Taylor's eyes shot open sometime around sunrise.
He shot up in bed for a moment forgetting where he was. When he realised he was at Zac's house, he calmed somewhat and ran his fingers through his hair a little nervously. Then he hesitated.
He could hear... someone. Someone calling, softly.
Not hearing anyone awake in the house, he threw the bed covers aside and stood. He made his way to the door, opening it carefully and stickig his head through.
There was definitely no one else awake.
Barely knowing his way around yet, he headed down the corridor to where he could hear the voice, being as quiet as he could so as not to wake anyone unnecessarily.
He made his way to what he didn't know yet as the nursery and stuck his head through the door. Seeing what it obviously was, he stepped through and closed the door behind him.
Making his way over to the cot, he gazed in at Dee Dee, a small smile crossing his face. She gazed right back at him, continuing the small hum that had become music to Taylor's ears.
She was singing to herself, and he was the only person who could hear it.
Tilting his head slightly, he closed his eyes and continued to listen in silence.
Zac
Zac was laying in bed, attempting to convince himself that getting out of bed would be a good idea.
At last he talked himself into getting up. He wrapped his dressing gown around him and wandered down to the nursery to check on Dee Dee before heading down to breakfast. He opened up the door and stopped short, the colour draining from his face as he saw Taylor feeding his daughter.
"What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice harsher than he realised.
Taylor
Taylor shook the hair out of his eyes and looked up at the doorway, unfazed.
"What does it look like? I'm feeding her. You weren't exactly awake to."
He turned his attention back to his neice.
Zac
"Zac, be sensible. He's not going to kill your daughter," Zac told himself.
"I can do that," he said, holding his arms out.
"Yes, because that'll do wonders for the situation."
Taylor
"I can do it, I have more younger siblings than you do," Taylor insisted, otherwise ignoring his brother.
He tilted his head a little as he tilted the bottle in the opposite direction.
Zac
"By one," Zac scrowled, not laughing at the joke as he might have done otherwise.
"Zac, breathe. Breathe. You are such a moron. Okay, he's feeding Dee Dee. Not killing her. Feeding her. Huge difference here. Remember this thing called trust? Redevlop yours for Taylor already."
"But did you feed all of them? I think not baby puppy, 'tis you who is in trouble."
Taylor
"I fed more than you did," Taylor replied calmly.
"And don't think I can't feel those pheremones dude. I'm not doing anything other than feeding her, she's fine. You can even watch if you feel the need."
Zac
"See? He caught on. Idiot. Come on, repeat after me: Trust Taylor. Trust Taylor. You can do it. Now, say 'That's okay Tay I'll go have breakfast now.' Say it... c'mon, you can do it," Zac coaxed himself.
"Uhh, no... sorry... I'll go have breakfast now... Umm, yeah..." Zac said, starting to walk about out the doorway.
He gave Dee Dee another nervous glance and then walked purposely down the hall and towards the staircase.
"See? That wasn't so hard. And don't you dare start thinking it would be better if they went to Mom and Dad's. Worse there. At least Saku can throw fireballs. And for the record, I can't believe you're thinking that Saku will throw fireballs at his uncle."
He kept up the running commentray in an effort into distract himself from his fear of Taylor's alterego.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled a little to himself, before looking down on Dee Dee again.
"You're daddy has a few trust issues," he said softly, "but he'll get over it. I'm sure he'd love to hear your song."
Sensing that she was happily fed, he pulled the bottle away and sat her up to get ready to burp her.
"He'll come around," he sighed, beginning to bounce his knee and pat her on the back.
Zac
"Mornin' Daddy!" Saku said cheerfully as Zac entered the kitchen.
"Morning, Saku, Tru. Ella," Zac nodded.
He appraised the situation.
"Okay, what have you two been doing?"
Saku and Tru giggled.
"Ella?"
Ella was about to reply when Kylie came storming into the kitchen.
