Crystal woke up buckled into the backseat of her mother's fuel-efficient, beat-up car. Too depleted to voice her confusion, or ask where they were going she drifted back to sleep feeling safe and assured that her mother was present.

Gwen watched as the jostle from a pothole woke her daughter for a moment, only for Crystal to fall right back to sleep. She could sense her daughter's question and could only hope that they made it to their destination in time and in tact. Checking the fuel gauge Gwen reluctantly pulled over to the side of the road, unconcerned by the forest and what might be lurking inside of it.

She unbuckled, glancing at her daughter in the rear-view mirror again and got out of the car. Closing the drivers' side door behind her, she made her way to the back end of the vehicle before realizing that she had forgotten to pop the trunk open first. Correcting that, she went back to the trunk and retrieved the can of fuel and refilled the tank before putting the canister back and closing the trunk. When Gwen came back around she opened the drivers' side door and just as she was about to climb in froze. After a moment she realized why; Jacques – chief of her security – was sitting in the drivers' seat, which he had apparently already adjusted.

At least she didn't accidentally crawl into his lap this time.

He was technically supposed to be on a much-needed vacation, but she had used the communicator to contact him because it was an emergency. He had told her that he was getting on the first flight that he could grab to get back and as soon as he knew where he was landing  he had told her which air port he would be arriving at. She was supposed to be meeting him at said airport.

“...One of these days I will not be surprised when you show up out of nowhere.” She said after a shocked moment, belatedly remembering that he can fold space even in the air.

“One of these days you'll actually accept that I do love you and that I will make you and your kids a priority and what that means.” He countered, “Now get in the other seat; you are way too tired to be driving...” He finished his sentence by hooking his thumb over his shoulder.

Gwen ended up doing a double-take as it took a moment – again – to register someone's presence. Specifically a golden tiger. Wide eyed, she turned back to Jacques while pointing a finger and before she could ask he was explaining.

“I'm just bi-locating to keep an eye on her.”

It took her a moment to process what he had said.

“...Finally getting the hang of the shape-shifting?” She asked.

Jacques, as near as they could tell, was a genetic resurgence of a Green Fairy along an Ainu bloodline. This gave him the capacity to learn how to shape-shift, though he never had anyone to teach him how to do it. Like all Fairies he had a dearth of useful abilities. From folding space, to shape-shifting, to using the Shadow Paths, to hearing the Green World. Whether they were good people, or not, they tended to be found near Witches for a reason.

“Yes.” He answered.

She sighed as a moment of clarity hit her; he was right about how tired she was. Accepting that she was liable to fall asleep behind the wheel and get herself and her daughter killed Gwen made her way around to the passengers side, got in, buckled up and started adjusting the seat. Being a very tall woman she had to lower it all the way and push the seat as far back as she could.

“You really need a bigger car.” He commented as he started the engine and pulled back onto the road.

“Fuel efficiency. Bigger cars require more fuel. Everything on the planet is renewable, but only if it's managed properly.”

He could think of a few things that weren't renewable, but she was tired, so he decided to leave it alone for right now.

“I've secured a location for the moment, but your counter-attack did alert them to your existence.” He informed her and warned by way of subject change.

Exhausted and nearly in tears – she just wanted to raise her daughter in peace – she leaned her head back to keep the tears from falling and swore quietly as her eyes slid closed. Jacques didn't disturb her and just let Gwen fall asleep in the passengers' seat. She was going to need the energy.

Gwen, woken up by Jacques three hours later, looked around blearily. She found that they were parked in a motel parking lot, the sun now below the horizon.

“Huh...?” Was the best that she could get out.

“We're staying here for a couple of days.” He explained, “You both need rest, especially with her sick.”

Gwen forced herself fully awake and nearly tried to get out of the car with her seatbelt on. Unbuckling, she got out and went around to Crystal's door as Jacques pulled the keys from the ignition and undid his own seatbelt. Climbing out he made certain that all the doors were locked. With Gwen carrying her daughter he led them to room 201 and signalled for her to wait. He went inside and a moment later she tensed.

“Who are you?” Jacques demanded.

“It's just me, Sir.” Tracey's voice answered, making Gwen relax, “I brought some food and made certain that the room was still secure.”

“Good work. Thank-you.”

Gwen didn't see the other woman's nod as Jacques looked out the door and signalled that it was safe for Gwen to enter. She brought her daughter into a clean Motel room with two beds and a bathroom. Tracey, ever polite, bowed with a “Sleep well, Your Highness.” and “I'm two doors away if you need any help. The rest of the security team is present as well.”

“Thank-you, Tracey.” Gwen answered as she placed Crystal on one of the beds.

“Your dismissed. Get some rest.” Jacques added.

“Yessir.” Tracey answered and left, closing the door behind her.

