked at Ray.  "I paid more when I bought it and fixed it up."

"You did the work?" Ray asked, taking it back.  "That was the lowest we could go.  How much higher were you thinking?"

"Current value?"

"Deal," Ray agreed, pulling out another form.  "Plus another three.  Emma wasn't sure of current exact value."

Xander signed his name and handed it back.  "I'll want to go through it again."  Then he disappeared.  Finding Dawn was easy.  Knocking her out and becoming her was even easier.  She followed Dawn's marker on her husband, strolling into the interrogation room he was trying to get the man to confess in.  She coughed and the man sneered at her.  Xander looked down at him, then he smirked.  "You know, most people aren't aware that I trained with Lupin and Lavelle," she said smoothly, moving further into the room.  The other man swallowed.  "There's a loophole in Interpol's laws of conduct with criminals.  It says I can use any method accepted by a member nation of the UN."  She licked her lips.  "That includes all those nice countries like Saudi.  Or those few countries where people can be tortured legitimately."

"Dawn," Zenigata said, looking shocked. "What are you doing?"

"See, I heard him saying that Lupin hired him.  So I talked to Lupin."  The man behind the table swallowed. "Lupin's exact words were 'fuck, I hope Lavelle doesn't hear about this, I'll be down tonight to correct his misconception'."  She smirked at him.  "Now, I doubt that Lavelle hasn't heard.  He's a great crook, but he sucks at lying to his spouse."  The man let out a small moan.   "His spouse, who is pregnant and won't be able to sneak out to come...visit you, will tell Lavelle."  She leaned down, getting nearer to his face with her cold little smirk.  "Then Lavelle will come before Lupin ever has the chance to," she said in a 'poor baby' voice.  "The only hope you have of avoiding Lavelle is me.  Not my husband, not the local cops.  Me."  He whimpered as he licked his lips.  "If you tell me *everything*, the real story, then I *might* be able to protect you.  Hear the might there, because Lavelle will...be...livid," she purred.  "I've seen him that angry.  I'm sure you heard about the local Don a few years back?  And he only *thought* about hurting one of the twins."

"I want a deal," he whispered hoarsely.  "I want a solitary cell and I want a deal."

"Do you really think Lavelle can't get past that?  After all, Lavelle is *very* talented.  Look at how he stumped Miami five years ago.  Or Peru the year after that.  Or even the one in Mexico City."  The man blanched and shifted his seat backwards.  "What makes you think that this jail is any more secure than the one there?" she purred with a small smirk.  "I might be able to talk Lavelle out of ...visiting you, but I'd need a really good reason.  He's all for redemption as long as it's your own idea.  Like the woman who shot my husband, Zenny."  She stood up, looking down at him.  "I know you heard about that."

The crook looked at Zenigata.  "Is that true!" he demanded.  "Can she stop him from killing me?  He did a horrible thing in Mexico City from the rumors.  I...I can't die like that!"

"We couldn't prove one way or another that he did that one," Zenigata said bitterly.  "If you have proof of it, it might help you some more."

"Lavelle is a ghost, man, no one can get him!  He's Lupin's retribution!  He's Jigen's ghost!  He's Goemon's bitch!  He can destroy this whole city!  You've got to save me!  I can't die like that!"

"Then tell us," Dawn encouraged smoothly, nearly purring in delight, as if this was pleasing her greatly.  Then again, it was.  "I can make sure Lupin leaves you alone and he's the only one who can stop Lavelle this time.  Jigen will let him do you."

The real Dawn walked in with three cups of coffee, making the man shriek and back away from her as fast as his chair would move.  "What?" she demanded.  "Coffee, Lavelle, or is the baby getting upset with it still?"

"Well, no, the baby is still very upset with it," he admitted, changing back.  "Thanks, Dawn. Sorry about the gas thing."  He smirked at the crook.  "See?  I can get you anywhere."

The crook walked over and kneeled at Zenigata's feet, hugging him around the knees.  "Protect me and I'll tell you everything, man.  I swear, everything I've ever done, every scrap I have on Lupin, everything."  The cop's eyes lit up.  "Just don't let him have me!"

"You made my Godson kill people," Lavelle said, staring down at him.  The man looked stunned.  "That's right, Goemon's son took them out.  Those that his daughter and my kids didn't.  You forced a nine-year-old boy to kill."

The crook swallowed.  "I'm ... I'm sorry, Lavelle.  I was ordered."

"By?  I want the name of the person who ordered this.  I want to have a longer discussion  with them."

The man nodded.  "I got it through Merle."

"Thank you."  Xander nodded at Zenigata.  "It'll take us an extra day to leave, the plane's being fixed at the moment."  He strolled out, nodding politely at the cops he passed.  "He kidnaped my kids, I was making my feelings known," he said when one opened their mouth and held up a finger.  "Don't worry, he was a flunkie."  Everyone who heard that shuddered.

***

Xander looked down at his captive, smirking at him.  "Morning, Bob."  Bob struggled.  "Don't even.  I did them myself.  Your guards are unaware that I'm up here.  You and I need to have a discussion."  He straddled the older man's chest, looking down at him as he pulled out a small, hair's width dagger.  "You see, I talked to Merle.  Merle told me who gave him the money to have our kids taken."  The man tried to talk but something was holding his lips closed.  "I don't need a confession, Bob.  This is your only warning.  If you're going to be taking over Europe, you'd better learn some important facts.  Lupin and those of us who run with him are laws unto ourselves. *That's* why we ran the meeting."  He looked horrified.  "Oh, I know why you did it.  Merle was very informative," he said with a small smirk.  Xander used the blade to cut off the man's shirt, showing it was *very* sharp.

"Now, I believe we need to conclude this lesson.  All I have to do is to pick a reminder.  Should I slice something off so you can't ever touch another child again?  Should I make you a pretty picture as a vampiress I used to know put it?  Should I maybe start with your hands and then move down?"  The man tried to speak again but his lips were sewn shut with his tongue between them and there wasn't any getting around that.  "Maybe something less graphic?"  The man nodded.  "Are you *sure* you understand the lesson?  Harming my children, any of my children, real or relative, is not the brightest thing to do.  Harming my children means that I get *angry*."  He leaned down, staring into his eyes from mere inches away.  "You don't want me angry, do you?" he asked quietly.  The man shook his head.  "Good.  Then we're in agreement. I think I can let you off with a warning."  He sat up and looked at the slightly flabby chest.  Then he nodded and lifted his dagger, using it to write.

Do Not Fuck With Lupin.

It was a very pretty message.

One he would always remember each time he saw his chest.

Lavelle got off his chest and looked down, wiping his hands off on the blankets.  Then he picked up the salt shaker he had filled earlier.  He carefully sprinkled it over the wiggling chest, making him scream.  "Hush."  The man tried but he couldn't follow that order.  The salt and herbs was something that was used in Africa by those tribes who did ritual scarring to make sure the cuts raised.  "There, that's good enough I think," he said with a smile for his victim.  "Remember.  I can and will take everything you hold dear.  I'll enjoy it.  I'll enjoy your girlfriend *very* much."  The man looked horrified.  "Not like that," he said with a small chuckle.  "I'd never hurt another woman, Bob.  You should know that by now.  You remember our talk.  If I have to come back, the next one will be smaller, yet hurt much more."  He strolled out of the house, heading back to the apartment complex, with a stop on the way to clean up in the hotel room he had rented for the night.  He walked into the apartment clean, dry, and in the suit he had left in earlier.  "Hi."  He kissed Lupin gently.  "Can I have a cuddle?"

"Sure.  Just as soon as you tell me where you were."  Lupin smirked at him.  "I know you too well, Xander."

Xander leaned against his chest, kissing him gently.  "I made my feelings known and instructed him on the proper way to treat our children.  Nothing else."  He grinned up at him.  "Now can I have a cuddle or should I try for Jigen?"

"He's already asleep."

"I guess that means I'm all yours," Xander said with a sexy smile.  "How did you want me?"

"On your knees with your hands behind your head," Ray said from the doorway.  He waved a tape.  "Torture, Xander?"

"Prove it."

Ray walked over and popped the tape into the VCR, letting him see it.  "Silver hair.  Your height.  Looks a lot like you in that shot."

Xander grinned at him, then shook his head.  "That's not me, Ray."

"Xander, I watched you come out of his house."

Xander undid the collar at his throat, becoming Marcus.  "I'm still not Xander."  He shrugged.  "And I can prove it wasn't him."

Ray gaped.  "No way!"

"Way," Xander agreed as he came out of the bedroom, clutching the wall.  "I had a sudden bout of vertigo earlier or else I would have went."  Lupin looked confused.  "I couldn't very well leave him alone," he said coldly.  "He tried to hurt our kids.  That's punishable by death in my book."

"In mine too," Lupin admitted, looking at Marcus. "I'm going to spank you for that."

"I figured you would have realized it," he said with a small shrug.  "I usually can't be that Xanderish."  He looked at Ray.  "Now you know it wasn't him."

"You can't prove that in court!"

"I can so.  We make masks all the time," Marcus pointed out.  "Even if you tried all of us, there would be reasonable doubt as to which of us it was."

"You're in Geneva," Ray pointed out, holding up a finger.  "The Brit system isn't in effect here, Marcus."

Marcus shrugged and shook out his hair.  "Then arrest me, Ray.  It would make you look quite wonderful and enhance my own reputation when I escape."

Goemon came out of the main bedroom with his son, giving Ray a dirty look.  "You're keeping up the children and Xander."

"You're all together?" Ray squeaked, falling backwards until his back hit a couch and he struggled onto it.  "Xander?"

"Not really," Xander admitted with a small shrug.  "Hey, Kenji. Did you wake up?" he cooed, taking the baby to hold.  "Do you need to eat something?  I'm sure Fred and Sarah won't mind sharing."  He sat down, letting the baby latch on.  "The milk is still there," he said at the confused looks.  "It's just a smaller tit in this form, but not by much."

"Xander, that's his son you're feeding," Lupin noted.  "Since when are you breast feeding Goemon's son?"

"You want him to have to drink that fake, nasty, unhealthy formula instead?"

"Well, no," Lupin admitted.  "But I don't like you being the wet nurse either.  Breast feeding is a very personal thing in my book."

"Lupin, it's not like I'm letting Goemon suckle," he said dryly.  "This is Kenji, he's the baby.  There's a difference."  He looked down at the baby.  "Hey, little guy.  I'm the auntie. It's all good though.  Your daddy won't mind."  He winked and the baby batted at him, sucking harder.  "Yeah, you do it the natural way.  No one minds in the least," he cooed.

Jigen came out, looking down at him.  "He doesn't look like Fred."

Goemon shrugged.  "He took him and did it.  I did not ask."

"Chill, Goemon, we know," Lupin soothed.  "Xander, you're freaking him out."

"Goemon, did you really want to feed him another bottle?"

"Well, no, but his mother is gone."

"Mother's milk is mother's milk.  It's not like I'm not going to be the pseudo-mother anyway!"  The baby pulled off to fuss.  "Shh, you eat, little guy.  You need the food.  Yes, I am nummy and wholesome and the other men can whine."  He stood up, carrying the baby into the bedroom to do this with him.

Lupin looked at Goemon.  "I'll stop it if it bothers you."

Goemon shook his head.  "It's odd, but not that odd.  I almost expected such at some level.  Xander is very giving and caring."  He looked at Jigen.

"It doesn't bother me, I love watching the kids nurse."

"I felt much the same way," Goemon sighed.

"We're not sure she's dead," Ray said quietly.  Goemon looked at him.  "There's been someone spotted who looked a lot like her."  He shrugged.  "The Boss didn't want you to know, Goemon.  He said it'd only hurt more."

"I had such thoughts myself," he admitted sadly.  "To us, she is dead.  I mourn my wife, no matter what plane she is on."  He went back into the main bedroom.  "May I help?" he asked from the doorway.  "I don't wish to touch or anything."

"Sure, Goemon.  Come sit and watch.  It's nothing sexual."  Goemon blushed but did so, pulling a chair over to watch his son eat.  "Ignore Lupin."

"He's very possessive.  I would be as well."

"I'm sure but we'll be fine."

In the living room, Lupin closed the door.  "We'll work that out tomorrow," he told Jigen.

"I'm fine with it, man.  The baby needed it and Xander offered.  He's like that.  He'd give his heart to the kids if he had to."

"I know, but to feed another's kids?" Lupin asked.  "It's really personal.  I want to be the only one who gets to see that!"

"Throw a fit, Lupin, lose him for good," Ray said as he stood up.  He walked over to Marcus.  "Stay in the city."

Marcus kissed him, making him go limp.  "If I must.  I'll do a sweep of Xander's house so you don't have to."  He licked his lips.  "Run away, Ray, it did rather excite me."  Ray's eyes went wide and he ran out.  Marcus looked at Lupin.  "I agree, Xander is doing this because she might as well be that boy's mother as well.  To her the children are all hers.  Therefore she's taking care of them the way she would her own.   The first complaint will bring a fit of epic proportions and another bout of depression."  He wiggled his fingers. "I'm off to talk to Bix."

"Leave her alone, Marcus," Lupin said tiredly.  "She won't go for you."

"I know she won't, I want to know her secret."

Lupin looked at him.  "Then you can wait for her to tell it to Goemon, it's up to him to officially tell the rest of us."  He walked into the bedroom, laying down on Xander's other side, resting against her.  "Is he hungry?" he asked gently.

"You over your fit?"

"Yeah, I understand, Xan.  I won't fight you feeding him.  I won't let Goemon taste you like he did his own wife, but I will let you feed the baby and he can watch as long as that's all he sees."

She smiled at him.  "I'm proud, there wasn't a fit in sight."

Lupin grinned.  "Thanks, Xan.  After him, I want to play with the baby."

"Sure."  She pulled Kenji off, letting him belch.  "You still hungry?"  He made more sucking faces so she let him have the other side. "Have you been ignored, little guy?  You're really hungry."

"He's always hungry and Ishi was the same way," Goemon said quietly, watching his son eat.  "Thank you, Xander.  You are a wonderful near-mother to my children."  Xander sniffled.  "Do not do that.  We appreciate all you do for us and the children."  He touched her arm, making her look at him.  "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I don't mind in the least.  I like being the mom most of the time, and the rest we have Bix."  He stroked over the baby's hair.  "Hurry up before your uncle gets impatient."

Lupin chuckled and rested his head on his thigh.  "Don't worry, I can wait for such important things."  He stroked up the inside of his mate's thigh, earning a shiver.  "I never imagined you being this much of a woman when you first got that choker.  Passing as one, yes.  Living as one if you had to.  Being this womanly and loving?  I had no idea."  He kissed the moving stomach.  "Hi, daughter."

Jigen came back in.  "Pops decided that Marcus was right when Bob refused to make a complaint."  He closed the door.  "He still going at it?"

"He's really hungry. I don't think he ate earlier."  He looked down and broke the suction but Kenji sought him out.  "Hey, what's wrong?" he cooed, making the baby relax again.  "It's still there.  Just take a few breaths."  Kenji wiggled and batted at her, eventually finding the nipple again to suck some more.   "What's up with this new son, Lupin?"

"Paul?  I finally got a picture of him and he's got to be mine.  He looks just like me.  He's about twenty.  His mother's a party girl and he was raised in a foster home most of his life.  His grandmother had him for most of that.  She was a strict Christian lady.  He rebelled and found out about his family when he saw a picture of me and realized he looked just like me.  So he wrote Pops and asked if there was a way to test his parentage against my records.  Pops had the test run.  Paul's training under Jerome and he's not half-bad from his reports.  I'm meeting with him once he's done with his training.  He's getting used to the idea."

"And the daughters comment?" Jigen asked.  Lupin looked guilty.  "Give."

"I have another daughter about that old.  She's a socialite.  Fairly well off because of her mother's inheritance.  She wanted a child so bad and her husband was impotent so she invited me in to steal a diamond brooch and to cure their problem.  Her husband knew, he watched the whole thing.  He was another breast man, she had a wonderful set and my daughter's beautiful.  Looks almost exactly like her mother except for her eyes."  He smirked at Jigen.  "She may not know and I promised not to tell."

"Ehh.  I guess that's fine," Jigen admitted. "Why didn't you use them?"

"Because the will said he had to have a Fourth," Xander reminded him.

"Plus, I decided I wanted to like babies," Lupin admitted.  "I talked myself into it.  I was right, I love the kids and being a father.  They're nearly as fun as pulling jobs to me most of the time."

Jigen patted him on the back.  "Remember, this one may be mine."

"Sure, Jigen.  This one is probably yours," he said with a small sigh of regret.  He patted Kenji on the back.  "You nearly done?  I want some of that too."

She laughed and pulled Kenji off, letting Goemon take him to burp.  "There, all fed.  He's a happy baby again."

"Thank you, Xander.  I appreciate this."  He left with his son, leaving them to do...whatever in private. He did not need to know how three people had sex together.

Lupin arched up, curling up in Xander's lap to lick over his nipples.  "Hmm.  Sweet."  He sucked a bit, until Jigen pinched him.  "What?"

"Switch sides so the real babies don't starve," Jigen ordered.  He kissed Xander.  "Love you."

"Love you right back," Xander said with a smile, moaning as Lupin latched onto the other side. "Easy, those are sensitive."  She looked down, noticing the uncomfortable way he was laying.  "Like you're the baby, Lupin.  Not like that."  Lupin shifted, laying across her lap like he was really nursing, and moaned.  "Shh, you can lap at me whenever you want," she soothed.

"If he keeps it up, you'll start to produce more," Jigen pointed out.

"I'm already producing too much," he offered, kissing him again.  "I'm always half-full even after the twins get done."  He stroked through Lupin's dark hair, earning a purring slurp.  "Don't choke, dear."

"Not."  He pulled off to pant like the kids did.  "Damn, that's something to make you drunk."  He pulled Jigen down, kissing him. "You never tried any," he said smugly.

Jigen licked his lips.  "Odd."  He took a small taste for himself, pushing Xander to lie down on her back.  "Now I know why Kenji wouldn't let go."

"Still sensitive!" Xander squealed, arching up into the hard sucking mouth.

Lupin got Xander out of his pants and the rest of his shirt, then went to work licking him.  "I've got adult milk."

Jigen pulled off, looking at him.  "You're better at drinking that kind anyway."  He unzipped his pants, letting them fall to the floor, then stripped down to nothing, not even his hat.  Xander pulled him closer, sucking on him like Lupin was sucking.  "Oh, good," he groaned, moving slowly.  "You've spoiled me, Xan.  I'd never be with another woman."  He started to move faster, he couldn't help it.  Xander groaned around him and it was nearly over.  Jigen pulled out of the wet cavern, looking down at her.  "I want to see you as Sylvia.  Would you?"  She changed herself, making Lupin switch to licking in mid-swallow.  "So pretty."  He laid down next to her, stroking her firm, round breasts.  "I like these on you."

"I miss his male side now and then but I've got to say, I love this form best," Lupin agreed, licking her wet pussy as deeply as he could without actually entering her.  "I love you like this, Xan."

"So pretty," Jigen agreed, stroking her stomach.  "So ours."  He chuckled and latched onto her outtie belly button, making her wiggle and swat him.  He laughed and went back to her breasts, making her moan and arch up into both their mouths.  "So ours."

"As soon as she's done with this one, she goes back to Lavelle for six months," Lupin ordered.  "That way we don't get hooked only on her."

"Mm.  Lavelle," Jigen moaned around a nipple.  "Strong body.  Strong cock."

"Long, hard cock," Lupin agreed, working on her clit again.  She was writhing underneath them and letting out cooing noises.  "We need to find a happy medium."

"Mm."  Jigen pulled on a nipple, making her yell and arch up into his mouth, giving Lupin a better reach into her, which his tongue took.

"More," she panted.  "I'll be both."

"You will?" Lupin asked, raising his head.  "For at least a week?"  She nodded.  "After the birth?"

"Now if you'll go back to what you were doing!" she said, using a heel to push his back down.  He dove into her muff, licking and sucking, then switching to tongue fuck her.  She was liking this.  She was moving with it.  Jigen was playing with her breasts now, weighing them and sucking on them.  "Please," she pleaded. "More?"  Jigen shifted so she could have his cock, and she went to town on him.  Jigen groaned, making Lupin look up at him.

"Oh, yeah, babe," Lupin agreed, shifting up.  "Get me wet, Jigen?"  Jigen pulled off so he could lick Lupin a few times.  "Thank you."  He moved back, inserting himself.  She moaned and spread her legs.  He put her legs around his waist.  "I want to be all you need, Xan.  Let me?"  Xander tossed her head on the bed, nodding.  Lupin moved gently, working his way in and out of her body while she was pleasing Jigen and he was getting his own taste of milk.  Lupin took the breast he wasn't on, suckling hard.  "Come for me," he murmured into it.  "Come for me, pretty one."  Xander started to chant and wiggle.

"Just a bit more," Jigen agreed, moving fast enough to ram her mouth now. She did something with her tongue and he came with a muted shout, feeding her his spunk.  She drank it greedily before pulling him up to share some with him.  "Oh, damn, babe."  He kissed her deeply, then they watched Lupin getting his own pleasure from her.  He had both things he wanted, a tit and her body.  He was moaning and sucking hard, and thrusting harder still.  Jigen moved up behind him to tease his balls.

Lupin arched up, letting go of the nipple when it slipped free, yelling as he came.  He collapsed, panting on her stomach.  "Damn, so good," he breathed, stroking her stomach.

"Please!" she pleaded.

Jigen moved Lupin, going down to help her finish off.  She came in his mouth and he licked her clean, then lay down on her right side since Lupin had slid off to the left.  "Were you serious?" he asked eventually.

"I can be," Xander offered.

"I don't mind.  I like you both ways, I simply like you more in this form while you're pregnant," Lupin offered. "I can see the changes better."  He stroked the upraised stomach, earning a purr of contentment.  "If you want to be both, I'd be happy."  He reached up, whispering in her ear while she got the first clasp undone.  "Cock, balls, pussy, tits, all of it, Xan.  Just like you really are inside your head."  She moaned and clicked it, changing just a bit.  "Ooh," Lupin moaned, licking her tits.  It hadn't changed but Lavelle's cock was there now.

"Perfect," Jigen agreed, moving lower to please her this time.  Xander went into his mouth easily and he played as long as he wanted, never quite letting her come.  One of his fingers found her opening and teased it, making her whimper and shift.  "Come on, Xan.  Just one more for us," Jigen promised, teasing her both ways.

Lupin was kissing her and fondling her breasts. "I love you, Xan.  You're amazing.  I like you in this form as much as I do the other one."  Xander moaned and arched up into his kiss. "Please, would you take me too?  Suck one me like I do you?"  She nodded, shifting under their hands so she could lick him and Jigen could have her bottom half where it was hanging off the edge of the bed.

Jigen stood up, diving into the warm hole immediately.  She was more than ready.  She was pleading for it.  She wanted him.  He went harder than he normally would, but she was bucking up into his thrusts and he was loving this.  The cock bouncing wasn't throwing him off any.  This was clearly a vagina he was in.  He came with a bellow, pushing in as far as he could.

Lupin came with a quieter moan and went limp.  Xander had to get free to finish herself but she didn't mind.  It was very intense and satisfying.  She pulled Jigen down next to her, curling up between her men.  "Night," she whispered.

"Night, Xan," Lupin said, kissing the back of her neck.  "Rest, I want to get a long look at you tomorrow."

"Yes, dear.  Night, Jigen."

