JP - Returned to the Underground

Drizzt sighed at the chatter, worried in his own way as he got them back to the Underground. They would arrive to the the twins, Amber, and Seele, who was babysitting. She waved to them all. “Hiya!” She called.

Tzeitel was glad to see the twins, not just because she loved her godchildren, but because she knew they would help Klaire feel better. Her own kids were probably still in bed. Ami because of her age, and Cody because he used his powers and was probably still recovering…

“Hei!” Piritta greeted, slipping Amber a bag of firecrackers.

Sorley got out of the van and offered Gelf a hand down. “Do you want to check on Evie and Kiana while we have a chance?”

“I love that idea,” Gelf said with a smile as she took Sorley’s hand.

Amber giggled as she took the firecrackers and started showing them to Seele, who encouraged as much mischief as Piritta did.

The twins instantly hugged Klaire the moment they stepped inside and started telling her about all the games they had played so far. Tzeitel would know they could smell the distress and were doing all they could to be the best distractions around.

Drizzt, for his part, pulled Razor out of the van and made him go inside, taking him to an interrogation room. “Who should I have talk to him?” He asked someone on his way there.

As for Colt, he just watched everyone in silence before heading to his room.

Tzeitel affectionately tousled her godchildren’s ears and hoped they would be enough to cheer Klaire up. “I’m gonna go see Ami and Cody.” Tzeitel told Klaire. “I’ll be ready to go next time we head out.”

Klaire nodded and smiled at her children.

Tzeitel would find Cody still passed out in his room. One arm was hanging off the bed as he laid on his stomach and snored softly. His dark hair was starting to get its blond roots back by now and for a moment he almost seemed like that little boy she had first taken into her family.

Tzeitel wished Cody would be more careful about using his powers. She gently put his arm back on the bed and tucked him in. She gave Cody a kiss on the forehead and tiptoed out of the room.

Tzeitel found Ami asleep in her bed with all of her favorite stuffed animals. Tzeitel hoped she would never outgrow it. Ami would be turning twelve soon so she had to get to work on planning a birthday party for her.

As if sensing Tzeitel thinking about a party for her, Ami’s black eyes popped open. The girl was instantly awake and sitting up in bed, Klaire-Dog sitting in her lap. “What happened? Where did you go? Did you save James?”

Tzeitel blinked. “Uh, they still have James but we should get him back soon. We didn’t get far… ran into… Well, one of the clones is dead.”

“Him? Canestone?” Ami happily hugged her sister when she nodded yes. “That’s great!”

“Only one is dead?” Cody’s voice came from the doorway and he yawned. “What about the…uh…second one?”

“I don’t know, there was only one of his clones there.” Tzeitel said. She was glad that one was dead but the second clone was still out there… and she was afraid that MegaCorp cloned Canestone more than just twice. Why not? They liked having monsters. “Shouldn’t you be resting after what you did?”

Ami looked to Cody. Surely Tzeitel will be doing much better now that one of the clones was dead.

“I slept enough.” Cody said, crossing his arms. “How are you, though, mom?” He asked, watching her carefully.

“So then I’m well enough. I’m going with Klaire to find James as soon as we’re ready to head back out.” Tzeitel said.

“I thought you didn’t like James…” Cody said in surprise.

“I don’t. But Klaire loves him and would be devastated if he died.” Tzeitel said. “She took V’s death hard… I don’t want her to have to go through that again.”

“Yeah, but V was a sibling of…that guy.” Cody said, resentment in his voice. After what had happened, he made it clear he did not miss any of the people that betrayed them, especially after what Cain did to Megan.

“I know.” Tzeitel suspected if V had more time he would have eventually betrayed them as badly as Griffin and Cain. She did not miss him. “I want to help Klaire.”

“Then we can help her.” Cody replied since he suspected the same exact thing.

Tzeitel wished Klaire and Colt fell in love, it would be much simpler. But of course things did not work out that way. “Anyways, Ami’s birthday is coming up. We should start planning for a party.”

Ami perked up.

Cody smiled real big. “Yeah, we should!” His voice had that happy kick to it again.

“Yeah. We’ll probably have it here, in the Underground.” Tzeitel said. “Also…” Tzeitel was reluctant. “Ami should start practicing her powers. Carefully and under supervision. And on objects like books- not people.”

Ami sort of bounced in place.

“Okay,” Cody said and slid his hands into the pockets of his jacket. “But…back to the party. When should we have it? Before or after you and Aunt Klaire get James?”

“Aim for Ami’s birthday.” Tzeitel said. “Hopefully he’ll be rescued by then.

“Yeah, I bet he’ll want to spoil her with a present,” Cody chuckled. “James is always spoiling Leon and Lotus. Have you seen how he looks with them? It’s sweet…I guess he’s so nice to them because he never got to be there for his real kids.”

“I guess…” Tzeitel felt her head ache as she remembered how in the other timeline he had impregnated so many women by raping them. She struggled to remember that he had not raped anyone.

“Remember, mom,” Cody said, gently touching her shoulder. “He’s a good guy in this one…and whatever that…degenerate was wanting him to say I bet he never said it. Despite how you treat him, James still cares about you because you’re important to Klaire.”

“I know.” Tzeitel said tiredly. “Anyways… Try to find some books that will be safe for Ami to try her powers on.”

Cody nodded. “I know a few novels she might enjoy.” He said with a smile. “I’ll see if the library here has them.”

“Good.” Tzeitel said and Ami hugged her tight around the waist. Tzeitel smiled and smoothed her hair, which had cowlicks from sleeping.

“Did Colt being there help?” Cody asked. “You know…make dealing with it easier?”

“Everyone who was there helped.” Tzeitel said uncomfortably. She had scarcely talked to Colt after they left the Underground, and haven’t spoken to each other since they got back.

Ami peered at Cody. It had to have helped.

Cody could hear the discomfort and frowned a bit, but didn’t push. “Well, it’s late and all…I’ll head back to bed.” He said and smiled at them before heading to his room.

“Night Cody.” Tzeitel looked at Ami. “And time for you to get back to bed. I’m going to see Klaire- I might be going out again tonight.” She hugged her little sister. “Bye for now.”