-Parker-

"Parker!"

Snapping my eyes open at the sound of my name being shouted, I withheld a groan and quickly jumped out of bed to run into the living room. Callem was right behind me, so when I stopped abruptly, he smacked into my back and would have made me stumble if he hadn't reached out and wrapped one of his arms around my waist.

"What the heck? Why do you have a kid, Mellac?" I asked, confused as to why anyone would allow their child near the mer. It actually looked kind of like him, too, which was really scary to think about.

"He found it in the bushes outside. I'm pretty sure it's a mer, too," Jayson said as he walked over with two big towels in his arms. My eyes went wide as both Callem and I stepped forward, checking both sides of the boy's neck for gills.

"Holy crap. He is!" I shouted, shocked beyond belief that we actually had a little boy mer now.

"Yeah, but something seems off about him. My shout evidently didn't wake Ocar or Oliver so can you go get them up?"

I nodded and quickly ran to the other room, knocking on the door a few times before entering. My heart gave a hard thump against my ribs when I saw Oliver stretched out, snoring quietly in Jayson's bed with Ocar curled up near his thigh. One of Ocar's fingers was curled through one of Oliver's belt loops, which to anyone else, would probably look adorable. Unfortunately, considering the way the mer had acted previously, I had a feeling it was more to keep Oliver from trying to slip away over anything comforting.

"Hey, guys, there's something in the living room you need to see."

I didn't speak too loudly because I didn't want to startle Ocar, but they really did need to get up, now.

-Oliver-

Don't want to...

I knew he was going to bug me until I woke up, but dammit, I had to have just fallen asleep a few minutes ago! Considering I felt like crap, there was no way I'd been out anywhere near long enough to get some real sleep.

Hmph, such is the life of a darn doctor.

"If it's another injured 'dolphin', just put it out of my misery," I mumbled, trying to push myself back to sleep for at least a few more seconds.

"Uh, well. Actually, it is another 'dolphin'," he said, emphasizing the same word I had. That at least got my lazy ass up, or as up as I could get when I realized Ocar had a hold of me.

"Ocar, get up," I growled down at him, poking the guy's head even though Parker looked like he was having a heart attack as I did so. Not like it mattered if he got up and went crazy on me. I was already missing a leg and I felt like shit about Lyric dying, maybe a bit more near-death stuff would cheer me up in a sadistically twisted sort of way?

"Oliver? What do you want?" Ocar mumbled as he began to come around.

"Ocar, can you just grab him and bring him into the living room? Jayson and Mellac found a little mer outside."

Hearing Parker's answer to Ocar's question made me realize that I was likely needed. I was going to just ask for a cane or something to balance my weight on, but Ocar evidently wasn't very patient. He scooted out of bed, then turned and tossed me over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes.

"Come on. I might not be able to walk, but I can sure as hell hop. Put me down!" I said sourly as I banged my fists on Ocar's back like a child.

"If you weren't the reason for Lyric's renewed smile, I would kill you right now."

Hearing that threat made me fidget, but I didn't get much time to dwell on it as I was unceremoniously dropped onto the floor in the living room.

"Dammit, ow."

Rubbing my backside, I glared up at Ocar, only to see that his eyes were completely glued onto something over my shoulder. Deciding that my glare was going to be wasted on the mer, I looked over my shoulder to give it to someone else when my mouth dropped open in shock.

"What... the hell?"

Jayson reached up and grabbed the boy hanging upside-down in Mellac's hand, having to pry the mer's fingers away one by one to actually get the kid.

"I don't want it here. Offspring are useless," Mellac grumbled, drawing a collective of glares from just about everyone present except for the other mers.

"Of course they're useless, Mellac. It's called being a child," Parker said as he helped Jayson turn the boy right-side-up, then began carefully tugging off his soaked clothing.

"Why are you here, Eight?"

Hearing Ocar randomly speak up had everyone's gazes suddenly on him.

"You know him?" Parker asked as he tossed a wet shirt behind him and began tugging at the boy's shorts. Everything he had on looked way too big for a boy his size.

