By himself, Eric pops into the tavern where Mike works. Knowing that his friend is in the middle of a shift, Eric pays Mike a quick visit. Not being overly busy Mike has time to greet Eric.

'Hey there, you, everything alright I hope?'

'Yeah good.'

'Audrey not with you, no?'

'Nah, Audrey is heading back to the house though speaking of Audrey; I have a question for you. There is a charity ball in the city tomorrow night; Audrey has managed to arrange invites so if you and Ellen are free would you like to join us? Please say you'll come; it would mean a lot to both of us to have both of you there with us.'

'Sounds good, yeah I'll say it to Ellen later. I'd imagine that she would love to go to that. It would be safe to count us in on that.'

'Excellent, 'I'll catch you soon so.'

'You will indeed, thanks Eric.'

'No problem my friend.'

Eric leaves the tavern. Believing he is alone, apparently being the only one in the immediate vicinity, he soon receives somewhat of a shock. Someone or something taps him on his left shoulder. He turns and sees no one close enough to have been able to do this. He continues on his way and soon receives another tap; this one comes to his right shoulder. Once again, he turns and sees no one.

At this point Eric is not worried or in any way frightened ... if anything he is quite relaxed. The moment of shock comes when from behind a hand clamps and latches onto Eric's right should. He jumps and turns quickly. No reason to fear though as for it is only Audrey having some fun. The calmness feeling that came before the hand did was probably Eric sensing the connection he and Audrey have while also not being entirely sure of what to make of that and this is probably why he jumped when the hand did indeed come down.

'Don't do that' Eric speaks out loud before he and Audrey both share a smile. His smile coming probably more out of relief that it was indeed only Audrey 'I should have known it was you ... and hey I thought you had gone home.'

'I hope you don't mind; I saw a chance to have a moment of fun, so I took it. Please don't be mad.'

'I'm not mad, you should know this, besides how'd you do that, sneak up on me like that?'

'I am a morphing plant, remember? I just morphed myself into a bit of shrubbery hiding away by the door back there.'

'That kinda gives me another question. Do you have like ... blood? And if so, is it green?'

'Do you really want an answer to that?'

'Ah, maybe I don't, some things may better be left unknown.'

The two share a smile once more then off they go, however things change very soon as there would be reason for the smiles to vacate the faces of both Eric and Audrey. Nearby a child, a boy no older than seven years old brakes away from his mother's grasp. He may know of the dangers of the road; he may have been warned of such on many occasions but wander out onto the road he does. Before he could have any hope of a chance to react, he would see the big bad sight of a van hurtling towards him.

Frozen to the spot and with no time to react, it appeared that this child was doomed. Extremely quick to react ... Audrey's arms turn to vine and extended out in an instant to reach the child and pull him out of harm's way. Eye's, many eyes turn their attention to Audrey and right before Audrey's arms could become arms again. Eric felt delight right before feeling a certain sense of doom. He was delighted of course that the boy was safe though fears of what may come from so many eyes having witnessed what had just transpired also hit him.

Seconds passed, passing as if they were minutes. Eric could feel his soul filling with dread. The world was about to collapse, he was sure of this. He cannot lose Audrey, at least not to a moment like this. Surely Audrey would have more to fear, with what indeed had just happened a lot more than a few government bureau agents would want to know who or what she is or maybe more like what it is. Forget about a ten-day period, this moment might just be something which could lead to years of discomfort.

After mum had her moment of shock and disbelief, she would move to go collect her son. As she does so, she would speak calmly while also looking Audrey directly in the eyes.

'Thank you, thank you so very much. I don't know what you are, but you are without a doubt a hero, a heroine. You saved my son; I am in your debt.'

Mother and son begin to walk away, and Eric moves close to Audrey. He is ready to do whatever is necessary to defend his friend, his partner, his whatever it is that Audrey is to him, and whatever that indeed is, is so very important to him.

It soon proves that there is nothing to fear for onlookers begin to applaud Audrey, offering up thanks as Audrey and Eric pass them by. A child had been saved and this is what matters. Traffic had come to a halt though soon gets going again and no one questions what had been seen. A child's life indeed had been saved and that as it seemed nothing else held any importance.