"Okay, which one of you little br- Zac!" and the stormy expression changed to a beaming one. "Good morning darling."
"Good morning," Zac said.
Saku looked at Tru and made a gagging expression.
"And where is Taylor this morning? In bed?" Kylie asked.
"He's with Dee Dee," Zac answered, fighting to keep the fear down.
"Mustn't think about that. Mustn't think about that.
Taylor
After Taylor changed Dee Dee and had her happy, he lifted her onto his hip and gave her a dummy.
Then he began to head down to where he heard everyone's voices.
"Morning," he smiled as he appeared in the kitchen doorway, juggling Dee Dee a little on his hip.
Zac
"Morning," Zac said.
He eyed Dee Dee warily for a moment, then forced himself to relax.
"Hi Uncle Tay!" Saku said cheerfully. "Uncle Tay, this is Tru. Tru, this is Uncle Tay."
"Hi!" Tru waved.
"And that's our nanny, Ella."
Ella nodded.
"And that's Kylie Pooh-Pooh-Head."
"Saku," Zac frowned.
Just because no one got along with Kylie, didn't mean he, as a responsible parent should let Saku get away with calling her names. At least, not while she was in earshot...
Taylor
"Nice to meet you Tru," he smiled, before nodding to both Ella and Kylie in succession.
"So... what's for breakfast?"
Zac
"Whatever you want," Zac said cheerfully, starting to feel more relaxed. "Just not ice cream. Wouldn't want Saku and Tru to get ideas."
"Aww," Tru complained, giggling.
"So, how have you been, Taylor?" Kylie said, having now pulled herself together.
Taylor
"Considering our apartment just got trashed by a tornado and our instruments were destroyed, I can honestly say I've been better," Taylor managed a chuckle, taking Dee Dee's hand and playing with her.
"Hmm... what do you think? Should Uncle Tay have toast for breakfast?" he asked her, though only in English.
Zac
Zac watched Taylor as he ate another bite of his breakfast. This is what he was afraid of?
"You are so pathetic, Zac," he informed himself.
"Oh, yes, I heard about that," Kylie said sympathetically. "Terrible. Simply terrible."
"If I was there, I'd beat that ol' tornado up," Saku said.
"You can't beat up a tornado," Tru said.
"Okay, well... maybe not, but I bet Ella could."
"Ella? Could you? Could you beat up a tornado?"
Ella just smiled in her wispy way and said nothing.
Taylor
Taylor smiled at the kids.
"So... Ella. Not meaning to sound rude or anything," he insisted as he made his way into the preparation area.
"But what exactly are you? And where do you hide the bread?"
Saku
"I am half sylph and half Dathrian," Ella replied in her quiet voice. "And the bread is in the panty."
"A sylph is an air spirit," Saku said, as if proud to know such things.
Kylie made a rude noise as she got her own breakfast.
Taylor
Taylor began looking around in the pantry, finally uncovering the bread and managing to get a few slices while using only one hand.
"Sounds cool," he nodded, jiggling Dee Dee again a little on his hip to keep her entertained.
He ignored Kylie as he went to use the toaster and began surveying the pantry and fridge for toppings.
Zac
"Well," Zac said, turning to Saku and Tru, "what are you two planning on doing today?"
"Torture the dogs next door," Tru replied.
"Tru."
"I was only joking," Tru considered it for a moment. "Maybe."
"No torturing, tormetting, teasing or otherwise bothering the dogs next door," Zac said.
"Aww, rats."
Saku sniffed.
"Dogs suck."
"I like dogs," Kylie said, as if her opinion mattered.
"Yes well, that's because you're a b-"
"Saku!" Zac exclaimed.
"Sorry."
Taylor
"Well I like dogs," Taylor spoke up.
"But then, I pretty much like everything."
His toast soon 'popped', and he began to put the spreads on carefully with one hand.
Saku and Tru
"Really?" Saku asked. "Do you like toads?"
"Or rats?" Tru asked.
"Or spiders?"
"Or green slime?"