"Night, minx."  He looked at Lupin, and they both looked at the collar.  "Still there?" Jigen asked.  Lupin nodded. "Good.  Sometimes I want her to be fully one or the other.  I like this form though."

Lupin reached a finger down to scoop up some of the mess Jigen had made, licking it off his finger.  "So do I."   They both jumped when a baby let out a loud cry, Jigen getting up to get whichever it had been.  He came back with both twins, letting them latch on.  After a bit, they switched the kids and let them such again.  It was much easier on her.

***

Xander looked around Goemon's house and tied back his hair.  "Go play outside," she ordered, grabbing a few cloths and some cleaner from under the sink.  "No one's even dusted recently."  She started back in the bedrooms and worked her way out, cleaning everything so it was spotless.  Every nook, cranny, bathroom, headboard, even the porches got cleaned.  By the time she was done she was exhausted and nearly shaking in fatigue but it was clean.  He looked around.  "I hate nesting."  Lupin snickered and grabbed her, holding on tightly.  "I'm fine."

"You're not fine, you just cleaned the house.  You're sweaty and dirty and I didn't make you that way.  I should be jealous."  He helped her into their shower, testing the water before sending it out of the showerhead, but also holding her up and helping her get clean.  She moaned under his expert hands, letting herself go with whatever he wanted.  "You are so beautiful."

"Thanks.  If I gain weight this time, I'll remember that."

"Weight is fine, as long as you're not enormous.  A little bit of weight is okay."

She turned in his arms.  "If I got fat, you'd start looking around."  She kissed him gently.  "Can you please get rid of that thing on my back?"

"Sure, turn around.  I'll pop the pregnancy pimples for you."  She did so, leaning against the wall so he could get them all.  He grimaced but it was part of what husbands did.  As soon as they were all done, he washed the area very well and got her rinsed off.

"The rest of us would appreciate the hot water too," Jigen said from the bathroom doorway.  "Goemon said so."

"We're nearly done."  Lupin gave them both one last rinse then turned off the water and got her out, drying her off.  "There we are.  All clean and taken care of.  Did you want to hang out on the porch or in the living room?"

"I'm going to do some gentle working out with Goemon," she decided, grabbing some workout clothes before they could protest and heading out while slipping it on.  She walked out onto the lawn, smirking at him.  "The house is clean."

"Good.  You should be resting."

"I'm bouncing with energy.  Please?"

"Fine.  Do your usual set of katas, without the kicks."  Xander nodded, moving off to the side to do them.  "Remember, Ishi, any time you teach a woman and she is pregnant, she will have form and balance difficulties because of the excess weight she's carrying, especially if it kicks in the center of a movement."  He walked over to help her with her form, letting the kids learn from this as well.

"Would teaching someone who's overweight be the same thing, Father?" Lotus asked.  "I know Auntie isn't but would it be?"

Goemon smiled at her for the thoughtful question.  "Quite likely but the constant practice should begin to help such problems.  Very good.  Now, I know you know this set, follow her."  Ishi nodded, watching where she was so he could match her movements.  "Excellent, speed and timing is perfect, son.  Lotus?"  She took a deep breath and moved into it.  "The truest sign of a master is that he can match his speed to that of his helpers or opponents.  Though there are times when you want to move faster, moving faster will also tire you out more."  He smiled as he watched them, noticing Xander substituting a lower kick for the others.  "Good, Xander.  We'll work on your balance later."  She kept her focus, not even nodding.

Lupin came out onto the porch, leaning on the railing to watch them.  She was really pretty in the sunlight.  Glowing, soft, deadly.  "That reminds me why I like Lavelle so much," he said when someone joined him.

"It should," Zenigata said bitterly.  Lupin jumped, looking at him.  "Ha!  Got you again!"

"What do you want, old man?" Jigen asked from behind him.  "Some of us saw you come in."

Zenigata looked at him.  "There's been a small problem.  The new head of the Euro syndicate just died on the operating table.  His new second was just shot at.  Her son is at school."  He grimaced.  "Geneva's now a war zone in the making."

Lupin groaned, holding his head.  "Fucking hell!"

"What?" Goemon and Xander called in unison.

"Someone killed Bob and tried to kill Justina."

"Bring Kyle to us," Goemon instructed.  "Then take care of it."  They locked eyes.  "I will protect them, take Jigen."

"If he's going then I am too," Xander said, stopping to look at them.  "They will stop because I said so if they don't when you ask politely."

"No," Zenigata said firmly, shaking his head. "Not allowed."  Xander gave him a cold look.  "Whine, kid. You're pregnant."

"And I have perfect aim still," Xander pointed out.  "Which other syndicate didn't like it?"

"We're not sure.  We think it's out of an Arabic country but otherwise we don't know."

"Hmm.  Iran's?" Xander asked.  Lupin looked thoughtful. "If it is, you're going into Iran alone, Lupin."

Lupin frowned, looking at him. "Another nightmare?"

"A horrible one while I was off meditating," Goemon told him.

"You have those too?  I thought only Dawn had those. You get some truth and some hint of things that are going wrong?" Zenigata asked.  Xander nodded.  "Hell.  Must be a Sunnydale thing."

"Probably not.  Dawn didn't fight all that often in Sunnydale.  I'd say it was more like a hell thing."  She walked up to the porch, looking at Lupin.  "Can we stop them?"

"I can," Lupin agreed.  "If it's them, I want you here.  Somewhere safe.  It'll make the kids feel better."

"Fine," Xander agreed.  "But if it's Euro-centric?"

"Then I still want you here, where you and the kids are protected," Lupin ordered.  "No arguing, Xan.  If I have to, I can take Marcus with us.  That'll leave you and Goemon to deal with this issue and with the baby if it comes early."

"It had better not take that long," she said dryly.

"If it does, then I'm going to throw a fit," Lupin agreed, smiling down at her.  "Better?"

"Hell no."

"Fine.  We'll even look at houses while we're fixing it," Jigen offered.  Her face lit up.  "Deal?"

"Deal," she said, starting to pout.  "I can't help?"

"You're our emergency backup," Jigen told her.  "I want to save you for special occasions.  Not the everyday or the mundane."

"That's fine.  Then you might want to get into my stuff and get my weapons stores."

"I can do that," Lupin agreed.  "Thank you, Xan."  He looked at Pops.  "File?"

"What file?"

"The one on this?"

"We're staying out of it.  It leads to less loss of life."  He smirked.  "I thought you might not have logged in today.  It was all over the bulletin boards."  He strolled off cackling, taking his wife's portal back to their house to pack some more.

Lupin walked into the living room, opening his computer and logging onto the satellite uplink.  As soon as he was on and his screen name showed people started to demand things from him.  "Whoa."  He typed in a polite demand for information, pointing out he had been flying a few hours ago.  A concise report flowed back to him from a screen name he didn't know.  It was worse than they thought.  "Jigen, we've got to go back tonight."

"I'll call Olivia," Jigen agreed, doing that on his way to pack.

"Pack for me too.  There's some panicking people."  He typed in that he was coming back, logging onto another window to start his own chatroom.  Someone from his many people was always around.  Six of them popped up begging for orders.  So he sent them out to do things for him.  One of them went to tape houses so he could look them over.  He saw a small note from one of his local contacts and looked up.  "Goemon!"  He came running in.  "This house isn't secure."  Goemon looked horrified.  "The locals are out for blood too."

"I'll protect them."

"One of them bought a rocket launcher and ran off many copies of your picture, Goemon.  You can't exactly defend against that."  They shared a look.  "Go to the hiding spot.  Take Xander, take the kids.  If you have to, send him and the kids to the Kitsune if they'll allow it."

Xander strolled in.  "Why wouldn't they?  Though I've gotta say my backup spots are rather pretty."  He looked at Goemon.  "Wanna come visit my places?"

"If you wish," he agreed quietly. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, very sure.  There's enough room."  He looked out in the yard, then up the hallway.  "Kids?"  Arsene popped out of her room with her glasses on.  "We're moving just in case.  Someone tried to hurt some of the people we were just meeting with."  Arsene scowled.  "I've got a place in mind.  We'll be going in secret.  From now on, you cannot tell anyone where we live, got it?"  They nodded.  "Good.  Pack everything."  They nodded, doing that.  Xander looked at Goemon.  "That means we'll have to disguise you a bit too.  That okay with you?"  He nodded quickly.  "Good."  Xander sat down beside Lupin, opening a third window to type in an email.  One appeared back within moments, an all clear and we'll move everything out of storage for you.  She replied and stood up.  "Okay.  Disguise number one.  Can you look a little bit less like you?  Maybe traditional but not quite you?"  Goemon frowned but nodded.  "Good, go do that.  Put your hair up and all that.  I've got to get something of mine.  Marcus!"  Marcus appeared.  "We're moving.  You're going with Lupin and Jigen in my place.  If they're hurt, I'm hunting your ass down and killing it horribly.  Got it?"  Marcus nodded, looking quite serious.  "Good.  Go help the kids pack.  Get Bix to Dessier street."  Marcus' eyes widened. "I knew I'd have to retire some day, man, that's why I put this into motion.  Do it."  He nodded.  "Also, get me something to wear.  Something traditional.  Something that'll fit my pregnant ass."

"Yes, Xander."  He disappeared.

Lupin gave him a look of awe.  "You have your own network of people?  I thought I had one of those."

She smiled and kissed him gently.  "I learned it from you, babe.  Hurry back.  Remember that name, there's only one in the country where we're going.  Just in case we're being bugged."  He accepted the outfit from Marcus when he came back and the sword.  "Thank you."  He changed into Melody and headed back to change clothes and pack the few things that he had pulled out already.  By the time he came out, he was a proper Japanese woman and Goemon had the kids dressed and packed as well.  "Okay.  I'm moving this whole house into storage, Goemon.  It'll be months before you can paw through it.  Is there *anything* you think you'll need?"  He grabbed two books he had been meaning to read.  "Good."  Outside a car pulled into the driveway and honked.  "That's us.  Outside, kids."  They trooped out together in pairs, Ishi and Arsene in front.  Xander countered.  "Kenji, Sarah, and Fred?"

"I've got them," Jigen offered.

"Kiss them goodbye now, Jigen.  That way we're not associated."  Jigen looked stunned.  "Not until it's solved.  Or else I'll have to solve it for you."  Jigen nodded, kissing her, then the kids.  She took Sarah and Fred, letting Goemon get his own son.  They walked out, getting into the back of the limo.  He noticed the baby seats were already in there and smiled.  "Good work," he said quietly, strapping them in.  Goemon got in and strapped his own kid in.  "They okay?"

"Fine.  Lupin agreed, but he is sad," he said quietly.

"This is a safe spot.  The driver's my crew."

Goemon gave him an astonished look.  "You have employees?"

"Yeah.  Don't you?"  She gave him a pat on the thigh, then looked at the kids once they were rolling. "Lotus?"  She looked up from her reading.  "Thank you.  There's been a problem in Europe.  The people we were just meeting with were hurt very badly.  We're going somewhere safe while your fathers take care of it with Uncle Marcus."  Ishi opened his mouth.  "We couldn't leave you with just me, little man.  So we're going together for right now.  To anyone who looks, Goemon's going to be acting like the father for all of you horde."  They all nodded and Arsene sighed.  "Trust me, empress of the empire, it's going to be okay.  You won't mind much and we can still call them all the time.  They'll be back as soon as they can.  But for right now, we're the family of my real name, Alexander Harris.  I own a publishing empire.  I make comic books."  They nodded and Ishi grinned.  "I also own a few houses.  We have guards.  Bix is on her way."  They all nodded.  "Remember, until this is solved, your new last name is Harris."  Everyone nodded. "Even yours, Fourth."

"Okay," she agreed.  "Can I still be Arsene?"

"If you want," he agreed with a smile.  "Any questions so far?"

Lotus raised a hand.  "Making comic books pays really well, Uncle?"

"It does, but I've also made some wise investments at times.  Murami doesn't handle all my money, just in case something like this was to happen.  It endangers her more," he explained at the upset look.  "She agreed with me."

"She thought it was a good idea, Melissa," Goemon said quietly.

"This was the original backup plan for retirement, guys.  So for now we're going to be living it.  I live it now and then when I have to.  Not even your daddy knew about this one so we should be safe.  Got it?"  They nodded. "Good.  Now, we're on our way to the airport.  We're going to a very nice place in the US.  We're only going to speak Japanese and you kids will get to speak all the English you want."

Ishi raised his hand.  "There are traditional enclaves in the States?"

"There are.  We'll be in one for a day to make sure everything's fine, then we'll be moving to England.  Once there, things will get a bit smoother.  The US is the intermediary step.  Within a week, everything should be going well."  Everyone nodded.  "We will be protected and I don't want you kids to worry.  If you're worried, come tell me."  They all nodded.  "Good kids.  Now do whatever you want.  The trip to the airport is a bit longer since we're going to Tokyo's."

"Yes, mother," they agreed mostly in unison.  The babies cooed.

***

Xander looked around his hidden palace in London, smiling at Lotus' reaction.  "Have fun with the vines.  We all know I don't like flowers."  She ran over to one to check it over. Then frowned and moved onto a real one. "Sorry, the plastic ones were to fill in.  Goemon, the rooms are on the next floor up.  This one is purely meeting areas.  The top two floors are the real living area.  You'll have the workout space on the third for your own."  He nodded.  "Girls, up the stairs, Ishi, your room is on this end.  It's got race cars."  Ishi hurried up to deal with that.  "If you guys had told me you were cleaning out my house in Geneva I would have had everything moved here already."  She smiled at Bix as she came down, bowing to her.  "Great one, how are we today?"

"This place is amazing, Xander.  How did you get permission to merge the three buildings?"

"I own them."

"Oh."  She grinned.  "And kept the outside looking like every other building on the street.  Good job.  Mistress Lotus?"  Lotus looked at her.  "Let us go to your room first, dear."  Lotus nodded and followed her.  "The kitchen is stocked, the guards are in place, and the security system is confusing."

"All normal for me," Xander agreed.  She looked at Goemon.  "It's not Japan but it's comfy.  It's clean.  It's got a lot of marble.  I was having funny marbley feelings when I decorated."  She grinned.  "Can we handle this?"

"I can," he agreed, giving her a hug.  "Thank you, Xander.  Let me go up to my room."

"We've got a suite, Goemon.  You get your own room.  I get my own room.  We share a living area."

"That is also agreeable," he agreed, taking her arm to steady her on the way to the escalator.  "Much nicer than the stairs."

"I had to fill out *so* many forms for this," she said, patting it.  "But my knees are starting to ache."   They came out onto the second floor and the garden area.  "Lotus, your room first, you can play with the veggies soon."

"Thank you, Auntie.  I love it here."  She hurried back to her room to unpack.

Xander led the way to the master suite, opening the double doors.  "I'll leave these open.  The first one is the bathroom.  The second is the weapon's closet.  The third is mine, the one on this side is yours."  Goemon nodded, helping her into her room before going to his.  Hers was dark and soft, very welcoming.  His was a bit harsher but more like he preferred in its starkness and lighter colors.  He noticed he had a porch and walked out onto it, noticing he had a wonderful view of the river from here and the sky above it.  Xander walked in, changed to a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  "Liking it?"

"I do," he agreed absently.  "Where are the stairs?"

"In the garden area."  She led him back out, walking him through the buildings that used to be three large brownstone apartment buildings.  The garden area led out to another porch.  The stairs were another escalator.  The kid's rooms were all along their hallway and down another was the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, and the library.  Upstairs was mostly open but a good bit of it had padding put down already.  There were windows that were tinted from the outside but looked out onto the sky from the inside.  If you looked in one direction you could see all the taller buildings.  Around them were mostly houses however and everything was very nicely put together.  Even if there was marble everywhere.  Fortunately the floors up here were wood or had built-in padding.

Xander patted some of the padding.  "I had to explain myself for *days* to get this right."

Goemon gave her a look.  "It is quite well put together, Xander.  Thank you."

"Hey, I like you," she admitted with a grin.  "Ishi!"  He came jogging up the escalator.  "This is the practice area.  Think you can handle it?"

He looked around, nodding.  "I do like it, Mother.  Thank you."  He hugged her and went down the down side of the escalator, staring at his feet.  "This is so much easier than an elevator," he called back.

Xander beamed and headed back down with Goemon, scooping Lotus out of the plants.  "Play with the veggies later.  We'll have to do some clothes shopping soon too.  You're growing again."  She tickled her, making her shriek and wiggle.  "Yes, you are.  You're gonna be as tall as your daddy!"

"Stop it!"  She swatted at her, grinning at her father.  "Do you think I will?"

"I think it is possible.  My mother was."  He patted her on the head.  "Do not ignore your lessons for the plants, daughter.  Xander, computer?"

"Oh, yeah."  Xander led him into the study, and through a side door.  "Computer lab.  There's another one at my desk but it's set up for my stuff only and I hate having to put back in passwords."

"That's fine," Goemon agreed, looking around.  "Cup holders?"

"Expecting the kids to not bring food or drink in here in unrealistic.  So everything's spill and food proofed.  Come see my setup.  These don't really go online without a password. Only to a few research sites."  He walked back out to his desk, turning on his computer.  He pressed the eject key on his DVD player.  "Sorry, it's balky.  I don't know why it does that."  He typed in his main password and his wallpaper popped up, a picture of all of them together.  Then windows opened and showed him two bulletin boards, a chat room, and his new email messages.  "See?"  He typed quickly into the chatroom, then scanned the bulletin boards.  "This one is the thieve's and that one's Lupin's personal one.  I added it recently when I found it.  This chatroom is my people's one.  I've got someone following Lupin around to watch over him.  The emails are up and downloaded. Let's see, I've got two mushy ones from Jigen, one mushy one from Lupin, and a quit having me followed from Lupin."  He chuckled as he opened that one, responding that he had to make sure he wasn't lying to him about what was going on and Tornado was there to help if he wanted or needed.   Then she searched the rest of the emails.  "Mostly nothing new today so far."  She got up, letting Goemon sit down and look things over.  "Feel free to come browse both bulletin boards whenever you need to.  The button to add yourself as a separate person is the blue one."

"I know.  Thank you, Xander."  He typed in his usual screen name, his name, and sent it to the list.  A few people greeted him and gave him some other information, which Xander's people had already put in.

A phone rang and Xander lifted the drawer holding it before picking it up.  "Yeah?"  He listened.  "Yeah, Tornado, tell him.  He's already spotted you once and I want you there.  Then he can pout at me.  I'm not leaving him without backup this time.  Since I can't be there, you're my next best thing. Yes, dear one, I meant it.  No, I'm safe.  I'm hidden with the kids and my belly of doom."  He grinned.  "A girl.  Sure.  You can even pounce Jigen if you need to.  Just don't hurt him and do not try to kiss him this time.  Thanks, love."  He hung up and picked up the cellphone that was lying in the drawer.  "There, now I'm hooked back in.  The next call he answered on the cellphone.  "Hey, Jigen," he said quietly, grinning.  "Yes, I did.  Because I can't be there with you.  This way Tornado can help you and tell me what's going on.  Because I know you'll keep things from me, Jigen.  I've known you for *how* long?"  She chuckled. "Yeah, Goemon's on the bulletin board right now.  No, Tornado doesn't know where this one is.  Hold on."  Ishi walked in.  "What's up?"

"There's a delivery man and he bade me give you this," he said, handing over the card.

Xander looked at the design, then nodded.  "That design means that they're special people, like your sister.  We have a mutual aid pact with them.  Let them deliver the stuff from Geneva.  You can help me sort out the kimonos later.  Here, talk to your uncle."  She handed over the phone, letting Ishi take it with him.  Then she looked at Goemon, who was smirking at her.  "Neat, huh?" she asked with a wink.

"Very, Xander."  He stood up.  "How long have you had this place?"  She blushed.  "Xander?"

"Um, six years."  She looked down at her feet.  "I know that the life is dangerous, Goemon.  I knew that Lupin could have died at any point in time and we'd need some way to protect you and your kids and then our kids.  So I created this identity with Murami's full support and started my own network.  It's fairly profitable and I'm still part of the gang."  He looked up. "I would have told Lupin if he had found out."

"I know.  You're honorable.  Do you tithe to him still?"

"No, but he gets some of the best presents from it," Xander admitted with a grin.  "Come on.  Let me show you the rest of the bottom floor."  She led him down there, watching as the kids helped by shoving boxes out of the way.  "Do not let Lotus use any skills, she's still got a headache."

"Of course not, Xander," the delivery man said, smiling at him.  "Hiding?"

"Europe all but exploded.  I wanted the kids safe.  We're staying until this one is born."  He stroked his stomach.  "Janus said she'd be my white knight side."

"She will be, I can see it shining from her already.  This is all the stuff you had in storage already.  The things from Geneva will be up tomorrow.  Also, that student we thought you might get?  She's proven that she's more pyrokinetic than not.  So we're keeping her for a bit longer.  We'll tell you when she's ready."

"That's fine. I didn't expect her until after she turned sixteen and made that choice anyway."

He bowed. "Thank you, Honori.  Did you need more from us?"

"No, just my stuff," she sighed.  "Do we have any plant people that Lotus can talk to?"

"We have one, but she does defensive plants.  I think you know of her."

"I do, and while she's cranky and mean, it's a skill she should also cultivate sometime."  He looked at Goemon.  "The group from Cairo reformed."

"I can see that.  Defensive plants?"

"Ones who defend the home and family, Great One."

"Then that would be fine, but I do watch over her training very carefully."

"Of course," he agreed.  "We'd never think otherwise.  She has you, the Honori, and her other teachers to look over her skills."  He went out and came back with another load of boxes.  "This would have been a good exercise for the kinetics."

"Hey, there's some in town," Xander pointed out dryly.  "I'm showing him the bottom floor."  He winked and strolled on with Goemon.  "Come on.  Defensive plants are very useful.  The vines are like that.  She helped me with them."  She stroked his arm as they walked, calming him down.  "Okay, here we have a meditation room."  She opened the door to show the pitch black room.  "There's a low-watt bulb in there."  She closed the door and moved on.  "Then we have various store rooms and storage spaces.  This one is always pleasing to me."  He opened that one to show off the things that people had stolen for him.  "Then there's this one," she admitted, opening a small door inside to let him see the rolling, multi-drawer tool carts.  She pulled out one, stunning him with the diamonds inside.  "I have pulled solo jobs.  I never ask for tithes but my people know I protect them and listen to them."  She shut it and locked the door again, handing him a key.  "Your copy."  He strolled them into the back area of this floor, letting him see the statues littering the floor.  "Some new, some old, all very pretty and stunning and none missed," she said fondly.

"You put copies in place?" Goemon asked quietly, glancing around.

"The place is totally secure, Goemon.  The security force are mine.  The delivery people are mine."  Someone whistled from the doorway behind them and they turned to find Ethan.  "He's the only one who knows where this place is.  Did you tell Marcus?"

"No, at your request I did leave it alone, Xander."  He walked over, stroking her stomach.  "Quite strong already."

"Thank you."  She got away from him.  "Don't touch, Ethan."

"Fine."  He smirked at him. "In residence for real?"

"For a bit.  You know what happened on the mainland?"

"I do, and the local Don is cowering in fear at the moment."

"I'll pay her a call tonight."

"Is that wise?"

"Very," Xander admitted.  "Don't worry, we know each other."  She pinched him on the arm. "I was showing him around."

"Good.  I'm sure it's stunning from his point of view.  Are you hitting the Tower?"

"Again?  I try very hard to never hit the same place twice."

"I know, but they've got the new exhibit up."

"Then we'll have to go sightseeing.  Maybe Arsene will like that."  She winked.  "Be good, Ethan."

