Walking into Bob's dinner with Luke at her right, his arm over her shoulders, and North at her left, one hand in her back, Sang felt like the filling of a Taylor' sandwich. Trying to distract herself from her improper thought she started looking around, taking in the details of the place where she hopped to be working on.

The place was beautifully decorated and had a very homey feeling. It was the sort of restaurant where you could sit comfortably for hours, enjoying good food and relaxing while talking with friends and family.

The boys gave her a minute to look around before towing her to the back, where the doors to the kitchen stood. Walking through she was met with a cacophony of sounds, smells, and people.

The air was hot and heavy with different scents. There was a man standing by the stove keeping an eye on the food cooking there, another was by the sink, washing some of the dishes and putting others in the washing machine, a third man stood by an counter, cutting vegetables until he spotted us by the doors.

He was the one to attract most of her attention. The man was thin, bald and very old man, he stood with his back straight, shoulders back and chin raised while observing them from head to toe, much like she was doing in the moment.

Blushing in embarrassment she raised a finger to her lips, wishing the boys arms weren't behind her so that she could hide behind them for a little while.

Smiling, the man started to talk, his voice booming loudly in the room. "My boys! How nice of you to come and visit your old Uncle! Say, who is this lovely little bird?"

His eyes kept shifting from my face to where Luke's and North's arms rested on my person. I had felt odd but happy with them so close before, but now I felt only self-conscious. What would their uncle think?

"This is Sang Sorenson, Uncle." The sound of North's voice made the old man jump and stare at his younger nephew, his eyes suddenly filling with tears that he tried to hide by turning around and heading to the sink where he washed his hands while recomposing himself.

North shifted uncomfortably by my side and dropped his arm from my waist. Looking up at him I saw his face had turned to stone and his eyes showed regret.

I reached out and grabbed his hand in mine, interlacing our fingers together and giving a squeeze.

He looked down at our hands and then raised his eyes to mine. The look he gave me was in parts intense, soft and hot. It seared through my soul straight to my heart, like molten lava.

I sucked in a breath, my nose filling with the scents of the kitchen, Luke's vanilla smell and a musk that was all North. Turning back to face the kitchen I saw that Uncle had recovered and was watching us all with great interest, a slight smile on his lips.

"Welcome back to earth, kids." He said, his smile stretching with a mischief I often saw in Luke.

Blushing again I ducked my head while Luke laughed.

North grunted. "Don't tease her. She is shy." He said, making his uncle stare at him in amazement. He shifted uncomfortably again, but didn't comment.

"Well, then, what are you lot doing here? Come to help?"

"Sure." Letting go of me Luke headed to the counters and started to clean up. The lunch rush was over, now they had little to do.

"You may call me Uncle, little bird. All the kids do." He said while going back to chopping his vegetables. "And you might become family soon enough too..." the last was no more than a whisper, but my trained ear caught every word in the noisy ambient.

North had gone over to help the guy with the dishes, which left me alone with their uncle. Walking towards him I held my hands behind my back to hide my nervous trembling and asked. "What can I do to help?"

Looking at me thoughtfully he asked "Do you plan on working here, little bird?"

I nodded my head. "I'd like that. But I can't give you any documentation." I knew finding a job when you had no ID would be a problem, but Luke had assured me his uncle would pay me in cash.

His eyebrows went up but he didn't ask any questions. "Ok, then, little bird. I will pay you in cash. Now, go over to that counter and show me what you can make for desert."

I looked around the whole kitchen first, familiarizing myself with the place. Making my decision I grabbed the necessary ingredients and walked back to my counter.

I began to prepare the pie dough. Once finished with mixing the dough I separated it into portions that I kneaded into discs and wrapped in a plastic bag, taking to the freezer to cool down.

While I waited for the dough to get ready I threw the ingredients to the filling into a bowl to blend. As soon as I deemed the dough ready for use I retrieved it from the freezer and started to roll it out until I had what I needed to cover the pie plate. Once the pastry was filled I covered the top with thin strips I had cut from another portion of the dough and put it into the oven.