"Or pools full of black water?"
"Or -"
Taylor
Taylor chuckled.
"Well I like the first three. And Tru - I hope you like spiders."
He grinned to himself, before starting to eat where he was.
Saku and Tru
Tru blinked.
"Umm, why?"
"Because there's one on your shoulder, rarr!" Saku said, pouncing on Tru.
The force of the push, added with the fact that Saku decided to turn into a cat, caused the chair to topple over, both falling on the floor. A spider scampered away from underneath the chair.
"Eeep!" Kylie screamed, racing away. "A spider! Kill it! Kill it!"
"Baby," Tru muttered.
Saku meowed and raced after the spider to chase it.
"Careful Saku," Zac called after him, taking small relief in the fact that cats had certain immunities that humans (and dathrians) did not.
Taylor
Taylor chuckled.
"Don't worry, it harmless," he assured, before turning his attention to Zac.
"When are we leaving?"
Zac
"For what? Oh!" Zac had to smile. "Sorry... I completely forgot for a second there."
He glanced at the clock.
"Whenever we're ready, I guess," he said. "No point in making Ike stay in the hospital any longer than need be."
Taylor
Taylor was silent for a moment, as if contemplating something.
"Can Dee Dee come?" he asked suddenly.
Zac
Zac blinked.
"Uhh, I suppose..." he said. "We'll have to get a bag packed for her -"
"Can I come too?" Tru asked. "And Saku?"
"Well, I see no reason why not... if you can get Saku back from chasing the spider."
"Yay! Where are we going?"
"The hospital to pick up your Uncle Ike."
"Oh."
"Changed your mind?"
"No."
Taylor
"That's fine," Taylor shrugged.
"I can go and do it now."
Zac
"Umm, yeah, okay," Zac said.
He ate the last bite of his breakfast.
"Tru, why don't you go find Saku? And then we'll meet you in the lounge when you're both dressed and ready to go."
" 'Kay," Tru said and bounded off.
"Coming, Kylie? Or would you rather stay here?"
"I'll..." Kylie considered for a moment, "stay thank you."
"Why don't you have some time to yourself, Ella?" Zac suggested, turning to the nanny. "You deserve it."
Ella gave a small smile.
"Thank you."
Zac stood and headed to his room to dress, fighting back the nervous feeling that threatened to come upon him.
Taylor
Taylor finished up and put his stuff away before taking Dee Dee back to the nursery. He checked in the cupboards and found a bag and began collecting what he thought she'd need and what he was sure she wanted.
When he was done, he strapped her carrier to himself and put her in it, grabbed the bag, and made his way out to join the others.
Zac
"Okay, everyone here?" Zac said looking around.
"Yep!" Saku and Tru chorused.
"Then lets go."
He headed out to the van. Tru got in one side while Zac setup the baby restaint for Dee Dee.
"You can have the front, Uncle Tay," Saku said politely.
Taylor
"Why, thankyou Saku," Taylor smiled as he threw Dee Dee's bag in and helped Zac get her in.
When he made sure she was settled and content he climbed into the front.
Zac
Saku climbed in the back as well, and Zac got into the front.
It was not long thereafter, that they arrived at the hospital. And then Zac spent 20 minutes trying to find a parking spot. He muttered something unfavourable about the hospital's lack of parking capability.
"Okay," he said after finally finding out. "Everyone out."
He got out, and waited for everyone to get out before locking the van and they all headed inside.
Taylor
When they finally found Isaac, a smile crept onto Taylor's face.
"Ready to go yet?" he asked, Dee Dee comfortably against his chest.
Zac and Isaac
Isaac looked over at his family.
"Umm, no, I think I'd like to stay here and admire the view for a few more hours," he joked, gesturing to the blank white walls.
"Oh, well, in that case..." Zac started to walk off.
"Uncle Ike!" Saku exclaimed.
He bounded over and leapt onto the bed, a rather cat-like effort rather than a small boy.