"Yes, but he isn't as he appears," Ocar replied with a cold tone before continuing. "Do not pretend that you do not understand, Eight. They have taught you more than enough to communicate, and I am sure there is a reason they allowed you to come here."

The boy looked confused at first, but then he gave a toothy smile and barked.

Wait. Bark? Who else do we know that barks like a seal?

My eyes cut up and over to him, taking in the stunned look on his face before going back to analyze the kid.

Black hair. Blueish-violet eyes. Barks.

"Well shit. Callem's a daddy."

An awkward silence fell over us, which was made quite funny, at least to my tired mind, because the little mer was now completely naked and pouting up at Callem. I thought he would snatch the kid up immediately to snuggle with it and coo about stupid things that weren't important, but he just kept standing there, staring. Deciding that staring at the motionless mer was boring, I scooted myself closer until the boy finally looked at me.

"Hey, kid, since you understand us, I'll make this simple. Are you hurt anywhere? If so, where?"

He pursed his lips and looked down at his feet, then slowly reached out with his left hand. It took me a minute to figure out where the injury actually was, but only because it was a little cut likely from brushing against a sharp rock or branch. I wanted to smack him on the side of the head for showing me something that honestly didn't need any attention to heal, but I knew Parker would likely skin me alive for it.

Man, I really don't like kids.

"Get me my bag, Park," I asked, wiggling my fingers at him. He nodded and ran toward the front door, vanishing for a moment before returning with my medical bag. After he set it down, I dug through it, grabbing out a cotton ball, some antiseptic, and a small Band-Aid.

"This is going to hurt a little, but it will take away the pain fast, okay, Eight?"

He licked his lips and nodded before looking away and squeezing his eyes shut. Rolling my own eyes, I got the cotton soaked in the disinfectant and was about to press it to the back of his hand, which I'd gently taken in my left one, when I noticed Parker kneeling beside the kid and holding his free hand. Biting my tongue from saying something stupid, I quickly got the tiny wound cleaned up and pressed the Band-Aid over it, pushing it down gently to be sure it stayed.

"There, all done."

His eyes blinked open, then looked down at his hand in surprise.

"I don't really like the name Eight. We need to change it to something better," Parker said, drawing the kid's eyes back to him.

"Eight is my name," the little boy whispered, blushing slightly. Parker gave him a friendly smile and gently scooped him up into his arms after wrapping one of the towels Jayson had brought around him.

"That's a number, sweetie. You need a real name," Parker cooed, making me want to twitch.

He doesn't need a new name. He's obviously a trap!

"They gave us all numbers when we got there. I was the last to be caught, along with Lyric, so we were six and seven, then he was born," Ocar commented, still not looking too happy that the boy was still there.

"So that's why he's called Eight. Well, I'm changing that crappy name," Parker grumbled as he walked toward the kitchen with the kid in his arms. I followed, hopping until I was able to lean against the counter near the sink. I was just about to tell him that he couldn't keep the darn kid when Jayson strode in with a microchip scanner.

"He's obviously going to have one. They wouldn't just let the kid go. He's here for something, and I'm pretty damn sure it's not just tracking. They know where we live so he's gotta have a job to do," I said. Parker glared at me, but he knew I was right. I could see the realization and hurt in his eyes as he held the kid still for Jayson to scan. The thing beeped immediately when it was placed near his shoulder, but as he kept checking the device reacted at least nine more times.

"Jesus, they've put so many chips in him!" Jay shouted angrily, nearly throwing the scanner in his frustration.

"Of course. Most of them are near places that are hard to operate on, too, just to be sure that they never lose him," I replied.

"We'll worry about getting them out later. For now..." Parker let his words trail off as he looked down at the boy in his arms, who was glancing up at him with curiosity.

"Are you hungry? We've got plenty of fish if you'd like some dinner."

The boy's eyes grew wide, then narrow as he tried to figure something out.

"What is my work for dinner?" he asked, his sentence surprisingly good considering his age.

"Your work?" Parker replied, looking up at me for an answer I didn't have, before glancing back down at the boy.

"I have do work for food."