Looking up from my work I saw that Uncle and the boy were all standing together, a little away from my counter, watching me work in what seemed like fascination.

Blushing I asked "What?" was there flour in my face? Brushing my cheek with my hand I saw that indeed, yes, there seemed to be an embarrassingly amount of flour in my face.

"You look like a witch doing magic, cupcake." Said Luke in a loud whisper, his eyes still staring at me fixedly as if expecting me to grown wings or something of the sort.

Blinking in confusion I turned to North and Uncle. "What?" I asked again, slightly louder.

North seemed to come out of his trance with that and focused his eyes in my face as he answered "It is the way you were moving while cooking, baby. It is reminiscent of those Disney films where witches and fairies make flourishing gestures while making magic."

Blinking again in surprise I asked. "Humm... you watched many Disney movies, North?"

He blushed.

My question seemed to wake Uncle, because he turned to look at his youngest nephew while Luke burst out laughing.

"North!" Gasp, "Disney...movies" Laughing. "Cinderella!" Luke couldn't seem to decide if he wanted to laugh, talk or breathe. North just grumbled.

Turning back to me Uncle smiled and said. "You are hired."

Shocked I said. "But you didn't even taste my pie yet!"

Looking at me with a soft smile he said. "You just made a traditional apple pie from scratch, girl. I can tell it's a damn good recipe, which means you are a damn good cook in my book. Beside, anyone who manages to make my boys so happy should get a job and a raise." He finished with a teasing wink.

I smiled at them. I had a job.

...

The hospital was calm, the hour was late. The few professionals who were in charge of working at such a late hour walked silently by the corridors, speaking quietly so as to not wake up the sleeping patients in the rooms.

Standing in front of the glass divide of the nursery was a young doctor. The look on his face was one of wonder and wistfulness uncommon in one so young.

Walking back to his office he sat behind his desk and observed Gabriel's latest creation. On the frame, beside the one with a photo of his brothers, was a drawing of Sang. A very recent one.

She was so beautiful and sweet. He wanted to spend more time with her, but between working in the hospital, teaching in the local college and his missions for the academy he didn't have a lot of free time.

Reclining on his chair he promised himself he'd only sleep for ten minutes. He'd been working for the last twenty-four hours straight and was feeling the effects of not having a good night's sleep. A knock on his office' door made he sight wearily and give up on his napping plans.

Opening the door to Dr. Green's office, Owen Blackbourne walked inside, raising his glasses with a finger. Observing the state that his best friend found himself in, he thought that Sean needed some rest urgently. Sean worked too much; he didn't seem to value his own well-being as much as he valued others'.

"You look remarkably like one of Nathan's zombies, Sean." He said.

Dropping his head at the table with a thunk, Sean mumbled "Shut up, Owen."

Walking over to the chairs in front of the desk, Owen sat in one of them, straightening his suit and settling with his back perfectly straight. "You need to stop working so much. You have become a workaholic Sean." He said quietly.

For most people his voice would sound emotionless, his face void of any emotion. But Sean could hear the worry that laced his tone.

"I'm fine Owen. Two more hour of work and I am free to go home for today." He said, raising his head from the table so he could see his friend's eyes.

Raising an eyebrow skeptically Owen asked "And how many hours of sleep do you plan on having before you leave running for your next job?"

Frowning at his friend in displeasure, Sean answered "I will have six hours of sleep and then head out for that mission we discussed last week."

Fixing his tie Owen simply told him "Not anymore."

Blinking, his brain a little sluggish from exhaustion, Sean took a minute to process what his friend was saying before he burst out. "What do you mean by "not anymore"? I've already accepted the mission! It's an important one, Owen! We can't back out!" throwing his hands up in a dramatic gesture he glared at his friend.

"We are not backing out, Sean. And you wouldn't be having such stupid thoughts if you were thinking straight. I am taking you home now for sleep." Raising a hand to stop the coming protest, Owen kept on talking "Dr. Roberts gave his clearance. The mission will be done by Victor and Silas."

His mouth dropping open in surprise, Sean couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Silas is going on a mission?" he asked incredulously. "He didn't even speak with us until two days ago!"