"Hey, Saku," Isaac smiled.
"Are you okay?" Tru asked. "Were you badly hurt? Didja bleed?"
"Nothing the good doctor couldn't take care of," Isaac replied.
Taylor
"Any paperwork and crap or can we just go?" Taylor asked, his nerves showing at being in a place full of pain.
Isaac and Zac
"Naw, already takem care of," Isaac said. "So I can leave whenever you guys are ready."
"Well, we're ready now," Zac nodded.
"Aww, but I wanted to make the bed go up and down," Saku said, giving a pathetic look.
"See, it doesn't matter how many powers they have," Isaac said, getting up, "They always want to play with the bed."
Zac chuckled. Isaac grabbed his jacket.
"Lets go then. C'mon Saku."
"But, but, but -"
"Not today."
"Awwww..."
Taylor
"Do we need to go to Mom and Dad's to see if we can pick up some stuff?" Taylor suggested on the way out.
"I mean we still don't have clothes and such... but we'll have to buy most of that. And... we need to go intrusment shopping."
Isaac and Zac
Isaac frowned.
"Do they know what happened?" he asked.
"I called last night," Zac said. "Mom said she'd look. Maybe we should stop by. But no matter what might be there... you're going to have to get more things anyway."
"Shopping! Yay!" Tru beamed.
Zac looked at her for a moment.
"Y'know, for a three-year-old, you're sure developing the women's love of shopping early."
Tru giggled.
"Maybe you've caught the 'mature quickly' bug from Saku."
Saku poked his tongue out.
Taylor
"I don't think I had anything there anyway, because I just moved everything that I had when... when I lived with Jane," Taylor said softly.
"So I will definitely need to go."
Isaac and Zac
"Well," Isaac said as they wandered back to the van. "May as well go shopping now then. No sense in waiting when we're probably going to want a change of underwear in the next 24 hours."
"Makes sense to me," Zac said, getting settled back into the van again.
Taylor
Taylor made sure Dee Dee was comfortable in her seat before getting in to sit on the other side of her.
Isaac and Zac
Tru and Saku climbed into the back seat, Isaac got into the front and soon they were off.
"Lets hope the mall has better parking than the hospital did," Zac said.
Isaac chuckled.
"Say, can we go past the apartment? I just need to see..." he trailed off.
Zac shrugged.
"I'm not sure how much of the street they'll have closed off, but we could look."
He headed towards the part of town where Isaac and Taylor's apartment had been. A good proportion had been closed off, and they were a few blocks away from the actually apartment block, but all could see the field of rubble. In fact, any building that still stood, stuck out like a sore thumb.
Isaac gave a low whistle.
"Okay," he said softly. "I think I get the idea."
Taylor
"Yeah, it was pretty bad..." Taylor murmured uncomfortably, his left hand keeping Dee Dee entertained while his right wrapped around his waist as he stared out the window.
Isaac and Zac
The silence that ensured inspired Zac to take the initive and drive on. Soon, they arrived at the mall, and Zac found he had a much easier time finding a parking spot than he had at the hospital.
"Okay," Zac said as they piled out of the car. "Would you two rather we come with you? Or would you prefer to shop on your own?"
Isaac looked towards Taylor for his opinion.
Taylor
"I'll take Dee Dee," Taylor said immediately.
He was already pulling her out and reaching for her bag.
Isaac and Zac
"I guess that means we're going together," Isaac said, with a chuckle.
Zac hid his frown. He wasn't sure whether to be happy or not about Taylor becoming the doting Uncle to his baby girl.
"Yay!" Tru said.
Zac locked up the van and they all headed inside.
"Where to first?"
"Toys!" Saku said.
"Saku, your uncles need new clothes. Not new toys."
"I need new toys."
"No, you want new toys."
"Need," Saku insisted.
"Let's go in there," Isaac said, pointing to a department store. "Saku can look at toys, and we can look at clothes. It works out."
"Yay!" Tru cheered again.