Viper's POV: last time.... (Hopefully. I don't know where this story will take us!)

Citron walked in with Dr. Comet as Peri and I sat at the table for dinner or breakfast. I was finished with my meal already. I was always careful because I never wanted to kill my family.

I always noticed the new people because they would watch me or stare, probably waiting for me to launch myself at them. I only brought that up because some new people were staring at me from across the room. A woman had a crucifix, holding it tightly in her hand, glaring at me. It wouldn't save her from vampires but as long as she felt safe... Anyway...

Citron plopped down. "We have a plan!" He was excited.

I inhaled and just realized something. "Uh... quick question?" I watched them. "Are you two together?"

"It took you sooo long!" Citron chuckled. "Viper, we have been together for many years! It was love at first sight when we met!"

Dr. Comet chuckled. "And how long has it been?" He sent a glare to Citron.

"Now, you got me in trouble, Viper!" Citron turned to Dr. Comet. "It's been twenty-three years."

Viper just stared at them. "You both look twenty!"

Dr. Comet chuckled. "We're pixies... Well I'm a pixie. Citron is a Faerie, so aging with us is complicated. I'm sure you will be aging differently now also."

I stared at them. "I hadn't thought of that!" I looked around. "There are a lot of new people."

Peri sighed. "There was an attack last night. Another squad took the lead and did a lot of rescues. It was very successful. You do know we don't work all the time, yeah?"

I glared at the jerk beside me. "Are you always going to be snarky like this?"

Peri nodded. "Always."

I melted and leaned into him. "Good." We shared a kiss and probably the first kiss we had in public because even Citron gasped. Everyone that was watching us, gasped in unison. It made me laugh as I placed another kiss on Peri.

"You do like me." Peri teased me.

"Eh... until something better comes along!" I chuckled as he glared.

"I should zap you into next week!" Peri glared. "Practice later?"

I nodded. "Yes, you should!" I laughed as Peri moved into me and hugged me. "I'm kicking your ass later!" It was a threat that came along with kisses on my neck.

Peri chuckled. "Okay."

Citron sighed. "So, before any of that, Comet has something to talk about, so we are all meeting Gem in her office after breakfast."

Dr. Comet nodded.

Peri watched them. "Did you guys help with the new people? There is a lot of staring."

Chance smiled from across the room. He took a big breath and yelled out to me. "Hey, Dad! Did you eat yet?" He waved a bag of my veggie blood.

I laughed and nodded. "I did. Thanks!"

Peri chuckled. "He's something."

"He's part of us, if I had to guess." Citron smiled. "He's crazy!"

I nodded. "I know."

Chance rushed over and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "So, how did you guys sleep!"

I watched him. "Are you seeing someone? A nature fairy by chance?"

Chance blushed. "What? Why would that be your conclusion!"

Citron chuckled as Peri commented. "Oh, Chance. You lie as well as Viper. It's terrible and charming. Poor Basil isn't going to see you coming!"

Chance blushed. "What? Basil... no.. I?"

Basil ruined his bad lying as he sat beside Chance and leaned in. "Morning... again."

Chance blushed and tried to hide.

I gasped when I saw them. "Already! You guys just met!"

Basil chuckled. "He's charming!"

"Okay, let's talk about anything else!" Chance laughed and started eating breakfast.

Citron had a list of snarky comments but he left it. "We have a meeting with Gem. Are you both joining us?"

Basil nodded. "Yes, Sir!"

Citron nodded. "Good. So, Chance, what was that about when you yelled across the cafe?"

Chance chuckled. "I saw everyone staring at the table and I knew they were curious and uncomfortable with Viper so I thought it would be fun." He shrugged.

I chuckled. "I appreciate it, Chance!"

"Hey, they stopped staring!" Chance chuckled and leaned into Basil.

Citron chuckled. "So, we have a meeting. Our Gen has a marvelous idea."

"Technically, it was my idea!" Dr. Comet glared at Citron.

I nodded and smiled at the table. I was sitting with my family and it was so good. I would die to protect them.