The Time  came  to  start dishing out the   food   Shadow   would fill the  bowels with  scrambled   eggs... Shade  would add  3  srips of bacon  and  Hack would  add two pieces of Buttered  Toast.

  Two. Tired looking  Hotel workers   said,HEY!..We Got a Buncj of Chocolate Milk here!... Text says 'Shade"

 Shade Bleeped  and pointed...
He  says to  put them in the ice troughs out there?... and he  wants  some...

 Sneak and Jax   said..We're On it, LC...  and went out to hand out  cartons to the kids  and  put others in the trough to stay cold.. Maria  tossed two to Shade...

 Teh  Kids looked  at the Food , some with wide  eyes and Hugs  smiles.. others..in dibelief..and a few  fought  back tears..

 Shoey helped  hand in  cartons  of  bacon..cartons of   eggs  and Loaves of bread

 meanwhile the kids sat on the roof, just like Shadow said..watched the sun come up over the  water  and slowly hit the beach... Runner  said,..never seen the sun  come up  like this?

 Jax  smiled,wait until you see bBura,,,Its a new Time for  you guys...no more Gangers, or street punks? No more stem rats..no more  wondering when you would get nabbed?...

.........

 a Very stern Looking Stefi stepped into the   Condo...where is  Sakura!... she was supposed to stay in that room over night... what if shock hit here...

 Shadow snorted  as he  dished out eggs,.. don't look at me..  Last i heard she was on Garrat's ship?

 yeah!..and she got her head knocked off...

  Shadow shrugged.....if you find Lizzy, you'll find her.

 ..You don't seem to concerned? eyebrow raised.

 she's not a Pilot?...she wasn't on delta Night..and she  doesn't wait tables?... so?...not under my  supervision

 Stefi glanced at  Hack, The Admiral shrugged,....it was  part of   Delta  Night by default... we didn't even know she was out there.., and?  The LC  has  more then enough reasons   so. we'll just let that slide...

 That still doesn't answer my question...

Zob eventually awoke from his slumber he took a quick shower and got dressed in a comfortable off duty uniform before quietly slipping out of the room and made his way down to the kitchen where he saw all the kids, "Its good to see all these kids up and doing well" he said from the shadow of the doorway.

  Shadow waves to food,Two more kids  and adults  can start grabbing eats...

 beth  is sipping  coffee,..most of them are eating on the roof watching the sunrise..

Roy rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, and then rubbed his close-cropped hair vigorously before pointing to a door.  "Pretty sure O'Conner's room is in there.  Didn't see them go in, but I could hear a couple of female voices in there sometime in the wee hours.  Surprised your med techs didn't keep track of where she went..."  He shrugged.

"Let's face it, if anything had gone even a little bit wrong, Lizzy would have been wailing loud enough to alert the entire medical staff of Everest AND the Delta Fleet, so I think we can relax on that score..."

He gave a grin to the kids who were bringing up the tail end of the breakfast line, pleased and amused at the sight and sound of so many of them so delighted with how their day was starting.

She had woken early like normal but didn't move to get up once she realized that Arnie was still there. With a smile, she snuggled back up to him though still being mindful of his injury. Her body ached everywhere from the prior day's activities but his presence at least dulled that pain. When he finally began to stir, Billie kissed his neck softly, enjoying the closeness.

