"Mom? Anna, Patrick? Anyone home?" Alyssa called out as she dropped off her pack by the door.

"We're in here, Alyssa." Anna called back.

Alyssa followed her sister's voice and found her mother, sister and brother gathered around the kitchen table.

"What's going on?" She asked as she grabbed a chair and straddled it.

"Mom's boyfriend invited us kids out to California. To get to know him better." Anna replied easily. "Pat can't go because of his grades." She gave him a mock glare, and then duck as a thoroughly disgusted Patrick reached out to smack her. "So it's just you and me."

Alyssa stared at her sister. "Hold up. I just got home from college and now you want to send me away again?" At Anna's nodded, she groaned. "What's this about Mom's boyfriend? How come I didn't hear about this?"

"You must have been out fighting evil the night he was brought up. Or at college." Anna replied.

"Oh thanks. So? What's this about, Mom?" Alyssa asked, turning her attention to the oldest Douglas in the room.

"Just like Anna said. Warren asked if you three would like to go out to California to visit. He has a son about Anna's age and thought you would enjoy a little time away during your break. After all, most college students enjoy going places for Spring Break." Robin Douglas said with a smile.

"I can't go. You know I can't, Mom. I've got responsibilities here." Alyssa replied, "Sorry Anna. Looks like you're on your own."

* * *

"Hey Billy!" Tommy called out as he saw the young genius enter the Youth Center.

"Tommy." Billy said quietly, as he sat down.

"Is everything okay, man?" He asked. He exchanged a look with his best friend, Jason Scott.

"Everything's fine. My dad just called and asked if I could pick up Robin's two girls from the airport."

"That's your dad's girlfriend's kids?" Jason asked.

"Affirmative. I'm just…nervous." Billy admitted.

"Why?" Tanya asked.

"From what my dad has said about Robin's children they are quite…superb. I'm feeling a bit...inadequate."

"You're not inadequate Billy. You're sweet, kind, and a genius. Not to mention easy on the eyes." Tanya replied, making the blond teen blush.

"Hey man, would you feel better if I came with you? That way it'll be two on two." Jason asked.

Billy's eyes lit up. "You would do that?"

* * *

"I cannot believe you did that! I'm going to kill you." Alyssa replied as her and Anna stepped off the exit ramp at LAX.

"Why? Because you're being forced to enjoy your break for once? Oh yes, please by all means take my life in the most horrid way possible." Anna replied as she rolled her eyes. She loved her sister with all her heart, but sometimes, Alyssa needed to just have fun.

"You just wait and see. You'll get it." Alyssa replied.

Two days ago, Anna had approached the Council and asked for permission for her older sister to go to California. She managed to elicit the help of their cousin, Leanna, and together convinced the council that it would be good for Alyssa to get out in the world to keep her edge sharp. It didn't hurt that the Ruling Leader was only an eleven-year-old boy with a crush on Anna.

"Besides, if you hadn't you would have had to fight off Kevin's advances." Anna added, referring to the young man that was horribly smitten with her older sister.

"True." Alyssa replied as she craned her neck to find their ride. "Do you know what this boyfriend of Mom's looks like?"

Anna nodded as she grabbed their bags. "I talked to Mr. Cranston last night and he said that he would pick us at the baggage claim.

"Then we go to the baggage claim." Alyssa said as she hoisted her pack and led the way to the baggage claim.

* * *

"So where are we supposed to meet them?" Jason asked as he craned his neck and searched the airport for two girls.

"Dad said that I should meet them at the Baggage Claim and that their names were Alyssa and Anne. After that, I think we're on our own." Billy replied as he checked the flights. "At least their flight is on time. That's a start at least."

Jason watched as a number of young women came down the escalators to the baggage claim. "Do you know what they look like?" He asked his long time friend.

Billy shook his head. "I have never met them. Only Robin, and that was only briefly. My father had a picture of Robin and her three offspring at work, however I do not have it."

"So how are we supposed to find them?"

"I'm not sure." Billy said as he scanned the terminal. "I really don't know."

Jason watched as the girls from various flights came to claim their luggage. Two girls caught his attention. Both had dark brown hair, were tall and thin. The taller of the two girls' hair reached to nape of her neck. She was clad in a green army tank top and a pair of black shorts that stopped at the top of her thighs. Over her shoulder was an army style pack.

The other girl had longer hair, falling to her waist and it was loose. She was wearing a blue and white tank top and a pair of jean shorts. The shorter one was carrying a straw bag that bumped against her bare leg as she looked for her bag.

* * *

Alyssa frowned and turned. There standing a little ways away from them were two teenage guys. "You're got a fan club already, Anna." She murmured as she watched for her two bags coming down the rack.

"Where?" Anna asked.

Alyssa nodded in the direction of the two teenagers. "They seem to be looking for someone. And they're human, except…" She trailed off and shook her head.

"Except what? There is no trouble in Angel Grove, Alyssa. Nothing to fight, just relaxing and bonding with Mom's boyfriend. That's it."

"You don't know that, Anna." Alyssa retorted as she yanked one of her bags from the baggage rack. She wished she had brought her sword, but she had acquiesced to pressure and left it. Not wanting to scare off Warren Cranston...yet. "There is a Gate to Hell just two hours from here, and just an hour from where we're going. I have no idea what Angel Grove is like and neither do you."

"Okay, I'm sorry. You're right; we don't know what we're getting into. But for once could we please go into it not looking for a fight? Just this once?" Anna pleaded. She wanted to make a good impression on Warren. He seemed like a very cool guy, except for the fact that he lived on the other side of the country. Their mother deserved a little happiness in her life as well. So did Alyssa, although she would never admit that openly to her sister. Alyssa had a tendency to get defensive about her life, or lack there of.

"I didn't mean to snap. It's just…there is something going on. I can feel it, and I don't like going into some place without all the information. It can get you killed."

Anna nodded. "I realize that, but we're here to have fun, not kill demons and monsters and stuff. You could use a break."

"Thanks. I'll remember that. Your fan club is moving this way." Alyssa murmured, as the two boys walked over to them.

"Are you Alyssa and Anne Douglas?" Jason asked as the two girls turned around to face him. The girls looked at each other and then the taller one shrugged.

"Why do you want to know?" She asked. Jason noticed that the taller one was tensed and ready for action. Her gray eyes were watching both of them closely, waiting for the next move.

"I'm Billy Cranston. My father, Warren, asked me to pick you up, since he's been detained in a meeting of utmost importance." Billy said sticking his hand out.

The younger one smiled as she shook his hand. "Sounds cool to me. I'm just thrilled to be out here in the nice warm weather."

"Stifling is more like it." Alyssandra muttered.

"Shut up." Rheannon shot back. "Ignore her, she's allergic to fun. I'm Anna, that's Alyssa." Anna replied as they walked out into the warm Californian outdoors.

Back