Ten year old Mike muttered in awe at seeing a couple of sharks through the glass on his right, "Man."

Gretchen, who was holding his hand, continued to walk slowly with her son through the underwater viewing tunnel that has observation glass that you can see through at both sides and even up at the ceiling. She and Mike gazed upward and saw another shark swim over the tunnel. She looked down to her side and asked him with an amused giggle, "Pretty beautiful, isn't it?"

Mike smiled warmly at her as they still walked through that tunnel, "Yeah." He did like seeing the sharks swimming at every corner of his view. Even above him! Also a part of him was just glad that he wasn't SWIMMING with the sharks. He rather watch them than do that. No way he was gonna end up like one of those people from that movie 'Jaws'. He can almost hear that creepy eerie music buzzing in his ears right now just by looking at them!

Mike and Gretchen walked on and on, until they both exited the tunnel and shortly ended up out of the building. Standing outside somewhere in the theme park of SeaWorld Orlando. Seeing several small groups of people wandering about in separate directions. Heading off to whatever place in the theme park they're going to. Gretchen pulled his hand, leading him the way as they wander on the concrete trail. The warm sunshine of the summer above them showed that it was the perfect day to come to SeaWorld. So far, along with the long walk around the huge place, they went on a couple roller coaster rides, ate some very good food, went to a exhibit that has sea lions, got on a flamingo paddle boat together, and has went through that shark tunnel.

Mike was beaming to himself, still feeling pleased that he gets to go to the one place he wanted to go in Orlando. Not Disneyworld. But SeaWorld. He really loves SeaWorld. Made him wish that he lived in Orlando instead of Ft. Lauderdale. And this was the third trip in his life to the theme park. Even though he has already been to SeaWorld, it feels like the first time now.

What he loves the most in this place....Is the Killer Whales.

And Mike can't wait to go see them.

Gretchen and Mike slowed down their pace, letting the sun warm them up, and she asked him, "So, are you having fun?"

Mike gave her a happy nod, "Am I? I mean, who cannot love SeaWorld? I feel like I want to be over the ocean with you already."

His mother giggled and her long brown hair moved around when she shook her head, "Yes, but you know you can't yet, honey. Not till you're older. Sorry."

He whined, "Aw, but I don't want to wait till I'm older. That ain't fair."

She shrugged, "Sometimes life ain't fair, Michael." Then her head glanced back and forth as she was looking around the area, mumbling to herself, "Alrighty....Where do we go next?" Then a second later, she playfully gasped and made a tooth filled smirk, "Hey, Michael....Do you want to see the killer whales at Shamu Stadium? I believe there'll be a show about them today." She gave him a wink.

Mike gasped in excitement, "Really?! Oh boy! It's about time!"

Gretchen and her son stopped for a moment so she could narrow her eyes at him, "Michael. Not so loud."

His face went wide and he was shaking his head fast in apology, whispering, "Oops, sorry."

She wiped that narrowed look off her face and replaced it with a smile, "Oh, I love seeing the orcas too. But I don't scream when I'm that excited."

Mike glanced at the bright sun, squinting as it blinded him, "Still, I'm sorry. I just....You know me."

Gretchen replied with a nod, "I know. And we'll get there." They both resumed their pace as she continued, "We just have to find your brother and uncle first."

They weren't the only ones who came to SeaWorld. Mike's brother, Scott, and his uncle Joshua have came along with them. They're just wandering around the theme park separately for right now. Which it was like a good idea to him. He didn't want to listen to his brother whining. The thing was he and Mike thought that their mother was gonna take them to Disneyworld this year, but instead she changed her mind and decided to take them to SeaWorld, much to Mike's happiness. He hated going to the place where....It's filled with so much Disney, that's how he'd put it. He doesn't like little kids stuff all that much. However there are a FEW Disney movies that he likes, but not a lot compared to his brother. And Scott has been protesting and complaining to try to get their mom to change her mind. But she remembered they have been to Disneyworld last year, so that was the reason why she chose SeaWorld this year.

And boy, much to his annoyance, Mike had listened to Scott complaining still AFTER they came here! But good thing Joshua came about. Scott would've drove him crazy. And the other good part is....He gets to spend some alone time with his mother.

