Nic paused a little longer this time, but he decided, "I'm fine with it."

"Good. I guess me kind of dating him started after that whole racetrack deal..." and suddenly Laurel smirked, "Isn't that right, Paisley." she teased.

"... I don't like being called that name," Nic told her bluntly.

Laurel chuckled a little before yawning again, "I know." she replied, amused.

Nic didn't say anything else. He still seemed a little annoyed by the name.

Laurel seemed a little pleased with herself, "Well, goodnight." she told him, kissing his cheek before moving to close the door.

Nic nodded before turning to leave.

A bit later Laurel went off in search of Raven.

Raven wasn't in any of his usual spots. He didn't seem to want to be found. Even Dan had no idea where he was.

Laurel settled for Dan, asking if she could sleep near her.

"Uh, I'm not very tired," Dan told Laurel. She had been sleeping at odd hours.

Laurel sighed a little, "Alright, see you later then."

"... Alright..." Dan replied. "See you later."

In the wee hours of the morning a loud buzzer sounded. Someone was approaching. Laurel was yawning as she walked towards the entrance with Rosen at her side.

--

Kalma checked on Yue, they were landing.

Everyone came to see who was coming. Except for Raven.

--

Yue was still out with no sign of waking.

Kalma sighed before motioning to one of the doctors. He came in and gently picked up the still shining Yue.

Kalma then went back to James.

First off the shuttle after it had landed was Kale, wheeled out and unconscious. Laurel started to look a little sick and Rosen patted her on the back lightly.

As usual, Blaze was by Kale's side.

Next came the doctor carrying Yue wrapped up in a blanket. Laurel gasped a little and glanced at Nic. The girls that had come shifted and whispered to each other. Rosen just sighed.

Nic looked... confused. She didn't look sick. But he didn't ask yet.

Laurel turned back just in time to see James. Her eyes widened and she froze a little, he didn't look like that same man at all.

James was still half hiding behind Kalma but there was a rigidness to his eyes now, a coldness. He looked around at everyone without recognition, his head twitching to the right every few seconds in irritation at something.

"J.... J-James?" Laurel asked, trying to swallow the lump in her throat as he didn't appear to hear her. She took a few steps forward but Kalma put out a hand, motioning her to stop as she kept an eye on James. As soon as Laurel had moved his eyes had snapped onto her. There was something violent in them, dangerous. Without realizing it, Laurel took a half-step back. Rosen took a step closer to Laurel, also watching James.

Nic also took a stance to get between James and Laurel if it became necessary.

It didn't seem to be necessary as James lost interests in Laurel and began looking Nic up and down with his calculating eyes.

Nic didn't provoke James, but his eyes were a little hard.

James continued to eye him for a moment before he snorted, not unlike an animal, and turned to walk away. Kalma stayed by his side as everyone moved out of the way.

Laurel watched him go, looking very overwhelmed. Then she looked back and audibly gasped. There was the last doctor, a waking child of no more than 2 or 3 in his arms. She was blacker than Laurel but there was no denying some similarities. Laurel stared blankly at the child until the eyes of the sleepy child found her. Then, in freakish unison, both of their gazes filled with fear as Laurel suddenly scrambled behind Rosen, visibly shaking and the small child hid in the chest of the doctor.

Rosen was clearly taken by surprised as he tried to turn and see Laurel who was gripping his shirt from behind.

Nic actually showed a little shock for once as he looked between the girls. Then he let out a deep sigh. This was going to be trouble.

"L-!" Rosen cried out as Laurel fell to her knees. It was all just too much at once, she was breathing way too quickly.

The tiny girl because to wail in shrieks and the doctor sighed, "Excuse us." he told the group as he took off down one of the halls.

Nic glanced at the little girl once more before going over to Laurel to make sure her head didn't hit the ground.

After another moment or two, Laurel was unconscious. Rosen sighed a bit, "Always overreacting..." he muttered under his breath as patted the top of Laurel's head.

Nic didn't say anything as he carefully picked Laurel up.

"You gonna stay with her now?" Rosen asked Nic with a yawn, "She doesn't sleep well alone."

"... That's not the best idea," Nic replied.

Rosen sighed, clearly a bit annoyed as his eyes rolled slightly, "Then hand her over." he suggested, reaching out to take Laurel.

Nic surprisingly handed Laurel over without a word.

Rosen muttered something inaudible under his breath but it didn't seem like kind words as he took Laurel and turned back to his room.

Nic stuck around for a little while as most people started heading back to bed. He started a conversation with Missy, and they talked for a long time.

In the morning, Laurel and Rosen were up early. They were outside under the tree, working on dance moves. After a bit Laurel went to check on Nic.

Kale started waking in the morning, he seemed to be more alert.

As usual, Nic was in his room. But shockingly he wasn't at his computer. And even more surprising was that he was asleep in bed.

Blaze was there as usual, reading again.

Laurel watched Nic for a long moment, relief in her eyes. She quietly slipped over to him and made sure he was properly tucked in before leaving once more.

Kale stared at her for awhile before before clearing his throat and smiling.

Blaze blinked, glancing over at him. She seemed to have been wrapped up in what she was reading. "... Morning," she told him.

Kale nodded a little, "We're back?" he confirmed.