"Can I have that one nude statue?" he asked, pointing at it.  "Ripper so liked it when it was in the museum."

"Sure.  If you can move the heavy thing.  It weighed a ton."

"Thank you."  He kissed him and laid powder around the base of the statue, taking it with him.

"That's the only magic outside of Lotus' that'll work in the house. And only a few rooms.  Ethan had to come up through the tunnels on the way in."  She walked him back out, watching as the local members of the Cairo group moved the rest of his stuff.  "Anything good happening?"

"Not yet, Honori," the main person admitted.  "There should be an update by now."

"I know.  I'm heading to my office, kids.  Arsene, you and Melissa come see me when you're done playing.  Let Goemon play with his kids.  Bix, I'm breast feeding all the babies so bring them all to me when they're hungry.  Good guys play for now in the tv room and we'll get your stuff sorted out later."  Everyone nodded.  "Good."

"Can't I help unpack?" Arsene asked, looking hopeful. "There's many pretty things."

"Sure, but I was going to show you the computer lab."  She gave up the boxes with the possible treats for that.  "Come on, Melissa."  She trotted after them, heading up to the office.  "The kitchen is at the end of this hallway.  You two are to stay out of the bottom floor unless you're sent down there for something," Xander instructed.  "It's mostly storerooms.  Got it?" They nodded so he let them into the computer lab.  "I have it set up so you can get into your email accounts, the encyclopedia sites, and not much else without a password.  On my computer is a preset to the bulletin boards and my personal chat room for my friends.  I do not want you on my computer, girls.  Deal?"  They nodded, smiling at him.  "Thank you.  The drink holders are to be used and the trashcans are also to be used.  Any spills you clean up immediately and I'll have someone teach one of you hacking."  She went back to her desk, sitting down to read the update from her people on the mainland. "Interesting."  She forwarded it to Lupin, in case he didn't have it yet, then she thanked him.

She picked up another phone and hit a preset number.  "Give me the Don.  Yes, it's Sylvia.  Thank you."  The local Don came on almost immediately.  "Calm down, we're dealing with it.  No, I'm hiding.  No, I'm not in the city but I'll be popping around soon to check on you.  Is London secure?  Because I do have the kids and I am pregnant," she pointed out dryly.  "Thanks."  She listened to the state of affairs in London, nodding when she expected things.  Only two things worried her. "That thing with Harrod's, stop it.  I like the guy who owns it.  He's very nice to me and flirted with me."  She smirked.  "Good.  The other thing, the thing with the street punks?  Find them and tell them we'll be running a summer camp this year if shit's solved.  Yes, that's fine.  Because they're irritating me and if I get mugged I'm going to have to kick some ass, pregnant or not.  Which would then bring Lupin and Jigen onto their asses."

"And me," Goemon said from the doorway.

"And Goemon.  He's guarding me and the kids.  Thanks, babe.  Sure.  You have fun.  Kisses and gropes."  She hung up and grinned at him.  "We're running a summer camp this year for the local thieves in case things are better."

"That's fine, Xander."  He walked in to read the update coming in.  "That is worse."

"Actually it's better.  Someone blew up a rival who was going to get into Lupin's way soon."  She winked at him.  "Lupin's probably throwing a fit though.  You could call."   Arsene brought out the cellphone.  "Thank you, Princess."

"Welcome, Mommy.  Can I see?"  Xander nodded so she climbed up into her lap.  "Which is which?"

"This is the thieve's bulletin board," she said, pointing at that window.  "This one is Lupin's personal one, that's why it's called Wolf's Head.   The other is a chatroom for my people and they know I check it every few hours."

"Wow."  She looked up at her.  "Can I say hi?"

"Quickly."  She changed screen names for her, adding her in as AL The Fourth.  "There you go.  Type away."

Arsene pulled the keyboard closer and typed in a quick message to her father that they were fine and everything was okay.  One crook wanted to know what she thought she was doing playing with the real crooks so she found him on her mother's chatroom window by searching his name and then typed in what she knew of him, letting her mother correct it for her so she didn't spill too much information. Then she sent it with a spitting smiley face.  Jigen came up and said hi.  Her father came up and praised her and told off the other guy.  Then he told her to get her mother.

Xander opened another window and typed in her screen name and password, then typed in an 'I'm here, she's on my lap' message.  The two girls shared a smirk.  So she typed in a 'we're unpacking and making cookies' message too.

"Cookies?" Arsene asked.

"Sure, later."  She gave her a squeeze.  "Tell your daddy to read his email."

She typed that in carefully and sent it, earning a chuckle from him.  Then she typed in that she had to go, her own email was waiting on her and her contacts were impatient sometimes. She sent out a general 'bye' and left to go back to the lab.

Xander typed in her message and then closed the second window, changing screen names back.  "This bb is not really secure, Lupin.  I just got a 'lurker's notice' and saw Emma." Lupin put out a 'hi, Emma, how's the babies' message and got a few log off messages.  Then he let out a chuckle and added the new information to the list so they could use it to their advantage or not.  A private chat window opened and Xander typed in quickly.  They shared information and Lupin said they'd be talking about her own group.  She pointed out that she was sharing and he had never told her she *couldn't* so it was good.  Then that they were safe, she loved and missed him, then she ended the chat session and hid herself on the bulletin board.  She smirked at Goemon.  "Want to get back on and monitor for me?  I'm hungry."

"If you want."  He took her place, getting comfortable in the very nice desk chair. "I like this."

"It's made to cradle my pregnant butt comfortably.  Arsene, we'll make cookies after dinner, for movie time."

"Yes, mommy."

"Thanks, dear."  She headed out to the kitchen, finding Lotus and Bix making sandwiches.  She grabbed something from the freezer and put it into the microwave.  "Sorry, the baby's cranky."

"That's fine," Bix said with a smile.  "Is everything all right so far?"

"Great so far.  We're all set.  Even if I had to liquidate the store rooms we'd still be fine."  She gave her a hug.  "Tell him this week or I will," she whispered.  Bix nodded, heading to the office to do that.  "Now, Mistress Lotus, how do the plants look?"

"Quite healthy.  The gardener came in a bit ago and he agreed to walk me through them tomorrow.  He didn't have his book here."

"That's fine.  If you want, you can take out most of the plastic ones and replace them.  Just remember to look behind them.  Some important switches are behind some of them."

"Okay."  She beamed at him.  "How's daddy?"

"He's fine, sweetness.  He's in the office if you wanted to bring him some lunch."  She nodded, taking her sandwiches and milk with her to sit with him.  "Food!"  The other kids came running and she pulled out bread, milk, various meats, cheeses, toppings, and peanut butter and jelly since Sierra never ate anything but, putting them on the island with the chairs around it.  "There, go for it.  Ishi, the plates are behind you.  Lotus is eating with your father in the office.  We'll have a real dinner in the dining room later."  She took her food out of the microwave, stirred it, and put it back in for another few minutes.  "I talked to your fathers.  They're fine and well.  Things are going smoothly."  The girls nodded.  Bix carried in Fred, handing him over.  "Hungry, little guy?"  Fred cooed at her.  "Let me get dinner out and then I'll feed you.  Ishi, run a workout after naps.  Sierra and Savannah, I want you to stay off the first floor.  It's all storage areas.  I mean it.  You as well, Arsene and Melissa.  Ishi, there's a special meditation room down there, it's the only place you're allowed to go.  Any breaking of that rule means that we can't go take the tour of the Tower of London and see all the jewels."  Everyone nodded. "Thank you.  For those who have earned their next Disney trip, we're postponing it until either the crisis is over or until after I give birth, whichever comes first."  Everyone nodded, smiling at that.  "You have about six weeks left if you're not there yet."  Ishi nodded, he knew he wasn't at that level in math.  "Melissa, after dinner, show everyone the computer lab and tell them the rules.  I'm putting you in charge of that.  Do not use the computer on my desk.  Ever.  It's got special stuff on it and I don't want you guys into it yet."

"Yes, mommy," they said in unison.

"Good.  Thank you."  The microwave beeped.  "After this, go rest.  Do the workout.  Get cleaned up and pretty up your rooms until dinner.  Then we'll set out chores and stuff tomorrow with Goemon."  Everyone nodded, starting on their sandwiches.  "Good kids.  I'm going up to my room.  It's the double doors at the end of the other hallway.  Goemon has a room in there too."  She headed that way, taking Fred with her.  "Come on, precious.  Let's have some nummy mommy food."

Arsene looked at the other kids.  "She let me chat with daddy.  He's very pleased with her."  They all grinned and ate faster.  They were a bit tired from the plane ride.  "Where's the workout room, Ishi?"

"Upstairs.  It's got a very nice view."

"What's on the first floor?" Sierra asked.

"Just a bunch of store rooms," Ishi said with a hand wave.  "Statues and stuff that she probably had taken out of here."  He took another bite.  "It'll be fine.  We have cable."  The girls nodded in appreciation and someone found the bag of chips, handing them over.  "Thank you.   She always forgets the chips."

***

Lupin looked up as their guardian angel was brought in by Marcus.  "So, Tornado?" Lupin asked.  She nodded.  "Why do you follow Lavelle and Sylvia?"

"You don't know that they're the same?" she asked cautiously, inching toward a seat.

"No, I do, but I didn't think it was common knowledge.  So, why do you follow my Xander?"

"Because she's amazing.  The old Don was screwing us over.  She heard us complain."  She shrugged. "She had a talk with him and he retired to Venezuela. No more sixty percent tithing."

"Sixty percent?" Jigen asked.  "That's outrageous."

"Plus taxes and fees if we had him sell things for us," she told him.  Jigen shook his head.  "So Lavelle waltzed in and fixed it.  The current Don is really nice.  She's skittish now and then but she's damn good to us.  Now we have thirty percent tithing, five percent seller fees, and she'll back us up.  Besides, anyone who can walk into the Tower and take a single thing is someone I want to work for, even if they can be flaming assholes at times."

"Interrupted her anime fit?" Lupin asked.

Tornado nodded quickly.  "Twice now.  I have bad timing."

"It's okay, we've done the same and we're still living," Jigen offered.

"Yeah, but you're sleeping with her.  I'm not.  I had Lavelle when he was still single.  I nearly needed a hospital bed I was so wrung out.  My friends brought me to the emergency room that night when I admitted I was too tired to drink.  Lavelle's bedroom antics and energy should come with a warning label."

Lupin snickered.  "She's never done that to us."

"Feel lucky, man.  Feel really lucky.  I was too tired to swallow."  She relaxed a bit.  "So when she assigned me to watch over you two and Marcus I did it without question.  The woman obviously earned your trust, we love her and love working for her, so we figure we might like you.  It's like an umbrella plan.  We're covered under her umbrella and you cover her with yours."

"I can see that," Lupin agreed. "I had no idea her things were this extensive."  She snickered.  "She's never said anything about this to us."

"Yeah, well, we've been helping him out with solo jobs now for years. Ever since the maze thing when some of us approached him.  We figured you had a good network but you were older school than he was.   He didn't mind and talked to us like we knew our shit.  He accepted that we were a network already and that we needed someone to organize things for us.  She got us all hooked up with a set mailing list, chat room, pagers and cellphones of a specific and unlisted brand.  We helped her with information on jobs.  She helped us with stuff for our jobs.  She pulled some spectacular stuff that no one knows about."

"The Tower?" Lupin asked, leaning forward.  She nodded. "What did she do?  We never heard a thing about someone even trying them."

"She stole a single piece of jewelry and replaced it with fakes.  It's been there now for four years.  The insurance guys only do random checks each year to make sure the collection is whole.  She's gotten away with a single piece each year for the last four years."  Lupin's mouth fell open and hit the desk.  She beamed.  "Really.  This year's was a brooch I think.  She said she'll be taking the kids on a tour of the facility this year instead of doing anything.  Last year she nearly got caught because a guard wasn't on his regular path."

"She's doing small, spectacular stuff so no one hears," Jigen said in amazement.  "She never tells us this stuff."

"Xander?" she asked.

"Good point," Lupin and Jigen agreed together.

"We've had this revelation before as well," Lupin admitted.  "She never really tells us unless it's something that had to be done very openly."  His computer beeped and he looked at it.  "Hmm.  Someone did find out that a single piece of the crown jewels was missing."  He sent back 'it wasn't me, make sure the hubby knows,' to Dawn.  "There, that's settled.  My MO helps out with that."  He looked at Marcus, who held up a pretty diamond necklace as he appeared.  "The Tower was you?"

"It was a diversion," he admitted smugly.  "There's something better going on in town and I wanted the cops diverted while it happened."  He sat down to mail it back to them, then changed the address to Dawn's.  "There.  We may not favor her but it'll stump her for a few days."  He set it into the outgoing mail basket and took off his gloves.  "That way Xander can finish moving stuff out of the storehouses in London without being noticed."

"Store *houses*?" Jigen asked.  "What is my woman doing?"

"Last year she had a thing for statues," Tornado admitted.  "Some really pretty ones and the stone mason she chose was really good."

Lupin chuckled, shaking his head.  "Our Xander is a loon, Jigen."

"She is.  I still wanna see these storehouses," Jigen said, sounding grumpy and pouty.

"Not even I know where they are," Marcus admitted.  "I've only sent a few things to them for her.  Have we heard from my Master yet?"

"We have.  He's on the bulletin board monitoring for Xander right now," Jigen admitted, pointing at the computer.

Marcus rushed over to connect with his Master, typing quickly as only someone who writes many papers a year can.  "Lupin, if we're alive I need off late next month to defend my dissertation at Cambridge."

"That's fine, Marcus.  What field are you in now?"

"History."  He smirked at him.  "Did you think they had one on magic?"

"They do but it's exclusive," Tornado noted.  "Xander chairs it.  It's somewhere in the humanities building.  It's a research elective minor."

"Well," Marcus said, looking put out.  "He should have told me.  We are friends."

"She probably didn't want you getting sucked too deeply in again," Jigen pointed out.  Marcus grimaced but nodded.  "So, your specialty is what?"

"Being obvious apparently," she said bitterly.  "She didn't tell me to hide myself so I didn't.  Most people over here know who I am and most of them know who I work for and who I *really* work for.  It's amazing.  Lavelle's known and respected everywhere but her home country."

"Of course.  That's the way it always goes," Lupin agreed.  "I get the same thing from the French."  He moved Marcus by opening a drawer and pulling out some tapes.  "Where do we send these to?"

Tornado took them and looked them over.  "Pick up!" she yelled.  Someone appeared, a young girl.  "Here, for Lavelle.  House pictures?"  Lupin nodded.  "House pictures."

"Thank you."  She took them, clutching them to her chest as she disappeared again.

Marcus looked up.  "She's in training that way?"

"It's wonderful training for her," Tornado noted.

"You're part of the Cairo group?" Lupin asked.

She burst out laughing, shaking her head.  "Hell no!  I'm not part of those jumped up nancy ponces!  What made you think that?"

"The fact that she was."

"No, she started out and then transferred out for training and stayed with them.  Her training master is a former Watcher."

"Ripper?"

"Ethan."

"Oh."  Lupin blinked a few times.  "I think we need to talk to the dread vampire Ethan."

"He's not home," Marcus muttered, typing again.  He sent that email to Ray and went back to telling his master what he had done.  "He's in Jamaica to look at the newest zombies.  He's missing having someone to clean the house."

"There's a slave market for demons and zombies?" Jigen asked.

Marcus looked at him and nodded.  "Of course.  What else did you expect?"

"Good point," Jigen admitted, pulling out a cigarette to light and suck on.

"Give me one," Lupin demanded.  Jigen handed his over and lit another one.  "Thanks."  They stared at Tornado.  "Since our beloved spouse hasn't told us.  You will."

"Sure.  She would if you asked."

"She'll try to hide something," Jigen pointed out.

"I only know the people in my section and one person in another.  She built us like the old resistence cells."

"Wonderful."  Lupin took his keyboard and mouse back, sending an email to Xander about this new network that seems to be coming out of the woodwork, a polite request for information and support.

"Of course she will, that's why she sent Tornado and the other two," Marcus said, taking them back from him.  "Tony, darling, are the other two in town?"

"One is, one's traveling this way.  Why?"

"I figure they'll want to meet with them too."  Marcus finished that email and sent it off to that contact, then sent one to Xander about what he had just promised.  One came back that it was fine.  To expect Bastian and Homer.  "She's sending a hitter and a spy."

"Who?" Lupin demanded.

"Bastian Morales and Homer Peacekeeper."

"Homer works for her?" Jigen asked, his mouth falling open.  "Since when?"

"Since about four years ago," Marcus said, glancing at him. "It's more of a mutual aid pact, like she has with Cairo.  The same as I do."  He wrote a message to Homer.  "I've told him we'll be shopping for clothes at seven tonight if he's in.  Bastian is already in town I think.  I thought I saw him at Interpol earlier."  He saw a return message from Ray, the header in all caps.  "Oh, dear, I've caused a bit of a blood pressure spike in Ray it seems."  He sighed and opened it, pointing out once again that he was covering for Xander's movements to protect the children.  He sent it off and one came back almost instantly in a calmer voice, signed by Zenigata telling him to run and leave France before they traced him.  Marcus chuckled and said he was bouncing off Lupin's satellite, he wasn't in France.  He was in China.  Then he sent it and stood up.  "I'm off to create more diversions until you need me, Lupin.  Anything going on tonight?"

"The meetings started earlier," Jigen told him. "Have fun, be back by midnight, kid."

"Yes, Jigen." Marcus took off, heading to China.  He had always wanted to see the Great Wall.  There was supposedly a few tombs marked by its placement on the map. It would make his History diss perfect if he found them.

Lupin looked at Jigen.  "Is Marcus like a backward Indiana Jones?"

Jigen nodded, calming himself.  "Probably."  They looked at Tornado, who swallowed.  "Give, kid, now."

"Fine," she agreed.  "Got a map?"  Lupin found the atlas he had requested and handed it over. "Let's see.  We have a cell here," she said, pointing at an area in rural Germanly.  "We have a cell in Egypt.  We have a cell in South Africa somewhere.  We have three cells in the US, one in Mexico, and two in Canada to catch the incoming immigrants and things.  We have one in Brazil.  He usually goes to Carnival with most of them," she admitted with a grin for them.  "She was hot last year, dudes."

"I'm sure she was," Lupin agreed, reaching for his bottle of aspirin.  He poured out five or so and handed off the bottle to Jigen.  "Here, you might want these too."

Jigen took out four and took them, then went to pour himself a drink.  "How many of these are demonic?"

She looked at him.  "Some cells have demonic members of the lower classes, never the upper idiots and bungholes.  You know, thinking about it, if we all died before her, she could probably use us to take over Hell."  She went back to the map.  "I know she's got a house somewhere in the Pacific Islands.  She's got a cruise ship somewhere.  She's got a private security firm that she owns.  She's got that publishing company that does her beloved comics and anime.  She's apparently running an anime-centric convention next year in Paris."  She grinned at them.  "I think she wanted to call it Ray-Con.  Like death rays but also a play on his name to taunt him."  She went back to the atlas, tracing over California.  "I think she owns something else around here but I'm not sure."

Jigen sat down, feeling lightheaded.  "She built her own empire and we never realized," he said flatly.

"A partly legit empire," Lupin agreed weakly.  "How?"  He looked at Jigen.  "Didn't we keep her busy enough?"

"Xander is a multi-tasker and she has someone who runs things with her.  She also said once that someone named Murami helped her solidify her plans and looks over a few things but not many of them because she didn't want to know about it."  She handed back the atlas.  "We don't know everything she does, Lupin.  We thought you did."

"That's it, I'm tying her down and interrogating her," Jigen announced.

"We could let Pops do it," Lupin suggested.  "Or Ray."

"She's pregnant, Lupin, she'll cry."

"She'll also feel betrayed and hate you forever and ever," Tornado offered. "She did this out of her vacation each year mostly.  The people she has running things for her are very good.  You might ask Marcus when he comes back about her second from Athens."

"Athens?" Lupin asked, perking up. "That's where the Cairo group moved."

"Technically they moved to Thessaly, but yeah, same spot basically," she agreed with a small smirk.  "One of them was nominated to watch over things for her and run them in her absence.  We mostly do information gathering.  People like Bastian and Homer are bonus members."

"Where do you fit in London's cell?" Jigen asked.

"Second in command.  My Lady, the Don, is head over it.  Xander was soothing her earlier from what I heard.  She said she's not in London but we're pretty sure she is with what Marcus was just doing.  Another bonus member."

"I think I can retire knowing the world is in wonderful hands," Lupin said tiredly.

"She said she'll be handing it all over to the children some day," Tornado offered.

"So Arsene will get Lupin's and Melissa will get hers, and together they'll make the biggest underground crime syndicate in the world," Jigen said flatly.

She considered it, then nodded.  "Yup."  She grinned.  "Pretty neat, huh?"

"Very neat," Lupin agreed.  He thought about it. His spouse was his equal and Jigen's equal.  "There will be no more protecting her for her own benefit."

"Guys, if she didn't like it, she wouldn't let it happen.  We all know Xander can leave if something bothers her."

"True," Jigen agreed happily.  "So we'll treat her exactly the same."

"She doesn't tithe to us anymore," Lupin said miserably. "She used to share everything with us."

"Where do you think those surprise presents came from?" Tornado said with a snort as she stood up.  "I'll see you both tonight while you're shopping.  You might ask Bastian.  He might know more."  Someone knocked on the door so she answered it, nodding him inside.  "How long have you been waiting?"

"About a half-hour."  The man who walked in was tall, tanned, a Nordic God looking man with light brown hair that reached his shoulders.  "Lupin, Jigen, I'm Xander's third in command for emergency situations such as this.  I'm Bastian Morales."  He bowed to them.  "What can I tell you?"

"Everything," they said in unison.

He laughed.  "Of course.  Have fun watching from across the street, Tornado.  Zenigata is hopping mad, literally."  She laughed as she walked out, leaving them alone.  "Let me guess, you thought she only made friends?"  They nodded.  "She did.  Some of us she got started.  Some of us she got turned around.  Some of us she slept with and we realized that we'd do anything for the man.  Damn is that one hot bitch in heat."  He grinned then shook his head quickly.  "Sorry.  I had her for a weekend."

"Are you an official spy, Bastian?" Lupin asked.

He sat across from them, taking the desk chair instead of the couch.  "I was.  I got tired of the backstabbing and politics. I thought I had retired and then Lavelle walks into the bar I'm sulking in.  He's not that spectacular to look at, but he smirked at me and I could see his eyes. They spoke volumes so I bought him a drink."  He shrugged.  "He took me back to his room.  We had a weekend.  Suddenly I have a mission, a cause, and a boss I can admire.  All while keeping myself retired most of the time and having any vacations I want.  We've only had one conflict and that was me delivering something.  It took me a day out of my way and I understood why later.  She had me send a coded message to someone who was breaking up a child farming ring.  It was too delicate to email."

"She runs her empire on the 'net?"

"Yeah.  I've only met a few others.  Tornado and I have met a number of times.  That whole train trip?  We got the car to the right place, created the diversion that let you guys get away, and then followed you home to make sure the baby would be fine."

"Wow," Jigen said quietly.  "We had it."

