"You think he'll be happy to see us?" Tru asked, hitching her bag higher up on her shoulder.
Airlia looked over at her sister and grinned, then pulled the lollipop from her mouth. "Of course. We're awesome. Plus, self sufficient these days."
"But he hasn't um... well seen us lately. And I don't know if Mom ever got the chance to tell him about our... condition," Tru went on.
"Condition? You mean, being bout-thousand years older now? Don't sweat it, Tee, Dad's cool. He'll take it all as he comes," Airlia reassured her, before raising her fist and knocking on the door.
"I wonder what Saku's up to these days," Tru mused, while waiting for the door to open.
Saku and Zac
Saku crawlled along the grass, eyes fixed on his prey. He moved a step forward, his second front leg poised in the air. He leaned back on his haunches, ready to pounce, when he noticed the two girls on the front steps.
The grasshopper forgotten, Saku bounded over to the girls. He sniffed their legs, recognising their scents, rubbed his flank against them, and then sat in front of them and looked up at them with that "I'm so cute" expression on his face.
At the same time, Zac opened up the door.
"Hi..." he said slowly.
There was something very familiar about those girls... He was sure he had seen them before but he couldn't quite put his finger on it...
Tru and Airlia
"Hey Saku," Tru said, bending down and lifting Saku up with one hand.
"Hey Dad," Airlia greeted, running a hand through her hair. "Guess Mom really didn't ring you and tell you about us, hey?"
Tru grinned at Zac's confused expression.
"Tru and Airlia," she jokingly prompted. "Alternate dimension. Time moving faster. You know how Mom is fond of that."
Zac and Saku
Saku nuzzled Tru with his little wet nose.
"Ahh," Zac replied knowingly. "I've had some first hand experience with that myself. No, I hadn't heard from Fa - your mom recently, I'm afraid. Oh! Hey, come on in."
He stepped back from the door, and held it open for them.
"You two look great, by the way. You've really grown up in the last few... weeks? Months since I last saw you?"
Zac wrinkled his forehead trying to remember the last time he'd seen them.
Tru and Airlia
Tru scratched under Saku's chin as she stepped into the house.
"Thanks, but according to Mom, it's not surprising I'm gorgeous because I have DNA from you and her."
Airlia laughed. "And I'm gorgeous because I get my DNA from Mom. That's what she tells us. A lot, actually."
Zac and Saku
"She would," Zac replied good-naturedly, closing the door behind them.
Saku purred, rather loudly actually.
"Motor mouth," Zac teased him. "So, what have you girls been doing lately?"
Airlia and Tru
"Travelling the world with Mom and Angel. Then the Senior Partners from Angel's law firm tried to have us and Sera killed, so Angel and Uncle Gunn took us to another dimension and voila! All old now," Airlia explained.
"Mom's at that Slayer School right now, training the kidlets, so we thought we'd fly over and see our favourite Dad," Tru piped up. "Then we're heading off to walk the Inca trail."
Tru set Saku down by her feet with one last fond scratch.
"What about you guys?"
Zac and Saku
Saku shifted back to human.
"Well, let me see..." Zac said. "Ike, Tay and I have been working on our next album. May it finally be finished soon. Tay got married a couple of weeks ago, actually, to a girl named Natalie. She's pregnant, so you should be getting a cousin... end of the year? Beginning of next year? Something like that."
"And we have three new sibs," Saku said. "Tranno-Zirran is Adigien, and Brock is Kylie's son. She went psycho, by the way, and tried to kill me and Dee Dee and Elektra. Elektra is your third half sibling. Friday went through with her threat to turn Dad into a girl and impregnante him. Her. We went to an alternate universe ourselves, so that Dad wouldn't be stuck here as a girl for nine months."
He waggled his eyebrows gleefully.
Airlia and Tru
"Hmm, Dad's been getting busy," Airlia commented.
Tru wrinkled her nose. "Ok, just because he's not technically your father, doesn't mean you have the right to inflict that vision in my head."
Airlia grinned. "Anyway, did I mention I drive now? Because I drive now. Angel lent us one of his cars."
Zac and Saku
Zac chuckled.
"Cool," Saku said. "Dad's just started teaching me how to drive."
He rubbed his hands together eagerly.
