Ilios toyed nervously with her locket, rubbing it until her hands smelled of tangy metal.

"How much longer?" She asked her Father impatiently.

"Any moment dear," He laughed.

Oh, how she loved to hear him happy.

"and Wade won't come out?" She frowned.

Christine shook her head in silent no.

Ilios scoffed, "Why does he always have to ruin everything?"

"We have to be patient with him," Winnie said in her best mothering tone, imitating the speech she had gotten from her Father millions of time. "He needs love and time."

"Phooey," Ilios scoffed sticking her tongue out at her little sister when her Father turned away.

"Ilios is being inraptured."

"It's immature," Eli corrected making his way to the table and rustling Winnie's hair, "And I wholeheartedly agree."

"Oh I've missed you," Ilios sneered sarcastically with a smile as her brother kissed her cheek.

Eli shook his head with a tired laugh, "You never change do you Ilios."

"I don't go looking for trouble!" Ilios insisted.

"It comes looking for her," Erik finished with a knowing smile. He knew the feeling.

"What happened to Tom?" Eli asked her with a chuckle.

"Father scared him off. Same with Scott and Ethan and Teddy."

Eli raised an eyebrow at his Father, "You've been busy."

"It was hard, she really liked Scott," Erik noted. "But I simply pointed out that he arranged his bookshelves alphabetically and that was the end of that."

Eli scowled, "I arrange my books alphabetically."

Ilios scrunched up her face teasingly, "And how is your life as a convicted felon?"

"Ilios," Christine scolded "That's gone too far."

"Let her gush and jabber," A strong voice boomed from the doorway, "I can not remember when I have been more amused."

"Peter!" Winnie shrieked rising up and running to her friend. "Did you bring me the photos?!"

He laughed and handed her the small satchel. "From the heights of Paris to the Red Sea. Photos for you, courtesy of me."

Ilios rose to her feet knocking over her chair, "Mother I've forgotten to put on my dress! I'm still in my school clothes!"

Christine chuckled, "Another time my dear, it's quite alright. You're young still anyway, your Father requested you not wear it till your a bit older."

Erik shot a knowing glance to his irritated daughter and proceeded to greet Peter.

"Why would he do that?!" Ilios asked her mother angrily.

"Because Lukes coming by."

"Luke?" Ilios said scrunching her nose, "But he's just Luke."

Christine smirked, "Your Father isn't taking any chances."

"Ah!" Peter grinned bowing to Ilios, "If it isn't the mischef maker. Gigi. or rather anything but, what a unfitting nickname. How did we ever give it to you? How are you?"

Ilios grinnned evily, she decided to start off by knocking him off his rocker.

"I've been dying to ask you so much." Ilios beamed dragging him back to the table, "It's been so long."

"It has." He laughed.

Ilios bit her lip and prepared herself for her Mothers anger. "Peter?"

"Yes?"

"Do you love all the time?"

Christine nearly spat out her drink."I beg your pardon?" Peter laughed heartily as Eli shot a disapproving glance at his sister."Do you love all the time?"

"No. anyone who does is a halfwitted imbecile." Peter stated firmly.

"Good," ilios said with a smile, "I am glad to hear it."

Peter laughed and turned to Erik, "What have you been putting into her little head these days?"

Erik shook his head angrilly, "Ask Christine not me."

Christine sighed, "Just the basics of society. She wants to live in the real world one day you know."

Peter grinned, "And so she shall, And she shall captivate all who set eyes on her as soon as she learns to brush her hair."

"I did brush it!" Ilios exclaimed, "I was at the hairdressers just yesterday!

Peter gave a chuckle, "Well too bad I wasn't there to occupy you. We could had played cards, just like old times."

"And she could've beaten you." Winnie grinned, "She beats me often."

"I'll tell you a secret," Peter said leaning over to the small girl at his side, but still speaking loud enough for all to hear, "She cheats."

"Of course I can." Ilios noted, "But I don't have to with you. Your so dreadfully awful at it."

Peter pretened to wear a bruised look of dignity on his face, "I'd watch your tounge my girl."

"I'm not your girl," Ilios sneered back.

Christine was losing patcience, she wanted to give Ilios a good talking to right then and there.

"No, No your not my girl." Peter looked to Christine and gave a rather hearty laugh, "And thank heaven for that."

Christine couldn't help it. Peter was so at ease, so happy when he was there, it seemed natural to tease and joke.

Luke came knocking on the door and Eli rose to get it.

"You musn't let Giry know you were here," Ilios said sternly to Peter in confidence.

"Why not?" Winnie aked easdropping in.

"Because it's against the code of course."

Peter gave a small laugh, "How silly! What code?"

"Well," Ilios said toying with her hair. "i can't remeber all of it. But one musn't play cards, Musn't say musn't. Musn't dawdle, musn't slouch all that dreadful stuff."

"You should be imprisoned by now then," Peter noted.

"Eli was," Winnie noted.

Peter turned his face to the happier, but much solemner Eli. "Yes," He nodded, "I heard."

Winnie looked at him with intrigue, it was a rare sight that Peter wasn't laughing.

"I've been keeping up with you," Ilios noted, "In the paper."

"Have you now?" Peter said a bit scared, "And what do you think of me. My other life as dashing holder of fortune and fame."

"Liane seems nice," Ilios noted.

"Oh yes," Winnie smiled, she had read the papers too, "She's very pretty, Almost too pretty for you Peter Jammes."

Peter shrugged, "What do you think of her character, from what you've read."

Ilios bit her lip, this was diffrent than ussual, this was his life. She was used to teasing, but now was a palce where a wrong word could hurt him.

"Honestly?" Ilios said slowly.

Peter nodded, "When have you ever been dishonest with me Ilios? Speak your mind."

"She's common." Ilios said hurriedly, reaching for the apple pie.

"ilios!" Winnie scolded, "We have to wait for mother!"

"Phooey!"

"common?" Peter repeated baffled.

"She seems a bore," ilios countinued, "You are getting rather predcitable in your old age."

"My old age?!" Peter exclaimed, "A bore?!"

----------

Christine was in a trance all night trying to figure out what was so intresting about Peters shoes that he kept staring at them.

Luke and Ilios chattered away, Winnie talking to Peter though she doubted he heard a word.

"You'll stay the night won't you?" She asked when the supper was done.

"Hm?" Peter asked slowly, "Oh, no. thank you. I have some buisness to put an end to. I mean- attend to. I'll return in the morning."

He kissed his adoptive Mothers cheek and shook Eriks hand, "Bon Voyage!" He said tipping his hat.

"Goonight!" Winnie yelled after him. "Don't forget to bring me a real live chicken."

"Tell Wade I'd missed him." Peter said solemnly getting into the boat.

"Don't you dare bring a chicken," Ilios cackled waving after him, "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight!"