The Buttcrack of Dawn

Nikki finally woke.  She could hear Mitch in the shower.  She was still tired and achy all over.  She yawned like hippo, so loud it slightly startled Gregor "Sorry Bud" she said stretching as she sat up in the bed.  The kids were still out of it.  Getting out of bed she stretched the kinks out again then getting her small personal care ditty bag walked over and knocked on the doo to the bathroom  "Mind if I brush my teeth?" she asked
"come one in" she heard him reply.
Entering the room was a bit steamy.  On the clear shower door she etched 2 hearts amid the steam with her finger.  she then went and began to brush her teeth.  When done she cleaned up a bit and went to return her kit to her bag.  She grabbed some casual clothes and a towel and into the bathroom again.  by now Mitch was out. he was checking his teeth and hair as well.  "Morning"
"Morning" he replied.
Niki came over and gave him a kiss then began taking off her clothes to step in the shower.  She smiled as Mitch gave a quiet whistle.  Nikki washed and washed her hair too.  Feeling better as the bleck of the night before was washed away.  She felt better now, more 'human'.  Soon she stepped out and began drying off and wrapped her hair to dry.  Mitch had stepped out now and Nikki dressed.
Coming out she gave Gregor a skritch.  She knew he'd be hungry and in need of a walk soon.  She woke Haley first "Morning Punkin'" to which the girl just mumbled and yawned as she rubbed a bit of sleep out of her eyes.  Nikki walked her into the bathroom and had her shower and get ready for breakfast.  Before getting out Nikki asked her if she wanted to play on the beach or go to the spa.  Haley liked the spa, but she liked the beach better.  "Beach" she groggily replied.
"Okay.  We'll see if LC will watch you and Roll.  A few of us are going to go to the spa.  If I get time I'll join you." she let her know.
Haley finished rinsing off an got out.  Then went and brushed her teeth.
Nikki got Haleys clothes to wear  and thought of something.  Went and got a marker and wrote on one of her t-shirts 'I belong to En. Rutledge'  just in case. then took it to Haley.  After Haley dressed they came out.  And Roll was just waking up  "Good Morning Sleepyhead" she smiled at him.  Mitch was ready to go and was rearranging his bag.  Making sure his gear was up to snuff.  Nikki led him in to the bathroom and had him shower as well.
She looked at Mitch "Why don't you head to breakfast...we'll be up soon" She began brushing her hair and Haleys hair  "How about we just let it loose today?" she said to Haley who nodded.  Mitch thought a moment and also nodded "I'll save a table for everyone and if I see Jax or Sneak I'll let them know Roll will be coming up soon" He came over and kissed Nikki then headed for the door.  He still was kind of skittish around Gregor as he had gotten a bit larger.  eventually he got Gregor to move from the door.  in the hall was a bag.  It had Rolls name and 'Larg Master' written on it.  He moved it into the room.  then he went to the mess for breakfast.
Nikki went and got the bag and sat it on the bed and opened it.  he pulled out some clothes for Roll.  Going to the bathroom she knocked and cracked the door a bit "Roll....your bag is here and I have some clean clothes for you.  I'll set them on the counter and get your dirty ones to take back and hang you uniform up okay"
"Yes ma'am...thank you" he replied.  Nikki gathered the dirty clothes up and rolled them to place in the duffles and hung up Rolls uniform next to Mitch's.
Soon every one was squeaky clean and had shiny teeth.  the room was in a bit of disarray, but at least it was organized.  Both kids had their backpack with things for the beach.  It was even suggested that maybe another attempt as building sandcastles might be nice.  Plus it would be nice to practice swimming too.  Before leaving Nikki pulled out some paper creds and showed them where she put 10 creds each, for emergencies, into a hidden part of their backpacks.  Of course she knew anything could be an emergency in a childs eyes.  Still they couldn't tell anyone or someone might ty and rob them.
Finally ready they left the room and made sure it was secured.  They would take care of Gregors needs first then go to breakfast.

Finally arriving there were a lot of kids "Admiral, LC,...Ambassador Shade" she greeted them "Could I have these two join the line and I'll five you all a hand?"

  Mitch was Looking around,  the LC  said, You'll have to use the couches  and  stuff in the VID screen  area, or   down in the  dance area.. or ho out  on the roof   and  use  chairs... not  enough eating space for  everyone,

  Roll  let Haley go ahead of him. gregor  went outside with  Larry and Mila to have thier won breakfast from the 'Larg bin' Once the Kids  were all out on the roof and  eating and talking, Adults began to  get served.

 CE-VA entered the  Condo,I was goign to eat  breakfast at the Admiral's with  some of the others?... But i heard the  LC makes  his own?

 Hennings   and Bale were there  as well, as Bale  says,.. Oliver has  some damn good food over there..but it doesn't seem to have the same  feeling as home cooked...But? there are alot of Suits over there enjoying the  food, and One of your Piltos , with a woman that i haven't seen before.

  Yeah?  Steele. That woman is  either a damsel in distress ... or the bottom of the barrel when it comes to spies .

 you you have  Steele  with her...

 Aye, Sir...figure she   either got  all the information  she can ever get, and  will 'disappear,  and we can hunt her  down... or? she's the real deal and she  stuck around   so we can get her off this massive tin can.

 SEC troopers  peaked in, Hack waved to them..Get some food.... rotate so there is some one out there.. then everyone on duty , eats out there, just in case..