"Yes, and I hope you drive better than he does," Zac teased.
"Da-ad!" Saku objected.
Airlia and Tru
Airlia gave Saku a look that very clearly meant 'we'll go driving as soon as Zac's distracted'.
"So," Tru said, scratching her shoulder. "We thought since we showed up unannounced, we'd cook dinner tonight."
"I mean, we know that just our company is enough, but we thought we'd give you more reasons to love us," Airlia went on.
"Like you needed any," Tru added.
Zac and Saku
Zac eyed them.
"You're just like your mother. Both of you," he said. "I don't know whether to be delighted or distrubed."
"Go with the former," Saku advised.
"Well, if you insist."
"So," Saku went on, stretching his arms above his head, "what are you gals going to cook for us?"
Tru and Airlia
"It's a surprise," Tru said, batting her eyelashes slightly.
"We'll just drop our bags off and then head out to the store," Airlia chimed in. "And Mom said she'll call you later tonight."
Zac and Saku
"Oh, okay, cool," Zac replied. "I guess we'll put your bags in your room... or would you prefer to have separate rooms?"
"There are certain advantages to having a magic house," Saku smiled. "I've been meaning to look into it, but I keep forgetting."
Airlia and Tru
"Either or," Airlia answered, shrugging. "We're used to sharing, so it doesn't really bother us too much."
"Usually. Unless we're embroiled in a mass sister bitchfight," Tru chimed in, grinning cheekily.
Zac and Saku
"Well, we'll just put you in the same then," Zac replied. "And if you do decide you want seperate rooms, then just ask the house nicely, and I'm sure he'll accomodate you. Just as long as you haven't done anything mean to him, like call him names or throw things at his walls. He really is a most accomodating chap."
Zac patted the wall affectionately.
"Aren'tcha?"
"Maybe he's so accomodating, because he's a house?" Saku suggested with a giggle. "Hey, how long you girls planning on staying?"
Airlia and Tru
"Right now it's up in the air, on account of Mom and her Slayer stuff. Then there's Uncle Angel and his law firm stuff to sort out as well," Airlia started to explain.
"So we're just kinda floating at the moment. I suspect Mom will actually come meet us here when everything gets a firm plan, then we'll go from here to wherever our next adventure is," Tru continued.
Zac
Zac nodded.
"Okay," he said thoughtfully. "How about school?"
Naturally Zac had homeschooled Saku. Sending him to an actual school would have caused too many questions.
Tru and Airlia
"Wes tutors us in all things supernatural," Tru said, waving her hand dismissively. "And I have some other tutors from Wolfram and Hart too, but I'm on break right now."
Airlia nodded her agreement. "I tested out early last month."
Zac and Saku
"Okay," Zac replied.
"Marvellous," Saku replied. "Now, Dad, I really think we should let them go get food now."
"Saku," Zac frowned, thinking Saku was being a little rude.
"Hey, I'm a cat. I always think about food... when I'm not sleeping..." Saku wriggled his eyebrows.
"Yes... with all your napping I wonder you learn anything at all."
"I'm a quick study."
"I've noticed."
"Soo... food?"
Airlia and Tru
"Food," Airlia agreed, whipping the car keys from her pocket.
"You wanna come with, Saks?" Tru asked, pulling the hairband from her wrist to tie her hair up in a loose bun.
Zac ans Saku
"Sure thing, Taks," Saku replied.
"Okay, well, I guess I'll see you kids when you get back," Zac replied. "Thanks for leaving me with the bags, Saku."
Saku chuckled.
Tru and Airlia
"You make such an awesome bellhop, Dad," Tru grinned.
Airlia started to lead the way out to the car, sketching a salute to Zac.
"Anything else you want us to bring back?"
Zac and Saku
"Hmm... no, I'm right," Zac replied. "Thanks for asking."
He opted not to respond to the "bellhop" comment.
"Cool, let's go," Saku said.
Tru and Airlia
Tru hopped into the back seat, letting Saku have the front passenger seat.
"So, do anything exciting that dad doesn't know about?" Airlia asked, eyes twinkling, as she started the car.
Saku
A grin crossed Saku's face.
"Oh, I do plenty of things he doesn't know about. Of course, some of the stuff I do he would get even if I tried to tell him, because, let's face it, he's hardly divinity like I am," Saku replied. "So he simply would not appreciate it if I told him that I had pushed the mall one millimetre out of alignment."