Sighing, Owen removed his glasses and started cleaning them. "Miss Sang's influence in these boys is almost scary. North and Silas have agreed to become a part of the academy so that they can help protect her. They are aware that with her ghost status she will be sent into illegal and potentially dangerous missions. It is their wish to be part of the team that will ensure her safety."

Snorting, Sean said. "So now Pookie has a pair of guard dogs."

"So it seems." Owen agreed. Standing from his chair he let his hands smooth down his suit before walking around the desk and grabbing hold of one of Sean's ears. Twisting, he ignored his friends curses and started pulling him in the direction of the door.

"Time to go home, Sean." He said as they left the hospital, the people they met in their way smiling in amusement and surprise at seeing the ever proper and unemotional Owen Blackbourne dragging his friend in town like a unruly child.

......

The next day...

"A" Report

Walking inside Victor's conference room that we used for meetings I saw that all my brothers were already there, including our newest members.

Mr. Blackbourne was standing by the head of the table, Dr. Green sitting by his right, Victor by his left. The others were scattered around the room, but when they saw me they all headed to the table and sat down.

I sat in one of the available chairs and waited. A family meeting was long overdue.

Mr. Blackbourne cleared his throat and began speaking. "Gentlemen, we are here today to discuss a series of important business. First I'd like to welcome the Mr. Silas Korba and Mr. North Taylor into the family. We are all glad you've agreed to join us."

They both nodded in thanks but didn't say anything. Getting these two to talk more with us would be something we'd have to work at. Sang had made them take the first step, but the walk ahead would be a long one.

Turning to me Mr. Blackbourne went on with the meeting as usual. "Anything to report from your household, Mr. Lee?"

Straightening in my chair I adjusted my glasses before answering him. "No, sir. Everything seems to be in order with Mom and Jessica."

Nodding his head, Mr. Blackbourne turned to Gabriel who was sitting by my side. His answer was the same as mine.

The meeting progressed much the same way. No one had anything unusual to report, their missions for the academy were all going well, their families at home were quiet and all was in peace for the moment.

"Very well." Mr. Blackbourne removed his glasses and started cleaning them. "Now, for the subject of Miss Sorenson."

"Aaaw Owen. Don't call her that, we all know that you address her as Miss Sang or my darling when you can." Dr. Green said in a teasing tone of voice, earning a glare from Mr. Blackbourne.

He was the only one who dared to tease the man so much. Luke and Gabriel sometimes did too, but not with as much frequency.

They had gotten used to seeing their older brother as a proper gentleman who seemed much older than his years, someone they deferred to and didn't disrespect. Hearing Sang refer to Mr. Blackbourne as Owen was always a shock to his system. It made him perceive how truly young the man was.

"As I was saying" Mr. Blackbourne went on, still glaring at Dr. Green, who just smiled indulgently at his friend. "Where it comes to Miss Sang, it is rather obvious that all present here have developed a form of attachment to the young lady..."

A few snorts and quiet laughing could be heart around the table, but Mr. Blackbourne never paused in his talking. "... and I think it's time to broach the subject of if we are going to integrate her in the family and our team, and how that is going to happen."

Most of us already knew what integrating her in the family meant. It meant that we would allow ourselves to love her and try to make her fall in love with all of us. A daunting prospect because our group was a very varied one, and big too. He found it hard to imagine a woman loving them all, they were so different from each other...

The other problem was how North and Silas would react to having to share their girlfriend. They hadn't grown up with the concept like the rest of us had. The Anderson team had been part of their teachers at the academy so the idea of sharing didn't bother us.

Frowning, North asked. "What would it mean to bring her into the family or the team? I know the academy usually don't allow a bird in a dog team."

"They allow for it under a certain set of circumstances." Mr. Blackbourne answered, his face completely blanc, and yet North narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously.

"What sort of circumstances?" he growled. Silas stayed watching quietly, his eyes fliting around the table. From the look in his eyes, Kota knew that the other boy was aware that they all already knew about the "circumstances" and were only waiting for his and North's reaction to the news.

