The day begins at 6AM with the rising sun coming over the distant mountains, though dawn happened a 1/2 hour before. As much as he did not want too, Fernando forced himself to wake up for the say, and waking Karl shortly after. He sets up the private area for Karl to shower up in and he will shower up later in the day.
 
"Shower up, get dressed and get ready for the day. Breakfast will be ready as soon as the girls can get it together." Fernando tells Karl as he hands him a bar of soup and a towel to him and then points to the shower area.
 
As Karl showers up, Fernando gathers up a few items, and makes a quick Tuna salad and puts it in a tupperware bowl he kept from Hondo and Val. He takes the prepared tuna salad and other items to Hondo's camper. He knocks on the door and Hondo answers.
 
"Wuz up, Jefe?" Hondo asks, looking as tired as Fernando feels.
 
"Here's a few things for breakfast, and if I can make a request - 2 Tuna salad and cheese omelets with the usual fixings for Macey and I. It's just like a cheese omelet but tuna salad on top of the cheese before you fold it over. It's an acquired taste but heavy on protein, great for healing." Fernando explains, "I have to go back and check on Karl so he does not walk out of the shower and about the camp in his bare fur. I'll get Karl over here to eat in about an hour or less."
 
Valentine steps out from behind Hondo, "We'll get things done for you. Check in a half hour and lets see what can be done. Could you set up the table and chairs for us?"
 
"Sure, I can do that with Karl after he gets out of the shower." Fernando replies, "I'll see ya guys later."
 
The distance was short so Fernando gets to his trailer's shower quickly, hearing that the water has stopped running and Karl rummaging inside the enclosed private area. He steps out in the same clothes he had the day before but at least he was not smelling as sweaty as he was the day before.
 
"Come with me. We got some tables and chairs to set up." Fernando tells him. He leads him to the back of Hondo's trailer and pulls out the table and chairs, setting them up besides the trailer. Fernando gets the trailer's awning out over the table. He tells Karl, "You got a few minutes to sit down and relax as the food is not ready yet."

About 4 am Tonya finally moved from holding onto him. It woke him up and he found he could getbup without waking her now. He got up and went back to his bed. He crawled in and laid face first on the bed. Zoey moved up against him in her sleep. He barely noticed as he went out cold fast. About an hour later Valentine stirred. She laid there for a bit looking at Zoey and Hondo. She smiled to herself but the smile faded as she though. She wanted this, a family with Hondo,  and adopting Zoey would be a great start for them, especially since they wanted to rescue folks, who better to adopt than a rescued orphan? But what made her lose her smile was the thought that Hondo or Fernando might not let it happen for some reason. She knew it would be a valid reason but she was finding that she wouldn't know what to do with herself if she had to leave without Zoey. She got up to keep from thinking about it further. She grabbed her  clothes,  leaving her rode in the bedroom. She stopped by Hondo on her way to the bathroom but he was still out cold. She dressed quickly, started the coffee, put away Zoeys bedding, that she hardly used, and set the table back up. This woke up Tonya.  
 
Tonya opened one eye then closed it again. She felt around as she felt something was missing. She all of a sudden bolted up right  and looked around confused like.
 
Valentine: you alright?
 
Tonya: I.  . I.  .yeah. sorry. Just.  . . You see anyone out here when you came out?
 
Valentine: no. Why?
 
Tonya: I don't know. I.  . . Probably just a dream. She shook it off but she could smell that someone else was by her and she thought she remembered her dad, but she knew he was gone. She got up, grabbed some fresh clothes, and went to the bathroom to change. About that time Zoey woke up.  
 
Zoey yawned and stretched.  Her arm hit someone so she pulled back and sat up. She looked around and realized she was with Hondo. She smiled and looked at him for a bit. She then bounced up on the bed.
 
Zoey: Wake up, Hondo. Wake up! It's morning.  
 
It was about 5:30 am. Hondo groaned And rolled onto his side, facing away from her.
 
Zoey: come on, Hondo. Its time to get up.
 
Hondo  muttered some curse words under his breath, though none were intelligible. Zoeys noise brought Valentine in.
 
Valentine:  Zoey, let him sleep. He was out late.
 
Zoey: but he took a nap yesterday and I was up part of the night too until Hondo got in.
 
Valentine:  well, he still.needs to.sleep.
 
Hondo muttered: too late now.  
 
Tonya: came out of the bathroom and checked on the commotion.
 
Tonya: what's up?
 
Hondo muttered again: they won't let the dead be.  
 
Valentine:  he was out late and Zoey woke him.
 
Tonya: Zoey! Not everyone has you energy nor ability to cat nap and recharge so fast!
 