He chuckled to himself knowingly.
Tru and Airlia
Tru rubbed her eye, careful not to smudge the perfectly applied liner.
"Serafina says she might come out for a flying visit," she told Saku.
"She's old now too," Airlia added, checking the mirror, then zooming off from the curb.
Saku
"I see," Saku replied. "So, she look my age? Or older?"
Between time in an alternate dimension, and his own accelerated aging (although it seemed to have finally tapered off), Saku now looked around sixteen/seventeen. Maybe eighteen at a stretch.
Airlia and Tru
"She's about fifteen, but she looks probably sixteen or seventeen," Airlia said, eyes glancing at the rearview mirror.
"So, which way is the mall?" Tru asked Saku.
Saku
"Okay, you want to take a left, a right, a left at the third intesection, a right at the guy with the giant donut... okay no, that's a lie," Saku admitted, "I just wanted to give confusing instructions, just for the heck of it. Just follow this street until you get to the T-intesection and turn right, and then just follow the signs."
Airlia and Tru
"Affirmative," Airlia said, flipping down the sun visor. She steered her way confidently through the traffic.
Tru was singing softly in the back seat.
"It's been aaaages since we were here. Tulsa kinda seems like small potatoes after everywhere we've been, but it's still home, I guess."
Saku
"Yeah?" Saku asked, interested. "Where have you guys been? What mischeif have you been up to? Killed any dogs lately? I'm about this close to getting rid of those dogs next door."
He held his thumb and forefinger an inch apart.
Tru and Airlia
"Haven't killed any dogs as such," Tru said thoughtfully. "Werewolf, but that's not really a dog..."
"Mom's been teaching us to fight, so has Uncle Angel. Serafina, Tru and I are allowed to go patrolling with them now that we can defend ourselves," Airlia added, flicking her indicator up.
"You should come visit us in LA, Sera would love to see you!" Tru bounced excitedly in the back.
Saku
"I think I'll do that," Saku replied. "It's been awhile... I don't suppose you guys know what's happened to Kanika, Faolan and Victory? Or if Sera knows?"
The disappearences of his siblings, Aunt Priss, Uncle Sabre, and especially his mother Nyx, had left him feeling a little lonesome. Having Dad and his half brothers and sisters helped, but missing almost every relative on his mother's side really sucked.
Airlia and Tru
"Kanny is still at the mansion with her Dad," Airlia told him, rounding the corner. "And Fao is in New York as well. I'm not sure about Victory."
Tru gave a shrug. "I don't think we've even met Victory."
Saku
"Really?" Saku replied. "Hmm, last time I tried them in New York, I didn't get anywhere. Eh, oh well. Victory's a very cool cat. I hope you gals get to meet her some day."
Airlia and Tru
Airlia and Tru shared a glance, then Airlia continued talking.
"Well, Fao pretty much sticks to himself, that's what Sera says anyway."
Tru nodded. "But Kanny is always up for visitors."
Saku
"Cool," Saku replied. "I see I shall have to try again. I was beginning to think they went looking for Auntie Priss and Uncle Sabre or somethin'."
The mall was in sight.
Airlia
Airlia drove towards the mall and pulled into the parking lot. She cruised around for awhile, then upon spotting an empty space, she drove into it, parking the car.
"Okies, let's do it."
Saku
Saku got out of the car. Now there's a exciting thing to do. Getting out of a car. Wow. I'm in awe. Ahem.
"So," Saku said, rubbing his hands together, "what foods are we going to get?And is food all we're getting? And -"
Saku suddenly started laughing. Don't worry, he's not mad. He was just being amused by the consequences of him moving the mall one millimetre out of alignment. I guess you have to be a godling to understand why this is funny.
Airlia and Tru
"Food and other crap," Airlia shrugged.
"I need new clothes," Tru piped up. "Going from like 4 to 15 in like a week... not so great on the wardrobe department."
Saku
Saku groaned.
"So... you're taking me clothes shopping? Great! I'm going clothes shopping with not one, but two girls. And I'm not even dating either of you. Not that I would want to because you're like, my sisters, but that's not the point."
