And then, Ken turned to Tiffany.

Ken: Is all well, my great chief, undefeated in heart and in soul?

Tiffany: Yes.

Ken: So... what do you think about Max?

Tiffany: Hmmm. He's fine.

Ken: I see.

The pair remained there, standing, silent.

And then, as if all at once, life returned to the battlefield, as Luke returned.

Luke: Hey, what's going on over here?

Tiffany: Hmm?

Luke: Shouldnt somebody else be sparring?

Tiffany: We were waiting for another referee.

At that point, Luke realised Max was missing.

Luke: Oh, where'd Max go.

Tiffany: I don't know.

It only took a second for them to realise that, for the first time since they'd arrived in that house, all three of them were right next to each other, without Max, Rose or Julianne to witness what they wanted to talk about.

Ken: On another note...

His eyes turned upstairs...

Luke understood what he'd meant.

Luke: Didn't see her on my way up.

Tiffany: I did.

Both teen boys turned to Tiffany in a bit of alarm.

Luke: You did?

Ken: Well, what did she say?

Tiffany: She...

For just about any normal person in Tiffany's situation, and of course, Tiffany herself, it would be incredibly hard to put into words what had happened earlier that night.

Her countenance became somewhat troubled.

Tiffany: ... she told me to take care of Max.

Ken and Luke: Hmmm?

The teenage boys shared glances.

The most simple thing in the world for a person to understand. Well, maybe not exactly, but...

It was something that, in a sense, humanised her in both their eyes.

For one thing, it proved that she didn't have any ulterior motive and meant it when she said she wanted them to train there.

But for another, a mother worried about her son. Who couldn't sympathise with her?

Ken: I see....

And then suddenly....

Max: Hey!

Max returned.

Ken: Oh, you're back.

Max rushed towards them.

Max: So, do I get to fight Ken next?

Luke, Tiffany and Ken all exchanged glances.

Tiffany: No.

Max: Huh!? But you said...

Tiffany: Later.

Max: But... but....

Tiffany: You've had two fights so far. You need to take a break.

Max: But I'm fine.

All three of them looked at him with a knowing gaze.

Even Max had to admit it. He was more exhausted than Luke at that point.

Max: Ugh.... fine.....

Ken: That much being said, (to Tiffany) since were the only ones who haven't fought so far...

Tiffany was just about to agree with him when....

Rose: I wanna be next!

Max, Tiffany, Ken and Luke: Rose!?

She shouted it out. Her eyes were clear. One couldn't even tell that she was sobbing before. And as for her loud interjection....

Rose: I... I wanna spar next.

Her eyes raced between all members of the team. But they refused to even make contact with Max.

She couldn't look at him, and so, her eyes narrowed every time she almost looked at him.

Tiffany: Rose....

Ken looked at Tiffany.

Ken: So... what do you think, Tiff?

Tiffany: Well....

Rose: I'm fine!

Tiffany: Hmm?

Rose: I've.... I've fully recovered.

She walked down the stairs and walked towards Tiffany:

Rose: It's ok. I can go again.

Tiffany was taken just a bit aback.

Aback enough to turn and look to Ken and Luke for their facial opinion on the subject.

They were both also quite confused.

Tiffany: Sure....

Rose's eyes suddenly lit up.

Rose: Really?

Tiffany: Absolutely.

Rose: Oh! Thanks so much, Tiff!

She quickly grabbed Tiffany's hand and held it tightly.

In this scenario, Rose wanted two things. One, to make Tiffany proud. The other, to make Max proud.

Tiffany: I'll be your opponent.

Max: Huh?

Ken: Hmm?

The statement wasn't as big of a shock as her straightforwardness. Even Rose paused for a moment before continuing....

Rose: Hmph! Sure!

Max: Ok then. Guess we got ourselves a match.

Ken: Hmm?

Max simply watched the two silently.

One thing had been bothering him about Tiffany. Ken said shed beaten all of them. If that was the case, and Max beat Tiffany, it would make sense to say that he was the strongest of the team.

But if Luke was that strong....

And even still, there was an even more pressing matter.

That matter being...

How did Tiffany beat Rose anyway?

But before that could happen....

Julianne: Heeeeeeyyyyyy kiiiiiddddds!

Max: Mom?