"I know, but she wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly.  We're like an insurance policy.  If something major is happening and something needs to be done in a subtle way, she'll do it.  If something major is happening and she needs puppet masters, she has Tornado and I pick up some of the piece and be her field commanders.  Her other field commanders are mostly gone right now.  She evacuated those of us she could.  Her cell in Germany was halved.  They all took sudden vacations when the violence came their way and most of them went to Russia to help Marcus track down the people who hurt Fujiko Mine.  By the way, no one's sure if she's dead or not.  I've seen the autopsy report.  It was a minimal one since the bullet hit her in the chest.  They basically closed the stomach wound, dug out the bullet, and ran the fingerprints."  They nodded. "That came up as Fujiko.  There was no later looking once the casket was closed.  There was no in-depth search or autopsy done.  They were more than willing to accept it at face value."

"Which is the hallmark of an over-taxed system," Lupin agreed thoughtfully. "I'm sensing a but."

"The but is that there is a single letter tracing the hit back to Fujiko herself.  It's in code.  It's talking about a picnic with the person who hired the hitter.  It's not conclusive.  It's also not damning and no one can tell one way or another since the original body disappeared."

"Was Marcus in on it?" Jigen asked.

Bastian shook his head, flipping back some of his hair.  "Not in the least.  She knew how he'd react."

"But he cut the child out," Lupin pointed out.  "From her body."

"Yeah, and the cops saw him doing that.  I'm betting he wasn't paying that much attention and that something was odd with that.  He said she had been dead for up to a half-hour.  Most kids can't survive in a water sack that long breathing on their own."

"So he was panicking enough to not notice any irregularities and Fujiko herself could have planned this," Lupin said thoughtfully.  "I'm still not telling Goemon.  He's said she's dead to him."

"If she's alive and I find her, she's dead anyway," Jigen said coolly.

"Good.  You can keep me from torturing her," Lupin told him.  "He deserved better."  His phone rang and he answered it.  "House of Ear Wax, Main Q-Tip here."  He listened to Dawn have a quiet fit on the other end. "We didn't do it.  Get over it, Dawn.  No, it was not me or Jigen.  We're sitting here talking with someone who Xander works with when she's not with us."  He smirked at the sudden cessation of noise from the other end.  "Anything else?  He went to China.  Then you have fun moving, dear."  He hung up.  "Why didn't we remove her from life?"

"She keeps Pops occupied now and then," Jigen reminded him.

"Oh, yeah.  Maybe she should get knocked up again."  He made a note on the pad in front of him to encourage that then looked at Bastian again.  "Sorry.  She's always had bad timing."

"I know. I know Dawn.  She doesn't know she works for Xander."  He grinned. "What can I tell you to make sure you don't treat her differently?"

"Nothing.  We're still going to grill her later," Jigen told him.

"But you could make sure we do it in bed instead of simply tying her to it and asking until she comes clean," Lupin added.

Bastian let out a long laugh.  "She lets you tie her down?"  They nodded.  "Then you guys are already in.  Ask the woman, she'll tell you.  She'll probably even let you help her sometimes.  It's about time for another Tower run."

"She said she's taking the kids through it this year," Lupin told him.

"Good.  It'll be good training for Arsene."

"You know the kids?"

"I followed her to Orlando as a precaution.  Someone was hunting for her.  You never noticed but I was one of the security guys at the hotel."  They gaped and he wiggled his fingers.  "I am a spy."

"Obviously!" Lupin agreed, nodding.  "Thank you for the help."

"Not an issue.  She protects innocents and I appreciate that in a boss since my former one didn't."  He stood up.  "Now, let's go shopping. You both look ratty and nasty and she'll hate that."  He held out an envelope. "From her."

Lupin took it, laughing at the prepaid shopping card. "Just like we do to her now and then," he said, standing up.  "Come on, old guy. Let's get pretty for the wife and the meetings.  Maybe we can find a new weapon supplier."

"I'm supposed to take you to the supply closet as well," Bastian told them, following them out.  "I brought my Jag.  Did you want to use it or your car?  It's pretty distinctive."

"Let's take yours," Jigen told him. "It's muggy today and you probably have air conditioning."

"Sure do.  Coldest I could find."  He led them down to his car and got them inside, then got in to drive.  "Supply closet first or after the shopping?"

"What's a supply closet?"

"Supplies for her use and any of us who need it's use.  A small apartment that has guns, ammo, books, spell books, clothes, a few prepaid cards for emergencies or dinner ordered in while changing bandages.  Bandages.  Some minor drugs for really bad things.  Plus a bedroom and an older computer to hook onto the internet through a special satellite service."

"Mine?" Lupin asked.

"I have no idea," Bastian admitted. "Want to head there first?"

"No, Pops just pulled out behind us," Jigen told him.

"Oh, we can lose him."  He sped up, heading into the confusing mess that was Parisian traffic at rush hour.

***

Xander looked at her computer as a new report from Tornado popped up, smirking at the praise and warning of imminent questioning.  She sent back a short one of praise and told her to be safe.  She hadn't heard from Homer so she called his phone.  "Homer, buddy, hadn't heard from you.  You okay?"  She listened to his speech on interrupting his meditation. "I thought you were going to guard my boys' backs."  She smirked.  "Thanks, Homer.  Yeah, Bastian picked them up, Tony's in town too.  Have fun and I'll intro you to Goemon tonight if you want."  She grinned at Goemon as he came out of the lab, waving a hand.  "Sure.  If they come to London, I'll come flying in to have some great sex and breakfast.  You and Goemon can get together.  Sure, beat Marcus for me too.  Tell him it wasn't necessary but that if he had fun he should have kept it, not sent it back.  Oh, Ray's headed for London too.  He got given the Tower case.  Happy meditating, Peacekeeper.  Let me know when you need me."  He hung up and looked at Goemon.  "The boys decided to tackle it from here since two of the major players flew into town to escape the mainland.  Want dinner out?"

"I would not mind.  Bix can watch the children," he agreed.  "What of the movie night?"

"It'll be after the kids are in bed," she pointed out.  "There's a supply closet in town, we'll let you meet Homer there.  It's safe and he knows where it is.  I'm going to make myself stunning for my men."  She stood up, heading for her favorite closet.  She looked at the array of clothes.  "Hmm, short or long?"  She heard one of the kids sneaking in.  "Short or long dress tonight?"

"Do we have to dress for dinner?" Arsene asked as she hugged her around the waist.

"No, but your daddies are coming in for a few hours and I was going to pounce them."  She grinned down at her. "If they're here for more than an hour, they'll come see you guys tomorrow."

"Won't that break our cover?"

She grinned down at her. "That is a very good question.  Fortunately I've already included an answer, which is a safe tunnel to another location.  You'll be going there to see them."  Arsene beamed at her.  "Now, should I wear something short or long tonight?"

"Wear that one, mommy.  I've never seen it in your closet so they've probably never seen you in it," she offered, pointing at a costume.

"Dear, that's a cheerleading outfit," she explained.  "That's not really for wearing out."  She grinned down at her. "That's from a job."  She grabbed a short black skirt.  "But I do have something similar.  Find my red velvet shirt, sweetie."

"Yes, mommy."  She went to grab it and the black heels her mother so loved, laying them on the bed.  "What are you going to wear underneath?"

"Bra and panties, plus some stockings.  Guaranteed to make your daddy lose his mind and forget all about mommy's little secrets, like this house."  She winked.  "When you get older, you and Melissa will get my whole network that's around at the time and you'll get your daddy's too."

"Wow.  That's a lot of people," she agreed.  She beamed.  "Are they good?"

"They're very good.  Now scoot so I can take a shower and get partially dressed.  I won't be going until after the movie time."  She squealed and headed out to tell the others.  She strolled into the bathroom, taking a long shower to prepare for this.  She missed her men.

***

Marcus slapped his phone, grabbing it to answer it before it could ring again.  "Yes, Lupin," he said quietly, furtively glancing around.

"London," Lupin ordered.

"Yes, Lupin."  He hung up and casually strolled away from the other gawkers, heading into some trees to send himself off.  He landed in Heathrow's bathroom and strolled out, heading out of the airport with a bag he kept in a locker just in case things like this happened.  He went to the supply closet to get something different to wear, then went to watch out for his family, just in case something happened on their way in.

***

Lupin looked up as their table was invaded by a waiter, who whispered in Jigen's ear.  "Xander?" he asked.

"I don't know.  A brunette."  He looked out as the stunning brunette walked up to them, eyes wide when he saw the outfit.  "Lupin," he ground out.

Lupin looked, menu falling from his numb fingers.  "Xander," he said in awe.  The blood red velvet shirt was just tight enough to accentuate the extra weight of her chest and loose enough around the stomach to mostly cover the belly.  The short black pleated skirt reminded them of a cheerleader's but it was slightly shimmery.  He stood up, letting her sit between them.  "Xander, wow," he said in awe.  He watched as she crossed her legs and the tops of her stockings showed.  "Stockings too?"

She kissed him gently.  "Stress break," she purred with a small smirk.  "If you're around tomorrow I promised the kids a chance to see you both."  She gave Jigen a come-hither look and he shifted closer for his own kiss, growling and stealing another one.  "Thank you.  You do that so well."  She licked her lips.  "Shall we?  I'm famished."

"We should," Lupin agreed, nodding fiercely.

"It won't get you not questioned," Jigen noted. She kissed him again and his eyes half- closed.  "Still didn't work, Xan."

"It wasn't meant to.  This is a break from the problem.  That can come later."  She blinked at him and he nodded, accepting that since he moved closer to play with her thigh.  "Don't drool yet, Lupin, you'll need that spit later, I promise you."

"Oh, yeah," he agreed in a lighter growl.  "We should eat, huh?  You'll need your strength.  Where did Bastian go?"

"He's with his honey at the moment.  Homer's with Goemon at a supply closet.  He's always wanted to meet him."  She ran her fingernails up Lupin's thigh, making him shiver.  Then she smiled at Jigen. "Feed us?" she asked cutely.

"Of course, babe.   You know I like feeding you all sorts of things," Jigen agreed.  "Salad?  Steak?"

"Scallops and noodles.  Shrimp as a second choice."

"Sure," Lupin agreed, waving the waiter over.  "She wants the scallop and shrimp alfredo."  The waiter looked at him so he stroked her stomach.  "She demands."

"Oh."  He nodded and smiled at her.  "You can't tell, ma'am."

"Thank you."  She batted her lashes.  "The baby also wants some soda.  Can I?"

"Of course.  We carry some for the children.  We have Pepsi."

"No coke?" she pouted.  He shook his head. "Dr. Pepper?"

"That we do have."

"Then I'll take one of those, with only a bit of ice to keep it cold."  He wrote that down.  "Plus can they have some breadsticks to tease me with?"

The waiter blushed and nodded, writing that down as well.  "Of course, ma'am.  For you, sir?"  He looked at Lupin who was staring at him.  "Food, sir?"

"Oh, yeah.  Um, the steak salad.  I need to have a lot of energy so put a lot of croutons.  French dressing on the side."

Jigen coughed.  "I want the shrimp scampi," he ordered.  "Water to drink."

"Water for me too, we'll need it later," Lupin told him.

The waiter blushed brighter and took their menus, going to hide and take care of his little problem.

Xander flicked a finger and said a few words, putting up an 'ignore me' spell on the front of the booth. Then she kissed Lupin again.  "My pretty baby boy.  So nice to me."

Jigen stole her to kiss.  "My turn."

"Hmm, aggressive, Jigen.  I like you like this."  She smiled as someone walked up to their booth.  "Hmm, Ray," she purred, waving him inside.  He frowned, walking in.  "I came in to have dinner, you're interrupting.  What's going on?"

"There was just an explosion," he said grimly.

"Where?" she asked calmly.  "I know it wasn't anywhere near the kids."

"No, not near the kids.  It was in the park.  No one's claiming it yet but it blew up six of the major problems."

"Really?" she asked, stroking her men's hands and playing with their fingers.  "Ray, we both know I'm not great at explosives.  Why come to us with this?"

"I figured you'd need to know to fix this shit," he said quietly, glancing around.  "I don't want to know, just set up peaceful relations again.  Just keep the collateral damage down, 'kay?  That's all we're askin'."

"Oh, sweetie, it's already fixed," she cooed, smiling at him. "That's why it was safe enough for me to come in for dinner...and breakfast."  He blushed and backed away.  "Go play, Ray, I'm at *that* stage."  He went pale and hurried off.  "Poor guy. I'll have to get Emmajean to pounce him tonight."

"Naughty you," Lupin chided.  "Teasing another man?"  He kissed her ear, nibbling on that special spot just below it.  She moaned and leaned against him.  "My precious tease, Xander.  So good."

"Very hot," Jigen agreed.  "I could have sworn I taught you explosives."

She smiled and kissed him, making Lupin switch targets to her neck. "I know. It still wasn't me."

"Someone of yours?"

She shook her head. "Not in the least.  Kyle's uncle got a bit pissed at someone," she said with a wink.  Then she smirked at Lupin while leaning on Jigen.  "Can I make you sore, babe?"

"You can make me anything you want," Lupin promised.  "How much longer should this run?"

"Hopefully not for more than a couple of weeks."  She ran her hand over his thigh again, making him shift and moan.  "Be a good boy.  The baby and I are very proud of you, Lupin."

"Good."  He pounced her for a real kiss, making her moan.

"Food first and then pouncing," Jigen ordered.  "Let the poor woman eat."

"I had snacks with the kids during our movie time," she admitted, tipping her chin up so he could run a finger up her throat.  "You like?  I switched perfumes."

"I do like," he agreed quietly.  "I haven't been the victim of a playful mood in a long time, Xander.  We're still going to ask you questions."

"Tomorrow," she promised.

"Fine, tomorrow," he agreed.  The waiter brought their drinks and breadsticks, ignoring how Lupin was nibbling on his woman's throat.  "Thanks."

"Welcome," he squeaked, hurrying off.  This was going to be a long night for him.  Fortunately, by the time they were done, they had tipped him very well as well.  He used it to take a pretty waitress out and have some fun of his own.

***

Lupin looked around the simple apartment once the kids had left, searching for the opening that they had come out of.  "Ah-ha!"  He found it and opened it. "There's a tunnel with a doorway."

"It only opens for certain people," a new voice said from behind them.  They spun, looking at him.  "Jigen."

"Homer.  Goemon.  Have fun last night?"

"It was quite interesting to see his version of the art," Goemon agreed.  "She has said it was a DNA reader."

"Yeah, but you were at the other place," Lupin said, moving closer. "Weren't you, buddy?"

"I was but I do not know where it was.  The car's windows were heavily shielded.  All I know is that she gave you clues.  She said so."

"The rest of us don't know where this safe house is either," Homer offered.  "Bastian's waiting back at the supply closet."

"That's fine," Lupin said with a hand wave.  "I hate things like this.  She's taunting us, I know she is."

"There's no headquarters?" Jigen asked.

"It's her laptop.  Technically her headquarters is wherever she is at the moment.  Right now it could be in a suitcase for all we know.  She *said* she's in Spain but she's always very security conscious.  She would have only told the locals that she was around if she wanted them to know and expected to need some local help."  Homer grinned at them.  "You certainly taught that women right."

"Too right," Lupin said miserably, walking up to the door.  He saw the reader and the handprint.  He put his hand on it, wanting to see what it would do.  A small needle pricked him and then disappeared, then it went red and locked.  "Hey!"

"She hasn't coded us in yet?" Jigen asked.

"Apparently not.  Homer, are you coded?"

"Not for this one, sorry, Lupin."  He patted Goemon on the back.  "I'm going to start watching the newly paranoid idiots.  The ones who Bastian gave the messages to last night.  Want to help?"

"Yes," he agreed.  "It would be good to be in the field again."

"Don't worry, you'll have to train the kids," Homer reminded him, walking him off.

"She said something about Dessier street," Jigen offered.

"That's about four blocks from here," Lupin said thoughtfully.  "She trooped the kids that far and built a tunnel like this that far?"

"It looks like one of the old access tunnels for the Underground," Jigen noted.   "Old stonework with old mortar."

"Yeah, it is," Lupin agreed, looking around.  "Fine.  Let's go there. Maybe we can find a clue."   He didn't want to admit it but Xander had stumped them this time.  "I want to know about all this and she did promise to tell us today."

"She did," Jigen agreed, lighting up once they were outside.  The apartment hadn't had a great air flow and they hadn't wanted to open the windows.  They strolled the four blocks, looking around at the apartment buildings.  Older buildings, smaller.  The tallest was only four stories.  Jigen looked up, then tipped his head to the side. "Some of the bricks don't match on that one," he said, pointing up at that building.

Lupin looked around then smiled at a nosy neighbor watching them.  "We're looking for an old friend.  Japanese guy with his kids?  Just came in a few days ago?"

"Oh, him," she agreed, waving a hand at a building down the street.  "He went in there.  Seemed dour if you ask me.  You famous or someat?"

"No," Lupin told her.  "I'm an impersonator.  I do Lupin gags for birthdays and bachelor parties."

"Oh.  Pays well I guess," she admitted.  "This here is a quiet street most of the time."

"Yeah, he likes the quiet," Jigen agreed.  "Thanks, ma'am."  He headed for that building,  hoping she had been correct.  If not they'd have to explain why they were breaking into someone's house.  "You think she bought a building and renovated it like in Geneva?"

"Probably.  A single apartment wouldn't fit them all."  He checked the buildings, then looked at the other one, then back.  "Huh.  Similar construction."

Bastian pulled up and got out of his car, leaning on the roof.  "Guys, that's SIS headquarters," he said firmly.

"Which one is hers?" Jigen asked.  He pointed behind him at the other one.  "Thought so.  Thanks. Coming in?"

"Oh, no, thanks, really.  I don't like little kids.  They're scary creatures."  He grinned. "But I am off to solve another problem for her.  She said so."  He winked at Lupin.  "Think I could steal Marcus for a while?  She thinks he's being a bit too obvious."

"Sure, have fun with him," Lupin agreed, nodding.  Bastian grinned and got back in, speeding off.  "I think she arranged that."

"Of course she did."  Jigen waited until he sped off before turning to look at the door.  Two MP's were standing there.  "Looking for the Japanese guy with kids."

"I know who you are.  Goemon's across the street.  Tell that Yank buttfucker to stay on his own land," one of them said nastily.

"Thanks, guys, really," Lupin said with a wink.  "Have fun and all."  They walked across the street to the building with the extra floor.  The door was locked so Lupin picked the lock, and it still wouldn't open.  He searched the frame. "No other locks."

"I think it's welded," Jigen said, examining a hinge.  "Yeah, welded."  He looked in awe.  "She ...."  He shook his head, looking at Lupin.  "You want left or right?"

"Right.  Left would be too usual for her."  They went to the right door, finding it also welded. The left building's door was also welded.  Lupin stepped back to look at the front of the buildings, finding a small pathway in the grass.  "Hmm."  He followed it, bumping into the single step that was cleverly hidden as a planter.  He searched the wall, finding the hidden lock, and picked it, walking inside.  Jigen followed, looking around at the lush jungle they had wandered into.   They weren't aware that a blinking light over their heads had betrayed their entrance but the security guards had their faces on record so they didn't come attack immediately.  Lupin headed for the only hallway he could see, looking in each room.  The darkened room stumped him but he let it go, heading for the storerooms instead.  "She's a fucking collector," he said, looking around in awe.  "Wow."

"Someone should be missing some of these," Jigen pointed out, looking at the paintings.  Lupin found a closet and opened it, finding the tool chests.  "Art supplies?"  Lupin picked one and they gasped. "Never mind."  They carefully locked the chest and the closet again, wandering around the other store rooms.  They found most of the stuff from Geneva in the last one, then found the room with all the statues.  They headed back down the halls, going to the front room again.  There had to be some way upstairs.  Jigen finally found an escalator.  "I think she's feeling old."

Lupin hurried over, taking it up.  They walked out into another garden space and Lotus, who had two vials. "What's that, princess?"

"Anti-toxin for the vines."  They drank it quickly and she beamed.  "Good boys.  Auntie said you could wander around, the baby's kicking her ass and she's gone back to bed."

"Thanks, Lotus.  Have fun gardening."

"Yes, I am," she said happily, heading back to her vegetables.  "I like tomato plants."

"We'll have to plant some for you sometime soon," Lupin admitted, heading down one hall.  He found bedrooms so they headed down the other one.  They found the kids in the computer lab, giving them all hugs.  Jigen checked her desk, turning on her computer.  "She locked it."

"The password is in the locked center drawer," Melissa told him.  "It's some sort of jumble of letters."  She went back to her online math lesson.  The mother had gotten them some educational CDs.

Jigen found it and typed it in, getting the screen back.  "Wow, I remember that picture," he said fondly, smiling at the large version of her favorite picture as a wallpaper.  He raised the screens, seeing the panicking person on one.  "Lupin, it's Tiff."

He hurried over, typing at her quickly.  He got her calmed down and explaining, then he passed on an order and an evacuate the area order.  His bulletin board lit up with confirmation from the local people and one paranoid person in Spain.  "There."  He checked the other windows, seeing the hostile talk on the main bulletin board.  The other one turned out to be a chat room with a report coming in.  He sat down, moaning at the feel of the chair. "Help Arsene please?"

"Sure, Lupin.  We'll pounce the wife soon."  He went to help the kids with their lessons.

Lupin read the report quickly, typing in a comment about something.  The person sent back a 'huh'.  Lupin identified himself and typed in his question again.  The person wrote a blush, a stammer, and then offered a file for download.  He took it, reading it over as well. It explained everything.  So he gave her the same order since she was in the same area as Tiff had been.  Then he switched back to the main bulletin board and stopped all the arguments quickly by yelling 'shut up'.  Then he changed screen names and said it was him, that he was handling matters.  That if they could come to an agreement then everything would be much easier.  Even an alliance would be better than the fighting recently....  By the end of his speech a few people had agreed to talk to each other, because he said so.  He typed into all three that he was going off-line to sleep for the next four hours.  Anything that important could be done via phone if necessary.

The phone on the desk rang and he answered it.  "What?"  He listened to Bastian, who explained a few things to him.  "Thanks."  He repeated that into Xander's chatroom, getting instant confirmation from her people.   He put it into his bulletin board, and got mostly positive responses.  He told the other bulletin board that they were calling a truce for the day.  That there were four people causing problems.  That he wanted a conference chat at ten that night, Paris time.  Then he clicked the 'hide me' button and leaned back to watch them chat without him.  Only a few people looked upset.  One of them he clicked on to chat privately, explaining himself to Kyle's uncle and new guardian.  He was promised his support so he locked the computer again and then he went to find his wife.  Jigen shadowed him up the other hallway, finding the room at the end of the hall to be the adult's room.  They looked.  One was open and it was light, airy, and sterile.  It had to be Goemon's.  The others yielded a bathroom, a weapon's room, and a bedroom that was dark, smelled nice, and had a high, very soft bed with a cooing body on it.  Lupin moved Kenji back to the empty crib and then they pounced their wife together.

"Get off, 'm sore," she whined sleepily. "No more nursing for an hour, I'm empty."

"That's okay, I have other things in mind," Jigen whispered in her ear.  "Naughty mother."  He stripped the nightie off her and tossed it behind him. Lupin got her panties off her and tossed them away, then they stripped themselves to pleasure their wife.  She was amazing and deserved it.

Xander stretched and wiggled, letting them do whatever they want.  "If you'd lick, I'd really like it," she offered.  They obliged by moving lower and licking her together until she was mewling above them and thrashing on the bed. "Guys!  Need more!"

"We're workin' on it, have some patience," Jigen ordered.  He grabbed the lube and worked on preparing her gently, then they divvied her up and he got her front while Lupin got her rear.  They slid in together, making her come and tighten around him.

"Sounds like she needs more," Lupin said smugly, stroking her stomach.  This way he wasn't so tempted to feast on her breasts.  He pushed in more and felt Jigen do the same until they were both buried to the hilt in her.  "Ours," he said in her ear, reminding her.  "Our nympo darling.  Our woman.  Our bitch."