"It seems that the only way to keep a bird in an all dog team without causing conflicts is for the whole team agree to go into a relationship with the bird. A romantic relationship."

North blinked in confusion, but Silas face showed understanding. "You mean we'd have to share her. She would be our girlfriend." His forehead had wrinkled in thought, his voice was slow and quiet.

North's reaction was far more dramatic. He jumped up from his seat, his hands fisted, and his face red in anger. "What the hell do you mean by it?!" He boomed. "Sang baby is not a toy to be passed around!"

Nathan jumped from his seat at his words; his hands hit the table top, palms flat in the surface, making the table tremble. His face was set in anger and determination, the serious blue eyes staring daggers at North. "Of course she isn't a toy! We don't think of her like that! Don't you dare to say otherwise!" he barked.

Luke jumped in, trying to placate his brother. "It's not like that North! We all care greatly for Sang. Hell, I bet more than half of us are already falling for her! But we can't split the family. Even she wouldn't accept that!" his face was pleading, begging his brother to understand and be okay with their plan.

Victor spoke up then. "She needs us. All of us. She never had a family before and she already is growing attached to ours. Besides..." he gave a wry smile "... do you really think you'd be able to keep up with Sang Sorenson alone?"

Gabriel laughed, his hand rubbing his cheek. "That is exactly what I was thinking. We will need to join forces to keep up with that little troublemaker. I know that I would never be able to handle her alone." He said, a wistful smile in his face, his bright blue eyes shining brighter in excitement.

I knew the main reason for him to be okay with this plan was because he didn't think he had a chance with Sang otherwise. I hoped she could prove him wrong.

Silas had stayed quiet while listening to everyone. His face was thoughtful. Kota hoped he would manage to sway his friend. He knew that Silas was the only one among them that could convince North in that moment. They were very close to each other.

North was about to open his mouth to protest some more. His fists planted on his hips, he looked as immovable as a mountain. Silas raised his hand and touched his brother' arm. North's head snapped down to look at Silas. Their eyes met in a silent communication that even Kota couldn't decipher.

"Είμαι πτώση για τον αδελφό της. Και ξέρω ότι είστε πάρα πολύ" (I am falling for her brother. And I know you are too.) Silas said quietly. His eyes were dark pools, full of emotions, staring into North's stormy ones.

North frowned at his friend as he crossed his arms over his chest. "Δεν είναι ένα παιχνίδι, ο Σίλας." (She isn't a toy, Silas.)

"Ξέρω. Και το ίδιο κάνουν και αυτοί." (I know. And so do they.) He answered, nodding his head in the direction of the other boys in the room.

Uncrossing his arms he let them drop to his sides, feeling just a little calmer now. "Εμείς θα πρέπει να την μοιραστείτε με τους πάρα πολύ." (We'd have to share her with them too.)

"Μην τους εμπιστεύεστε;" (Don't you trust them?) Silas asked his brother. He knew North did trust the boys, trust was not the real problem.

When his brother just grunted he continued talking. "Είναι σαφές ότι νοιάζονται γι 'αυτήν σε μεγάλο βαθμό. Έχουμε τους κράτησε όλα μακριά για να τους προστατεύσει από τις επιπλοκές του σπιτιού της ζωής μας, αλλά ποτέ δεν εγκατέλειψε μας." (It's is clear they care about her greatly. We've kept them all away, to protect them from the complications of our home lives, but they never gave up on us.) He paused to let that settle in.

"Θα μπορούσε να είναι καλό γι 'αυτήν. Για εμάς." (They will be good for her. For us.) He finished.

Looking thoughtful, North mumbled. "Δεν γνωρίζω." (I don't know.)

Silas suddenly glared at him. "Σταματήστε να θέτει υπό αμφισβήτηση την αξία σας, τον αδελφό. Αυτό το γλυκό κορίτσι νοιάζεται για σένα." (Stop doubting your worth, brother. That sweet girl cares about you too.) His voice was sure and strong. He wasn't asking, he was commanding.