Mike took his eyes off the sun, looked at his mother and asked her with a frown, "Awwww, why do we have to find them? Won't the show start soon? Why can't we just go there all by ourselves?"

Gretchen tugged his hand still as she led him around a corner, "Because I want all of us to sit down and watch the show together, that's why."

Then Mike came up with an idea as they walked past a gift shop, "Can you call Joshua and tell him that we'll meet them there?"

His mother sighed, "I would've, but I accidentally left my cellphone in the car. Maybe they're near Shamu Stadium. Let's head over there."

Mike thought it was good enough for him and didn't argue further. While they strolled on, he felt his hand was being squeezed so tightly by hers that it hurt him, "Ow, mother. You're squeezing my hand."

Then her face went wide and she loosened up her grip, giggling in embarrassment, "Sorry, Mikey."

Mike groaned, trying to pull his hand away from her grasp but to no avail, "Mom, first of all, don't call me Mikey. Second, can you let go of it now? I'm not a little spaz like Scott, you know."

She gave him a stern look as a couple with one daughter strolled past them, "Yeah right. You tried to run off on me earlier and I told you to stop. But you didn't. You were acting like you were still in preschool. I think you remember why I'm holding your hand now."

Oh yeah....He did remember. He just forgot about it. The young boy shrugged his shoulders and said like he wasn't in trouble at all, "I'm not in preschool now. Scott outa be in preschool still since he acts like a spaz."

"Quit calling your brother a spaz."

"Well he is! All he does is whine, whine and whine. He didn't wanna come here and he's still complaining about it."

As the two of them strolled near a lake that has several people riding on flamingo paddleboats over the water, Gretchen giggled deeply, "Well, I'm glad your uncle came along to help me out with this." She let out a calmed sigh, giving in to what he wants, "Fine. But if you run off like that again we're leaving early and you won't get to see any orcas. Deal?"

"Deal." Finally after she grasped his hand for a long time, she finally lets him go. Afterward, Mike was tenderly rubbing his hand. Gosh, she held him tight! Mike whimpered a bit, "That really did hurt, you know."

Gretchen apologized as they kept going along the same speed as the couple of paddleboats on the water near them, "I'm sorry." She reached and playfully rubbed the top of his head, messing up his hair, "I just don't want my little Mikey running off and get hurt."

Mike was a bit annoyed and he tried to smack her hand away with both of his, "Mom! You're messing it up!" She giggled at him after she jerked her hand away and his swipes had missed her. He made a glare at her giggle, "And what did I tell you? I don't like it when you call me Mikey. You even called me LITTLE Mikey! That's the worst way to call me that."

Gretchen remarked with a motherly smile, "Oh but honey, you're always my little Mikey. And your brother will always be my little Scotty."

Mike kinda wanted to demand her to apologize to him again for calling him by that silly nickname of his. Especially in public! But he decided to let that slide. He basically already forgiven her anyways. The little boy replied with his glare going away, "Well, I won't be LITTLE anymore someday."

His mother held a breath and let it out, "I know....And you two may grow up to be sailors." Then she pointed a finger at him, "Or in your case, you might be doing archery competition when you're older."

Mike smirked as they both paced away from the lake, "Either that, or I might become the modern day Robin Hood and do good for the poor."

Gretchen nodded, "Sounds heroic." Then she frowned, "But I kinda don't know about that. I just think you should stick to competitions."

The ten year old human groaned, "Mother. You worry too much."

While they strolled past another mother who was giggling at her own son playing with a small plush toy orca, Gretchen grinned a little, "I'm your mother. I'm supposed to worry."

Then Mike waved her off, making a crack, "Well, worry about Scott. Not me." He held up his chin in pride and in playfulness, "I think I'm old enough to take care of myself."

The older female human wrinkled her face, "Not old enough to ride along with your momma on her boat, Michael."

He closed his eyes and whined, "Nrrrgh.....I know." He opened up his eyes, let out a sigh and grinned to himself, "Well, I wish I could speed up time. That way I wouldn't be little as you view me now."

"But then you wouldn't be little anymore sooner, and then you'll miss being a kid." Then Gretchen wrapped one arm around his shoulder and held him close to her, "You still look adorable to me. Makes me wonder if you'll still be adorable when you're older."