Zoey: sorry.
 
Hondo  muttered again: just keep the talk down until I'm awake.  
 
Hondo sat up. He had one eye barely open.  
 
Valentine:  maybe a shower would help you get moving.
 
Hondo: couldn't  hurt.  
 
Tonya went back out into the kitchen and Val started to walk away. Zoey sat bouncing on the edge of the bed, still in her night shirt.
 
Zoey: can I take a shower with you?
 
Hondos one open eye opened a bit wider, his mind trying to process. Valentine stopped short and almost fell on her face at that. Tonya snorted.
 
Hondo: uhm, it's probably not a good idea.  
 
Zoey: why?
 
Hondo: I need to wake up a lot more before we have that conversation.  
 
Zoey: but what's wrong with it if you aren't  using me for sex? Mama and papa used to shower with me when I was little. I miss them.
 
Hondo sighed: little one, we will talk about it later.
 
Tonya piped in jokingly:  we can all shower together then and save water.  
 
Hondo glared at her: not helping.  
 
Tonya: sorry.
 
Valentine:  he has no humour first thing in the morning. Don't take it personally.  
 
Hondo: VAL, this is serious.  
 
Valentine:  I know.
 
Zoey: you don't like me then?
 
Hondo: no, little.one, it's not like that at all.
 
Zoey: yoi want to use me for sex then?
 
Valentine, having a healthy sex drive was feeling a bit neglected the last few days.
 
Valentine muttered: I wish he'd take me in the shower and use me for sex.  
 
Tonya giggled as her good hearing picked it up, but Zoey and Hondo missed that comment.
 
Hondo: no! Where I come from it just ain't right for a young lady such as yourself and a man to be naked together.  I will try to explain it later. Trust me. You are a special little lady.
 
Zoey: but, I want to spend time with you. I.  . I want you to be my new dad and do special things with me and love me. . .why is it wrong to want that and to have special time with you like that? The water is warm and feels good and you can hug me and.  . .
 
Hondo: whoa. Just a moment.  I am honored that you want me as your dad but I don't know if we can yet. If we can we will make special time together but let's talk about it later.
 
Zoey: when will you know?
 
Hondo: know what?
 
Zoey: if you can be my new dad?
 
Hondo: give me three days at least.  
 
Zoey looked sad: OK.  
 
Zoey walked out into the kitchen. Hondo tried to open his other eye but it wasn't happening yet. He was still trying to process the conversation he just had. He needed to ask Fernando about troubles with his girls.  
 
Hondo stumbled into the bathroom, stripped down and climbed into the shower.
 
Valentine grabbed a cup of coffee and went into the bathroom.  Hondo was standing under the water leaning his head against the wall.
 
Hondo: that better not be Zoey or Tonya as I really don't have the capacity to deal with shananagens right now.  
 
Valentine:  no. Its me. I brought coffee.  
 
Hondo looked up at her. His eyesbwere blood shot and he looked more tired thanbhe had in a while. He opened the shower door and took the cup.
 
Hondo: thanks.
 
Valentine:  long night?
 
Hondo: got in after 2 am. Zoeybwas in front of the door waiting for me. Got a shower and went to bed and she came in there. Bad dreams. 'Bout her parents death.
 
Valentine:  poor thing. Thats why she's acting clingy.
 
Hondo: she wants parents so badly and love. Teens from our time should see this as should some ofbtheir parents.  
 
Valentine:  can't  we just.  .  .
 
Hondo: I have to get some answers first. Fernando is working on it.
 
Valentine:  ok
 
Hondo:  that's not all.
 
Valentine:  what else?
 
Hondo: last night I woke up to whining and crying.  It was Tonya.
 
Valent: what happened? She seems alright today.  
 
Hondo: nightmare I reckon. I tried to wake her. She kept calling out for her dad. She ended up grabbing me, calling me dad and begging me not to leave her. She was asleep but in her sleep she thought I was her dad. I couldn't leave her. I talked to her and told her she was alright and I was there and wouldn't leave her. It was the only thing that calmed her. I sat with her until 4.  
 
Valentine:  that must be what she meant by seeing someone with her this morning.  
 
Hondo: could be. Just wanted to let you know.  
 
Valentine nodded but looked at the floor. She turned to walk out.
 
Hondo:VAL?
 
Valentine:  hmm?
 
Hondo: I know you have been feeling left out and unloved lately yourself.
 
Valentine:  where did you get that.  . .  
 
Hondo: I know you well enough. I love you and always will. I will try to make it up to you and find some alone time for us but don't let this get you down.
 