Airlia and Tru
Airlia laughed. "Well technically, we could date because we're not related at all, coz Zac's not actually my Dad. You couldn't date Tru. But let's not even get into that."
Tru pulled a face.
"Fine, we won't take you clothes shopping."
Saku
Saku chuckled.
"No, we can go clothes shopping," Saku replied. "I want a leather jacket. Leather jackets are awesome. Plus, y'know, it's summer, so they'll be marked down 'cause it's too hot to actually wear one. And now that I actually wear consistant clothes sizes, all is good."
Ahh, he remembered well the days where one day he would be one size, and then had to graduate to the next size up a month later. Little wonder Zac wouldn't buy him any expensive clothes (even though Saku tried to tell him that his siblings could wear them).
Airlia and Tru
"I want leather pants," Airlia announced.
"Borrow mom's," Tru said.
"It always amuses me that I could actually borrow my mother's leather items of clothing," Airlia giggled. "But I want my own. Mom's a bit taller than me."
Saku
"Besides, leather clothes tend to mold themselves to fit your body. Or at least the body that wears them all the time. So Faith's leather clothes will be molded to fit her body, not yours," Saku nodded knowledgibaly. "And that means they won't be as snug, or accentuate your feminine curves as well."
He winked at Airlia.
Tru and Airlia
"Stop winking, it's unnerving," Tru said, faking a shudder.
"Well, like I said... not technically related..." Airlia laughed. "Anyway, so is Zac actually dating anyone these days? Not that I think he and Mom should back together... that was a recipe for disaster."
Saku
Saku chuckled.
"No," he replied. "Been too busy with kids and recording the new album with Uncle Ike and Uncle Tay. Especially now that Kylie's gone and left him with Brock. Oh... you wouldn't know about that huh? Kylie went psycho about a month after Brock was born and tried to kill me and Dee Dee and Elektra. Well, she hadn't tried to kill El yet, but she had put poison in my chicken and she was trying to strange Dee Dee when I walked in on her. Stupid girl. Like I wouldn't sense poisoned food. Turns out Dee Dee's a telekinetic though - she managed to protect herself from Kylie's strangling attempts until I arrived."
Saku shook his head in disgust.
"She's in a mental facility now. And good riddance. Bitch."
Saku found the name 'bitch' to be extra insulting, due to his hatred of dogs.
Airlia and Tru
"Whoa, things have gotten more exciting in pokey old Tulsa," Airlia commented as they walked into a store.
"I hope Dad does find someone to settle down with. One that likes kids, hopefully," Tru added.
Saku
"And one that doesn't get obsessed about him and thicks that he's going to be all hers," Saku agreed. "Oooh! Leather Jacket!"
He scooted over to the drool-worthy item of clothing.
"Mmm... smells niiiiice."
Airlia and Tru
Airlia got an evil glint in her eye as she poked through the racks of pants.
"Say, Saku... how about we freak Zac out..."
Tru looked at her half sister and brother in alarm.
"I don't think I like the sound of this..."
Saku
Sakus' eyes lit up.
"Do you have a deliciously, diabolical, evil scheme?" he asked. "Do tell."
Airlia and Tru
"You and I... we make Zac think we're dating. Or just having sex."
Airlia's grin got more evil.
Tru shook her head.
"Poor Dad."
Saku
Saku rubbed his chin.
"You are aware that this could have the unfortunate side-effect of having The Talk?" he said. "He tried to give it to me and Orion when I first started dating. I wouldn't put it past him to do it again."
Airlia
"But isn't it worth it, just to watch him squirm? Besides, if he starts to give us The Talk, we just go 'eh, we're not dating, is cool, calm down'."
Airlia nodded.
"Come on, think of his face!"
Saku
"Mmm... yesss..." Saku mused. "I do like the idea of making him squirm. Fun. Okay, let's do it."
He lifted the leather jacket off the rack, held it up against himself and admired his reflection in a nearby mirror.
"Plus, I'm also getting this."
Airlia and Tru
"I think I'll pass on anything leather right now, especially with Mom taking us to hot countries," Airlia said.
Tru nodded her agreement. "We need like bikinis and stuff. And guys, Dad is going to die when you tell him that you're dating, or sleeping together."
"Not die, he might vomit... and he might immediately ring Mom, but nothing so drastic as to die," Airlia replied, grinning.
