Creed awoke the next morning comfortably laid on the sleeper sofa, he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Across the room sat Mr. Valor. He had a fleece blanket draped over him, tucked around his back. He must have fallen asleep there, Creed thought to himself. He quietly got up and went to the bathroom and washed up. When he came back out, Mr. Valor was gone. Creed began to feel awkward again, he was in someone else's house and neither resident was in sight. He decided to sit on the couch and wait.

He thought of his conversation with Mr. Valor last night as well as with Song. He wondered if she was still asleep. He looked at his wristwatch, it was only 6:31 in the morning. She's probably still sleep, he thought to himself, remembering that Song was not usually up before 8:00. He hoped that she was feeling a little more hopeful after yesterday. Then the thought hit him. He promised Song that he would use his parent's amulets, but they are still at the SSS!

"Damn it," Creed spat. Now, he needed to get them, but if he went back someone was bound to recognize him close up. Creed heard footsteps approach, he turned and saw Mr. Valor.

"Are you alright son?" He asked.

"Uh- um, I don't... I mean I guess so," Creed stammered still surprised that Mr. Valor calls him 'son'. No one had called him that since his father passed.

"Well, if you need anything, don't hesitate." He nodded at him.

"Thank you."

Mr. Valor continued to the kitchen, and by the smell, Creed knew he was making coffee. His father used to like to drink coffee. The smell brought back fond memories. Mr. Valor peeked his head around the corner and asked, "Coffee or tea?"

"Tea, please."

Mr. Valor laughed, "Just like Song, she can't stand coffee. Seems like you don't like a real man's brew."

Creed was low key taken aback by his comment. "I can handle a real man's brew." He protested, feeling a little competitive.

"Oh really?" Mr. Valor raised one eyebrow. "I'll serve you," then he motioned for Creed to come in the kitchen. Creed sat at the table watched as Mr. Valor poured him a cup of coffee. When he looked into the cup, he was shocked to see that it was nearly black. Mr. Valor poured himself a cup as well, then took his seat at the table, sipping his coffee.

Creed took a sip and it took everything in him to not spit it back in the cup. He struggled getting it all down, and Mr. Valor seemed somewhat amused, as he poured himself another cup after nearly gulping the first one down. Creed was just sitting there trying to get through, struggling while at it. A few minutes passed and Creed finally finished, Mr. Valor asked, "Want more?"

"Thanks, but no thanks." Creed mustered a smile and stood up from the table to stretch.

Mr. Valor laughed and said, "Alright suit yourself." He put the water in the kettle and turned the stove on. "When Song gets up, it will be ready for tea."

"Well, I'm going to head over to Onyx's house if that's okay."

"Creed, my house is yours." Mr. Valor replied.

Creed nodded and went into his bag and threw on another shirt before leaving.

It was a nice day outside. The sun was out, there were some Shadowhunters battling, and a nice breeze. Creed took his time heading to Onyx's house. There were only a few people who could retrieve his parent's amulet, but the one who would probably have the most success would be Onyx. Both of Creed's parents died as Shadowhunters, therefore their amulets would be towards the end of the tunnels in Memorial for Fallen Hunters. Onyx being the Guardian's son could get them without being noticed but he didn't want the SSS hammering him with questions about when he plans to assume the role as Guardian and who he will choose to be his partner.

It did not take too long for Creed to arrive at Onyx's, after knocking on the door once Onyx came to the door.

"Why am I not surprised that you would be bothering me so early in the morning." Onyx growled, he had obviously just woken up. And Creed knew well that, he was not a morning person. "Creed make it quick!" Onyx groaned.

"I will once you let me in," he replied. Creed stepped inside.

"Okay, Onyx I need your help-"

"No," Onyx cut him off.

"Just hear me-"

"No."

"Come on stop being childish," Creed growled.

"No."

"Come on!"

"Then come back at a more human time, like 9 or 10, this 6 and 7 in the morning stuff isn't working." Onyx complained. Creed stood there with his arms crossed. When Onyx looked back at him, he said, "Fine, let me wash up. Remember this, you owe me one."

"I know," Creed smiled.

Creed was waiting and then a small girl ran by him.

"Creed!, It's been forever!" She smiled.

"Morning Aura," he picked her up and she laughed.