Mike embarrassingly rolled his eyes at that, "Oh mom."

Gretchen held her gaze to the pretty blue sky and was humming in thought, "Orrrr..." She chuckled to herself, gazing down at her son beside her, "Or maybe when you're older, you'd still be adorable when you find yourself a girlfriend. I think that'd be adorable indeed."

That made the little boy's eyes go wide and he pushed himself away from her, "MOM!" Both of them stopped on the trail and Mike stuck his tongue out like he was gonna gag, "Gah! Girls are gross!"

His mother's mouth opened agape at that, "EXUUUSE ME?" Gretchen firmly planted her hands to her hips, playfully declared, "Your MOTHER'S a girl, sport!"

Mike's face flushed as he can hear a little girl crying far behind him, "Ah, well....ALL girls, except you."

She giggled and gave him a proud nod, "That's much better. Cuz, if you didn't say except me I'd ground your little butt when we get home."

Mike had his eyes going wide, "What? You were gonna ground me for THAT?"

"Hmmm....PROBABLY."

Mike rose a suspicious brow, "PROBABLY?"

"Just be glad that you've said 'all girls, except you', Mikey." Gretchen teasingly winked.

Mike stared at her for a moment before nodding, "Well, since you were PROBABLY thinking of actually doing it, then I'm glad I said it when I did." Then he rolled up his eyes, mumbling, "Honestly, that really is a stupid reason to ground your son. I mean, c'mon." His mother heard him and held her fingers to her mouth when she playfully snickered. The young boy just grinned at her for a second before they went back to walking and looked ahead as they both grew quiet.

They kept on striding for a little bit longer until Mike can see the Shamu Stadium up ahead. Seeing the entrance and the orca whale mural on the wall near the opening at the distance. He doesn't see his brother and uncle standing near the place, so he believes that they're inside the stadium. Before mother and son could walk any further, Gretchen stopped him when she held him by his shoulder. Mike was confused and frustrated at first when she stopped him, wanting to get to that show as soon as possible. But the boy didn't fight it and turned to face her, "What?"

Gretchen held a serious look in her eyes as she looked deeply into his, "Michael....I want to ask you something."

He asked her in a bit of impatience, "Would it take long? We're probably going to be late for the show. Uncle Joshua and Scott are probably in there."

She shook her head, "This won't take long. I promise."

Mike took a deep breath and let it out, "Alright....What is it, mom?"

"Well....Have you ever wondered what your life would be like later on in life?"

Her son tilted his head, "Um....Not that much." He giggled, "I guess, I'm just a kid still to not think about it." Then he wrinkled his brow, "Why? Are you ok?"

Gretchen sighed with a strange look in her eyes, "....I'm sorry."

Mike felt worry within his chest and he asked in concern, "Mom?" She looked like she was...Nervous. Well, she does look a bit nervous when he does archery and fires arrows, but this seemed different. It was like something REALLY bothered her and it worried him.

Gretchen answered him as she took a deep breath, "Sorry. It's just....It's a little hard to explain, but sometimes I get this...Weird feeling."

"What weird feeling?"

"I don't know....An odd feeling in my chest. It....It feels like I'm gonna be going somewhere....Somewhere far away. Like....I may never see you again. Well...Maybe the reason why I asked you that question is....What would you do when I'm gone, you know? Like would you....Be like your father? Or would you do some sort of good for the world? Maybe I'm just a little worried....For you and Scott."

Mike found that pretty strange. He knows she's not going somewhere and leave him forever. Wonder where she even got that feeling? Mike shook his head and comfortingly said, "You're not going anywhere. At least...I don't think you are. I wouldn't worry about it. I know I'm not."

Gretchen smiled at him a bit, "I guess you're right....Michael?"

"Yea?"

Her hand went off his shoulder and it was caressing his arm up and down. She also stroked away some hair on his forehead with the other one, "Just promise me one little thing....One day when you see someone in trouble.....Save that person. Even if it was your brother or uncle. Be a good boy. Can you promise me that?"

Mike was a bit surprised about making that kind of promise for a moment, but then he smiled back and nodded slowly, "Um....Yeah....I promise."