"Our slut," Jigen agreed, moving a little bit.  "Our bad boy.  Ours."  She nodded, thrashing between them until they gave in and gave her what she needed.

Lupin panted in her ear.  "I'm fucking impressed, Xan.  I had no idea until I saw your computer. You are one amazing man.  It makes me love you even more to realize that you're my equal."

She let out a yell, coming from that.  Jigen gave her a happy look.  "Just wait, Xan, we're not done yet."  He moved faster, letting Lupin play with her clit while he pleasured her his way.  She was shaking between them so he slowed down.  "Too much, babe?"

"No!  More!"

"Shh, we're workin' on it," Lupin promised, moving a bit faster himself now.  He and Jigen matched speeds again and she followed them anywhere they wanted to go, coming right after they did.  "Our good girl."

"Very smart and wise," Jigen agreed, resting against her front.  "Damn, you're wonderful in too many things."

"Definitely my equal," Lupin agreed, stroking her breasts.  "It makes me hotter each time I think about it, Xander.  I had only hoped to find someone who understood and enjoyed my nature but to find out that you share it and you revel in it like I do.  It's intoxicating."  He kissed her neck, making her moan weakly.

"We'll let you rest," Jigen promised.  "You nap and then we'll feed you and spoil you some more."

"We have a whole four hours."

"'Kay," she agreed weakly.  She closed her eyes.  "Loved me into a coma."

"I know we did," Jigen soothed.

"We missed you and your naughty mind," Lupin told her.  "You rest, we're right here."

She hummed and nodded, licking her lips.  "No milk?"

"Not yet.  We'll help you feed the babies later," Lupin promised.

"No, want some milk."

"When you get up we'll get you whatever you want."

"'Kay.  Feed the babies."  She yawned and snuggled into his chest, falling asleep on him with a big grin on her face.

In the center room, Goemon had just picked up his son and was carrying him off.  "That was not something you needed to know about right now, Ishi."

"Father, what were they doing?  She was chanting and crying and laughing all at once."

"That was sex, my son.  It is an adult art."

Ishi wiggled until he was put down.  "But why?  She's already pregnant."  His father blushed. "I can ask her if you want."

"No, I can handle this," he said firmly, coming up with a good answer.  "Adults do ...that for more than procreation, son.  It is pleasurable."  He forced his mind away from the images of him and Fujiko.  "As you grow older, you'll find that you're attracted to certain people.  I will be teaching you how not to let it control you life."

"Will you teach me how to make my woman scream in pleasure like that?"

Goemon winced.  "That is a matter of focus.  As you pay attention to your kata and your body, paying attention to your lover's body will give them great pleasure and then you'll find your own.  That is to be done only when you believe they are the most special person you could possibly have.  Otherwise, like your Uncle Lupin, it will rule your life."

"He seems very happy with the auntie."

"Yes, but before they met he was very...free with his affections and it did not make him happy, son.  It made him need more and more because he could not find that spark that made it more than stress relief.  Allowing it only when it is special is more satisfying than not.  Again, this is a discussion for when you are older and your body starts to rebel against your control of it."

"Yes, father," he agreed, thinking about it.  "Was that why you and mother used to hide during our naps?"

"Indeed," he agreed gently. "You do not have to always make her pass out.  Sometimes a good backrub is as satisfying for you both."  He patted him on the head.  "Now.  You knew better than to intrude on their bedroom.  Why did you do so?"

"The delivery people are back and they gave me a different card this time."  He handed it to him.

Goemon looked at it.  "Marcus!"  Nothing happened.  "Hmm.  Come, we will talk to them."  He walked down the stairs with his son, looking at the person who had presented the Interpol card.  "You are?"

"Here for Lupin the Third," he said grimly.  "There is a large problem and Interpol hopes he can solve it."

"He is presently asleep.  I will have him call in later."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, sir."

Goemon put a thumb on the latch to his sword.  "Can't?" he repeated.

He backed up nervously.  "No, sir.  The commissioner wanted to see him immediately."

"We are in the middle of a crisis right now," Lupin said as he came down the escalator.  "Nice speech, Goemon.  Good job."  He looked at the man. "I'm sorry, we're presently dealing with a fucking revolt in the European Syndicate.  What's so damn important?"

"Inspector Zenigata was taken hostage earlier, Mr. Lupin.  It was someone trying to get your attention."  He pulled out a paper and handed it over.  "He wants to see you."

"Where are they?" Goemon asked.

"Not here," Xander called from the next floor.  "And they're toast.  Dawn went off.  She loosed the gates of hell on them.  He's back in the hospital."  She went back to her office to call around and get them some help.  His personal physician went to take care of him and he was moved to a private facility, one that would let Dawn stay all night if necessary.  The older two were old enough to babysit for a while with some monitoring so he sent someone to do that as well, telling Emmajean to watch them.  Then she sat back and stretched before going for a weapon and going to *deal* with this personally.  She teleported out, landing in the small warehouse where people were yelling at each other.  She calmly fired a shot into the ceiling. "Who took Zenigata hostage?  You gained the wrong attention."  Someone behind him cocked a gun so he spun and fired then shook his head, turning around again.  "Sorry, the pregnancy is tiring me out.  You interrupted my sex romp with Lupin.  He's unconscious so you get me."  He pointed his gun at the people he knew had done it.  "I heard it was you.  What a fucking shock.  You paid for the last hit."  He cocked his own gun.  "Gonna beg or pray?"

"You're nothing," the man spat.

"No, I'm not a nothing, I'm a Sylvia.  Get it right," he said patiently, blowing his stomach out.  Then she pointed at the other four, hitting them around the same area.  She hit someone who was pulling a gun, wounding Ray.  "Hey, Ray."  She strolled over, looking down at them, shaking her head.  "Fucking with Zenigata makes Dawn upset.  Dawn getting upset means that she throws a fit.  Things in Paris go wonky when she throws a fit and then I have to deal with it. It's much nicer not to upset her, thereby leaving me with more free time to fuck Lupin back into my feather mattress.  If you live, this is your only warning.  Next time, I'm going to be really mean."  One of them lifted a gun so she pointed hers at his dick.  "You wanna try that?"  He shook his head quickly, dropping the gun.  "Good, you did find reason and rational thought.  Congratulations.  Most of the rest of us managed that at the age of seven. Fortunately our children will be much better than you."  She turned and stomped off. "They'll live if you get them help.  If the ambulance takes over ten minutes they might not make it."  She shrugged.  "Pity, but less work for me in the future and I can retire again.  See you at Ray-Con, Ray."  She disappeared, leaving one stunned cop, five injured men, and a siren outside growing.

Ray finally shook his head and called in the incident, noting it had been a rival gang member. He wouldn't go into that over the radio.  He looked down at them.  "Who decided to piss off Lupin by kidnaping Zenigata?"  One man groaned.  "Stupid fuck.  You made him so upset that she took the kids and went into hiding.  He hadn't had any in a week."  They all whimpered as more cops rushed in.  He held up his badge.  "I didn't even get to fire on them," he reported.

"Who was it?" his boss demanded.

"Sylvia."

He blinked.  "We sent a message to Lupin to negotiate and got her?"  Ray nodded.  "Why?"

"Because she's his wife, they were just having sex, and he's unconscious, sir.  She's nearly seven months along now."

"Oh."  He nodded slowly.  "All right.  I want filled in on all this.  Apparently things have happened that I'm not aware of."

"You didn't get the report on Lupin being married and buying the wedding ring?"  He nodded.  "Sylvia's the wife."

"Oh."  He nodded, understanding that.  "Fine.  I expected Jigen."

"Sylvia and Lavelle were their students.  Besides, if Lupin's unconscious then Jigen probably is too.  She's married to both of them."

"They're all together?"

"No, sir, Goemon just lost his own wife, Fujiko Mine."

"Oh," he repeated weakly.  "I'm assuming this lack of moral fiber is because they're crooks?"

"No, Goemon isn't joining in.  He was very faithful and very upstanding.  He's simply an assassin."  His boss nodded.  "Sylvia did say she'd be at the upcoming anime convention, as usual.  I'm going as well, also as usual.  Would you like me to set up an interview, sir?"

"You go to those things for real?"

"I have since I was very young," Ray admitted.  "I always tape and hand them over still in the machine so they know I haven't altered anything."

"Good."  He looked happier at that.  "I don't think an interview is necessary."  He looked at the bodies they were carting off.  "Is this normal for her?"

"She's nearly seven months pregnant, sir.  We're lucky this is all she did," Ray said seriously.

"Oh."  His eyes went wide.  "Seven months along?"  He nodded, turning and walking away. "At least it was solved. Make sure we know who and have them sign their confession, Inspector. Good work cracking this one.  Don't worry, I won't mention this one ever again.  Your boss will probably be retiring but we'll be moving your unit to Geneva anyway.  Do have fun with that.  Please don't let me know about such things in the future."  The door slammed behind him.

Ray snickered.  "Poor guy, maybe he should read Zenny's reports."  He looked at the guy who had moaned. "Did you do it?"  The guy nodded weakly.  "Confess and I'll keep Lavelle from showing up next with Lupin and Jigen in tow.  Sylvia can only keep them occupied with her body for so long you know."

"I did it," he whispered.  "If you protect me, I'll confess."

"Good," Ray agreed, following him out.  He held up his tape recorder. "You just tell me all about it.  Before they come back."  He hit the record button, recording over the message his wife had sent him this morning.  Fortunately he had already heard it all.  The man babbled quickly confessing everything he had ever done that was really bad.

***

Xander appeared in her study, wobbling a bit.  She dropped her gun and padded back to her room and the bathroom, taking a shower.  She was helped by Jigen when he came in to steady her.  "Pops should live.  The people who did it might live but Ray had it."  She blew a kiss. "I'm tired now."  Then she slumped in his arms.

Jigen got her rinsed off then carried her back to their bedroom, putting her back onto the bed and covering her up.  Someone turned off the water and he found Bix there with a towel.  "Thanks.  You okay?"

"Just peachy," she said lightly. "She okay?"

"Probably.  We'll know soon."  She nodded and left them alone.  Jigen got her reclothed and tucked in again, then went to talk to Lupin.  "She's fine.  She dealt with it."

"So I can see," Lupin agreed, reading the screens.  "There are many panicking people at the moment."  He grabbed the keyboard and wrote out a quick message, basically that the kidnaping had taken him away from sex with Sylvia, and Sylvia had a mood swing because of it.  To leave Interpol out of it.  Then he leaned back, watching the people calm down.  He looked at Jigen.  "That should finish the rest of the problems."

"Considering that the main problems were there and giving Ray their life histories, I'd hope so," Marcus said as he strolled in.  "I believe someone yelled for me?"  They looked over his mis-buttoned shirt so he gave them a casual smirk.  "Did you think I was asexual?"

"You never mention that you're dating so we never know when you're taking time out to go play with the boyfriend," Jigen told him.

"I like them both, Jigen.  Bastian is simply ...outstanding."  He smirked.  "Is it handled?"  Lupin shrugged.  "When will we know?"

"Not for a bit.  Let's have you stay nearby, got it?"  Marcus nodded.  "Good."

Ishi stuck his head in.  "The auntie said that there is a magic restriction on the house.  The only things that are allowed are plant magic and coming in or out, but you can only do it in certain rooms."  He looked at his uncle.  "I'm doing my second practice, would you like to come help?"

"If I'm not needed, I left my boyfriend in bed, Ishi.  I'll be back in a while."  He tried to disappear and groaned, heading out the door to do it from outside.

Jigen looked at Ishi.  "I'll come watch if you want.  Lupin can spoil our girl for now."

"Arsene said she found a laptop in the drawer that usually holds a tower, Uncle.  I do need someone to monitor me.  I'm off balance again."

"It's the beginnings of puberty," Lupin told him. "It's compensatable and you'll be fine in a few years."

"Wonderful, just what I need."  He headed out, letting Jigen follow him up to the next floor.  "We like the escalators."

"So do I.  My knees don't hurt with them."  He looked around the large space.  "This is nice.  What's the fourth floor area?"

"We're not sure.  We can't find a door to it."

Jigen looked at the ceiling until he found a small thumb nook. He found a stick and pulled it down, getting out of the way as the ladder dropped.  He climbed up and looked, then came back down.  "The mainframe computer."  He used the stick to put up the ladder and close the hatch.  "Okay, let's figure this out.  You are growing again, your pants are too short."

"Another thing my father won't like."

"That's why we used to make mine into shorts," Jigen shared.  "Go for it, kid.  I'll sit here."  He found a good spot in the sun and watched as Ishi started on his kata.  "Your weight's too forward, it's like you're leaning."

Ishi corrected himself and started over.  "That did help."

***

Lupin opened the laptop, humming while it loaded.  Then he smiled when the same windows popped up with a few more.  "Oh-ho, other monitoring systems."  He found the power cord and took it with him to the bedroom, coming back to lock the main computer since his daughter was talking to the other crooks about a plan she had for the Louvre.  "Not today, princess.  We're in serious times and we like that painting."

"I like it too.  I want to look at it every day."

"Not right now, princess," Lupin repeated, locking it and taking the code with him.  He set up on the bed with Xander, watching her nap while he monitored the situation and tried to figure out where the other safe houses were. Some of them had external temperatures.  That told him one was in the Nordic countries.  One had a 'Bay temperature' listed so he decided it was probably in San Francisco.  One was obviously in Japan but he couldn't decide which one.  Another one was in France.  This was a really nice setup.  Xander moaned and blinked up at him.  "You did great."  He kissed her gently.  "I'm fucking impressed, my Empress.  So blown away by your skills."  He kissed her again.  "We shiver at your feet for being able to do all this without us realizing."

"Did I scare you?"

"A little.  I only had a moment of thought that you were doing things behind my back but then I realized that you don't do things like that."  He kissed her again.  "You astound me.  You are more than worthy to be not only my wife, but my partner."  She sniffled.  "No, don't cry."

"You've never called me your partner before," she said, crying against him.

"You deserve it.  You have for quite a while."  He stroked her back.  "Would you explain this to me?"

"Sure."  She shifted so she could look at the screen.  "One's not up."  She lifted that window, looking it over.  "Huh.  Someone really dumb tried to break into my house in San Francisco.  Stupid of them."  She clicked on that box and a security report came up.  "Oh, good, they were arrested and beaten."  She sent back a 'thank you' and moved back to the main screen.  "Okay, this is my command center.  From here I can reach out and touch any part of my empire.  I can consult with my publishers, I can consult with my restaurant, and I can consult with my security company."  She glanced back and Lupin had his look of concentration.  "Relax, I made it kid-proof but also idiot-capable."

"So I should be okay with it," Lupin agreed, smirking down at her.  "You own a restaurant?"

"You want us to starve?"

"Well, no," he agreed.  It made sense in a Xanderish way.  "Which house is which?"

"These aren't all the safe houses, just the ones with the more important things in them.  This one," she said, highlighting it, "is here and someone was upstairs.  They tripped the alarm."  She canceled it.  "Probably Arsene."

"Jigen went up to watch Ishi so it was probably one of them.  What's up there?"

"The big, main computer setup.   I have a hacker who logs in a few times a week to make sure it's all running right.  He's a space geek to so he took over your satellite and made sure it was working right.  When that one's dead, we'll be sending up one that's specially built for high-speed communications.  We've already got it being built."  Lupin's mouth fell open.  "Most satellites aren't meant to work for more than ten years, dear.  It's short- sighted to think that the kids won't need it."

"Good point," he agreed, shaking himself.  "Wow.  You've really put some thought into this."

"I'm building it for the kids," she said with a small shrug.  She clicked on another property.  "This one is the one in 'Frisco.   The main thing there is the presses."

"Presses?"

"Presses.  To make vital documents, things like that?"  He nodded, looking impressed.  "Then we've got Mexico City," she said, clicking on that one.  "The temperature reading is broken, still.  I haven't gotten around to fixing it recently.  It's fifty degrees off."  She looked it over.  "The last storm broke a window so it's being fixed right now.  This number represents the number of people in the house.  The one next to it shows which sectors of the house they're in, what rooms basically.  They're in the kitchen and living areas instead of in the office.  Though the one in the office is hopefully the security guy."  He sent a quick note and the security company sent back that it was one of their people watching them.  "An easy few extra bucks an hour," she agreed, sending back an 'okay' and 'I'm explaining it to the husband right now' message.  A new one came back of 'husband?  We thought you were male'.  She chuckled and replied that she is, but that he had typed that in, he was actually her trainer and he was testing her defenses.  She signed that one with her special sig line and they sent back an 'okay' response.  A new screen popped up and she got her form changed before the video resolved.  "Hey.  This is my trainer."

Lupin waved. "Hi," he said.  "He's got a headache so I'm being nosy and demanding."

"That's fine, sir, we wanted to make sure."  He looked at Xander.  "That stupid black streak came back?"

Xander fingered it.  "It keeps doing that, I don't know why.  Sorry to have worried you.  Any other problems?"

"The safe house in Norway was broken into, I know you don't have that on monitoring yet.  It was someone who was trying desperately to get out of a bad storm.  We moved them to a safer structure and had the repairs made automatically.  The one in Spain is having another leaking roof moment.  Weren't you going to get that and the thermometer fixed?"

"I called someone to fix the roof in Spain.  I'll be looking over it personally in a few days.  Anything damaged?"  He shook his head.  "In the workout room again?"  He nodded, grimacing.  "Then we'll get it fixed.  The thermostat needs to be fixed and I'll be sending someone to do that while I fix Spain.  Anything else that needs my personal attention?"

"No, sir.  Thank you, sir.  Have a nice day and I hope you feel better."  He disappeared.

"See, now get off," she said, winking at him.  The link cut and Lupin chuckled while she turned back.  She disabled that feature for a few minutes, making it audio only.  "Then we've got the house in Spain that has a leak in the roof.   Hmm, people in there."

"Isn't that the Moreno estate?"

"It is, and someone's going to be spanked.  I left someone in charge down there."

"They're holding a wedding this weekend," Lupin reminded him.  "It was in all the society pages."

"Oh, yeah.  Your daughter's wedding actually."  She clicked on the next one.  "This is a business summary one.  The security company is doing very well.  The restaurant is doing iffy but that's normal this time of year.  The publishing house is behind a week in their figures, but again that's normal for them. Last month they had a few delays in getting books out with an editor who was on maternity leave.  They've figured it out and she's tele- commuting from work."  He lowered that window.  "Never close anything.  I've got them auto start and it might screw with the view.  It's done it before.  I know you know what these three are by now."  He nodded, kissing her shoulder. "Thank you.  Hmm, Paris is having more problems."

"I sent out an order and then a clear out of the area order.  Bastian said it was necessary to get them all out of there.  I evacuated mine too."

"That's fine," she agreed, typing in a 'I'm here too' message into hers.  She got a report from most everyone.  "Good."  She typed in a 'hold steady, it'll be over with soon' and switched to the main thieve's bulletin board.  "We've got a panicking person again."

Lupin looked and gave a simple, easily understood order.  Go take a nap.  She sent back a cyber-salute and said she was doing so.  "Sleep deprivation."

"Been there, done that, remember the paranoia."  She raised the last window, letting him see it.  "This is my finances."  He gaped then looked at her.  "What?" she asked.  "I save most everything."

"Xander, how many jobs have you been pulling solo?"

"Um, about as many as I pull with you?" she suggested.  The audio link clicked.  "Yeah?"

"Ma'am, is your boss around?" the security officer asked respectfully.

"Sure. Hold on."  She changed back to Lavelle, thus lowering her voice.  Lupin moved and he enabled the video link.  "What's up?"

"Sir, there was a request by the police to do a search of the Bay house.  They have a warrant."

"What are they looking for?"

"Drugs, sir."

"Drugs, in my house?  Are they insane?"  He nodded.  "Got a number?"  It was held up.  "Thank you."  She grabbed the phone and dialed it.  "You are trying to raid my house for drugs?  I don't use drugs.  I'm a publisher.  I own a restaurant."  She listened.  "Fine, you will still have to wait for someone from the security company to appear.  Because if you don't, then you're breaking the law.  There has to be someone there in a position to let you through the house.  The housekeeper is not in that position.  Yes, I'm quite sure.  Thank you."  She listened then the security person came on the line.  "Hey, it's Xander.  Let them in, we have to.  Point out that all the drugs in the bathroom are *legal* and *prescription* and mostly old, but let them look.  No damage.  How did they get this idea?"  He snorted.  "So a busboy at the restaurant I own is caught selling drugs and they decide that the whole place is a front and that I'm a drug kingpin?  Sure I am," he said dryly.  "Have fun making fun of them, Barry.  Sure, no property damage.  Yeah, then you can nag and deride them all the way out.  Tell me later.  No, I've got a headache and my trainers' here.  Thanks."  He hung up and looked at the guy.  "Idiots decided that I'm a drug lord because a busboy in the restaurant was using."

The security man on the video link snorted.  "They're desperate, you know that, sir."  He glanced behind him. "Some of us do know, sir."

"Know?"

"About your other side, sir.  A few of us have read the papers and seen the wanted posters."  He leveled a look at Xander.  "Really."

Xander beamed.  "Good!  I expected at least one of you to have figured that out."  The other guy laughed and shook his head.  "Let's face it, I've been caught before.  I'm trying to be careful though and not get you guys involved in my life."

"Oh, we know about that too, sir.  By the way, someone figured out that a certain Rembrandt was a fake.  You know how some of the guys don't like guarding things like that."

"Which is why very few of you are allowed in this house," he pointed out.

"Understood.  Still...."

"It's being taken care of," Lupin said, lying down again.   "We're having a yard sale."  The security guy's eyes bulged.  "What?" he asked innocently.

"Oh, shit, you really are him," he whispered.  Xander nodded.  "But you're....you're... you're doing spy work!"

"I am.  That's my part-time job, the same way the other stuff is."

"Oh."  He nodded.  He took a deep breath.  "There are no warrants?"

"I'd never expect you guys to do things like that if I had them."

"Thank you, sir, for understanding."

"Hey, I'd never do that to you guys.  Part of your specialness is that you're honest.  Don't worry, we'll be moving some things out so no one can say anything or even think that they've been associated with my other part-time job."

"Yes, sir, thank you, sir.  I hope you feel better."

"In about another two months," he said dryly, sitting up.  "It gets a bit stranger from here."  The man's eyes bulged.  "I'll understand if you want me to sell the company."

"No," he said, staring at him.  "You've never made us a part of your business interests.   You've always kept us out of that area.  We can and will object if we find any stolen artifacts but nothing more than we would do in another house.  Thank you for honoring our natures."

"You're no good to anyone if you're not honest and trustworthy.  I'd expect it from you guys.  Besides, half of them have been presents."  He grinned and wiggled his fingers.  "I'm supposed to be resting.  Tell me tomorrow if you need anything changed."

"Of course, sir.  Thank you, sir."  He hung up.  It all made so much more sense now.  Now he knew why he wasn't supposed to say the guy's name out loud, it might upset some of the other guards.  All the little anomalies clicked into place and suddenly he fully understood.  He dialed the other section heads, getting them on a long conference call.  "I just found out who our owner is," he admitted.  "And both sides of him."  One of them laughed.  "I know some of you might have gotten it sooner but we've never had to deal with him in the past.  Should we do anything about this?  He's said he's moving anything that might be seen as being illegal out of the houses we monitor.  He said he wants us to stay honest and to stay out of that lifestyle.  He said he's a spy part time too."  The voices in his ear discussed this, filling in those who didn't know.

