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Catherine, Aphrodite, Nariko, Garreth , a flurry of stuffed animals and new pets, and Baxterfullous had been gone from the MM HQ for nearly a week away, a vacation perhaps... Catherine felt they needed it, so they could bond. She had spent the week at Salem's home, all the way in the coast of barton. No direct trains led there so.. it was a less than normal ride to and fro to say the least. She prayed she was cleared to have the enchanted door portal added soon, train tickets were becomming expensive.

Catherine already had begun to notice somethign was wrong with Aphrodite the long week they were gone. She wasn't active as she should have been and sometimes she'd sleep longer and longer as the day went by. Another worry fell upon Catherine, could she be sick? If she was sick how could one treat a two and a half inch tall wasp baby?

With all worries set aside, she was still happy to be back at the MM HQ, a place she could confidently call home. Nariko and Garreth also came back with Catherine, not wanting to leave them alone at Salem's home. Making due with the little space at night they all cuddle close on the bed, Aphrodite having either the entire dresser top to herself or sharing a pillow with her sister and mother.

Catherine took a breath of releif as she flicked on the ligt, but a small crunch beneather her feet made her blink. " Huh? " She said as she looked down. She settled Nariko quietly down on the floor by the larger toys, Garreth following suit as she bounded his way towards his favorite ball. Asleep in her hands, Catherine settled Aphrodite on the bed pillow on the dresser.

Making her way back to the door, she bent forward picking up the lone envelope. " .. Whats this? "

" I'd read it if I were you", baxterfullous interjected as he made his way into the room their luggage following his command. "It might have to do with Aphrodite. "

Catherine nodded and opened the letter immeadiate and gasped at Baxterfullous's prediction. " You're right! ... but how would they know... Nevermind." Catherine slumped her shoulders, is a more than eight foot tall mishap can magical alter the state of exsitence around it.. anything was possibly. Though the idea of someone watching her without her knowing made her spine chill.

Sighing quietly she sat on the trunk that was at the foot of the bed, using her foot to close the door. Looking around the room she wondered what could se do, some of the wording confused her. Maybe Aphrodite needed a pick me up? The fridge was empty, since the long week had passed and she yet had, had the chance to go shopping at the market. Catherine decided it was time to visit the MM kitchen and see what they got.

Garreth was now edging Baxterfullous with a book. "Come on Unca Baxi, can you read to me?" He smiled quietly, his large rump in the air.

Nariko was sitting quietly infront of the television, her frost amulet in her mouth.

Catherine stood up from where she sat and pulled the red wagon out from under her bed. Placing an unused pillow in it, she miled over to NAriko. "Nari-chan..." she said in a sing-song voice. "Do you want to go with Mommy and Aphrodite to the kitchen down stairs?"

"Ooo! Ooo!" She jumped up and down at the thought of spending time with her mother and sister.

Cather picked up Nariko from where she sat placing her inside the wagon. She then moved to lifted Aphrodite from where she slept.

The tiny baby yawned a bit, loking up at her mother, she didn't seem energetic and bubbly as she would normally be when she was woke up from her naps. Infact, her dipostion seemed unhappy.

" Bax, I'm taking Nariko and Aphrodite to the kitchen alright?" She miled a bit, her worries piling up once more.

"Alright... I'll be here with Garreth, I do hear there is a nice movie on tonight." Bax said as he glanced at the TV guide. " I'll call you when it's on."

" ...Thanks." She said with another small smile as she headed out of the room and into the hallway, closign the door behind her with her behind.

" Alright... now let's see which story should we start off with..."

All the blinds in the room were shut and the only light that shed through the room was that of the television screen before three infants. The sleek black cat named Baxterfullous was napping quietly on the bed, beside him was Catherine watching the cartoon caper from the bed. A smile on her face as she watched the cartoon rabbit race across the screen with a very angry detective inside a very sarcastic cartoon cab.

"PULL THE LEE-VAR!"

"Which one? Which one?"

' This one stupid. '

" I'm gonna ram'em!"

An eruptions of laughs came from the trio as soon as the black van and two motorcycle cops crashed while the rabbit, the detective and the cab narrowly escaped. Catherine wearily looked at Aphrodite, she seemed happier, but something was off.

" Hey Roger, what do you call a middle of a song?"

"Gee.. I dunno... A BRIIIIIIIGDE!!!"

Another eruptions of laughter came, Catherine watched as the tiny baby yawned... Then it hit her. Finding the letter for the quest off the floor she went to the bathroom to shed some light on the letter, more so not to disturb the babies watching the movie.

The few keywords that confused her started to make some sense, Catherine brought the palm of her hand to her forehead harshly. "Stupid stupid stupid! How could I've been so stupid?" She continued to slap her forehead. " I've been looking for human answers to human problems! "

Making her way back into the room, turning off the light to the bathroom. She began to set up her Laptop and turned off the volume as it connected to the internet. Typing she went to a well known source of information... AskJeeves.com. She knew the internet would be a good source of information, mainly because well she didn't have a books on wasps, or know anything about wasps in general except that their stings hurt. once the answer was found how ever... She felt even stupider than before. Slapping her forehead once again she scrambled towards the fridge. Seeing nothing but an empty baby bottle and some formula she quickly closed the door behined her. diving towards her trunk at the foot of her bed, she rummaged to see if she had any flower or fruit nectar.

" None! " She failed, and sat on the floor.

The trio stared at their mother wide eyed, wondering what she was doing. Baxterfullous, had a single eye open, his curiousity intrigued. Catherine decided to no explain her actions, but to instead call a friend for help. Pickking up lemon and turnign him on, she went out of the room and into the hallway, keep the door but a crack open. " Lemon call Duke." She said quietly, kneeling before the cat bot.

" Certainly! " He squeeked and low ringing emitted from his speakers.

" Hey hey hey... "

" Duke! I need a favor.."

" ...I'm not here right now, I'm busy doing stuff. What stuff? None of your damn buisness. If you want to talk, leave a message and I'll eventually get back to you if I like you. *BEEP* "

Catherine gulped. Duke's not in a good mood, she thought. Might as well try.... "Duke I need a favor, Aphrodite's not feeling too hot and she needs a pick me up, I did some research and I think she needs nectar.. perferablly flower but I think fruit might do... Can you get me a bottle? If you can great.. if you can't.. wlel I'll see what I can do. If you can get a hold of Salem I think he knows where you can get some... Thanks. "

A tiny click was heard after a small puase when she finished her message. Lemon danced a bit trying to cheer Catherine up, sighing when it wasn't working and waddled back into the room.

Catherine took a seat outside the room, sitting by the door in the hallway on the third floor. She needed a bit of time to think, and decided to let the children finish watching the movie... after that? She decided that everyone needed a breath of fresh air.

< Episode 9 End. Duke was used with prermission.>