 Shoey grins his grin as Maria  and  Rolfe are the  first of the  ..on duty..people..to get in line behind Mitch and  Nikki.

 They moved out of the way as  a tiny  dark skined kid came in from outside he held his bowl up..he looked scared..can  i have more meat strips...he  said  in a  very small shaky voice..

  Hey, Can..you mean Bacon?  yeah... you want more eggs too?

 The Little kid looked up at Shadow like he was  a god.....I..I can have more?

  Shadow   nodded to Bale who took the  boy's  bowel and Shade  filled it like before Shade  added  4  strips of bacon  and the Little  kid walked back out  , marveling at  a SECOND..full bowl of hot..not 'used' food!

 Beth and  Flroes   sat by the 'game table and started to eat, Flores said,I could never  imagine  living like those  poor kids

me,  Shadow, Roles?  we had it rough..but at elast we had  a parent  and a home?..These kids? The simple little  things is like a  miracle..

 Speakign of Roles.... anyone see him?

 Hennings  laughed,..he's doing quite well... Boranberry came  back from the GAme, and we haven't seen either of them since..

Lying within Lizzy’s arms, Izzy would eventually fall asleep though not before the nights events had gone around and around within her head with all of the usual questions that came with such an incident. Come the following morning it would become apparent pretty quickly that Izzy would require more than a little coaxing to get her out of bed, as she laid there with the covers pulled over her head like she was fully intending to hide there for the day. The throbbing pain caused by the burns on her face had thankfully subsided, but was still far too painful for her touch meaning that she had been forced to sleep on her right side all night, with the one time she’d rolled onto her left causing her to cry out before bursting into tears. All in all Izzy was not a very happy bunny.

 Lizzy held Izzy close when they awoke Lizzy smiled and said, Morning my love, I hope you feel better. Also you can't hide my love,  we have a spa day now come on lets get that cute butt going. Lizzy smiled and spoke nicely,  she wanted to keep things as normal as possible. Lizzy then looked into Izzy's eyes and kissed her deeply.

 Lizzy than got out of bed and held her hand out for Izzy to join her.

Despite her hip still feeling a little tender, Harry would wake up the following morning in a decidedly playful mood with her proceeding to tease and caress poor Will in an attempt to coax him into fooling around with her before disappearing into the shower with a giggle that said she wasn’t done with him and that he was more than welcome to come and join her.

Once she was done in the shower she would change into a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and her boots before following the scent of bacon and eggs in search of breakfast where she hoped to meet the rest of her friends for the spa day.

Mila smelled the bacon and came over to scrounge a piece.

Henry woke with the thought of bacon... now was that the smell drifting in the door or was it Mila? She was certainly thinking about it.

He stretched and rolled over, finding Val still asleep. He kissed her anyway, then realised he needed to get up before he drowned her.

Once up, that was it. Better to wash, dress, and find some of that breakfast. He left as quitely as possible and headed for the kitchen.

  Will was still a bit stiff, something that made him more, then a little angry. when  they were cleaned up  he CAme Out and saw a  stern lokign Stefi  waiting   behind the  near edge of the counter  as others  got thier  food.

  Hennings  called out to  the  people beginning  to Gather,Coffee pots  are set up but the  small table  next to where beth and Flores are..Can't miss them, look for robes. he  adds,..Captain Morris  has  two teapots  steeping    tea  and some kind of apple   flavored Tea...

 Captain Si said,..Brice?  I  am wearing a Robe?

 he colored just a bit...Um..yes...well... The women sitting down who aren't angels...

 That's for sure.....

 Beth Pelted   Shadow with a  wadded up napkin

 Will stopped  by Stefi and asked  why it still hurts... Because  , SGT Call..you were almost cut in half... if  you had lesser armor on, you would have toppled off your  trunk, like a tree being cut  down.... If you had no armor on at all? You have have  been brought back in two bags... so? yes..you are stiff stiff and sore... but you are alive....

 Will Nodded   and  went  towards the Game table to  get in line

I don't know how  true this is, But the Bacon is supposed to be from Aura..sees pigs and Hogs love it there.. taste pretty dame good so? I'm just goign with , its  real Bacon  and not  fake food

 Meari woke up and did her normal routine.  She had no idea what she was going to do today but she did hear that the kids where going to the beach, she would like to join them but she has no swimming gear with her.