Gretchen paused as she looked fondly in his eyes and gave his forehead a kiss, "Thank you....I love you, sweetie."

"I love you too, mom."

She removed her hand off his arm and that's when they heard a voice, "There you are!" The voice belonged to Joshua. He and his mother turned and saw Joshua and seven year old Scott jogging up to them. Joshua was catching his breath a bit as he and his nephew stopped in front of them, "I figured you were coming here. Knowing my sister always loves the orcas."

Gretchen laughed, "And I'm not the only one, you know." She patted Mike's back, "So does he."

Scott was grumbling when he lowered his gaze and crossed his arms, "Can we go home now?"

Gretchen appeared stressed when she asked Mike's uncle this, "I take it that Scott's still not happy?"

Joshua replied with a sigh, "Yep. He keeps whining about not seeing Goofy and Donald Duck at Disneyworld."

Scott looked at Joshua and exclaimed, "I love them!"

Mike rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Scott, enough being a spaz and just enjoy one freakin minute in SeaWorld. Besides they're just a couple of people in costumes, anyways." He motioned his hand towards his brother, "Aren't you a little old enough to know that the Donald and Goofy you've seen before are not real?" Gretchen gave him a glare and Mike had his brows up and shrug his shoulders. Well, it was true. People dress up in costumes as Disney characters. And apparently, Scott's not getting it. Right now Mike wants to rip the heads of Donald and Goofy off just to prove his point!

Scott actually ignored what his older brother mentioned and angrily shot at him, "This is your fault!"

Then Mike's eyes shot daggers back to him, "No it wasn't. This was mom's decision."

Joshua sternly said to the both of them, "Knock it off, boys." Then he grew a smile, "Let's get in that stadium and watch the orcas do their show." He clasped Scott's shoulder, "That'll be entertaining for ya."

Mike decided to help out with an encouraging smile, "Yeah. C'mon. Watching the whales is always fun. Be kinda like watching Free Willy in real life."

But Scott just whined again, "But I wanted to see Goofy and Donald!" Mike's smile went away in an instant and he groaned to himself as he turned around on him. Pretty annoyed by him....AGAIN.

Gretchen shot him a glare, sounding tired of this, "Enough, Scott. We'll see them next year. Now please....Stop doing this already." She whirled around and patted Mike's shoulder as they both went ahead and walked up to Shamu Stadium, "Come on." Joshua didn't need much coaxing when he told Scott to come along. The younger brother of Mike was just pouting as he walked along with his family. He didn't say a word again.

All four of them went through the entrance of the stadium, and not very long they can all see the very huge water tank that holds the orca whales in it. About three of them were in there and they were swimming in the same pace around the area. There was a stage close to the water where a couple of trainers are standing by waiting for the show to begin. Mike was smiling in excitement. He can feel that it's gonna be great.

He and his family took a seat along with several other people who came to see the show. Mike was shifting impatiently around, waiting for it to start already. Then about several minutes later, one big orca whale actually jumped out of the water and landed on its back, making a big splash. Everyone gasped in awe and surprise at that.

Upon seeing that in her sleep, Lunasin woke up with a very small, startling gasp escaping her muzzle. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her eyes were just wide for a moment before they relaxed. She looked around, raising her head off the cave floor while at it, and sees that she was still in Bajara's cave and staring right through the entrance shows it was nighttime still. Thinking about Bajara for a moment she turned her snout and sees the host of the cave sleeping peacefully nearby on her stomach, snoring lightly as one of her wing membranes twitched. When Luna looked down beside her, she sees the older version of Mike sleeping too underneath one of her wings.

Luna gazed down at the cave floor and let out a breath. Goodness....It was just a dream. 

Then her face went wide again. Another dream of Mike's past! This was the third one!

She snapped her silvery gaze on the little human close to her black scales. It happened to her again. The third time it had happened. And like the last two times, she was surprised.

She honestly wanted to wake the little guy up and tell him all about those dreams she had, including this one, but....She couldn't. He looked sleepy and comfortable and she didn't want to ruin that. The black dragoness looked away from him to gaze down at her forelimbs in front of her chest. Perhaps she'll tell him about those dreams tomorrow. But who knows what will happen since she and him will take Bajara back to her village tomorrow, after finding that out from Mike when he came back with Bajara after she walked off crying.