Gwen straightened with a wince.

“You sure it's a good idea to be here for a couple of days?” She asked.

In answer Jacques went over to Crystal and checked her forehead with the back of one head. He didn't need a thermometer, nor do a comparison to know that her fever was dangerously high. He looked up at Gwen and nodded. He moved his hand as Gwen checked her daughter's fever.

She swore softly.

“It's gotten worse.” She said quietly.

A knock at the door, drawing both their attention. Wary, Jacques answered and almost immediately relaxed. He murmured a thanks and a reminder to rest.

“Hard, knowing that she's sick and there's danger.” Tracey responded quietly.

“I know, but you can't do anything if your falling over from exhaustion.”

“Yessir.” She answered and then left again.

Jacques closed and locked the door and showed Gwen a bottle and a spoon.

“Fever medicine.” He said.

“Oh, bless that woman.” Gwen breathed.

Regardless of anything that happened Tracey had been unwaveringly reliable and trustworthy. Jacques had apparently saved her during one of his post-breakup meltdowns. There was nothing romantic behind her behaviour, she just genuinely thought that Jacques and Gwen were good people worth following and helping.

Gwen bent over again and gently woke her daughter.

“Hey, baby girl... C'mon; Mama needs you to wake up. There's medicine for you.”

“I want to eat...” Was the first thing that Crystal said and started crying quietly.

“Do you think that you could keep it down?” Gwen asked.

Crystal shook her head, worrying both adults. Jacques was already looking at the label and was relieved a moment later; the medication had ingredients for nausea too. He went over and knelt down beside the bed, showing Crystal the bottle and spoon and started opening the bottle.

“This will help with your fever and nausea.” He told her, “You should be able to eat shortly after, in about twenty to thirty minutes.”

She nodded and dutifully opened her mouth when he presented a spoonful of medicine to her.

Tracey was outside, checking the perimeter.

Something was making her feel uneasy.

“You're supposed to be resting.” One of the others told her quietly from the shadows.

“Can't.” She answered honestly, “They're too vulnerable and enemies are on their tail.”

“I know,” Thay said, “But you can't fight if you're exhausted.”

“I know, but it doesn't-”

A hand on her shoulder and she felt the tension drain out of her.

“Sleep and rest well Witch.” Was the last thing that she heard before she dimmed into sleep.

The person she had been talking to caught her and picked her up. He sighed and shook his head. Tracey was a Witch, but she was... Okay with necessary violence after seeing her entire family get slaughtered. They (as in the entire security team) hadn't told Jacques as yet what she was, per her request, but she was getting to an age where she couldn't hide it anymore. Currently, the best example of this was the fact that she had tendrils of power reaching out to the trees. Though, instead of calming and healing her as the Green World normally would Tracey was on such high alert that she couldn't sleep on command like normal.

“Check the perimeter.” He ordered over the radio.

A series of chirps from his radio announced their acknowledgements. He hoped that he was wrong. If he wasn't, than Tracey was just going to have to suck it up and accept that she was going to be bodyguarded for the rest of her life as she learned how to master her liminal abilities... Since, unlike her Highness, she doesn't have the Sword and Shield System embedded into her body.

A double chirp over the radio indicated trouble found.

He hoisted Tracey and moved swiftly, but silently towards the Motel. When he got around to the front of the building it was to find that the security not on perimeter patrol had already gotten Jacques and their Highnesses moving. They were already getting the Princess buckled into the car.

Tracey stirred and said, “Put me down.”

He complied and found himself following her orders to get in the car with their Highnesses.

“You're the only one medically trained and she's sick.” Was hard to argue with.

Tracey watched as they drove away, then turned her attention back to the emergency at hand. She had her reasons for keeping her Witch powers a secret, but the biggest reason was simply that her power is very combat-oriented. She figured that there was something else in her genomic mix. She had no idea what it was, but it was useful.

Tracey disappeared into the forest and screams followed in her wake. When she re-emerged she was splattered in blood and carrying the Motel Manager's head in one hand and his body in the other. He had been telling a Hunter which room Jacques and their Highnesses were in; there was no mistake about his intentions as he had even said to “make certain that you actually kill them this time.”

She breathed out to calm herself as one of the others emerged from the undergrowth.

“One got away; the rest are dead.” She told her.

“How many of ours are injured?” Tracey asked.

“Don't know.” She answered, then radioed the question and got a quiet answer.

“Five injured.” She relayed to Tracey, adding, “We should leave. Promptly.”

“Agreed.” Tracey said in response, “Get everyone in vehicles. Is there anyone else we need to worry about?”

“Not that I'm aware of.”

“Sweep the area and the Motel anyway. I'll start in the Manager's office.”

“Understood.” She acknowledged, then relayed the orders.