 Meari gets ready just in duty uniform with kukris, sidearm, boot knives, no swords, bow or shotgun.

 She heads to the smell of food and after walking in she says, Wow that smells amazing, may I have some. She smiled at the kids and was happy they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 Sam had tried to see Izzy but she was getting treated and with Lizzy. Sam hoped her friend would have a full recovery.

 Sam got up wondering if they where doing the spa day with Izzy getting hurt. Sam gets dressed and heads to the condo fir breakfast with the LC and the kids. She will look for Howe and Izzy.

  Howe  came, he worked his  way to the Back of the Line in, his eyes   a  bit blood shot...He smiled at Sam... ready  for the   Ball tonight?

  Si caught that, and   started to  type out a Text in her COM  as she said out loud..she texted , pretty much what she said aloud..

  Ladies!.. come to   The Admiral's Condo at 1:00 to  pick dressed, get hair  done and make up.. Lt Frans and   Gia will  be helping with Make up...we do not have far to go, to attend the Ball.but  we will be suing Limos   for 'effect!" enjoy the day!


........
 now that  the Kids  were served ( a few comign in for seconds) Shadow   kept  working and whistled  the song 'polaroid'  from the  ..dragon people?.. he'd have to check the old Vids...

 he managed to   use his    whisk and spoon to  what would be clapping and Shade Bleeped  along. Hack grinned  as he  Butters slice  after   slice, never  seeming to get the stacks more then 2 slices high!

 Beth and Flores grinned at Shadow as they sipped thier coffees,  looking for all the  world like a short order  Cook, rather then some  killing machine.

 Gia showed up with Machins.. Machins  started to Laugh  at Shadow and Shade  cooking, but the Laugher stopped when he notices the  'tee-shirted' Admiral looking at him  with a raised  eyebrow.. Gia  elbowed him..rather hard, in the Belly.

 You do this often?he asked  as  they got inline behind Meari.

 Shadow never   stopped his  whistling  or  'beat". He just nodded  and Shade gave a thumbs up
..............

 Arnie   sat up, there was a brief  curse  as he remembered the wound..I smell  a 'Shadow breakfast'..its not Gourmet by any means. but its  damn good, and  its a  'Team thing" , Hermes folks getting together and all that.

he  got  up and gave her a playful whap on the  rear..comon' big day to day...and  a bigger night..

...........

 Shadow notcied    Mila  and    nodded to   Shade  who got a pair of strips   of bacon and  held them out to Mila.

 Larry and Gregor  we feasting at the  trays that one of the SEC troopers    filled with warmed 'larg food"  from the bin. out on the roof.

Returning Lizzy's kiss, Izzy was able to momentarily forget that she'd lost half of her face in a flash of searing heat that had tossed her into the opposite wall like a ragdoll. Unfortunately it was only a short reprieve from her troubles with her very reluctantly taking Lizzy's hand and allowing herself to be lead towards the bathroom with her cautiously raising her left hand in search of the door jamb as drew closer. It was also clear despite not having said as much that she wasn't looking forward to a spa day anywhere near as much as she'd been the previous morning with Izzy, perhaps quite understandably, looking to be in a subdued mood.

With none of their usual fun and games the shower would be a quick one, with Izzy continuing to angle her face away from Lizzy for much of it, with her then going on to change into a pair of jeans and a hoodie and then brushing her long dark hair so that it fell across her face and ignoring her makeup entirely. Once she had finished pulling on a pair of converse trainers she would quietly ask "would you like to get some breakfast?"

 Sam smiled at Howe, gave him a hug and said," I will be after I go see Captain Si and her Angel Silk dresses. A bunch of us ladies where going to go for a Spa day, but Lizzy and Izzy where coordinating it, and Izzy got part of her face severely burned last night helping out Garret. If we dont do spa day, are you going to the beach?" Sam smiles at Howe but she will also keep an eye out ofr Izzy she wanted to see her and talk to her badly.

 Meari saw Gia elbow Machins, Meari looks at Machins like what did you do and Meari smiles at Gia. Meari waited in line when she gets her eggs and bacon she smiles at Shadow and gives a big warm smile to Shade. Meari heard Captain Si and was a little bummed she was not invited to the ball this time. She will get her bowl and her toast from the Admiral, she almost saluted him but her hands where full. She smiled and nodded," Good morning Sir have you seen my cousin Captain Dusk, or my Granmod Lilith Sir, I wish to discuss some matters with them Sir, also Sir do you need Security at the Ball I am not allowed to attend the Ball I am not an Officer Sir, but I would like to attend Sir."