North pursed his lips and sat down, nodding at the other boys to show his agreement to their plan.

Seeing that the boys had settled Mr. Blackbourne went on with his explanation "If we all agree to make her part of the family, the first step would be to put in a closed adoption request. We don't want other teams sniffing around her too soon."

Adopting Sang into their family would make it harder for other academy members to lure her away from them, because anyone who wanted to approach her would have to go through their group first. It was selfish, but Kota knew his family needed her. He needed her.

"After that we do our best to convince her to stay with us. The relationship we are proposing is very unusual and I am sure she will have difficulty understanding it at first. We can't push her. Let things go at her own speed. And for god's sake, don't act jealous where she can see it!" the last he added with a glare directed at all of them.

Dr. Green just smiled; the rest of them squirmed in their seats. No one wanted to face the fury of Mr. Blackbourne.

"Now, gentlemen. What will it be?" Mr. Blackbourne asked formally with a expectant look in his eyes.

As leader of the family I was the first one to answer. "I am willing and I will obey."

Victor followed. "I am willing and I will obey."

Luke and Gabriel spoke almost at the same time, their excitement vibrating in their voices. "I am willing and I will obey."

"I am willing," Said Dr. Green, his voice serious and firm. "and I will obey."

Nathan, with his face solemn, affirmed "I am willing and I will obey."

North shot one last look at Silas and agreed too. "I am willing and I will obey."

Silas copied his brother. "I am willing and I will obey."

Lastly, Mr. Blackbourne said. "I too am willing and will obey. That will be all for today gentlemen. Dismissed."

......

A week later... Sunday morning...

The past week Sang had spent working nonstop in the dinner. She was still living with Doc and met the guys at work most of the time. They all seemed to work there with the exception of Owen and Sean. She knew it was because they were busy with their jobs at the college and the hospital, but she still missed them.

When she wasn't working at the dinner along the day she was playing with the boys, usually in Nathan's house. Her evenings she spent talking with Doctor Roberts, Phil, he had stopped working so much and was now teaching her a lot about different things. How to manage her finances, how to find a good house, how to drive a car, a little about medicine and how college life was like. All the things a girl would sometimes learn from her father.

He told her stories of his wife and kids and she told him about her plans and what she wanted from her future.

She would start going to college this week. As a ghost she couldn't really study to be a doctor or a nutritionist, like she wanted. But nothing prevented her from studying like everyone else and then offering her services to members of the Academy. Even if she didn't become an official member, she could still work for them. Being an outsider.

Phil also pointed out that she could get her documentation made and try to live a normal life. He would help her any way she chooses.

Yesterday she'd gone out and bought a few presents for the guys. That store specialized in t-shirts had been the most fun.

Now she was in Silas car. He'd picked her up right after breakfast from Phil's home.

"Where are we going?" I asked him.

He changed lanes to get onto the highway, heading toward downtown Charleston. "We're meeting some of the guys."

"Where are they?"

"In a run-down building. It seems a bunch of kids are hiding out there. They think they're runaways but it's hard to tell."

"Why do they need you? I thought you and North weren't academy."

"We aren't yet. Mr. Blackbourne made us the same proposal he made you. So I've been helping out in a few of their missions to see if I want to try and get in the academy. Also, these kids are Mexican," he said. "I sort of look the part."

"Oh," I said quietly and slid a look at him as he focused on driving. "Owen wants me to go along?"

"He thinks since you look nice they may be more responsive to you if they won't talk to me."

Hummm, it might be more that I don't look as intimidating as Silas. But I am not telling him that.

Eventually Silas took an exit into North Charleston. He wound his way through a business district, where storefronts were either in severe disrepair or boarded up. He checked his phone and tapped at the map on the screen. He drove on for a little longer, slowing in front of an old brick storefront. Silas drove past the building and parked a couple of blocks away against the curb.

The boys were all huddled together around their equipment, Nathan was in jeans and a tank shirt with a light, red jacket, and wore a headset. Kota was in jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt, and had his phone out in his hand. Victor looked stylish but out of place in his Armani shirt and black slacks. He had his laptop on a crate in front of him, and wore a headset identical to Nathan's.