***

Goemon walked into the house and shut the door against the rain, finding his daughter waiting on him.  "What's happened?"

"Auntie is napping, the plants have all been helped, and I'm bored."

"No lessons?"

"Nope."  She stood up and let herself be hugged.  "I'm bored."

"Then we'll go workout."

"I just got done," she pouted.  "I'm *bored*, daddy."

"Then let us find some way to make you unbored, daughter."  He carried her up the stairs, taking her to his room.  "Now, what is underlying this pouting mood?"

"I've done my usual stuff but I can't play."

"There's nowhere to play?  I find it hard to believe."

"Well, there is, but I miss my tree and my friend who lives in my tree."

"As soon as it is safe we will go back there," he promised.  She beamed at him.  "For right now, it is too dangerous to do much of anything.  Can you endure for a few more weeks?"

"Can we go to the park at least?"

"I will arrange a trip tomorrow."

"Okay."  She snuggled into his arms again, enjoying this hugging thing.  "Aren't you lonely, daddy?" she asked quietly.

He stroked her back.  "I am, but I can endure as well," he answered.  "If I find someone else sometime then I will.  If not, then I will not and I will have to accept that."

"That sucks, daddy."

"I know, and do not use such language."

"Yes, daddy."  She beamed up at him.  "You could date Bix."

"I do not think she would want to see me in such a way," he said gently.  "She is looking to find someone who does not fight, daughter. Someone who wants to treat her like your Uncle Lupin treats your Aunt Xander."

"You would."

"I would, but I would also have to leave every now and then and it would upset her greatly."  He patted her on the back, pushing her back a bit.  "Now, why do you not play with your brother?  I'm sure he is bored."

"He's thinking a lot.  He said I'm a pest."

"Brothers can occasionally be bothersome that way," he agreed with a small smirk.  "What about the other girls?"

"Them?  They're younger and they don't like playing the same stuff.  I don't want to play house or dollies, or anything like that, so they're mad at me."

He kissed her on the top of the head.  "You will be fine, daughter.  It will stop soon, I promise."

"Yes, daddy."  She hugged him again.  "Can I just cuddle for a bit?"

"If you wish.  I was going to lie down and read."  She nodded, resting against his chest while he picked up his book.  He smiled at the first snore. "So much like your mother sometimes," he said gently, stroking her hair.

"A year or two makes a lot of difference at this age," Lupin agreed from the doorway.  "Arsene doesn't understand why Lotus doesn't want to play with them either."

"For all that they are advanced, the other girls are only seven and she is nearly ten now."

"Which means we'll have to talk about dating soon," Lupin pointed out with a small smirk.

"Bite your tongue," Goemon warned.

"Fine.  I won't mention that Ishi was drooling over a woman at the mall earlier.  We're taking the girls shopping separately since he's having an anti-girl week."

"Will you teach her like you did Xander?" he asked quietly.

"Sure.  You knew I was going to teach her society manners anyway."  He shrugged. "She can learn how to flirt when it's necessary.  I'm sure the little Zenigata clone would like that."

"I do not think she will seriously date Morgan."

"We won't know until it happens," Lupin pointed out.  "Until then we'll just have to wait and see."  He shrugged.  "But I will be helping all the girls with bras, dresses, boys, things like that."

Goemon nodded.  "Thank you.  I have no idea what to teach her about that.  With the sons, I can teach them as I was.  With her, I have no idea how to do so."

"Teach her the same thing, Goemon, or she'll pout," Lupin pointed out.  "It can only help her with her chosen field."  He grinned again.  "So we're going to the mall tonight to take all the girls shopping.  Should I get her a training bra?"

"Training bra?  What are they for?"

"For teaching you how to put one on and get used to wearing one."

Goemon looked down at his daughters' slight form.  "I do not believe it is necessary."

"Yet."

"Yet," Goemon said tiredly.  "When it is, then we can do that.  Or let Xander do so."

"Sure.  That's probably a better idea.  Man, I'd hate to see Melissa and Savannah's sets.  Sylvia has a nice size set and they look natural on her."

"They could be flat, like their father."

"They could but I doubt it," Lupin said, shaking his head.  "One day, we'll look at the kids and have to tell them that they're hot."  He strolled off, going back to taking care of his wife and the future baby.  "I just had a revelation," he announced as he climbed back into the bed.  "It'll only be a few years before we'll have to tell the girls how hot they look in short skirts."

Jigen looked at him.  "That's a sickening thought.  Keep it to yourself.  They're six."

"The average age for puberty is eleven," Xander noted quietly.  "I'm doing the bra talk when it's time."

"See, ten years," Jigen told him.

"Jigen, it's a worry each father has.  With their stunning mothers, they'd have to be pretty at the very least."  She looked at him.  "Don't worry, you won't mind when it's time.  Even if they look like you, they'll still be decent enough.  After all, you got laid thousands of times even though you have a cackle that raises hair on necks and a high forehead that some people say makes you look like a chimp."  He frowned at her.  "Repeating."

"Uh-huh.  I still managed to get you."

"That's because you're very talented," Xander agreed smugly.  "Otherwise I might mind that biting problem you seem to have with my shoulder when you're behind me."

"Good point.  So you're saying the girls will be cute and we won't mind?" Jigen asked.

"No, we'll mind their lovers," Xander told them. "That's something to hope against, that your darling little girls don't get a reputation like yours."

Lupin pulled back with a moan.  "No!"  He shook his head.  "Not allowed!  There's no way in hell!  I'll send them both to a convent!"

"With yours and her lust levels, Fred might never make it out of bed," Jigen said, looking disturbed.

"We'll be getting Goemon to teach them self-control," Lupin said firmly.  "Before my nature taints them that way."

"Sure," Jigen and Xander agreed, smiling at him.

"Thank you.  There will be no bras until they need them and nothing from any Ann Summers catalog until they're adults."

"Unless they buy or steal them," Xander said.

"Unless they buy or steal them and then we can confiscate them," Lupin agreed happily.

"Is this like the revenge thing?  It's going to get more and more elaborate until your head starts to ache?" Jigen asked.

"Revenge thing?"

"When you disappeared up to the kitsune without telling us, Lupin started this revenge thing.  It fed off the one he built when you left us to do the convention circuit."

"Oh.  How bad did it get?"

"I had you spread out across my desk at the main house, covered in butterscotch topping, licked clean, spanked and begging," Lupin said proudly.

Xander looked at him and licked his lips.  "First, I'm one of those who firmly separates food and sex.  I don't believe people need toppings, it masks their tastes.  Secondly, you couldn't tie me to that desk, there would be no way you could do it without hurting me greatly.  Third, if you *ever* think about spanking, caning, or whipping me you lose me permanently.  Got it?"  Lupin gave her a stunned look.  "Seriously."

"I'd never do that to you," he promised, moving closer to hold her.  "I'm sorry, I was venting in my head so I wouldn't yell at you."

"That's all it had ever be," she said stiffly.  "I am not going to be spanked or caned."

"Never," Jigen agreed, brushing a hair behind her ear.  "I'd never let him do that to you."

"Good."  She let them soothe her back into a semi-resting state.  "We need to do the yard sale thingie."

"We do," Lupin agreed.  Jigen looked stunned.  "So she doesn't piss off her security guys.  How are things looking, Xander?"

"I haven't checked in a few hours."

Lupin checked his watch.  "I've called for a conference chat at ten Paris time.  That'll give me enough time to read over the recent entries to all the lists.  Want me to stay up here?"

"Go ahead and use the office so you won't fall asleep," Xander said sleepily.  Lupin kissed her and got out to do that.

Jigen hugged her harder. "I'd never let him spank you, Xan.  If he does stuff that bugs you in bed, you come running to me and I'll take you away from him until he apologizes or gets too sneaky."  She nodded, yawning against his throat.  "You rest, our Goddess."  She nodded again, curling up around him.  That had been close but it was understandable with her upbringing.  She didn't even let them spank the kids unless they had done something like trying to play in the middle of the street.

***

Morgan Zenigata dropped his fork and looked at his aunt.  "Aunt?"  She nodded, chewing harder so she could answer whatever question he had.  "May I bring a girl over for dinner."  Her fork dropped from her fingers and her mouth came open, with the food still not fully swallowed.  "Eww."  She swallowed quickly and drank some to make sure her mouth was cleared out.  "There's a girl at school that I really like."

"You know we're moving soon, right?" she pointed out.  He grimaced and sighed, slumping in his chair.  "I'm all for you seeing someone in a meaningful way, Morgan, but I'm not sure if you can sustain this thing with her while we're in Geneva.  I don't want you hurt."

"Why can't I stay?  My school has boarding."

"No."  He opened his mouth and she held up a hand.  "Morgan, I know you know what happened earlier."  He shut his mouth and nodded.  "Well, it's nearly happened a few others times, including to you guys.  I'd be really upset with the world if something like that happened.  I don't want to be upset with the world, but I would be.  That's why we're so protective of all you kids."

"Yeah, but I'm not some little kid!" he complained.  "I'm nearly fourteen."

"Yes, you are, and there are people who kill people my age every day for fun in the world.  The same as there are people who like little kids in the wrong way who'll like you even more because you are nearly adult."  He shuddered.  "I know, it's disgusting.  We're trying to protect you from them."

"They're not in Geneva?"

"With all the work Lavelle did there, there might not be a network down there," she admitted, then she shrugged.  "It doesn't matter, son.  I can't let you board in France while we're living in Switzerland.  It's much too far away.  If you wanted to board in Switzerland, we might come to an agreement."  He brightened up.  "Besides, even if she's the most beautiful and special, she's still only about your age and that means you've both got some personality changes coming.  Believe me, I've changed tons since I was your age.  Even from your age to twenty I changed a lot."

"Yeah, and you saved Uncle Xan during that," Jerry, Morgan's brother, pointed out.  "You were in hard training by then."

"Actually, I was twenty-one when I joined Lupin, I was pulling jobs on my own before then, Jerry."  She grinned at them, tipping Morgan's chin back up.  "I don't mind if you bring her over for dinner once this current crisis is averted.  Until then it's really dangerous to be around you guys and I know you don't want that."  He shook his head, pouting again.  "I tell you what, you write your Uncle Lavelle tonight and see if he's looked into any of the schools down there.  If not, we'll start looking now.  We'll decide together, even if we do have to board you."

"He probably won't talk to us since you screwed him over so bad," Jerry told her.  She looked stunned.  "He's still very angry with you.  I talked to him a few days ago and he requested that I not say your name in front of him."

"But... he came to get the people who got Zenny," she said, thinking about it.  "No, it's not right."

"It is, Auntie.  Uncle Xander is really pissed at you for trying to hurt him.  I don't even know which city he's in."

"I don't know either," she admitted quietly, looking down at her plate.  "Well, as long as he'll still talk to you guys, then the adults will deal with each other later," she decided.  "Talk to him tonight, Morgan."

"I'm going to," he agreed.  "What did you do, Auntie?"

"I got really pissed at him," she sighed.  "Someone in Japan turned him in for being female only part of the time and the CPS people came to look at him.  Zenny told them who and what he was, without ever saying anything about how good of a parent he is.  He also told them he had been tortured.  Xander had to work really hard to get out from under the hole Zenny created and Lupin retaliated.  So I retaliated back.  Now we're not speaking."

"Then it was Uncle's fault?" Morgan asked.

"He gave her the facts without any mitigating circumstances," Dawn told him.  "This is one of those times when the world isn't black or white, it's actually many shades of gray.  He went with the black and Xander was a lot lighter gray than he told her."  She picked up her glass of wine, taking a long drink. "He's sorry he did it and so am I, guys.  It wasn't fair to him and we realize our mistakes."

"That doesn't mean he'll ever forgive you," Jerry told her.

She looked at him.  "I know.  That's why you should never get yourself into such a thing.  Never, ever do that to someone, guys.  It's horrible."  They nodded, starting to eat again.   She considered it, she had messed up so badly she didn't even know if Xander was living or not most of the time until he popped up on Interpol's radar.  This time he had stuck up for her mate for some reason.  She got up and grabbed the phone, calling Ray.  "Why did he stick up for Zenny?"  Ray sighed and told her the two things he had figured out.  The people who had done this were the same ones creating the instability and that he was proving that bringing cops in was a bad idea.  She thanked him quietly and hung up, sitting down to watch out the front window.  She didn't like her thoughts.  "I fucked up so badly," she whispered.  Her youngest came toddling in and climbed up into her lap since it was empty.  "Hey, Sasha."  She gave her a hug.  "It's okay.  Mommy will fix this nastiness."

Her daughter gave her the most trusting look because she was the mommy and could do anything, even fix teddy bears.

***

Xander looked around Goemon's house when they got back to it two months later, smiling at the messiness and her lack of desire to clean it.  "The nesting phase is over!" she said happily.

Goemon frowned at her.  "I wish it wasn't.  I hate cleaning the house."  She pinched him and headed out with Lotus to look at the tree the treehouse was in.  Goemon followed, noticing that the tree was now three times the size it should be.  "Lotus, we will be speaking," he said firmly.

"Well, yeah," Xander agreed, removing her hand from the tree.  "She didn't strengthen the insides any either."  He looked down at her, frowning at her.  "Remember how you had to balance things out to make them quick-grow?"  She nodded.  "You didn't.  We've got a lot of work to save this tree. Or else the first good wind could knock it over."

"My tree!" she said angrily.

"That's why we're going to save it, so you don't hurt the nymph."  Lotus looked stunned.  "Remember, the tree's health is directly related to hers.  Now, settle in and focus.  You didn't expand the interior tissues at all, it's like it's hollow.  That means it's not very strong."  She nodded, sitting in full lotus in front of her tree, hands on the trunk.  "Now, focus on the growth part of the spell.  Make sure the interior tubes and conduits are whole and able to be gotten through as you make that part grow," he said more gently, kneeling behind her.  He stroked her back while she worked, feeling the magic she was working.  "Like that, but make sure the sap can get up and down, Lotus.  Trees aren't solid inside, they've got veins."  She added some veins to the rings she was building, working outward to expand the tree's insides.  She got halfway and hit a block, making her moan.  "Finish it up for now.  You can come back tomorrow.  Lock it down like Marcus showed you with the multi-stage spells."  Lotus moaned but did so, then she collapsed.  "Good girl.  Come on, we'll go have a bath."  She picked her up and carried her past her father.  "She's fine, she needs a nap, that's all."  She got her into her room, running her a bath and settling her into it.  Lotus woke up and looked at her.  "Head hurt?"  She nodded.   "Do you realize what you did now?"  She nodded again.  "Do you realize why I made you fix it?"

"So I wouldn't kill the nymph.  I felt her, she's very weak, like a hollow tube," Lotus said, looking up as her father came in.  "I did it wrong, daddy, I nearly killed my friend."  She sniffled.  "I'm a bad witch."

"You're not," Xander said firmly.  "You simply overstepped your boundaries.  From now on, you will come get either myself or Marcus when you do such things until such problems are automatically fixed as you do the spell."  She nodded, hugging her.  "Good girl, Lotus.  You're working on fixing it.  Tomorrow morning at dawn we'll go back to it.  That should make it strong enough to hold for now.  We'll talk to your friend tomorrow."  She nodded, sinking down in the water.  "You rest," Xander said, letting Goemon help her up.  She looked in his eyes, seeing the anger.  "She had to learn this lesson," she said quietly.  "Everything she does impacts someone or something.  This time she nearly did kill that nymph by acting without thought.  It's the first rule all people with any power are taught.  You can do whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else."  He nodded curtly.  "I'm helping her fix it, Goemon.  Marcus and I have been remiss in teaching her that part of the art.  She's old enough to understand and I don't want to live through another Willow episode."  He walked out, going to check on the tree with Marcus' help.  "She didn't expand the insides."

"We should put the nymph out of her misery," Marcus said grimly, glancing back toward the back of the bathroom.  "Hysterical tears when you told her?"

"I didn't let it get that far, I sat her down and had her start to fix it."

Marcus nodded. "Reasonable.  She's strong enough to do so and old enough to realize the lesson.  When are we starting again?"

"Tomorrow at dawn."  He nodded outside.  "She got a few good rings built most of the way up."  They went out to look it over, expanding it up to the top of the tree.  The nymph came out and they checked her over for illness, curing the small case of blight in one of the roots for her.  "There," Xander soothed.  "We're helping her fix the tree.  Next time tell us."  She nodded, fading back into the bark.  Xander and Marcus set the spell again then stepped back to make sure it stayed and didn't backslide any.  They turned and found Goemon standing there.  "Hey," Xander said tiredly.

"That was cruel."

"Cruel would have been having her chop it down to spare the nymph further pain," Marcus told him.  Goemon looked stunned.  "She seriously injured the being she called to live in this tree that she supposedly guards.  She made promises.  You've taught her what they are and this sort means that others are dependant on her."

Xander stepped closer. "It's something that can be fixed, Goemon.  Feel really lucky.  Otherwise it would have really hurt her when it died," he said quietly, noticing Ishi nearby.  "She shouldn't have done this without supervision and she knew it.  She did it anyway and didn't have anyone check, and actively put up a barrier to make sure neither of us would notice it unless we were actively looking at the tree."

Ishi walked over.  "Did she hurt the nymph?"

"A little.  She made the tree bigger but didn't add any of the important stuff inside.  It made it like a big hollow area.  Which made the tree weaker and that makes the nymph weaker.  The first big storm it would have died."  Ishi shuddered.  "That's why we have to make her fix it, so she understands.  Understanding is what's important here.  The thought patterns you make at this stage of development will stay with you forever.  We're not being mean, but it's got to happen.  I'm not going through another Willow episode. Ever."

Marcus patted him on the back.  "I agree.  Willow was power without control and horribly problematic when she did magic."

"Plus the whole 'ending the world' thing when she lost her soulmate," Xander agreed.  "The magic addiction.  The sucking magic from books to kill and destroy."  He shuddered, wrapping his arms around himself.  "I'm preventing it from happening.  After this, she'll understand the respect she's got to have.  She had it there for a while and then we had to stop her lessons and she got a bit wild."

"As Marcus did," Goemon said.  Xander nodded.  "As you did?"

"I never had the opportunity.  I watched my own magic uses too much.  The most I ever did was a weekend of lounging and making myself comfortable by bringing treats in and running my bath that way."  He looked at Marcus.  "Where is her trainer?"

"She died two years ago and I assumed the order was sending another to her," Marcus admitted.

"Well, apparently they haven't.  She'll have to learn the control necessary before she explodes as a teenager."

"Explodes?" Goemon asked, looking worried now.

"Explodes.  Xander didn't have magic when he went through puberty, he's not intimately familiar with the feeling of the magic whipping through your body, calling out a seductive tune that makes you want to dance with it as the submissive partner.  The times that it acts without your conscious thought.  The times when it lashes out at the children picking on you and tries to harm them, and how bad it is when you try to control it at that late stage.  The soul ripping agony of your first kill being on the playground when you can't control it.  The way the Watchers trained that out of you was to tie you to the floor on your knees and berate you until you gave it up or they had to move onto sterner punishments to force you back into control and hating your abilities."  Ishi hugged him.  "I'm fine, Ishi.  Thank you."  He gave him a gentle pat.  "We're not letting her get to that state, Goemon.  I swear she will not go through the same problems."

"Would not nature magic be more gentle?" Ishi asked.

"Is a hurricane gentle?  Or a tornado?  An earthquake?" Xander asked.  Ishi shuddered.  "That's all nature.  Like other forces, nature just is, it's not any one thing but a combination of them.  It's soft, gentle, sweet, horrible, ripping, destroying, and creating all in one.  That's why it's so easy to get lost in the magic.  At least most of mine is from a destructive force.  Using my form of magic makes the world change, Ishi. Using Marcus' form of magic makes the world change differently but it's also so very powerful and seductive to use."

"Even moral training doesn't help sometimes because sometimes the path you're on has to use something harsher and you must be able to do so, or die and have others follow you into death," Marcus admitted.  "The line between good and true evil is very thin, Ishi, always remember that.  While being a bad guy or a crook is one thing, true evil is another.  You must never become that and you must never let your brother or sister become so."

"They wouldn't," Goemon protested.

Marcus looked at him.  "Do you know how close I came?" he asked woodenly.  Goemon stepped back.  "Ethan found me on that line, Master.  That was when he started to teach me and I got too involved trying to make sure it couldn't use me ever again.  I'm preventing your daughter from following my path even if you send me away."

"I would not," Goemon said.  "It's still not necessary. She is a sweet child."

"Goemon, the strongest witch this century used to blush at the mere mention of kissing," Xander said tiredly, leaning against the tree.  "She was so sweet and shy that she stuttered around new people.  She was a sweet little geek who no one really liked except a few people who could see past the shyness to the real girl underneath. She used to look disturbed when people kissed on tv, even a short kiss before leaving.  She couldn't watch soap operas because they embarrassed her so much.  She was scared of her own shadow most of the time.  She was so sweet that people genuinely smiled at her on the street who didn't know her because she smiled first.  She was the happiness patrol without needing the medication.  She was so innocent she didn't think the world had bad things until they were shown to her.  She never consciously used her magic against others unless it was to protect herself once she knew that bad things existed in the world.  This girl could ignore bruises on her best friend's arms as something he did on the playground because she refused to see that the world could be like that.  Then one day, her magic became active.  She floated things, helping with the problems in her life.  She found out bad things existed and they were much stronger.  So she studied."

He sighed.  "She didn't get lost in it, she reveled in it; it became her reason for being and her whole existence.  Change clothes?  Why take the five minutes when you can snap your fingers.  New hairdo?  Sure, think about it.  Girlfriend argue badly with you, make her forget about it. Then one day, her magic started to use her.  She became addicted to the rush and the power.  It got more and more intense until someone stepped in to stop her.  Her girlfriend did so and she came back down, until the girlfriend got shot.  Then she went back to it and lashed out at the world.  She sucked dark magic, using it to kill and maim.  She took her pain and anger and decided that everyone should feel it.  She pulled up a temple to the darkest of the dark Goddesses.  She fed power into it until it could feed itself from the surrounding magic. *I* stepped in to stop her.  I took the full brunt of her magical hits six, seven times," he said bitterly.  "I survived the spells, the power rush, and got her to cry.  That release saved the world and severed all bonds we had."   He stood up and walked off.

"That was Willow," Marcus explained.  "She was truly an innocent little school girl, someone who never saw a kitten that she didn't love and never saw a bad thing happen.  Her worst worry was a 'B' on a test.  Lotus is about half as strong as I understand it."  Goemon nodded, closing his eyes.  "Now, Xander's probably not going to be back tonight.  Remembering her hurts him.  We are going to make damn sure Lotus does not turn into her or me," he said quietly.  "Sometimes that means that hard lessons will have to be learned.  Learning them now means that they sink in."  He walked off to calm himself by starting on his katas.

"Should we be worried?" Ishi asked.

"No," Goemon said, shaking his head.  "She will not.  We can keep her from doing such things."  He looked at the tree, touching it.  "She did not mean to do this, but I do understand."  He looked at his son.  "What she can do is no more than the physical training you are receiving for her.  It is a tool.  The same as a drill can hurt you, so can her powers.  If you fear her or for her she will know and it will make it worse for her."  Ishi nodded, looking like he understood.  "They are not all like that.  Her first trainer wasn't."

"Then perhaps we should find one of them to teach her," Ishi suggested.

"I will call a friend who can do such," he agreed.  He hugged Ishi.  "Love her, she is still your sister.  She is no more today than she was last week."

