(Be jelly, I got a little savings bank XD)

Callem-

The loud knock at the door wasn't much of a surprise, even though it came around eleven at night. I'd been pretending to watch the news show with Parker, who had fallen asleep a little bit ago. Considering the force of the knock and also the impatience behind it, I was pretty sure that it had to be the shark. 

Getting up, I stretched my arms over my head for a moment, then sauntered to the door. Not bothering to check the small hole in it, I tugged it open. 

Oh. I'm actually right on my guess about it being Hice.   

The mer shoved past me before I even had the door all the way open. Mad, like always. I didn't doubt that it was because of Fri being here, but I'd think that the smaller mer would have told him. Clearly not. Unless it's something else. 

I followed him calmly. I wasn't worried that he would start attacking someone, but things could get bad quickly if my brother decided to step into the situation. The idea had my feet speeding up a bit, then putting myself in the doorway to the room Oliver and Fri were in just in case Mellac did bother coming to see what was going on. 

"What are you doing here?" Hice growled as I watched him stomp over to Fri's side of the bed. 

Oliver had been asleep, but was beginning to come around. He was on top of the blanket and his laptop was open and next to him, so he probably had just fallen asleep while working, again.

Fri hunched a little beneath the blankets at Hice's words, but didn't seem afraid of him. He's probably used to his temper. It was a sad thought, but I have been told that my brother holds such a temper, too, and that I am just used to being around him so I don't consider it as being so bad. 

"Well? Why are you here? You do realize how dangerous being around humans is?" Hice yelled. His hands were turning into fists at his sides and his gills were flaring. I was considering stepping in and at least putting myself between him and Fri until he calmed down, but then Oliver sat up and took our attention. 

"He's sick and he's coming in to my lab for some testing to see if we can figure out what's wrong." 

Hice bared his teeth, and this time, I did step in. Putting my body between him and where Oliver sat on the edge of the bed fastening his metal leg back on, I squared my shoulders but tried to not look aggressive. I didn't want to start a fight. 

"I found Fri floating in the ocean. He wasn't doing well so we brought him here to recover." 

Oliver appeared beside me as I finished speaking. 

"He needs more help, Hice. I don't know what's wrong with him." 

Hice's growls were getting louder as we spoke, but he held himself back from doing anything else, for now. Instead, he glared over at Fri, who was doing his best to sit back against the headboard of the bed. It was clear that he was struggling, but Hice didn't move to help him and Oliver and I didn't dare cross his path to do so. 

"Why did you not tell me, Fri?" He asked, his voice calming a small amount at the sight of his hurting friend. 

When Fri just looked down at the blankets pooled around his waist, Hice stalked over to him and grabbed his shoulder hard enough to clearly get Fri's attention back on him. "I asked you, why did you not tell me? All you did was keep asking to come with me, not that you felt so poorly!" 

Fri shrunk back against the headboard, but kept his eyes on Hice. "I said I didn't feel very good a few times..."

Hice snarled and turned toward the wall. I thought he might punch it, like Mellac sometimes did, but he spun back around after a moment. "There is a difference between not feeling very good and feeling so badly that you go off on your own and nearly get yourself killed!" 

Fri seemed to want to respond, but thought better of it and just averted his eyes again. Hice blew out an angry breath and ran a hand over his face before turning his attention to Oliver. 

"You said he needs tests. What kind of tests?" He asked. 

There was a very clear warning in his words as they were hissed through clenched teeth. I only recently started learning about what tests were and how Parker and Oliver did them, but I had no idea what kind they would use on Fri. Hopefully not the ones that do the dissect thing. I don't think Hice would like that. 

 "He needs some blood and urine tests. They are basic ones that won't involve any kind of drug or pain besides drawing some blood with a needle." Oliver replied, as calm as ever. 

Hice still didn't look happy, in the least, but he did take a seat on the bed beside Fri. When the two began speaking in hushed words, I looked at Oliver and when he nodded to me, we both stepped out.  

Seeing Kipper sitting on the sofa when we walked into the living room, mid-yawn, had me hurrying over to drop down beside him. I kept my hands at my sides, but I really wanted to hug him. Remember the deal you made. One hour of together time in return for no sudden hugs. I was coming to not like that idea very much, because I swear the length of an hour changes every time. 

 I really need to have Parker teach me time better. 

He has before, but I just don't seem to understand it very well. I can tell what time it is, and that certain spaces between the numbers mean minutes or hours, but Kipper must know it better, because I always get told differently by him when it's our together time. 

"Hello father." Kipper said sleepily as he leaned against my side. The only time he tended to be interested in me besides when we agree to hang out, was when he was tired. Not that I minded. I hesitnatly tugged him into my lap and hugged him gently. He growled, but snuggled against me anyways. 

"Hey Callem, what's going on?" Parker said, returning from the bathroom. 

No wonder he wasn't out here anymore. 

"Hice is here." I replied with a smile, my attention mostly taken by my son. Not that I didn't love Parker and want to give him my attention, I definitely did, but I rarely got to hug my son without him getting upset. It wasn't a moment I was going to let slip past me. 

"Here?" He said, stopping suddenly beside me to look around. 

I glanced up at him when Kipper began to doze off. "Yes. He's in the room with Fri." 

Parker's lips turned down into a frown as he looked that way. I could see ideas running through his mind, but when he turned back to me, he offered me a smile and a shrug. "I suppose I'm not too surprised. He was really protective of him when he was here last, and neither of them have had great interactions with humans." 

I nodded and opened my mouth to reply but got cut off when Hice stalked out of the hallway carrying Fri in his arms. They were both wearing shorts taken from the room since they had both been naked previously. Probably a good idea. Walking around naked would draw too much attention. Not that we weren't allowed to, but it just drew too many eyes.

"He will do your tests." Hice said as he headed for the door. 

I reluctantly set my boy aside and stood. Since I was already wearing pants, I just followed them. Parker took my hand as he walked up beside me in his checkered pajamas and I gave it a quick squeeze before stopping at the open door. Since neither Mellac or Jayson had made an appearance, I figured that it was best to leave them. It seems like everyone else silently agreed, too, as no one tried to go wake them up. Or interrupt. 

Hice stood on the other side of the door impatiently, his glare leveled on Oliver, who was carefully walking toward us.

"I can't walk fast, shark. You're just going to have to be patient." Oliver grumbled, getting a growl from Hice. "And you're not allowed in the room when I'm doing the tests. You have to wait on the other side of the glass." 

That didn't get a pleasant response from the shark, but Oliver just stopped in front of him and crossed his arms over his chest. "Too bad, Hice. If you want to be there when I try to help him. If you want to be there for him. You will do as told and wait behind a safety barrier." 

Hice hissed, baring his serrated teeth. "Why, are you planning on hurting him more than you said you would?"

Oliver rolled his eyes and walked past Hice, then turned on him with an impressive glare. "No, but I want you far enough away that if you overreact, I have time to respond."

Instead of replying again, Hice just stalked past us and got in the back of Parker's truck with Fri. I turned when Parker gave Oliver a strong pat on the shoulder. "Glad you're in high spirits again, bud." 

Oliver shrugged his hand off, but I could see the smile hinting at his lips. "Because I have my own finned reason to value my life now." He said as he hobbled past us. 

Chuckling once he was out of earshot, I leaned over and stole a quick kiss from Parker, then pulled him along toward his truck. I had a feeling that we were going to have quite a busy night. 

Too bad it isn't in bed.