Kota looked up and I could tell from that one glance he wasn't completely comfortable with me being there, but he changed his expression quickly to a pleasant smile. "Good morning," he said.

"They're inside," Victor said. He reached back, pulling up another crate. He positioned it beside him and then looked at me pointedly, tapping the top of the crate. I got the hint and sat beside him. He smiled and his fire eyes flickered with life. "Luke snuck in already. He's done a head count. There's seven."

"They're just kids?" Silas asked.

"Looks like," Kota said. He finished with his phone and then put it in his pocket. "We need to get Silas wired."

"He's going in alone?" I asked.

"He looks like them," Kota said. "They might trust him."

I looked at Silas, who stood tall and broad-shouldered. "I am sorry, Kota, but I don't think it is a good idea. We might all know that Silas is just a big teddy bear, but these kids don't know him, all they will see is a giant coming into their hideout." I tell them all, shooting apologetic looks to both Kota and Silas.

The boys shared glances with each other, and then everyone turned to Silas.

Silas shifted on his feet, looking uncertain. "I don't exactly look their age."

"You're big, but you're fine," Kota said.

"Maybe I should go," I said.

Kota shook his head instantly. Nathan started to as well. "No, it's not safe" Kota said.

"Kota," I said, stepping closer. "We don't have a lot of time, and Owen thought it'd be useful if I were here."

"Not when we don't know if they'll attack any of us on sight."

"I think they're more prone to running than fighting. And they'd be even less prone to fight if Silas is next to me."

"No." He repeated with conviction.

"Really Kota, when will you stop treating me like a delicate snowflake flower thing?" I asked frustrated.

"Not any time soon." He answered stubbornly.

Seeing that Kota wouldn't budge I started to think of an alternative and when I found it I couldn't help the low, wicked laugh that escaped me. Seeing that the boys' attention is suddenly centered on me I give them all a smile that immediately causes them to observe me warily. "Wait here. I have a plan." I tell them before sprinting back to the car.

Opening the back door I grab one of the bags that I had put there yesterday and run back to the boys. Sitting beside Victor, who was looking over my shoulder with curiosity, I started riffling through the t-shirts inside the bag, searching for the right one. Finding what I was looking for I pulled it out with a happy, albeit evil, cackle.

Looking back at Silas I command. "Take off that shirt, Superman."

He raises an eyebrow at my command and smirks but does as I say while the other boys look at me with their mouths slightly open. Sometimes I acted so nervous around them that whenever I showed my more commanding or sassy side they got a little surprised.

Taking off the t-shirt, Silas then, puts his hands on his hips, displaying his drool worthy muscles. Before my chin starts to drip the saliva that must be slipping my open and gawking mouth I thrust the other shirt at him and command that he puts it on. He does without looking at the front design, thankfully.

The others didn't miss it thought, and immediately started laughing, some almost hysterically. The shirt I had given him was navy blue, his favorite color, and in front had the imprint of "Funshine Bear", one of the ten original characters of the series "Care Bears".

Looking slightly puzzled at his brothers' reaction Silas looked down at his shirt and smiled. "You've been shopping for me, Aggele?" He asked, looking back at me, his eyes showing his happiness at the simple, slightly embarrassing gift I had given him.

I smiled at him happily. "I've also gotten a "Grumpy Bear" t-shirt for North. Do you think he will like it boys?" I asked them in a sing-song voice.

They all laughed.

"What else do you have in that bag, Princess?" Victor asked with curiosity.

"Just a lot of devilishness and mischief, Sang's style." I told him, winking.

He chuckled and went back to his work.

Silas went into the building and did his magic. Soon all seven children were out and heading to the hospital to get checked. The other boys started to gather their equipment so they could all go home.

I wasn't mad that they hadn't allowed me to complete the mission this time. I understood that they were overprotective and liked it. Their overprotectiveness was proof that they cared. I wasn't completely fine yet either. My nightmares were getting worse and I could barely sleep. I needed to fix myself before they figured how broken I really was and gave up on me.