  The Admiral Looked  at Captain Si..Well?...

 Captain Si looked around   at Maria  and  Scarlett and  the others  and she smiles,Considering trhe Surprise Oliver and  the Board have tonight... Lets  Have all the Ladies  attend?..   We can get Volunteers  from the  Guys  to   stand watch?

 Hack held  up his  butter knife and  a frswh piece of toats as  if to see 'its up to You"

  beth?  send out COMs to  The Ladies   , if they wish to come to the Ball , come to our Condo at 1:00 for  dress fitting  and the like.. the send  another  for   Men to volunteer  to SEC  duty at the Ball.

 On it!.... she set her   coffee  down and opened her   Vid board, complaining that someone for got to exit out  before shutting the board  down.

  Dusk and  Lilit  are  in my condo having a ...er..lavish..breakfast.. there seems to be a  couple  suits who  are prowling around  your Cousin.


.................

  Howe   shrugged,I was goign  down to  the beach anyway. Don't see what one person goign down  would   derail it for everyone else? If  we all thought that way, none of us, would do anything?

 Sam smiled at Howe and replied," Yes your right, doesnt mean the rest of us cant go and have fun and get pampered. Again Steve you see through everything and see it how it is, thank you Steve." She then leans up and gives him a kiss on his cheek.

In reply to Isobel Sakura (msg # 948):

 Lizzy smiled when Izzy joined her in the shower, she again noticed Izzy trying to hide the hurt part of her face. Lizzy smiled, and looked Izzy in her eyes, gave her a kiss carefully but still full of love and tenderness. Lizzy hoped that would tell Izzy what happened to her face didnt bother her except that her girlfriend was hurt, it did not change how she felt about Izzy at all.

 Lizzy got dressed but kept a close eye on Izzy if she had any problems she would help her out. Once they where both ready Izzy asked if she wanted to get some breakfast, Lizzy smiled and replied," I would love too get some breakfast my love, come on lets go." Lizzy would grab her left hand with her right and walk beside her smiling, she would say," Izzy you will heal and I will love you even if it doesnt heal right, we are in this together ok." Lizzy holds her closer and they walk slowly to LC's condo and breakfast.

 Meari smiles and nods at Captain Si and says," Thank you Captain, it will be my honor to attend the Ball, and the dress was amazing Ma'am thank you."

 Meari listens to Admiral Hack, she chuckles and replies," My Cousin has suits prowling around her, well maybe in a few minutes I might go check on these suits and make sure they are worthy." She nods at them both and then sits down and eats her breakfast wondering when should she go check on her Cousin and speak to both of them about getting new arrows.

She jumped slightly when Arnie sat up and groaned. “But…I was comfy…” she complained as she smiled. “Alright…I suppose breakfast…” she got up and stretched. Billie would have loved a more…physical activity but he was injured and the food did smell delicious. “Let me shower and all that…” It took her a bit to shower, brush teeth and put in her contacts but when she came back out, she was dressed in a tanktop and a pair of her jeans that had several holes in the knees. “I suppose I should have Stefi look at this wound as well…” she gave him a sheepish grin, realizing that she had forgotten about it last night.

  Arnie  shook his head with a chuckle ,..that's a good  way to get Stefi to like you...don't  report injuries until the next day, she'll love that...

 well?.. lets get something to eat first, then you can hunt her down..
.........

  Shadow showed  no sign of slowing  down n the Eggs, making sure  people were gettign   served and ...the occasional Stem kid  comign back in for seconds.. Runner  came in  and got a refill ..Shadow   said...Hey?..Runner?.. You make sure those kids  know they can have  seconds? or   go to the  grils  wil the food  on the tables out there? You hear, no being shy..you guys are part of the family  these next couple days....

 I will Mr   LC!

 Hennings   looked  down the counter,..you think there are some of those  kids  that won't come in?

  You saw that first kid, Admiral Hennigns?  he was  scared to ask.. and when we  filled his bowel up again , he was shocked... some of thhose  kids  will be too shy..beaten down... They need to feel like people..