Now her mind went on to the newest dream she had. Boy....This one was pretty amazing and strange to her. She remembered in the first dream she had about his past that Mike mentioned something about wanting to go see SeaWorld and apparently he and his family went to that place. He, his mother, brother and....Even his uncle were in the new dream. This was the first time she's seen Mike's uncle, and his name was Joshua. And according to what Joshua said, he's related to Mike and Scott's mother. Looks like a strong human...Just like his nephew....Mike.

Lunasin giggled quietly as she thought about Mike's brother. Scott really didn't look happy in that dream, and he kind of had a cute way of showing it. He was driving his whole family, especially Mike, crazy. The thing that Scott said came to mind. Something about wanting to see....Donald Duck....And Goofy at Disneyworld? Luna's mind was filled with confusion. Other than SeaWorld, Mike and his mother has mentioned Disneyworld before in the first dream as well. What is that place exactly? And who are the ones that Scott wants to see? She's never heard of names that are more foreign than Mike's! They sound WEIRD!

Luna was snickering to herself at the odd names, trying not to laugh loudly so she wouldn't wake Bajara and Mike up. Then she frowned to herself a few seconds after that. Another curious thought crossing her mind. Mike's mother sorta brought up Mike's father. Wonder what happened to him? How come the dragoness hasn't seen him yet in those dreams? That's what she's wondering.

Then a smile of amusement appeared on her muzzle. What she saw in the middle of the dream was something Luna has never seen before. That several humans were riding on those....Floating things over a lake. What were those floating things called? She wasn't sure.

And another thing that really surprised her....Was something that was called....Orcas or killer whales....Whichever it was they called those creatures. And also the things that looked smaller than those huge black and white things at the beginning of the dream. The ones that....Mike and his mother saw when they were in that....Odd tunnel of some sort. She thought it looked beautiful. But what were those smaller creatures called? .....She didn't hear them mentioning what they were.

Goodness, those appear to be some of the creatures that belong in Mike's world! They're strange...But amazing to her! And they appear to be creatures that thrive to live in water. The orcas to her looked absolutely beautiful. Something that would never exist in Avarilan.

Luna's eyes begin to look droopy as she was feeling tired again. Well, that was enough of her thinking about that dream. She needs to sleep. There's going to be a big day tomorrow. She'll be helping reuniting Bajara with her mate. She hopes that it'll work out. The red dragoness still thinks about Perdrue and Luna feels that they need to be together again. She was just glad that Mike came up with the idea and was also glad that Bajara had accepted it. And a feeling inside her was hoping that there won't be too much trouble while at it.

She'll find that out.

She lowered her snout to the cool cave floor and sighed pleasantly. Then she closed her eyes, ready to try this again since the dream has went away.

But gosh, she wished that the orca in the dream didn't scare her awake! She was actually loving that dream in particular.

Well, she can hope that it'll show back up again. Mike's still sleeping, and she knows that the dreams are coming from him, so perhaps it will.

And HOPEFULLY, she'll have the chance to tell him about those dreams, including this one, and ask him all the questions that're swirling around in her mind.

*****

While I was still lying on my back with my eyes closed, I can hear giggling nearby. That roused me awake. I clenched my jaw tightly and moaned deeply before I opened my eyes groggily and saw the morning blue in the sky. After I blinked a few times, I rose a bit and sat up on the grass, stretching up my arms. I let out a yawn after that and looked down to my side, seeing Emily sleeping peacefully close to me. She was lying on her side facing me, one of her hands barely touched my side. I grinned at her. Well, at least she didn't hear the giggle.

And since I was thinking about giggling, I heard it again. It sounded like it came from Cora. She must've been already awake. I turned my head, since I heard which direction it came from, and at about several feet away I saw her laying on her stomach with her back turned. Wings laid out on her sides and she tapped that red tail of hers on the ground. And she wasn't alone. Sitting beside her was...Rick!

My eyes widened up at this. My girlfriend's father appeared to have been smiling and he was stroking Cora's back. I think she was enjoying it and I hear her crooning. I tilted my head in confusion. Hold on....Rick? Is that really Rick? And he's petting her? He hardly ever did that sort of thing.