He gave a small smile and looked around as he was set atop the counter so Parker could rummage through the fridge. I thought he would just take out a big piece of salmon or cod, two kinds of fish Callem and Mellac seemed to enjoy quite a bit, but instead he grabbed a small can from a stack near the bigger fillets and set it on the counter.

"I think these will do," he mumbled to himself as he grabbed the tab and pulled the lid back. After giving the small fish inside a rinse in the sink, he drained the container and then held it out for the boy. At first it looked as if the child was unsure if he should even take a fish, but of course, Callem stepped in right on schedule and grabbed one out with his fingers, then promptly bit the head off with an encouraging smile.

"See? No work for food here," Parker said as he nodded toward Callem, then moved the can a little closer to the kid. He still seemed confused and more than a little bit hesitant, but after a long moment of silence, he reached inside and grabbed a small fish in his little hand.

"Good boy, eat up, okay? They're all for you if you like them," Parker cooed, already becoming the mother hen as he set the container of fish near the boy and got busy getting a glass to fill with water for him as well. Since Parker was futzing around and Jayson was walking out of the kitchen, I turned my attention to Callem, watching his body language as the little boy nibbled at the fish hesitantly. The two mers didn't move much besides slight gestures like Callem's head tilting after he'd finished the little fish he'd begun eating and the boy's chewing, so when Callem suddenly stepped closer to him, Parker and I both froze and watched like hawks. The worry, however, proved to be unnecessary because Callem stopped right in front of the child, then shrugged off the shirt he'd worn to sleep and slid it over the boy's head. The towel had fallen away so it easily fit over his slim body, pooling in his lap and on the counter.

"Do not want you to be cold," Callem stated with a calm yet concerned tone. It was honestly shocking that he would care for the mer since Parker had told me Mellac said there was little parental care in the species. Granted, he did also note that females sometimes kept a child after it had finished nursing, though not for extended periods of time, but males weren't supposed to care.

The little boy looked as if he was getting uncomfortable after he'd finished most of his first fish, which was understandable in such a new place. Parker, being the surprisingly observant guy that he was, noticed it pretty quickly and walked over, setting the glass of water down on the counter before carefully lifting the boy up and setting him gently down on his feet. The gesture allowed for Callem's huge shirt to drape down nearly to the kid's feet, looking almost like he was wearing a dress.

"Ah, here. Don't want to forget these," Parker noted as he grabbed the can from the counter and knelt down, offering it to the boy.

"Since you're almost done with that one, why not just take them all with you and you can eat them when you'd like?"

After a quiet moment, the little boy finished the last bite of the fish he'd previously been holding and took the can with a whispered "Thank you," before quickly walking toward the living room area.

"I think I know what to call him now."

Hearing Parker suddenly right next to me had my attention turning from the kid's back to him. Callem had followed the little mer out of the room so I knew they'd be fine for a bit.

"Yeah? What?"

If he names him something similar to calamari just because they're related, I may have to take away his naming privileges.

"Kipper," he chimed, smiling at the cute name of the fish the boy had seemingly been enjoying. It was just a nickname for herring, but eh, it did kind of fit the kid.

"Sure, why not? So now you've got Callem and Kipper to look after."

I was expecting him to just agree, then run off to go coddle the kid more, but he actually lunged for me, wrapping my body in a strong hug without bothering to ask permission first.

I still don't do hugs!

"Uh, Park?"

He squeezed me a bit harder, making me wince.

"I'm so happy, Oliver!" he mumbled against my shoulder. I wasn't really sure what he wanted me to do so I just gave his back a few pats, then looked toward the kitchen entrance. Ocar was standing there looking a bit frustrated.

Probably needs to talk with me.

"Can you go look after your new mer for a bit? I need to talk with Ocar."

That got Parker moving. He was out of the room in a blur, then seconds later, I heard him drop to his knees in the other room and likely begin trying to play with Kipper.

God, poor kid just got himself a crazy father to go along with his real dad.

"There is something wrong with that boy. He should not be here."

Hearing Ocar's worried words brought my attention to him as he walked over. I carefully lifted myself up onto the counter with my arms to get more comfortable, then thought over what he'd said.