"But if she can become scary...."

"It is the duty of this family to make sure she doesn't," Goemon told him.  "Without blocking her skills and without making her hide them because she thinks we're afraid of her."  Ishi relaxed again.  "It is a tool, son, not the whole of her skills.  They are correct, she should only do spells with others watching out for her.  She is still a child.  I sometimes forget that you're both so young."  He patted his son on the head.  "Go yell at him for that stupid form fault he seems to have acquired again."  Ishi trotted off.  Goemon went to talk to his daughter, finding her crying on her bed.  "I know you did not mean to hurt her."  He walked in and shut the door.  "Did you?"  She looked at him, shaking her head.  "Then we will fix it so she and the tree are stronger.  It is a tool, daughter.  Not the whole of your skills."

"I'm not bad?"

"No, you are not bad.  The only wrong was doing this in secret where others could not monitor you.  You are still a child and still need guidance.  Even as I can teach you new things, so can those two uncles.  Learn from their mistakes and those that they witnessed so you don't follow them blindly."  She nodded, sitting up to hug him.  "Shh, you are fixing your mistake.  That is all any could ask of you at this point.  From now on, we will simply be more careful."

"I don't want to destroy the world."

"That was a unique circumstance, daughter."  He pushed her back to look down at her, tipping her chin up.  "She was in pain and grief.  She was also stronger than you.  She was more into fighting with her skills."

"I can."

"I know you can, the art is finding out when you *should*."  She nodded.  "As you age, that decision will become more clear.  That is the purpose of aging.  Until then, your uncles will be watching out for you and for Sarah since she has some power of her own."  She nibbled on her lip. "What?"

"Where are the babies, daddy?"

"In the living room.  They're crawling around on the floor."  He wiped her cheeks off.  "It is important to not lose confidence in yourself.  If you do not want to do harm then you will not intentionally do harm.  It is no more and no less than another tool in all your skills."

"Okay."  She hugged him again. "Let's go play with the babies.  I need someone to cuddle."

"Of course."  He carried her out, letting her get down to play with the babies while he went to make himself a strong drink.  He was teaching her cautious and thoughtful action, she would not end up like that.  He finished his drink and made some tea, hoping that someone other than him would be here tonight.  He'd need milk otherwise.

***

Xander walked through the town, looking in all the windows.  He noticed someone following him and glanced back, raising an eyebrow. "What?" he asked in Japanese.

"Who are you?"

"A friend of Goemon's."  He shrugged.  "Why?"

"We do not get many strangers around here."  He walked closer.  "It is rare we get a stranger."

"I've lived here for a bit now.  For that matter, I don't remember you being here."  The man looked stunned.  "I'm Xander."

"I'm Kochi."  He shook his hand.  "Welcome to the town again."  He smiled.  "Would you tell me about Goemon?"

"He's at home," he admitted with a small smirk.  "There's not much I can tell you without his being mad.  You'd really have to meet the guy to get to know him.  He's complicated that way."  He shrugged. "I'm window shopping.  You can escort me."

"Thank you."  They continued on down the street, looking in the windows.  "Where are you living now?"

"With Goemon.  I'm helping him with his newest son."

"You're a nanny?" he asked, sounding shocked.

"No, I'm a friend with children of my own.  They're with their other family right now."  The man nodded, looking like he understood.  "It's nothing to worry about.  Goemon just lost his wife.  He needed the help so we all jumped in to help him."  He stopped to look at a calligraphy set.  "I wish mine was better," he sighed, heading on.

"There's a bar ahead.  Want to get a drink?"

"I'm not allowed to drink right now."  He kept himself from patting his stomach.  He was in male form and most men didn't get pregnant.  "The medicine I'm on," he finished weakly.

"One drink wouldn't hurt."

"Yeah, it would.  I'd get really sick later when my medicine reacted."

"You could have something non-alcoholic while I drink."

"Nah, I'd better get back," he said, smiling at him.  "Maybe some other time.  I'm going to be around for a while."  He turned and headed back up the hill, stopping in the market to get some diapers.  They always needed them.  He was coming out when he found out his new friend was waiting on him.  "You're persistent."

"I am.  You seem very nice."

"I am very nice most of the time, but I still have to help with the baby.  He'll be pulling his hair out soon.  His son is doing some odd things, like trying to eat crayons months too early."  The man looked stunned. "I said I have some of my own," he reminded him.

"I'm sure you do."  He followed him up the hill.  "Wow, he lives all the way up here?"

"It lets him spread out some."  He glanced over.  "I promise, I don't need escorted home."

"That's okay, I always wanted to meet him."  Ahead, there was a bend in the road.  He put his hands into his pockets, slouching some.  "So, how many does he have now?  Three?"

"Three," Xander agreed.  That was common knowledge, he could say that much without endangering them.  He was getting his usual bad feeling and noticed that the road was a bit muddy up ahead.  He looked around, then nodded mentally, walking on the other side of the puddle.  The guy lunged so he ducked the blow and kicked him in the back, wincing at the pain going through his stomach.  The guy came at him again, this time with a knife.  So Xander kicked it out of his hand and put all his varied knowledge into making this person the sorriest person to try this in years.  When the guy was face down in the puddle, he flipped him over with a kick and looked down at him.  "Who are you and which one do you work for?" he asked calmly.  He felt another pain and winced.  "Now!  I don't have time for this game."

"Mercury."

"Really?  I know Mercury.  He works for me part of the time."  The man gave him a hurt look.  "Hello, maybe I should reintroduce myself.  My name is Lavelle."  The man gurgled, then crunched something and went limp. "Fuck."  He picked up the bag of diapers and dragged the guy off the road, dumping him in the bushes for now.  She leaned against a large rock until the current pain went away.  "I hate this part of being pregnant."  She flagged down a passing cop car, pointing behind her at the bushes.  "He attacked me."  The cop gave him a funny look so he looked at him.  "I'm a friend of Goemon's.  He attacked me."

"I saw you walking with him."

"He was trying to pump me for information.  If you don't believe me, ask his corpse.  He bit something that went crunch and killed him when he found out who I am."

"Who are you?"

"Lavelle.  And I'm in a bit of pain.  He's in the bushes."  He leaned over as another pain went through him.  "Not good," he moaned.

"Are you ill?"

Xander glanced around.  "Just get me back to Goemon's.  He'll explain everything."

"Fine," he agreed, getting her into the back of the car with the diapers.  His partner stayed with the body.  "What happened?"

"He found me window shopping.  He chatted me up, I turned down a drink, I went to buy diapers that we needed, then he met me outside the grocery store.  I got a bad feeling when he followed me, still trying to get information from me.  We passed the bend in the road and he came at me with a knife.  I knocked him aside, he came back, I kicked his ass.  I looked down to see who he worked for, he told me some ridiculous story, then I introduced myself.  This isn't the way home," he noted.  The car backed up and took the other road.  "He got this horrified look and bit the whatever that crunched and killed him.  He would have lived otherwise."  He winced as another pain went through him.  "Just get me home.  Please?"

"We're nearly there."  He pulled into Goemon's driveway, looking at the boy who came out.  "Stay here."

"Sure, not moving," he agreed.  "Unless I end up at the hospital for this.  Then I'll be back quickly."  She let Ishi help her into the house, letting him take the diapers.  "Little man, tell your father someone tried to kick my ass on the way back."  She fell onto her bed, wincing in pain as she turned herself back into a woman.

"He's not here, the migrant workers came to get him to settle an argument."  He looked around, hugging the diapers to his chest.  "What's wrong?"

"I'm in labor, Ishi.  The baby's coming," she said impatiently.  "Go find Marcus."

"He disappeared again."

"Fuck!"  She took a deep breath, holding his hand as the latest one washed over her.  "Okay.  Pick up the phone, call Lupin's cell.  If you can't get him, get Jigen.  Get someone.  If you can't get either of them, get my cell out of my bag and dial the number four.  Hit send.  Tell the person where we are, that I'm in labor, that we were attacked, and that I'm the only adult around here.  Then tell him Mercury sent someone to try and kill me."  Ishi nodded.  "Good boy.  Out."  Ishi raced out to do that. She got up to change clothes.  There was no way she could deliver in jeans and a t-shirt.

Ishi rushed into his sister's room.  "You have to watch the babies.  Xan's in labor."  She hopped up and went to help, taking the diapers before he destroyed them.  He grabbed the phone, sitting on the arm of the couch while he called his first uncle's cellphone.  "Uncle Lupin, pick up!" he demanded when he got the voice mail.  He keyed in the emergency code, making it ring through.  "Auntie Xander's in labor and someone tried to kick her ass.  We're alone with her. What do I do?"  He took the deep breath Jigen ordered.  "There, better now!" he snapped.  "She's in labor.  She got brought home by the cops.  It's only me, Lotus, and the babies.  What?  You want me to do what?"  He shuddered.  "I'm not qualified to do that!"  He hung up and tried his father's cellphone but it rang in the bedroom.  He tried Marcus' and it came up as out of service.  He went to get Xander's from her bag, dialing the number four and hitting send.

A speed dialed number popped up briefly and he listened to the gruff voice on the other end. "This is Goemon Ishikawa the Fourteenth.  Xander is in labor.  We're alone with her.  It's me, Lotus, and the babies.  Daddy's somewhere outside.  Marcus left us.  I don't know what to do and she said to call you and tell you Mercury sent someone to kick her ass.  I don't know!" he shouted.  He took the deep breath this person ordered.  "There, better now?" he snapped.  "No, the cop who brought her back said for her to stay here.  I don't care!  I don't know them!"  He took another deep breath.  "Fine, I'm calmer now," he said icily.  "No, Dawn and her husband are allowed nowhere near us.  She nearly got us taken by social workers for no reason.  They can fuck themselves," he said in that same icy, calm voice.  "Dude, I'm ten."  The voice gave him orders.  "I tried them, I got Jigen on Lupin's cellphone and they weren't exactly helpful.  No, the others are with them.  Thank you," he sighed, looking up and saying a quiet prayer.  "I'm still ten, you want me to do what?" he asked, sounding shocked.  "Eww!"  He was calmed again and he went to look in on Xander.  "No, she's in great pain.  She's presently gripping the mattress with her nails.  Fine.  I do what?  I catch, I tie it off, then I cut it.  Got it.  Thank you."  He hung up and handed the phones to his sister.  "Whichever one calls, answer it.  If the father gets here soon, he can do this.  If not, I'm the oldest."

"I'm a girl."

"You'd have to help the baby out, Lotus."  He pulled himself up to his full height.  "If some six-year-old in Kansas can do it, I certainly can.  I'll simply force myself to forget everything.  Pray for father, okay?"  He hurried to wash his hands.  This was one of those things that you should have clean hands for.  Someone pounded on the door so he went to answer it.  "Who are you?" he demanded.  The man looked stunned. "My aunt Sylvia is in labor!  What!"

"Sorry," he stuttered, backing up.  "Tell him it wasn't me, there's someone else using my name."

Ishi grabbed the phone and dialed that number, handing it to him.  "I told him, you do the same then leave."  He headed back to wash his hands again, then grabbed the things the voice had said he'd need.  This was going to be sickening but he was a junior samurai, he could handle this stuff.  He had handled killing, this couldn't be much worse.

***

Jigen hung up and looked at Lupin, coughing to interrupt his banter at the card table.  "Ishi was just panicking.  Something about Xander being jumped."

"If she made it home, she's fine," Lupin said, adjusting his cards and letting his daughter see them.

"She's not fine, he babbled something about her and the baby," Jigen said calmly.  Lupin glanced at him.  He shrugged. "Ishi was in a blind panic, I told him to check on her and he went 'eew'.  Said he wasn't qualified."

"Isn't Goemon at home?"

"Apparently not."

Melissa grabbed the phone and dialed her mother's but got a busy signal. "It's busy."

"She's not due for weeks," Lupin pointed out.  "I'm sure she's just chatting with someone."  He laid down two cards and his daughter shook her head.  "No?"

"No, the odds of you completing the hand you want is very bad, daddy."

"Listen to the girl, Lupin.  She's smart."

"Fuck you," he said fondly.  He picked up those and she selected the cards he had wanted to keep, tossing them away.  His new three came and she smiled.  He now had two pair but they were low. She had been right, it wouldn't have helped him with his flush at all.

Melissa tried the phone again.  "Now we're not getting any answer."  She looked at her father.  "Something could be very wrong."

"No, that was Fujiko's gift during the last few weeks of her pregnancy," Lupin quipped.  He grinned at his daughter.  The others were playing with the local Don's kids in the other room.  "We'll head up there in a few hands."

"Yes, daddy," she said, smiling back.  "Bet, daddy."  He grinned and betted, making two of the other three players still in the game groan and toss down their cards.

"She's not good enough to bluff yet," the other noted.

Arsene grinned at him.  "How do you know?  Have you met my mommy?"  He groaned and set down his cards.  Lupin raked in the pot.  "This is fun."

"It is," Jigen agreed, staring at Lupin.  "We should head back.  If she's in labor, then all she's got is Goemon and remember how he reacted to the last ones?"

"She'll be fine.  They've got Marcus and she's got people locally."

"They're at Uncle G's house, daddy," Arsene reminded him.  "No one's out there but older people and a few farmers."

Lupin sighed and took the phone, dialing Xander's.  When he didn't get an answer he tried Goemon's.  No answer in three rings so he hung up and tried the house number.  That got a babbling Lotus.  "Whoa, slow down, Lotus.  What's wrong?" he said slowly and clearly.  She repeated what she had said and he held his head.  "Is she all right?" he asked patiently.  He nodded.  "How far apart are they?"  He checked his watch.  "Why hasn't she gone to the hospital yet?  Oh."  He nodded. "Okay, we'll be back as soon as we can.  Go stand on the porch and yell your father's full name, sweetness."  He hung up.  "She's having false labor pains.  The cop who brought her home told her she should stay there."  He looked at Jigen.  "One more hand and then we'll go back."

"Fine.  But she gets to kill you, not me. You've got the keys."

Lupin nodded. "As usual."  He accepted his cards, letting his daughter help him.  She had a real feel for poker.

***

Lotus hung up and rushed out onto the porch, moving around the babies.  "GOEMON ISHIKAWA THE THIRTEENTH, GET YOUR ASS HOME!" she shouted.  She bit her lip and looked at the tree.  "Nymphly?"  She came back out.  "Are you okay?"  She nodded, looking much better now.  "Are there any of you near where he is?  The auntie is in labor and I don't know about bringing babies into the world."  The nymph smiled and disappeared, heading to talk to her friends.  Ishi came to the door.  "Uncle Lupin said to yell for him."

"That's fine.  Bring the babies back inside.  They shouldn't be out there.  It's windy."  He went back to helping his aunt.  He walked in and noticed that a head was coming and she was gripping the headboard.  "Shit!"  He rushed over to help her by supporting the head and guiding the baby out.  Then he laid it on its back and tied off the cord with dental floss like the voice had said.  "One or two ties?" he asked desperately.  The baby wasn't crying.  He looked up but she was unconscious.  He cut it and got the baby out of the way.  "Lotus, help!"  She was bleeding from it.  He handed over the baby and tied off the cord.  "Get it breathing.  She's got stuff in her nose and mouth."

She did the baby CPR she had learned recently, then swept out the nasty crud with a finger and tried it again.  The baby coughed weakly.  "Come on, I don't know how to help you," she panicked.  She looked at her brother then lifted a finger.  He caught it and scowled at her.  "To help!"

"No.  Do it the normal way.  Magic is a last resort."  He went back to helping her.  Something else was coming and he wasn't sure what it was but it was nasty looking.  "I hope that's not a baby," he said, starting to chew on his bottom lip.

Lotus did another sweep with her finger and the coughing got a bit stronger.  She did another breath and the baby gasped.  "There," she said, slumping against the wall.  "Oh, damn, I'm lightheaded."

"You'll be sore bottomed if father hears you say that," he noted, taking the nasty thing.  "Eww."  He carried it into the sink and dumped it in there, washing off his hands.  Then he came back to help her.  She was still bleeding but not as much.  She was also still unconscious.  "Where did that person run to?"

"Out.  That's all I know."  She looked at him.  "He left her phone."  She looked out in the hall as running came toward them.  "Who are you!" she demanded long before they could reach them.

Goemon rushed in.  "She gave birth?"  He took the baby to check over.  The baby squalled so he hugged her.  "You're all right, Alexandra," he soothed.  He calmed himself and handed the baby back.  "I'm very proud."

"Can I get sick now?" Ishi asked in a quiet voice.  His father nodded so he ran to do that.  He came out and found him bundling her into a blanket.  "Not that one. It was a baby present," he complained.

"Hush.  Blankets wash."  He nodded at the baby.  "Wrap it up as well.  We can take them both to the hospital."  Lotus carefully wrapped her in a towel and let her father have her.  "Now call an ambulance."  Lotus did that.  "I'm very proud, son.  I'll sit with you once she's at the hospital."

"We can watch the babies," Ishi promised.  "It'll be a relief.  They're normally yucky not super yucky like that was."  He earned a smile for that, adults were weird.  "We tried everyone, dad."

"I know, son.  You did excellently.  Relax now.  I'll be back in a bit."  He walked out to meet the people pounding on the door, letting the ambulance crew take the baby first.  "My son delivered him for the mother.  She's still asleep."  He handed her over, watching as they checked her vitals.  "I'm coming, they can hold the house steady for a few hours."  He stopped his other son from leaving with them by putting him back inside and closing the door. Then he went back to put Fred back inside as well and hurried back to the ambulance.  His sword was safely in the house.  He wouldn't need it right now.  "She was attacked on the way home from what my daughter babbled when I opened the door."  The paramedics nodded and took off, taking them to the local hospital.  One of them tried to remove the necklace but he stopped him.  "It does not move.  Ever.  It is a remembrance."  They nodded, marking that on the chart they were starting.  "She was a few weeks too early.  Is the baby fine?"

"She's fine, sir.  Calm down."

"I am," he said sternly.  "This is calm!"

"Fine," the paramedic agreed, humoring him.  Even though his hair was standing on end and he was fidgeting.  That was not calm, normal Goemon behavior.  "How old is the boy who delivered her?"

"He's ten.  He'll be eleven in another five months," Goemon admitted, staring at her.  "She looks quite pale."

"It's not a problem," the paramedic assured him.

"She had this one right after the last one.  The last one was twins and this one was an accident.  Her husbands are somewhere."

"This is Sylvia?"  He nodded.  "Thank you.  We picked up Lavelle's attacker earlier.  Was she with him?"

Goemon leaned closer.  "She is him.  This is a great secret but she changes."  He looked stunned so Goemon touched the necklace.  "It was from where she was tortured once."

"Oh!"  He nodded.  "Understood.  Then we won't touch it."  He had seen many cases of trauma induced split personalities, it was all good for him.  If she wanted to pretend to be male now and then that was fine with him.  "What number child is this for her?"

"She's had two sets of twins before this."

"Wow."  He smiled as they pulled into the hospital.  "Should you call her father?"

"I should but I don't have my phone with me and I can't remember the number."  He snapped his fingers. "I know Xander's and the son can call them."

"Give him a long hug later, this is very traumatic for children.  I'm sure he'll never want to have one of his own."  They got them out and into the emergency room, him hovering right behind her until a nurse sent him to call the house.

***

Ishi finished the drink he had poured himself.  His father wouldn't mind him drinking a small sip of saki *that* much.  He picked up his aunt's cellphone and dialed Jigen's.  "Your daughter was slimy, purple, and bloated when she came out," he said in greeting, sounding much calmer to his ears.  "I do not ever want to do that again.  That was horrible and she was bleeding!"  He hung up and went to hug his sister.  "I don't know how Mother did it three times but I am never letting my woman do this.  I'll date men first!" he said as he squeezed her.

"It's okay.  They make drugs for that if she had gone to the hospital, but the cop said to leave her here," Lotus reminded him, patting him on the arm.  "I'd like to breathe, Ishi, please?"  He let go a bit and she snuggled in, watching the babies.  "We'll have to feed them soon."  She had put them back into their carriers and they were wiggling and playing with fingers and toes at the moment, but they could start wailing at any moment.

"Father will be back soon.  If not, we'll figure it out when necessary."  He hugged her harder.  "That was disgusting.  Even worse than killing that first guy."

"Shh," she soothed, turning to hold him. "It'll be okay, Ishi. She's fine and everyone's okay.  You were the man of the family and you did really good.  Your woman will have doctors and drugs around."  He nodded, letting himself be soothed.  "You can cry if you want.  It helps."

"Boys don't cry."

"Father did when he found out mother was gone.  Besides, you're too little to worry about that yet."

He sniffled and nodded, hiding his face in her shoulder.  "I hope she's okay," he said miserably.  "She didn't wake up."

"She's fine," Lotus soothed, patting him on the back.  Fred belched and she looked at him. "Next time don't suck on the empty bottle," she chided.  "All you get is air in your tummy."

***

Jigen hung up and looked at Lupin.  Then his breath caught.  "Ishi said the baby came out purple and bloated," he said, trying to sound calm for the kids.  Lupin looked at him.  "He said she came out purple, bloated, and slimy.  He said she was bleeding."  Lupin sped up, looking very worried now.  "We should have left earlier."

"We should have, and I'll kick my own ass about that forever," Lupin agreed, taking a turn sharply.

"Daddy, if you kill us, mommy will be very upset," Melissa yelled.

"Sorry," Lupin said, slowing down slightly, enough to maneuver.  As soon as they hit a straight spot he sped up again.  They had to get to the hospital.  They had to get there.  She had to be okay.

***

Goemon looked up as her room's door exploded inward, getting up.  "Where were you!"

"Where were you!" Lupin shouted back.  "We left her with you!"

"I went to solve a problem and Marcus left them alone!" Goemon shouted back.  "This was not my fault!"

"Quit!" Arsene screamed.  "No fighting about this!  The mommy is more important than any of this petty shit and she would not appreciate this!"  She stomped her foot and stomped to her bed, climbing up to hug her.  "Mommy, wake up, please?  The daddies need sense."  Xander moaned so she hugged her harder.  "Come on, mommy, you're worrying us."  Xander gave her a light shove.  "No, it's me, mommy.  It's okay."  She shifted, being very careful of the IV.  "Please wake up?"

"Let her sleep," Goemon said gently, picking her up. "She is fine.  They sedated her."

"Why?" Jigen asked hoarsely.

"The birth was hard on her," Goemon pointed out.  "She was in your bed.  Ishi had to help."  He hugged Arsene hard.  "The baby is under watch in the nursery."  Jigen and Lupin both wavered.  "She was bleeding when I made it back to the house.  Not heavily but some.  They were worried about her continued health.  It will be a few days, especially since someone tried to attack her on the way home."  He let Arsene down when Sierra tugged on his arm, relinquishing her.  "I went to solve a local pair's argument.  I left Marcus with them."

"Marcus Wyndam-Pryce, you had better have a damn good explanation for leaving the children alone!" Lupin growled.  Marcus appeared, looking stunned.  He grabbed him by the front of the shirt.  "You left the children alone?"

"I didn't know that Goemon had left," he defended.  He looked in the bed, then went pale.  "Xander!"  He teleported out of his shirt, looking down at her as he fed magic into her tired body.  "You can't die."

"She's merely weak," Goemon defended.

Marcus glared at him.  "Where were you?  I didn't see you go or I never would have left!"

"I left to take care of an argument down the hill," Goemon admitted.  "I didn't see you at all."