Saku
Saku grinned as well.
"Yeah, this is going to be fun," he said. "Oh, can I come with you when you try on bikinis?"
He battered his eyes at them.
Airlia and Tru
"Well of course, you have to help me pick out which one best reveals my assets," Airlia teased.
"Ewww, oh God, I cannot be around when you do this to Dad," Tru said, wrinkling her nose.
Saku
Saku nodded seriously.
"After all," he said, "what's the point of wearing a bikini if not to show off your assets?"
He put his arm around Tru.
"Aww, well, you and I can go harrass the dogs next door instead, like we used to?"
Airlia and Tru
"Exactly. My theory is, if you're not getting stares from your hot body, then you are doing it all wrong!" Airlia announced.
Tru grinned. "I thought you would've outgrown that."
Saku
"There are some things you never outgrow," Saku replied sagely. "Hmm... I need pants to go with this jacket..."
He considered.
"Eh, I'll get them another time. I'll just grab this."
He took the jacket to the counter to pay for it.
Airlia and Tru
Airlia and Tru waited patiently for this transaction to happen, then they left in search of another store.
"Ooh, surf store, let's go in," Tru piped up.
She lead the way and Airlia followed along, checking out her surroundings.
Saku
Saku followed the girls, with his new jacket in it's jacket bag slung over his shoulder.
"Why are surf shops always so cramped?" he mused. "And for that matter, why do we have surf shops in Oklahoma? There is no surf. The closest things to surf we have in this state are pools, water parks, rivers and any of the two-hundred-odd man made lakes. They should call them swim shops."
Tru and Airlia
Tru shrugged and headed off for the bikini section.
Airlia looked around at the skirts for a moment, before flouncing off in the same direction as her sister.
"I cannot wait to go to the beach, it'll be so awesome."
Saku
Saku dutifully followed them.
Yes "dutifully". Ahem.
Please note, typical male, eyes roaming shop to locate any other girls trying on bikinis, and other tight-fitting, revealing clothing.
Airlia and Tru
Airlia stepped out of the changeroom, decked out in a black string bikini with gold lettering on one of the cups saying "ROXY". She posed for a moment in front of the mirror, then turned to Saku and Tru.
"Yes or no? Me? I'm loving it."
"I dig it," Tru offered, checking out herself, clad in a blue Paul Frank bikini.
Saku
Saku looked the girls up and down (with a deliberate leer).
"You look great," he said, dropping the leer. "Plus, I can see you've been working out. Or have you gals just been kicking vampire butt with Faith?"
Tru and Airlia
"Little of both," Tru told him. "She and Angel have been teaching us to fight."
"I guess she wants us to be prepared in case she's not there and we get into trouble," Airlia added. She stepped back into her changeroom to get dressed.
Saku
"Makes sense," Saku replied. "I think I should learn some actual fighting skills. Y'know, beyond clawing, scratching and biting. Wanna teach me some moves while you're staying with us?"
Airlia and Tru
"Sure," Airlia called out to him. "We're both getting pretty good, even if I do say so myself."
Tru laughed. "Except she lacks the discipline for a lot of the things I excel at."
Saku
"Yes, but what she lacks in discipline, she makes up for in sex appeal," Saku nodded. "Like that guy at the counter? He's been staring at you ever since you tried on the bikini. Of course, I wouldn't eye him off as a potential, erm, mate in return, because as the grandchild of Bastet, protector of women, I can tell you right now that's he's an overgrown mutt."
Saku nodded knowlingly.
Airlia and Tru
"Well, I do try," Airlia said, tossing her hair off her shoulder as she headed to the counter to pay.
Tru rolled her eyes good naturedly, and followed after her.
"So, where to now? We still need the groceries."
Saku
"Do-da-da-doo! Walmart!" Saku declared, raising on arm high into the air in the general direction of Walmart. "Groceries, here we come."
He beamed at Tru and Airlia, and led the way.
Airlia and Tru
After doing a hefty amount of groceries, they headed back for Zac's (and Saku's) place.
"So, ready to freak Zac out?" Airlia asked, eyes twinkling merrily.
Tru groaned. "I don't think I can watch."