Valentine smiled and nodded. She went back out to the kitchen.  Zoey dressed in the kitchen as she wasn't ashamed to be seen naked around Tonya, Valentine or Hondo. Had Hondo been out there Valentine would have made her change in the bathroom but for now it was better off left alone. Hondo got out and dressed around six. He was refilling his coffee when Fernando knocked on the door. He answered it and they talked for a moment. Valentine came up behind Hondo and joined in talking. Valentine took Fernando's breakfast request items and went to the kitchen when he left to setup the tables. Hondo got the eggs ready for Valentine to make the omlets out of and Zoey got some toast ready. Tonya was helping until she walked past Hondo. She caught a sent that was like the one from last night. She smelled the air around for a bit and traced the sent to Hondo. She tapped him in the shoulder and talked low.
 
Tonya: could we talk?
 
Hondo: sure.  
 
Hondo went outside , to the front of the truck, passing Karl and Fernando who just finished up setting the tables and such up.
 
Hondo: what's up.
 
Tonya: we're you? . . . Uh, last night, did I.  . .  
 
Hondo: you had a bad dream last night.
 
Tonya: yeah, it started out bad then my Dad came and held me. But he is dead.  
 
Hondo nodded:  yeah, I'm sorry. I tried to wake you but you grabbed me and begged your dad not to leave you.  
 
Tonya: so you held me and pretended to be my dad?
 
Hondo: I hope you aren't mad.
 
Today: mad? No! I actually thought for a bit but.  . . I felt safe again. You don't know how longs it's been. You don't look like him but you smell like him and you held me like he used to.
 
Tonya wrapped him in a hug. It wasn't sexual at all. It was more like a little girl hugging her father who had been away for a longntime.
 
Tonya: thank you.
 
Hondo: anytime.  
 
Tonya let go after a minute and went back to help Valentine. Hondo walked over to where Fernando was and sat down. He took a deep drink of his coffee.
 
Hondo: I think I need some whiskey in this coffee today. Jefe, you and I need to have a long in dept conversation ' bout the special troubles in easing girls. I think I'm gonna need some advice if I get the OK from your girls to adopt the little one.

Hondo: Tonya, she needs someone.  I want to helpnher but like you said adoption isn't practical.  Zpeu needs a family  but  just not sure to handle some ofnher love starved ideas. Its not like with your little one where she thinks sex is love but.  . .
 
Hondo explained carefully  and quietly what he had been going through. He didn't  care for Karl to hear and threatened his manhood if he dare speak a word of it to anyone.  Hondo also explained how he was trying to distance himself in case Fernando's girls had bad news about the time line and their existence. He didn't want them to just. And though he didn't verbalize it it was obvious he didn't want to fall for them.and lose them though he already had fallen for them.
 
Hondo: I just, if i get the go ahead from you that we can stabilize things from here and separate this time line from our own so they won't change, And we can help fix their DNA enough to get them to be able to fit in in our world buy maybe keep.some enhanced abilities then how do I make up for the love and security  they lost? Tonya I believe understands what's acceptable behavior though she has pushed it, probably to hide her pain, I don't know. Zoey though . . .like I just explained, she wants affection that isn't technically wrong buy is socially taboo at times and she takes correction as rejection. I'm just too rough around the edges to give either of these girls what they need but they chose me. Had they been my.own from the beginning.  . . I am a killer. I take.down bad guys to save others. I don't rehabilitate little  girls and give them the connection they need. I have a hard time being feeling enough for Val. Jefe, you have been through he'll but managed to raise some good, strong girls. They can be a bit ornery at times but they are loyal and well adjusted women.

Hondo nodded: I understand, Jefe. Am I the best for them? I don't think so, but I'm what they got. Val will be good to them too, though she questions herself. they will rely on her carin' heart more than she knows.  . . . I'll take them both in ifin they want me.
 
Fernando: I know you. You will do your best and it will be good.  
 
Hondo: Thanks Jefe. these last few long nights are gettin' to me, I reckon. I'll talk to Val an' if she agrees, which I know she will I'll talk to the girls after breakfast.

"That depends on the change that happens." Fernando tells the girl, though her asking had angered him that he had to hold back on that anger, "But every time Jeanette and the Spirits reboot the time line, something changes. Now, that is for not for you to listen, ask or comment on. You are to do what you can with what you got, nothing more. You should go in and see if breakfast is ready."
 
At about the same time, the girls leave their camper with the boys in tow, heading to Hondo's camper. Fernando, Hondo and Karl watch them enter Hondo's camper.
 
"That is what you are not going to disrupt." Fernando lets out at Karl.