"Enough," Jigen ordered.  "Now's not the time for that.  Marcus, can you heal her a bit?" Marcus nodded, going back to it.  "Lupin, Goemon, no more breast beating.  She'll do enough of that for us all later.  Right now, we need to check on the kids.  We need to check on the new baby.  We need to set up a rotation here so she's never alone."  Lupin nodded, heading to check the nursery.  "Goemon, go home.  Take Marcus.  Do not yell at him.  Take the other kids, Marcus."

"Yes, Jigen.  Bix is on vacation, shall I call her?"

"Please," Goemon agreed.  He let the girls go as soon as they had all gotten a hug from their mother.  He looked at Jigen. "She should be fine.  The nurses said so."

"Thank you, Goemon.  You did what you could."  He gave him a pat.  Jigen sat down in Goemon's chair to watch over her.  She looked so tired lying there.  Like she wasn't really in her body.  He got up and pulled out a small pin, tapping her foot with it.  Xander moaned and looked much more lively.  "No more leaving your body for a stroll," he ordered firmly.  She blinked up at him.  "Hi.  We finally made it."  She struggled to move so he came over to help her sip some water.  "How are you feeling?"

She grabbed his ear and pulled on it until his face was in front of hers.  "I'm going to kill you," she hissed. "Ishi delivered her."  She let him go and went limp again.

"We were on our way back," he said, stroking her arm.  "We weren't planning on staying for longer.  I'm sorry, Xander."

"Keep that thought," she agreed. She closed her eyes and opened her mouth, letting him give her the straw to suck from.  "Thank you.  Go 'way."

"Not a chance in hell," Jigen said firmly.  "I may not have been there but I'm not leaving."  He pulled the chair closer, holding her hand.  "I'm sorry, Xan."

"Asshole."

"Yup, I am," he agreed.  "You can torture us later.  Lupin went to check on the baby so I could have you first."  She shrugged then winced.  "Just rest.  You can yell at us later."  She nodded, opening one eye to glare at him.  "Fine.  You can yell, rant, and scream later," he agreed with a small smirk.  "We'll still love you and we've learned our lesson.  You're not getting away from us for anything, woman."  She snorted and closed that eye, letting herself drift off.  Lupin came back ten minutes later.  "Problems?"

"Fussy nurses."  He came over to look down at her.  "She okay?"

"She woke up to swear at me.  I said she could yell and rant at us later."

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.  I'm already yelling at myself."  He perched himself between her feet on the bed, settling in for a long wait.  She shifted and her feet went into his lap so he worked on them, soothing her restlessness.   "The kids all okay?"

"I think Ishi's probably going to have nightmares," Jigen offered.

"I don't blame the kid," Lupin agreed, working on her ankles for her.  She kicked him so he lifted one up and kissed the side of her foot.  "It's just me."

"I hate you."

"That's fine.  You can hate me all you want, my love."  He smiled when she looked at him. "I'm sorry, we thought Ishi was talking about you being in false labor.  We hurried back as soon as we heard."  She snorted and pulled her feet away from him.  "Hey, let me soothe you, Xander.  You know we adore you.  We never would have made you go through that alone if we had known."

"One of my guys turned on me," she said quietly.

"No, there's two guys running around with that name.  It was the other one," Lupin told her.  "The first actually called the card game we were in to defend himself.  He was coming up to protect you but then Lotus scared him off."

"Why didn't they call an ambulance?" Jigen asked.

"The cop who brought me home told me I should stay there.  I guess they thought it was an order."  She shifted tiredly.  "Quit.  I can't sleep when you do that."

"I won the toss to look at the baby first," Lupin soothed.  "She's very pretty, Xander.  Very fine little hair.  Kinda chubby.  She's already charming the nursery staff."  He grabbed her foot to work on it again.  She grunted.  "Let me, Xan.  Since I wasn't here to help you this time I want to make you feel better.  I'm so sorry."

"You will be," she vowed.

"That's fine, you can do whatever you want to make us feel like you did," Jigen promised.  "Even a memory thing so we feel it like you did."

"Ishi delivered her."

"I know and we're gonna find that kid a huge present in thanks," Lupin agreed. He gave her a hopeful look. "I'm sorry, princess."

"'M not."

"You are so.  Should I steal you a tiara to prove it?" Lupin asked, hoping for a smile.

"I look horrible in mine."

"Well, they obviously didn't create it right then," he soothed.  "We'll just have to get you one that's made just for you," Lupin cooed.  She pouted at him.  "Anything you want, princess."

"Hate you."

"I know," he agreed, smirking at her.  "That's why your feet are sweating."  He crawled up and kissed her gently.  "I love you, dear one."

Jigen came up to get his own, forcing Lupin out of the way.  "Me too, Xan."

"Hmmph.  We'll see."

"Sure we will," Lupin agreed, moving back to work on her calves.  "You deserve so many treats.  Five kids is a lot."

"Hmm.  Goemon will need me to pump."

"The new one gets first draw," Jigen said firmly.  "The others can do formula now."

"Formula's fake," she defended.

"I know but you'll still be feeding this one first, Xander.  I want her to have every advantage.  That way she can grow up and pick on Ishi and tease him about his girlfriends."  She let out a small laugh at that.  "Got it?"  She nodded. "Good."  He stroked her arm around the IV.  "We'll work it out.  I'm sure you'll have enough for all them and Kenji."  She nodded, closing her eyes again.  "You rest, Xan.  You need your rest. The girls are going to coo you to death over this new one."

"Ishi probably thinks it's a conspiracy to make him the last guy on earth," Lupin said dryly.

"Not true, there's Fred," Jigen reminded him.

"Okay, true," Lupin agreed brightly.  His son was amazing.  "They're probably crawling around the house right now."

"They've probably pulled an Ishi and are trying to escape," Jigen corrected.

"Speaking of correcting, I had to get onto Lotus today.  Her father was not happy," Xander admitted, her eyes still closed.  "She did grow the tree in the backyard without doing it properly.  I made her sit down and start to fix it.  I said we'd start on it again tomorrow."

"That's fine.  He's not mad, just upset that you had to be stern with her," Lupin soothed. "If he were mad, he wouldn't have panicked when you had little Xandra."

"Xandra?"

"She's not a junior?" Jigen asked.  "We all thought she was."

"I guess," she sighed, flipping onto her other side.  "That side hurts."

Lupin kissed her on the hip.  "That's okay.  We'll be buying a new mattress for Goemon's house so we'll make sure we get a soft one for you, babe."

"The nurse didn't say I was bleeding that heavily," she pointed out.

"Sweetheart, you gave birth on the thing.  That's got nastiness built in."

"Plus, the rule of similarity probably will help with something else," Lupin said.  "I think it's that rule.  If something's used for something, then it can be used to invoke something similar or something like that."

"So a bed where I gave birth can be used in fertility and birthing rites?" Xander asked dryly.  He grinned and nodded.  "If someone tries, I get to pull their balls up over their head and tie them behind their head, then pierce their ears with the ball part."  Both men nodded, holding in their winces. "Glad we've got that settled."

"Hey, five is enough for anyone," Jigen promised.

"We'll need to do genetic tests on this one," Xander said tiredly.

"Why?  It's never mattered to us," Jigen pointed out.  "The only one I don't really claim is Arsene and that's because the big booger would pout."

"Gee, thanks," Lupin said dryly.  "But the idiot is right, we don't care.  They're our kids, no one else's.  I treat the little Jigens like I do the little Lupins, except for Arsene, and then I spoil her rotten so she truly becomes a little me."

"Yeah, the other kids complain about that," Jigen agreed.

"I'll try better," Lupin promised.  "I don't mean to exclude the others."

"Good.  I'm sure Sierra will like that."  Lupin winced.  "She's been complaining the most and has fought with her sister.  Arsene said it was because she was going to be a good guy.  She's thought about turning to crime because of this."

Lupin sighed.  "I'll work with her tonight," Lupin promised.  "You guys do good treating them the same."

"No I don't," Jigen told him.  "I still treat Savannah differently.  I tend to compensate by breaking them up so I get the two thieves together and then the two good guys."

"I noticed."  Lupin went back to stroking Xander's legs for her.  "We'll work it out with them.  I don't spend that much time with Ishi either."

"True," Xander agreed sleepily.  "But you try and the kids mostly realize that.  I make up for a lot of that."

"You were the most genius thing I ever did," Jigen told her.  She snorted.  "You were.  It was like a bolt of inspiration hit me when I decided to keep you.  I'm much more miserable without you."

"Mushy," Xander teased, opening her eyes halfway to grin at him.  "So very mushy."

"Yeah, but you made me that way. Just don't tell the other hitters, okay?  I'd never hear the end of it."  He gave her a gentle kiss.  "You're amazing.  I need to tell you that more often."

She nodded.  "I would appreciate that.  I might even let you sleep with me sometime this century."

Lupin smirked.  "That's okay, until you're better I'll sleep with Jigen."

"Only if you're on the bottom," Jigen defended.  "Remember, I do have anti-invasion underwear.  I can wear them in the shower and get more pairs."

"Guys," she complained.  "Trying to nap and laughing hurts."

"Sorry," they said, grinning at her.  She smiled back and drifted off again.

Lupin looked at Jigen. "You'd do that to me?"

"Hell yes," he agreed.  "Each and every night if I have to.  My ass only goes to her pleasure."

"Well, it would be her pleasure.  That way we wouldn't have to touch her and it would make her have orgasms while she watched," Lupin offered.  "That would make her happy because we wouldn't be touching her while she's sore, yet she could still get off."

Jigen shook his head. "That was weak, Lupin.  Try again later."

"Fine," he sighed.  "I'm still having manly feelings and I guess I'll just have to wear them out by convincing you to bottom for me."

"How would you do that?" Jigen asked, stretching out to taunt him.  "I can't think of a way you could *convince* me to open my pants for you."

"Who said you'd have to open them," Lupin said with a leer.  "After all, am I not the best blow of the three of us?"  Jigen cocked an eyebrow up.  "Hmm?"

"Well, I think you two are tied for that," Jigen admitted.  "You've got different techniques."

"Hm-mh.  And I bet you don't remember me making you throw your back out with one either?"  Jigen growled.  "Or how I soothed you for days since she wasn't around?"  Jigen's growl got louder.  "Or how I could *easily* do it again," he teased, licking his lips.  "I promised you it'd happen some day."

"We're going to be taking care of the kids, boss.  No time for fun."

"They all nap," he said with a wicked grin.  "More than enough time to make you howl and bay at the moon."  Jigen swallowed.  "Or don't you want to be my baby, Jigen?"

"Only if you reciprocate," Jigen said smartly.  "I'm not our bitch."

"But you do it so well," Lupin pointed out.

Jigen snorted.  "Not happenin' without some turn-around, man."

"Fine," Lupin agreed.  "You can have my tight, nearly virginal ass if you give me yours."

"To do whatever I want?" Jigen asked.

"Within the bounds of pleasure."

Jigen smirked.  "We'll see if you like it.  If not, I'll do you the regular way."

***

Goemon walked into the house, grabbing his children to hug.  "You both did excellently."  He sniffed.  "Did you need that drink, son?"

"Father, do you realize that I helped deliver a baby today?" he asked dryly, pulling back to look at him.  "That I had to look at my aunt's most private parts as they stretched beyond normal human limits and she pushed out a ten pound baby?  That I had to help her clean up afterwards to some degree?"  He shuddered.  "I think I need another one."

"Childbirth is natural, son.  It happens to most women sometime."  He patted him on the back.  "No more drinking."  He smiled at his daughter. "You have done very well as well."  She beamed.  "How are the others?"

"They're fine.  We changed diapers and Ishi said that it was less nasty.  I put a steak in the oven.   We don't have any formula but we gave the babies some water."  She looked at where the other girls were holding them.  "They took over when they got in here."

"We had to go back for formula and diapers," Marcus admitted as he carried in the bags.  He let Lotus take half of them and Ishi took the others.  "I am sorry, had I known I would have been here," he offered.  They nodded patiently.  "I would be.  But for now, I must find Bix."

"Let me," Goemon said, heading into the nursery where the transport ring was placed.  He stepped in and off the other side on the Kitsune's lawn.  He looked at the palace.  "I didn't think it glowed literally," he noted.  He shook his head, heading into the palace.  Some of the kitsune gave him odd or dirty looks.  "Where is my nanny, Bix?"

"In the nursery," one of the maids said.  "How is the Lady Xander?"

"She had her daughter a while ago and they are both doing well so far.  My son was forced to deliver it unfortunately."  She gaped at him and he nodded.  "I was off settling a dispute and Marcus left as well.  Which way is the nursery?"  She led him to there, opening the door for him.  "Thank you.  We will be leaving soon."  He walked in, finding the only human in there quickly. She was a foot taller than most of the other beings.  "Bix."  She squeaked and looked at him like he was scary.  "Come, we will talk," he noted, taking her by the arm and leading her out onto the porch.  He closed the doors.  "Whatever secret that is upsetting you, let it out.  Xander just had her daughter and you are needed."

"She did?  She's not due for weeks," she wailed.

He shrugged.  "She was attacked on the way home.  She went into labor during it.  Ishi had to deliver her." Bix winced.  "Now, tell me."

She glanced around but the doors opened before she could say anything.  "Goemon, where is the man who tried to kidnap my kit?" the lord asked bitterly.

"Dead probably," he said dryly.  "My son and daughter had to take out most of them, with some help from the other children.  We were attending an emergency and Bix was off doing something."

She hung her head.  "I failed to protect them," she said miserably.

The Lord snorted.  "Of course you did.  Because you can control the average human idiot's actions?"  She frowned at him.  "Do not give me that look, Bix, or I will paddle you myself.  You were running an errand.  The children were safe when you left. There were others in the building who could have watched out for them. They did not.  Though I am sorry your son had to kill so young, Goemon."

"He finished out this year by delivering Xander's daughter," Goemon told him.

"Really?"  He grinned, his muzzle pulling back to show off the wickedly sharp fangs. "Interesting.  Is she fine?"  Goemon nodded. "Good.  Do you find this one acceptable?"

"I do, but something is worrying her and she won't tell me."

The kitsune pinched her.  "Tell him, kit, before I have to punish you again and sell you into marriage."

"Yes, Lord."  She looked at him.  "I'm the last of the family Goemon.  Not you."

He considered that for a minute, then held up a finger.  "Of the other side, correct?"  She nodded.  "Then we welcome you fully into the family.  So?"

"Goemon, the family has been split for centuries!"

"Yes, and I was not part of that and considered it foolishness.  Fighting over a woman is stupidity and it showed we needed to breed better."  He grimaced at her blush.  "Now, anything else?"

"My line was headed by a Slayer."

"Are you one?"

"No, but any child I bear may be."

"Again, so?  Xander trained under one, he trained a few of them.  We do not care.  Though you would have to find a mate to do that with.  I would not accept you playing like Lupin did."

She nodded.  "I accept that.  Are you sure?"

"Hush!" he ordered.  She looked down.  "I thought I was done with self-esteem problems when we finally cured Xander of hers.  Yours will have to find a cure quickly before you pass them on."

"She's young, Goemon."

"As was I, once, and I got over mine.  Bix can get over hers.  As such, I will expect her to resume her training and to help me with my children's training."  She nodded.  "That should cure that bad habit of putting herself down greatly.  Now, anything else?" he asked calmly.  She shook her head. "Then finish packing and come along.  Lotus and Ishi had to take care of the babies by themselves after delivering little Alexandra.  My son also had a drink to forget seeing her in labor and looking at her that way."  He grimaced.  "I would not want to either."

The Kitsune Lord howled with laughter. "Goemon, you are too much!"  He slapped him on the arm.  "It can't be that bad."

"It is, humans do not deliver as easily as foxes," Bix defended.  "Come, let me pack my room."  She led the way back to her room, packing quickly.  She didn't have that much left up here.  She bowed to her mistress and lord.  "Thank you for housing me while I worked for you.  I enjoyed it greatly.  I hope my future charges and children are much less active."  They laughed and let her go, letting Goemon help her.

"Wait," the lord demanded, summoning a trunk.  "This is Xander's.  We thought to leave it up here for her but we're renovating that wing this year.  Tell her to bring back something pretty to tease us all with when she comes back up."

"Of course," Goemon agreed, taking that trunk and letting Bix get hers.  "Come, Bix."

"Coming, cousin."

He snorted.  "At least I'm not your nephew."

She chuckled.  "I traced it, we're third cousins."

"More than close enough for children," her mistress called after her.

"Mistress!"

"Sorry, dear, but he is adorable," she called, waving her hanky.

"Forgive her," she whispered to her blushing boss.  "She is a match maker."  He nodded, stepping into the transport ring.  They came out in a dark spot.  She cleared her throat.  "Xander just gave birth, do you really want to make her take care of you?"  They sent them back to the house with an extra few bags.  "Thank you."  She picked them up and tossed them off the back porch.  "That way no portals can open here."  She came back and gathered her things, taking them to her room.  "Is this going to be big enough?"

"This is my house," Goemon told her.  "It only needs to fit me and my children. They will shortly have their own.  Hopefully."

"Xander has one locally," Marcus offered from the kitchen.  "Hello, Bix."

"Nosy bastard," she snorted, giving him a look.  "Behave or I'll have Bastian spank you."  He shuddered.  "Thank you."  She looked at the Goemon children. "Very good work, children.  Ishi, I'm quite proud.  You kept your cool for most of it.  Lotus, you're well on your way to fixing the problem even I can feel.  I applaud your sense and delicateness."  Lotus sniffled.  "Even if you had to have it pointed out to you, you're still fixing it.  No truly generous and soft soul could ever leave such a problem after they've created it.  Ishi, you will help me unpack?"  He nodded, following her into her bedroom. "Thank you, dear."

"You're welcome.  It's keeping me from the liquor."  He shuddered.  "How do you get away from that image?"

"You think of other things."  She smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek.  "You will find many new things to think of soon, Ishi."  He blushed and nodded, looking at his feet.  "Certainly not with me, young man."

"You're not that much older than I am."

"No, but I've been around for a very long time, Ishi, and your father would sooner have another son from his own body than see something like that."  He nodded.  "Besides, we're fourth cousins, dear."

"We are?"

She nodded, smiling at him.  "Years ago the family split due to a feud.  I'm the last of the other side."

"Oh."  He sat at the vanity and watched as she unpacked.  "You enjoy kimonos?"  She nodded.  "So do I.  Can you teach me about them?"

"If your father agrees."

"Thank you, Bix."  He gave her a light hug then went to talk to his father.  "Father."  Goemon looked at him. "I think we need to have a talk."

"Come onto the porch," he agreed, bringing out mugs of tea for them.  "What is wrong?" he asked once the door was closed.

"I find myself drawn to a woman, father, and it is definitely not appropriate."

"Not your sister, correct?" he asked firmly.

"Father, I would sooner rip my penis off than touch that heathenish brat," he said seriously.  "Women like her set my teeth on edge.  All playing and flirty.  Who needs a woman like that."  He wrapped his hands around his mug.  "No, I was talking to Bix and found myself with odd thoughts about her, even after she admitted we are related."

Goemon sipped his tea then got up to get something to add to it, coming back to talk with his son.  "Son," he said finally.  "There is much you need to know about women.  I am not the person to tell you all of it, that would have been your mother.  Even though she did have a skewed sense of femininity."  He took another long drink.  "As is, it will have to fall to myself and your Aunt."  He looked at him.  "Bix is a wonderful girl."

"She's only fifteen."

"Yes, and she's been around for hundreds of years, Ishi.  She is much more worldly than you are.  While I would not mind if she were the one to teach you, I do not believe I could sanction a long-term relationship with her and at this time you are not ready for even the former.  When you are older, if you feel the same way, then I may allow it.  Until such a time, we will have to work harder on your self-control.  Like your sister's magic, your body is about to react without your permission.  My own training master used to laugh at mine quite often.  Fortunately I am kinder than he ever was," Goemon said, finishing his tea.  "For now, let me say that what your body wants is not what it needs at this moment in life, and that you can learn to ignore it.  Doing so would be for the best."

"I had heard that mother was quite ...lusty, father.  Won't that harm my self control?"

Goemon grimaced, then nodded.  "If so, then we will figure something out. When I let my own control go, she was quite pleased and always sated for months.  I'm hoping you can find the same control eventually.  At least until you choose a path or a wife."  Ishi blushed.  "I will not allow you to have premarital relations with a woman, son.  Not unless it is quite clear that you are staying with her for good.  After you become engaged.  That had better not happen before your training is done."  Ishi nodded, sipping his tea.  "Today you saw the worst that a woman's body can go through, my son.  It is not always like that, but it is not always much better.  I would have you trained at least before you decide to discover that for yourself."

"Father, should I pour some brandy into my tea for you too?" he asked.

"Impudent son," he said with a small smirk. "For that, you will now have an extra hour of focus and meditative work with me each day."  Ishi nodded, letting him have his tea.  "Thank you, son.  I want you to know that you can come to me about anything, but I may have to get answers off your aunt about some things."

"I understand, dad.  I'll get the full sex talk from her.  I hear she does pretty good."

Goemon smiled at his son. "Thank you, son.  That makes me ecstatic.  It really does."  He finished the tea and stood up.  "Do we have a clear understanding?"

"We do," Ishi agreed.  "But can I tease her?  She blushes very prettily, father."

"Son, you're too young."

"Father, I found that my thingie worked last night," he said quietly, glancing furtively around.

"Then we will get you the extended version of the talk as soon as your aunt is able.  Until then, learn its many states, son.  That way you can learn to ignore it when it decides to rear up and tries to control your life."  He patted his son on the back.  "Do not pick on your sister, please."

"Fine, father.  Even though she is a brat."

"Tough, deal with it.  This new one will be like your own sister and she'll be just old enough to pick on you when you start to date.  Consider it karma for all the things you've put her through so far, son."  Ishi shivered so he hugged his son.  "We will get through puberty together, son.  We will survive this stage.  Now go play."  Ishi ran off and Goemon went to get a real drink before calling Jigen.  "My son has his first crush and his penis is about to rule his life," he announced grimly.

Melissa looked around the edge of the doorway.  "What's a penis, Uncle G?"

Goemon handed her the phone.  "Ask your father."  He took his drink and his younger son out onto the porch to play with him.

"Daddy, what's a penis?" Melissa asked.  Her father choked and she grinned.  "Is that like those other words that Arsene says to mean a dick?"  Her father dropped the phone and she cackled, hanging up on him.  She went to tell Arsene that she had mortally embarrassed her father.  They were keeping count.

***

Jigen winced, holding his head.  "I think I need drugs now."  Lupin reached over to pat him on the back.  "My daughter just asked what a penis was and said your daughter has a lot of other names for it," he told him.  Lupin choked and groaned, sobbing as he rested his head against their wife's side.

"It's okay. Puberty comes to all us sometime," Xander reminded them.  "Soon it'll be bras and panties.  Save up this angst for then."

"No, bad thought!" Jigen said quickly.  "No bras, no panties, nothing like them!"

"Then she'll probably flash someone," Lupin said miserably, looking at him.  "My daughter is exactly like me."

"Maybe we should get a divorce," Jigen offered.

"Too late," Xander sang happily.  Then she cackled, enjoying this show.

Table of Contents

The Long Way Home. 2

Oh, Sh*t! 32

Bored Now. 50

Chicago. 79

Bampires! 100

The Long, Strange Trip Home. 122

Going Visiting. 171

Bloodlines. 201

Father Hood. 244

I'll Be Good, I Promise. 266

Miami vs. Chicago. 281

Educating the Masses. 304

Trying Really Hard. 326

Endings and Beginnings. 335

All Better Now. 366

Tripping. 384

Too Late. 413