Saku and Zac
"Yep!" Saku said gleefully. "Now, are we just going to freak him out via suggestive phrases and glances? Or are we going to do physical stuff too? Y'know, holding hands, hugs, kissing?"
In fairness, as much as Saku liked kissing girls, he wasn't sure he wanted to kiss Airlia anywhere but her cheek. Even though technically they weren't related, he did still think of her as his sister.
Airlia and Tru
"Hmm, no offence, but the thought of actually kissing you kinda wigs me out, but if you can do the magicks to make it LOOK like we're kissing when we're only pecking on the cheek, then go for it," Airlia suggested.
Tru giggled.
"Poor Dad."
Saku
Saku breathed a sigh of relief.
"I feel exactly the same," he said as he considered his magic bag of tricks. "Unfortunately, I don't think I can do that one. Illusion is not my forte."
Airlia and Tru
"Ok, well, we just peck. And hold hands and stuff. Should still convince him," Airlia grinned.
She reached out for Saku's hand and battered her eyelashes at him, as they headed from the car to the house.
"Oh Lord," Tru muttered.
Saku and Zac
Saku took Airlia's hand, and opened the door with his free hand.
"Dad!" he called. "We're back!"
"It's about time!" was the reply.
Saku picked up a bag of groceries and headed inside just as Zac appeared.
"How'd it," then he noticed Saku's and Airlia's hands, "go...?"
"Oh, good," Saku replied. "Finally got that leather jacket I always wanted."
He gave Airlia a wink.
Tru and Airlia
Tru took this as an opportunity to squeeze past them into the kitchen.
Airlia looked over at Saku with a coy smile.
"And I got a new bikini. Saku here, helped me pick it out."
Zac and Saku
"Did he..." Zac said slowly.
"Yep," Saku nodded. "Hey, as the nearest male it was clearly my duty to judge how well -"
"Saku?"
"Yes?"
"I don't think I want to hear the rest of that sentance."
"Okay," Saku grinned, and took the grocery bag into the kitchen. "By the by, I had no idea the changing rooms in the surf shop were so roomy."
Zac eyed Saku suspiciously, and Saku pretended not to notice.
Airlia and Tru
"Yeah, it's like they're built to fit two people, rather than one," Airlia said, following them into the kitchen.
Tru was already restocking the fridge.
Zac and Saku
Zac coughed, and Saku grinned as he helped Tru with the restocking.
"Maybe they are," Saku said mischeviously. "Y'know, for parents who are buying clothes for their kids who aren't old enough to change in changing rooms by themselves..."
Airlia and Tru
"Ohh! Is that who they're for?" Airlia feigned innocence. "Well, then some people were using them incorrectly today."
Tru groaned to herself.
Airlia caught Saku's eye and with a wink, deliberately bent down to restock the bottom shelves of the fridge.
Zac and Saku
Saku, knowing that Zac was watching, deliberately let his eyes rest on Airlia as she bent down. Zac gave him a long hard look, and Saku pretended not to notice.
"So..." Zac said. "You girls were planning on making dinner right?"
Tru and Airlia
"Yeah," Tru said, with a sidelong glance at her sister. "Got this awesome fish recipe."
Airlia nodded, hiding her grin to herself. "You pick up some interesting things in other countries."
Zac and Saku
"Great," Zac said. "Okay, while you girls are cooking, Saku and I are going to have a little... chat."
Saku glanced at Zac, then back at the girls and pulled a face.
Airlia and Tru
"Oh but Saku had promised to help," Airlia said, pouting slightly.
Tru made a strangled noise, then coughed to cover it.
Zac and Saku
"Well, y'know what they say," Zac said. "Too many cooks spoil the broth. Besides, this kitchen can only fit so many people."
"I'm sure if we asked the house nicely, he would increase the size of the kitchen," Saku suggested.
"The kitchen is fine the way it is," Zac insisted. "C'mon, Saku."
Saku shrugged and dutifully followed Zac out of the kitchen, now that the groceries were unpacked.
Airlia and Tru
"Ok, but Saku, remember you were going to help with dessert," Airlia called out after them.
She turned to Tru and almost cracked up, but managed to stay composed.
"Poor Dad," Tru sighed.
Saku and Zac
"Okay, Saku," Zac said once they reached the lounge room. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean, what's going on?" Saku asked innocently. "I've just been spending time with my half sister and my... umm... ex-stepmother's daughter."