"If they've had him since his birth and tested him like crazy, you're right. There would be no reason to let him go, especially not specifically here, if they didn't have some reason for doing so."

He nodded and leaned against the counter beside me, licking his lips as we both quietly thought things through.

"Well, he's chipped beyond belief, so I don't think they really are intending to use him for tracking us. I think those are just there to be sure he can never truly get away."

Ocar nodded again, then looked up at me with worried eyes.

"I think I know why he is here right now."

My brows went up in surprise. I hadn't even begun to really figure out what they were intending to do with the kid after releasing him here, but I was definitely curious to hear what Ocar thought.

"Yeah? What?" I asked, leaning over a little in case he wanted to whisper. Evidently, he didn't care to say it loud and clear...

"He's here to kill you."

What?

Disbelief showed on my face before I could even get my words out.

"He's an infant, Ocar."

Those hadn't exactly been the smartest words to use at that moment, because Ocar suddenly shoved his way between my legs and pinned me to where I sat on the counter as his arms moved on either side of me and he leaned forward with a snarl.

"You stupid humans are not thinking! He is barely a one year old, if that! But he is obviously no infant! I will bet my life that he understands your human weapons and when no one is paying him any mind, he will figure out a way to end your life."

He hissed out his words right in my face, but I didn't dare try to shove him away for being in my personal space because he had a point. A very good point. The kid could already talk better than Callem could when Parker had first found him. He also understood things that no one year old human ever could.

Err, well, I guess he'll have to get in line behind Hice then.

"You're right. That is definitely possible, but...."

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing as he silently told me to keep talking. I heaved a tired sigh and looked up, meeting his churning dark eyes.

"I don't think Parker will tolerate us doing anything to the kid, and whatever Parker wants, Callem is right there along with him. Then, if we bother Callem, his big brother, the cranky stick-up-his-butt mer that I'm sure you've noticed lurking about, Mellac, will cause much more painful problems."

Man, it's like we have one huge fucked-up hierarchy of mers living under one roof. So fun.

After another stretch of silence, Ocar gently wrapped his arms around my waist and tugged me against his chest. I wanted to argue, but I was still exhausted from our pathetic nap, if it could even be called that, so I just let my body slump in his arms, resting my head on his shoulder as he carried me out of the kitchen.

"You will stay near me until he is gone."

Eh?

"Why? I'm pretty sure you don't like me."

Ocar glared down at me but said nothing as he carried me back into Jayson's bedroom where we had been sleeping previously, and set me down on the bed. I was about to open my mouth to repeat my question when I was suddenly pulled into his lap as he dropped down to the bed. Again, I tried to talk to him, but he was leaning over, his tongue darting out to lick at my cheek feverishly.

Seriously? What the hell!

I was about to tell him to get the hell off of me when I noticed his eyes... or what was coming from them.

He's crying? Why is he upset? It isn't like he is in danger.

"Ocar? It's okay. It'll be fine. You said I'll stay with you, so I won't get hurt by Kipper."

Man, it felt weird giving the kid a name, but Parker is right. Calling him Eight just isn't okay.

Even with my trial at persuasion, Ocar didn't seem very interested in letting me go or stopping his licking. I knew it meant something similar to kissing in humans, but I was lost as to why he was doing it to me. When he buried his face against my neck and began licking randomly there, I finally just let out a deep breath and relaxed against him, figuring that I would have to wait this out.

"Just leave it for now..."

What?

"Leave it?" I asked, not sure what he was talking about.

"You're the last bit o-of..."

He tried to finish the sentence but ended up speeding up his licking, making my skin begin to ache from the repetitive attention. While he did that, I played his words over in my head. If I was the last bit of something...

He only had one thing that I can remember him holding dear. Lyric.

"I'm your connection to him. That's why."

His silence told me that I was correct. Well, at least I knew why he was acting so strange. Surprisingly, it didn't bother me as much as I thought it might. Sure, I was still afraid of him and the other mers, but at least Ocar wasn't showing any signs of aggression right then. And heck, if he was willing to protect me from the possibility of Kipper attacking, I was willing to let him cry on my shoulder as much as he'd like.