What's going on here?

I got off the ground, trying not to wake Emily. She hasn't. When I stood on my feet, I looked around the camp. First seeing the firewood that was all grey and ash now. Then at Damon to see if he was woke up by Cora's giggles. He was still asleep all curled up on the grass, his long green tail was tapping on the ground. I mentally giggled. I guess I'm the only one who heard her. Lucky for both Damon and Emily. Then I glanced to Cora and Rick still close together. Well, I better see what's going on.

With that, I walked up to the two of them. My footsteps had Cora's ears perked up and she arched her neck to look behind her. She beamed as she saw me and greeted, "Morning, Scott."

Rick followed her gaze too and did the same thing, "Hey there. Mornin."

When I stopped where I was at near them, I frowned at Rick, "Uh....Mornin to you too?" I stared at Cora with a quizzical look, "What'd I miss? Is Rick-"

She answered immediately, gesturing her eyes to Rick's hand still laid on her back between her wings, "Petting me?" She nodded profusely, "Actually, yes. Are you surprised?"

I playfully smirked, "Pretty much. I petted you before, but this...." I shot my gaze at Emily's father, raising a brow, "This is new."

Cora shot up her head while Rick lifted his hand off of her, "I know, right?" She twisted her neck to glance at the older human beside her, a disappointing look on her face, "Aww, why'd you stop?"

Rick chuckled deeply as he got off the grass, "I'll pet you later. I need to talk to Scott." She dipped her head and whined.

Huh.....I wonder what he's going to say?

Rick whirled around and came up till he stood in front of me, a grin on his face still, "Did you sleep well?"

I replied slowly, "Umm.....Yeah.....What's going on here?" I made a gesture to him, "Did you sleep long to wake up freakin happy? You're acting like it."

He giggled and shrugged with his hands, "Well, this isn't an act and I got a lot of explaining to do."

I bet you do, Rick. Behind Rick, I saw Cora shifting around on her stomach to face us and she started to explain what's going on with them, "Well, here's what happened. I was up maybe an hour ago, waiting for all of you to wake up." She raised a claw to point at Rick's back, "Then he did a bit later. And when he came up to me, he....Actually apologized to me about before."

I tilted my head at that, "Really?"

Cora nodded a bit, "Yeah. And we were talking to each other for a little bit. And also he made a joke to me." She shyly giggled, "Which by the way if my giggles woke you up, sorry bout that. I tried to be quiet, but that joke kind of got to me."

I asked her with a frown, kinda curious about this joke Rick shared with her, "What joke was that?"

"It was about him and Rocko raising me and Emily."

"Ok....How'd he put at this joke?"

That was when Rick interjected with a small chuckle and a wave of his hand, "The point is....I made an apology to Cora, and I was showing it by hanging out and talking with her. Figured I would get to making myself a favorite person for her to be with since I wasn't being one before. And...." He formed a smile, "I gave her my blessing to travel with us on the journey. I won't tell her to go home anymore."

My heart skipped a beat hearing that, "Wait....You did?"

Rick nodded, "Yep, I did."

The short red dragon shrugged her shoulders and admitted, "Actually, at first, I didn't believe it. Judging by how he was before, I thought he was just saying it." She grinned, "But as minutes went on, I can tell that he isn't the usual Rick. He's acting like Rocko a little bit."

Rick looked over his shoulder, giving her an appreciative grin, "Thank you, Cora." She held up her snout with that grin still on her muzzle.

I asked him with that frown upon my face as he gazed back to me, a bit of amusement in my voice, "Um....Are you Rick? Or did some Lost Souls SOMEHOW kidnap him last night and now you're just a....Replica made by magic or something? You're not really acting like the Rick I've met."

Rick just giggled, "Very funny, young man."

I know I was half serious and half funny, but gods he's giggling at my crack! What the hell?

Wait a second....Did Damon....?

Rick started to explain, "Since you're wondering what's changed me, well....Let's just say a green scaled fairy talked to me in my dreams and told me to stop being an ass."

I chuckled, "A fairy?"

