"Good news," Francesco announced, jolting Cassie awake from the slight doze she had been on. She had been leaning her shoulder against Marc, lazing in the living room with the others as another cold November day took hold. All anyone wanted to do these days was sleep after the stress of their last mission that had occurred a few weeks prior.

"What is it?" Cassie murmured, rubbing the tiredness out of her eyes.

"Cherie's returning in a little bit," Francesco stated. "She just told me she's leaving now."

"From where?" Marc grunted next to Cassie. "How come she was gone so long?"

"I think she'll explain things when she returns," Francesco said, a bit of nervousness in his voice that Cassie could easily detect. She was having difficulty understanding why Cherie's quick visit to The Tiger had turned into a days' long trip. It was unlike her to be gone so long giving them any details.

Cassie glanced down, noticing Elijah had passed out on the floor, cuddling his light blue blanket against his body. She shook her head and shut her eyes again, leaning her head against Marc's shoulder. She felt him stroke his hands along her arms in a rhythmic pattern that only increased her drowsiness.

Cassie had admired these past few weeks of rest. While everyone in the cabin was now doing a bit of training and exercise, they were perfectly fine not dealing with any immediate threats. After all, the new year and siege on the headquarters was going to be enough. For now, Cassie was trying her best to enjoy the holiday season before the rebellion became all too real. Even the mission to take the military base had left her with mental scars.

Unfortunately, Cassie was still as busy as ever attending meetings and learning what would transpire in a few months. Very soon, she would be feeling the effects of a full-scale war. Past the new year, no one's safety would be guaranteed. Though then again, it never was.

She opened her eyes slightly, staring down at the engagement ring on her finger. Though there were dangers ahead, she promised herself she would get through them. Because when this was over, she wanted to marry Marc. She wanted to have a family. She wanted to have a semi-normal life again.

"You're doing it again," Marc murmured beside her.

"Doing what?" Cassie asked, ripping her gaze away from her finger.

"You look at your ring when you're stressed. It's cute, but also, why are you anxious right now? Can't you be in the moment for a bit?" he sleepily asked beside her.

"S-Sorry. I can't help it," she said quietly, tracing her fingers over the stone.

She felt Marc reach a hand behind her neck. She relaxed at his touch and leaned forward, about to press her lips against his when the door suddenly opened. Cassie jolted upward, breaking away from Marc. She glanced down, watching Elijah stir on the floor.

"Cherie, you're back!" Lillian observed, rising from her seat.

Cherie stood in the door, looking exhausted. She was not her same cheerful self, Cassie noticed right away. She held a few bags of clothes, it looked like, and her normal stack of papers. It seemed she had been working nonstop since she had taken off to meet The Tiger.

"Well, how did it go?" Conny asked.

"Who's The Tiger?" Mitsuki wondered.

"I can't reveal that information yet. It's classified," Cherie grumbled, setting her things on the table.

Wyatt peered into the bag from his seat, staring at her in confusion.

"Why do you have a bunch of girls' clothes in here?" he asked.

"Not important. Long story," she said, letting out a sigh as she took a seat in her favorite armchair. Francesco was quick to whisk the bag away before any more questions could be asked.

Whatever drowsiness Cassie had experienced was fading fast. This matter was much more serious than she realized. Something had transpired between Cherie and The Tiger.

"Are you going to talk about it?" Lillian asked quietly.

"It's a complicated matter," Cherie grumbled, resting her arms across the chair. "We've lost our best spy."

"They died?" Marc asked, suddenly worry filling his tone.

"No. No...but they did run away, which means we'll no longer receive information from them. The other allies are still cooperating though. They're not sharing as much as I hoped, though it seems The Tiger will continue sharing any information they've forgotten to tell us. They've promised to answer our questions about the headquarters as well."

"But what took so long?" Cassie asked. "Why were you gone a few days?"

"The Tiger will be living in one of our safe centers for the next few weeks. They will need to be closely observed to ensure that they truly are on our side."

"But why did you need to stay for that?" Lillian inquired, tilting her head. "Couldn't the head of the facility, or one of the others—"

"Because The Tiger may very well be living with us after Thanksgiving," Cherie said, letting out a drawn-out sigh.

"That's exciting though!" Wyatt exclaimed. "Someone who's lived with the Preservers first hand. I bet they have interesting stories. I've been dying to get some new visitors here...er, no offense."