"You know what I mean. All the leering and suggestive comments."
"Suggestive of what?"
"The sexual induendo."
Saku grinned. He wondered how long it would take him to say it. Not long apparently.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Okay, let's try this another way. Holding hands with Airlia?"
"I can't be friends with her?"
"The winking?"
"What's wrong with winking?"
"Eyeing off Airlia when she bent over?"
"Nothing better to look at."
"Giving the male perspective on their bikinis?"
"What's the point of wearing a bikini if not to attract men?"
"The changing rooms?"
"That's where the girls changed into the clothes they wanted to try on."
"And did you go in them?"
"Uhh, no."
Zac stared at Saku.
"I didn't!"
"Uh huh."
"Dad, you have a dirty mind."
"I have a dirty mind."
"Yes. Clearly you have been acting like a woman and reading way, way too much into what's going on. I mean, hello? Airlia's practically my sister! Talk about gross," Saku wagged a finger at Zac, throroughly enjoying this. "Y'know Dad, just because you sleep around - or used to - doesn't me I will, even if you and Nyx are my parents. And even if I did, it doesn't mean I'm going to start now. Or with Airlia. Whom, I might repeat, is practically my sister."
Saku raised his eyebrows. Zac took a deep breath.
"Okay, Saku. I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions."
"That's okay. May I go back to the kitchen now?"
"Yeah."
"Great."
As soon as his back was turned, a great big huge grin appeared on Saku's face and he returned to the kitchen, chuckling to himself.
Airlia and Tru
Airlia looked up as Saku re-entered the kitchen.
"Hey cool cat, what's the happy-haps?" she asked, walking over to preheat the oven.
"She wants to know what happened," Tru translated, cutting up the olives.
Saku
"Oh, I just twisted everything around and made it look like Dad just had a dirty mind," Saku grinned. "He questioned me about every little sexual innuendo, and I just made every one of them look perfectly innocent. And then he appologised to me for jumping to conclusions."
Saku laughed.
Airlia and Tru
Airlia joined in his laughter. "That's so awesome."
She opened the oven and slid the tray inside.
Tru looked up from where she was grating the cheese. "Poor Zac, I swear, he's going to be so traumatised when we leave."
Saku
"Yeah," Saku agreed. "But he brings it on himself."
He eyed the counters for a free spot to sit on and found none.
Airlia and Tru
"Ok, this is baking for like 20 minutes," Airlia said, more to herself than anyone else. "Is the salad done, Tru?"
"Just about," Tru replied, grating some cheese over the top.
"Ok, and I suppose we better put the pears to boil on the stove," Airlia told her, going over to the cupboard and pulling out a huge pan.
She looked up at Saku. "Wait, do you like pears?"
Saku
Saku turned up his nose.
"Not really, but I don't exactly enjoy eating any fruit and veg. I am a cat, after all. But don't let my opinion prevent you from cooking any - I'll eat 'em if you put 'em in front of me."
Airlia and Tru
"H'ok," Airlia said, peeling the pears.
Tru was setting up the pan, putting sugar, red wine and cointreau into it.
"So, what's it like living with so many kidlets?" Tru asked.
Saku
Saku shrugged.
"Well, Ella does all the real work. Dad helps sometimes," Saku grinned. "My contribution was protection spells. Spells to keep the kidlets safe, and spells to keep their poop from making the changer of the diapers want to gag. Ahem."
Airlia and Tru
"Nice," Airlia said, waving her hand slightly. She bent over to retrieve another bowl from the cupboard, then straightened up.
"We should call Mom later and let her know we're alive," Tru reminded.
"Oh yeah, I told her I'd call around 8," Airlia answered. "So, is there anything really to do in Tulsa at night?"
Saku
"Umm..." Saku considered. "Well, there's always P3. It's alien/mutant/everything else friendly. Of course, you also need ID to get in..."
He coughed.
Airlia and Tru
"Hmmm, unless I sneak in with Piper and them," Airlia mused.
"Ok, well it's almost done," Tru spoke up, looking at the oven.
Saku
"Marvellous. I'll go get Dad," said Saku.
And soon the odd little family gathered together to enjoy the girls' fine cooking.