Then he shrugged his shoulders and laughed quietly a bit, "Ah, well actually, I was up in the middle of the night and so was Damon, and he talked to me....Alone. Actually, Damon confronted me about a lot of things." He gestured to me then waved to Cora behind him, "One thing was about what I said about the two of you." He lowered his gaze in shame, "But it was mostly about Emily, and....I can't blame him when he was mad at me. I did hate myself for what I did. I....I never made my daughter cry before..."

So Damon did talk to him! He actually did it! I started to say to him, "Rick-"

I think his eyes showed guilt when he looked at me and said, "I guess, I better get on with this....I have to.....Scott." He placed his hand right on his chest, "I'm sorry for everything....How I treated you for days, and what I've done to you the other night....Slugging you across the face especially....It was all wrong, and I'm sorry." He motioned that same hand towards me, "You have protected my daughter....You have for a long time. And I didn't thank you for it....You're better at it than me, and I'm supposed to be her father. But....I didn't do a good job. Now....I'll say it....Thank you, Scott. Thanks for protecting my daughter. And....Thanks for staying with her while I was being an intolerant, judgmental asshole."

My heart lit up as he said that. Rick gave me a smile, "You aren't a bad boyfriend. You aren't like your brother. And....Well, I suppose your brother's not bad anymore either, after he saved our lives." Cora cocked her head behind him, since she doesn't really know the full story of what really happened to Mike. Rick proudly went on, "You boys aren't really bad. Your brother's a hero, and so are you."

I actually smiled at him, "Wow....So....Uh....Are you-"

"I won't give you any more crap and I'll give you a chance. A chance that my daughter wanted me to give you a long time ago. And also, I won't try to ruin your relationship with her ever again." His eyes formed a bit of seriousness, "But I still hope that you two don't have sex before you get married."

My cheeks blushed a bit at that, but then I formed a playful look and shot at him, "Hey, that still ain't your damn business."

Rick rolled his eyes and giggled, "Whatever. I'm still the grownup."

Well....What he said was good enough for me. And I know he definitely means it. He is feeling guilty and I see it in his eyes. He wasn't lying to me, nor Cora.

Rick held out a hand in front of him, wanting to shake hands with me, "Want to shake on it?" My eyes rolled down to see it still held out and without another second I grabbed it firmly and shook it.

I said in gratitude while still shaking it, "Thank you."

Rick nodded and let go of it, "You're welcome." Then he shrugged his shoulders, "Hey, since you did make a good point the other night that I don't know you and your family, well, while we're travelling you can tell me about yourself and your family as much as you want."

I nodded in return, "Yeah, while you were not being a jerk I did plan on it."

Rick asked in a bit of a playful way, "Am I being one now?"

I giggled deeply and shook my head, "Nope."

Cora shook her snout behind the grownup, "Nope. You're not being one."

Rick nodded again at our replies, "Good." Then his gaze stared past me and he waved his hand, "Hey there, Damon."

I looked over my shoulder and saw Damon padding slowly to us, apparently have woken up. He made a smirk on his snout, "Hey guys." When he stopped right behind me, I whirled around and saw him twisting his neck to pop it, "Oooo.....How's everything going?" He curled his neck in a s shape as his wings settled on his back, his eyes concentrated right on Rick, "Is the hatchling here behaving?"

Rick chuckled, "As a matter of fact, I am."

Damon shot up his head proudly, "Good. That means you've listened to me." Then he was lifting a talon and pointing it at him, "Cuz, we both know if you didn't, well-"

Rick was giggling as he nodded before the dragon could finish, "Oh, I know, you scaly fairy. I know." I turned my head away to giggle as well at hearing that.

Damon's eyes showed confusion, "A scaly fairy? Why'd you call me that?"

Rick waved him off, "Tell ya later. But point is I'm behaving."

Damon let out a whoosh of air as he took Rick's words to heart, "Well, I'm glad things are doing alright. So what did I just miss?" His eyes were trailing to me then to Cora, "Anything good with them?"

Rick replied as he walked up to stand beside me on my right and also gestured to me, "Actually yes. I already talked to Scott and Corajan here and apologized to them. That's about it." He looked to me, "I'm sure there won't be any tension left in the group. Especially with this kid here." I looked back and smiled at him in appreciation.