Onyx came back and said, "Alright Aura, run along and play while Creed and I discuss something important."

"Okay," she sighed then went on upstairs.

"Alright, what would you like?" Onyx asked while giving him a fake smile.

"You're so sweet, we should do this more often."

Onyx looked utterly frustrated, "Boy!"

"Okay, okay," Creed laughed before continuing, "could you make a run to the SSS and grab both of my parent's amulets for me?"

"What the hell! Do you know what you just asked me?!"

"Look hear me out," Creed explained to Onyx, what Song revealed to him through her reading A Night of Shadows. And that he promised that he would offer his parent's amulets to the Gate as Song offers her mother's. After his explanation, moments went by before Onyx responded.

"It's not that I wouldn't and you know that, it's just how. How can I grab anyone's amulet from the Fallen Hunters? Creed, that's like disturbing a grave in SSS culture. You know that."

"Song is giving her mother's so I need to give my parents to make things fair."

"I don't know if I can, I would be putting a lot on the line, especially Aura and Zuri's safety," Onyx replied, after thinking for a moment.

"If the answer is no, just say that."

"I'm sorry, man, but its no," Onyx sighed.

"I guess that means that I have to go back." Creed said.

"Creed, you can't, and you know that! If you tell Song what's going on, she will understand. You know she will understand!" Onyx argued.

"Thanks, you just gave me an idea. I should go talk to her. Thanks." Creed walked out the door.

Onyx did not like the way Creed said that, and decided to visit Song later, because he knew Creed liked to be a one man team and he did not want him to lose his life. The SSS would be heated if they knew Creed lied about the mission.

Creed walked back to Song's house with his resolution: he had to go back. This time he was going to tell Song before he went, even though that there was little she would be able to say that would change his mind.

Once he knocked on the door, Song opened it up and smiled, "Good morning."

"Good morning, where's your dad? "

"He left for his day job. Where did you go?"

"Song, I just realized that because my parents died as hunters, their amulets are at the SSS in the memorial. I asked Onyx if he could get them, but he can't so, I hate to say this... I have to go back."

Song didn't say anything as she let Creed walk inside. He slowly walked towards her and placed his fingers under her chin, "It's not like I'm not coming back."

"And you can't you ask Free to get it?" Song suggested.

"Not really, it's already enough that she knows that I'm alive, though I know she won't tell. Also, she doesn't have the rank yet, for only certain high ranked Shadowhunters can get them because my parents amulets are in the Memorial for Fallen Hunters. I feel like even if she did, her grandfather wouldn't allow it."

"Creed, do you want to go back, honestly?"

He was caught a little off guard by her question. "Yes and no. I lived my entire life there, it's where my father raised me. The SSS made me who I am. And no because I wanted us to have a chance of having a life that we can control, without a constant calling."

"Well, as long as we are Shadowhunters, something is always going to call us to action, whether it's saving souls or stopping Shadows. Something is always going to call us and it's our choice to answer or not. I love you because you always answer the call, whether you want to or not. If you think going back is right, then try it, I'll support you. My whole life, I've made sure to never make selfish decisions. In this world we can't make selfish choices. If you need to go back, then answer the call. Answer the call today, and answer it always, regardless of where the call takes you. Whether it takes you across an ocean or desert, answer it."

Hearing Song say this took Creed by surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, that's what men do, they always answer the call. And real women back and support them in the hard decisions and the dark times, making them worthy of real love always." Song replied, looking Creed dead in the eyes.

This honesty, raw and beautiful, pulled Creed by the heart. She has the most beautiful mind, and it is shown through the most beautiful eyes. How I've been blessed.

Song saw Creed's expression and smiled, "And think about it, we have learned a lot about the Shadows recently. Since we know the SSS have good intentions, the information we have could seriously help them out. Also, since the SSS has an abundance of research from hunting the Shadows for so long, they may have something we can use too."

"You have a point," Creed smiled at her and embraced her. "Thank you."

"No problem. I'm about to go and liberate some souls."

"Alright, be careful."

"I will, you too. Don't worry about the physical distance between us ever. If its meant to be, God will make sure that it happens. Work hard now, then and only then will we be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor." Song promised.

"Then let's get work," Creed smiled as she walked towards the door.