"It's still up in the air. If things don't go well, The Tiger will not be joining us," Cherie explained.

"Well, if they're going to live with us, you owe us some details," Mitsuki stated. "Is it a boy or a girl? How old are they?"

"I can't share any of that with you," Cherie mumbled.

"Of course you can," Marc argued. "If they're going to live here—"

Francesco cleared his throat, interrupting the conversation. "This is protocol. Cherie has sworn to secrecy for now, and that includes even all of you. This isn't something to fret about. We might be getting another house guest, that's all."

"But why did you volunteer to house them?" Cassie asked, something feeling wrong in her gut.

"Cherie's a kind soul already. I would be surprised if she didn't," Lillian offered as an explanation. "We'll be sure to make The Tiger comfortable if they do join us."

Cassie didn't know why, but she could see concern and fear shining in Cherie's eyes at Lillian's comment. It was unlike Cherie to be so secretive with them. She was usually very open about these types of situations. Thankfully, Cassie guessed she would have an easy in on the identity of The Tiger, considering her own status.

"Let's allow Cherie to recover for now. It's been a stressful few days," Francesco suggested, abruptly ending the conversation.

"So you know who it is," Mitsuki said, her eyes flashing.

"I didn't say that," Francesco argued. "Everyone, up to your rooms," he commanded. Francesco rarely acted authoritative, but when he did, everyone easily obeyed.

"Let's get you into your bed for a nap," Marc told Elijah, slowly lifting him into his arms. He glanced at Cassie, waiting for her to follow him upstairs, but she slowly shook her head, her eyes rolling to the side to look at Cherie.

Marc nodded and ascended the steps with the others, leaving only Cassie downstairs now. She gravitated toward Cherie's desk and opened her mouth, about ready to ask about the matter, but Cherie was quick to cut her off.

"I can't even tell you the identity, Cassie," was all she said.

Cassie frowned. "How come? I won't tell. I promise!"

"This matter personally concerns everyone. If The Tiger does join us, you'll be given more information," Cherie stated simply. "Don't try to bribe me into telling you."

"Okay...fine," Cassie said, letting out a huff. She spun around and headed back upstairs. Cherie was in a particularly poor mood today if even Cassie couldn't get her to talk. She let out a sigh as she entered her bedroom and collapsed on her bed, hearing Marc enter a few moments later.

"Elijah's napping," he said. She heard the door click in place as he shut it.

Cassie slowly turned around and sat up. "Cherie wouldn't tell me who it was."

Marc furrowed his brow and sat beside her. "Why do you think that is?"

"I don't know. I don't get why this is such a big deal. I feel like we should know if they're going to live with us," Cassie complained, crossing her arms. She let out a sigh and fell back on her bed, Marc lying down next to her.

"I swear if you stress about this now," he teased, poking her cheek.

"I won't. I'm just a little confused, that's all. Cherie's obviously stressed about something. I wish I knew what," Cassie stated. She was quiet for a few moments before turning her body to look at Marc.

"What's up?" he asked.

"Thanksgiving is in a few weeks," she murmured.

"And?"

"You know my mom invited you! Will you please come?" Cassie asked.

Marc let out a groan.

"I'm already going to bring Elijah with me. Come on. You have to come, now that we're engaged," Cassie said, poking his nose.

Marc rolled his eyes and kissed her cheek. "Fine. I'll be there. But where am I going to sleep?"

"We have couches. Although Lillian might be joining too..."

Marc chuckled. "You think you'll convince Lillian to go? I see how awkward she is whenever she's in the same room as her mom."

"Well, if Mitsuki comes, then maybe I can—"

"Huh? Why does it matter if Mitsuki comes?" Marc asked.

Cassie stiffened, realizing she'd almost just casually spoken of Lillian's relationship. She cleared her throat and took a deep breath before speaking again. "Oh, I don't know. They're good friends. I feel like if she had a support system maybe she could handle things better."

"That house is tiny, isn't it? It'll be super crammed," Marc reminded her.

"I know, but I just wanted everyone there, that's all," Cassie said. "You'll for sure come though, right?"

"Yes, of course," he said, interlacing his fingers with hers.

"Maybe we'll have an idea of who The Tiger is by then," Cassie thought.

Marc narrowed his eyes.

"Okay, I'm done talking about it. I mean, I'm looking forward to you being at Thanksgiving. It'll be such a fun time," she playfully joked.

Marc shook his head and leaned forward to kiss her.