Damon smirked, "Heh, I am proud that you've made amends with them. And at least you didn't call Corajan by a different name....Like me."

I looked up at Damon's gaze and teasingly shot at him, "He still hasn't. He still calls you with any name he comes up with."

Damon wasn't mad, but he growled deep in his throat as he looked away, "Yes, I know.....That isn't fair." I snickered as he perked up his head and grinned widely at Rick, "But I did tell this human last night to once and for all call me DAMON from now on. And you just heard him....He just called me Damon."

Rick giggled mischievously and rose a finger, "Don't count on it. Your name STILL is hard to say."

Damon reared back his head, "What?" He narrowed his eyes and tried to threaten my girlfriend's father as his tail wagged behind him, "Rick, you better not-"

Rick strolled up and patted the green dragon's shoulder, "Morning, Daryl."

Damon whined and stomped his forepaw on the grass, "Narrgh....Damn it." I snickered again. Oh brother.

Cora got on all fours, folding her wings on her back. Then she padded up to stand close to my left, giggling with a teasing grin and a flick of her tail, "Poor Daryl. He doesn't like his name."

Damon shot a snort to her, "My name is DAMON. Or DAMONEN, short one."

Cora waved him off with a forepaw, "Whatever, Daryl. You can like your name if you want. I don't care." Then she pleasingly crooned, her tail twitched behind her, "I just want Ricky here to stroke my back some more. I love it."

Rick giggled in amusement and glanced to her while still standing close to Damon, "And I promise I will later....Coraline."

Cora cocked her head, "What?"

"I just called you Coraline. That's your name, remember?"

Cora's eyes widened up, "What?!" Me and Damon laughed as she glared at Rick, "That's not my name! My name is Corajan!"

Rick shrugged with his hands, shaking his head teasingly, "No, it isn't. I think, you said your name was Coraline." Cora crouched low, growling at him. I was just snickering at her reaction beside her. I don't think Cora's taking the different name calling well like Damon here. He took it well a few times, but right away Cora didn't like it at all.

I don't think Rick will stop there. I can only imagine it.

Damon said this to them, "Alright, enough guys. Let's get something to eat before we go."

Cora gasped in excitement and stood up straight at the word 'go'. Apparently forgetting what they were talking about, "Oh, then let's eat already!"

Damon giggled and from behind him I can see Emily has woke up and made her way to us. She was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. I giggled at her. I think with all the yelling and laughing we must've woke her up. Emily after she stood beside Damon greeted us with her voice still a bit groggy, "Morning."

The green drake looked down beside him and smiled at her, "Hi, Emily. Uh....Did we wake you?"

I think she lied when she smiled and shook her head in reply, "No. You haven't." She held a fist to her mouth and yawned loudly. Then she cleared her throat, trotted up and gave me a good morning kiss on the lips. She cutely gazed into my eyes, "Were you up long enough without me?"

I replied with a grin, "Not really." Then I gave her a quick kiss back. After I did, my eyes caught Rick actually smiling warmly at the two of us. Emily saw me looking at her father and she followed my gaze.

Other than seeing the proudness in Rick's eyes, when he looked right at Emily, there was also guilt. I knew what he was thinking about. About that night. About her crying. Rick finally said to his daughter in a pleasant tone, "Hi."

Emily however, didn't appear to be happy looking at him. She was giving him a heated glare. Something that a father shouldn't want from his daughter.

Rick took a step forward and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to speak, "Um....Emily, I-"

But Emily angrily sighed and strode fast past Damon, who had a surprised look on his face, trotting back to where she came from. My eyes had went wide as well, while Cora tilted her head in pity and Rick just had guilt filled eyes. Emily made it to where she was and sat straight down, only staring up at the sky.

Ohhh....She's still pissed at him. She didn't even say hello to him.

I shot a glance at Rick and sighed. Well....I know he was trying to apologize to her and say he has changed, but Emily isn't in the mood to speak to him. I think he needs to give her some space for now.

Heh, maybe his behavior might wash off him and onto her. She'll see that he's not that guy anymore. And we should thank Damon for that. I looked up at Damon, grinning a little.

Thanks, big dude. Thanks for putting an end to that shit.