There was a pause before Kale burst out laughing, he actually spit crumbs of cupcake out as he leaned forward. He had never laughed this loud with Blaze before.

Blaze's eyes widened and she scooted back a little as she looked at Kale strangely.

Kale finally managed to stop laughing, looking up at Blaze with very amused eyes. "Friends with Wolfe?" he asked before chuckling again. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and smirked, "I don't think Wolfe really had any friends, besides James. I'm not sure how James did it... but he somehow got Wolfe to let him through that calm and prefect exterior." he chuckled again before explaining, "Wolfe doesn't make friends, he makes allies."

Blaze blinked. It wasn't clear if she understood or not, but she nodded a little after a moment.

Kale nodded a little, "You got him to see you as an ally. That's about as far as you're going to get." he told her before taking another bite out of his cupcake.

Blaze shook her head a little. "I don't think so," she replied. "I don't think he likes me."

Kale blinked at Blaze, "He tends to give off that vibe." he explained, "But if he talked to you at all, you're tolerable in his eyes."

Blaze wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she dropped the topic to talk about other things.

Kale continued to eat sugar, chatting a bit on whatever topic she brought up.

As they were finishing up their meal and after the current topic ended, Blaze suddenly casually asked, "Would you ever consider being in a relationship with someone who had, like, the Devil's Kiss or something and they didn't have long to live?"

Kale slowly stopped eating as he turned to stare at Blaze. He didn't say anything for a long minute, studying her. "If I cared for that person, yes of course." he finally replied in a serious tone, "Everyone dies eventually."

Blaze pretended not to notice Kale's stare, but she quickly tried to move onto another topic.

Kale followed her conversation switch but seemed to remain deep in though, his speech more automatic than before.

Blaze spoke about random things until they were both done and ready to part ways for the night.

Kale looked as though he wanted to say something deep as they parted ways but didn't. He stated walking away but stopped, turning back and looking over his shoulder with his typical sideways grin, "See you tomorrow then." he called out to her before continuing on his way.

Blaze turned back, but didn't say anything. Then she continued on her way.

In the morning, Pepper and Laurel took a Juttle and left. She said a quick goodbye to whoever showed up but wanted to get going.

James sighed as the Juttle took off and said something in a quiet voice to Wolfe who nodded.

Blaze went to wish Laurel goodbye. And as shocking as it was, Yue also stopped by for a moment.

The next few days were full of events and searches. Kale wouldn't be available at nights for the next week because he was scouting. He let Blaze know ahead of time. It was clear he was at least a little sad about it, it was hard to tell with Kale.

Laurel had called in every night so far. Her father had woken but was still very weak and drifting in and out of consciousness. She had tried to call Nic but he didn't pick up and she figured he was still on the road.

Finally there was an afternoon of break during which James stole Yue away using all means of force and trickery to get her on a jet with him. "We're going to a lake." he explained as they flew over England.

When Blaze did see Kale, she tiptoed around him a little more than usual.

Yue snorted, determined to make this a bad day.

Blaze didn't see much of Kale, he was either asleep or away.

James just chuckled, "You're cute when you're annoyed." he teased.

That made Yue even more frustrated, although she tried to hide it. She couldn't seem to keep her face away from the window though.

James smirked charmingly but backed off. "It's one of the only natural places that isn't completely polluted." he explained, "I found it on my last visit here. It's pretty relaxing since it's so secluded." he paused before adding, "You know what I love doing here?" he actually waited for a response.

Yue rolled her eyes instead of guessing.

"Swimming n-aked." James grinned before acculturating and making a swift right.

Yue sighed a little. Somehow she knew he was going to say that.

So James took the plane in for a landing on a small field. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, "C'mon!" he chirped, "Let's get distracted!" he laughed, reaching over to pinch Yue's cheek.

Yue slapped James' hand away. "I'm not a kid," she spat at him.

James raised his eyebrows, "Let yourself be one today." he persuaded, "No one's here... except me. And you don't care a boulder what I think anyway." he reasoned, "So don't be so uptight." And he wiggled his shoulders around as if to emphasize his point.

James' words didn't seem to comfort Yue. But she silently got out of the jet.

James grinned like a child as he grabbed Yue's hand and started to tug her along after him, heading towards the lake.

"Let go," Yue complained as she tried to take her hand back. In her other hand was her tablet that she had refused to leave behind.

James only squeezed her hand tighter, smiling back at her, "Nope."

Kale wandered around the large hovercraft. It was a rare sight, him being out in the afternoon. He looked rather ridiculous in his large sunglasses which covered his eyes from every angle. Even with them he avoided windows as much as possible. He was clearly looking for something or someone.

Yue cussed a little at him. "What's your problem?!"

Blaze was going through her typical routine like on any other day. She was currently doing some yoga at the gym.

James whistled to himself as they reached the top of the hill and looked out at the lake. Indeed, it was beautiful. James had found a gem. But he wasn't looking at the lake, he was looking at Yue.

Kale eventually found Blaze and slipped inside, sitting against the wall and watching her stretch.

Yue's eyes looked out over the lake, but she wasn't seeing it completely. How could she with an attitude like hers?

Blaze didn't notice Kale enter. She seemed fairly focused on what she was doing, and she was wearing headphones to block out the surrounding noise. She certainly wasn't a beginner. She made many difficult moves look effortless.

"Hey!" James suddenly declared, "Wait right here!" and took off at a jog back towards the Jet.

Kale seemed to content to watch. He didn't want to disturb her routine. Well, at least he meant to watch. It wasn't long until he fell asleep.

Yue seemed content enough waiting. After a moment she sat down facing toward the lake.

After some time had passed, Blaze finished and quietly gathered her things before leaving, still not noticing Kale's presence.

James came back with... yes, a basket. He set it on the grass between them and smirked at Yue.

--

At dusk Kale was out looking for Blaze again.

Yue didn't notice the basket at first. But after a moment or two she turned and then stared at it with a "you've gotta be kidding me" expression on her face.

Blaze was still following her usual schedule. She spent some time in her room before leaving to get dinner.