Penny held the arrowhead right up to her nose, inspecting it closely as she twirled the stick of it between her fingers.

"I want the carbon shaft, and-" I tried not to laugh as she looked cross-eyed, and failed terribly as she started her order.

I looked away quickly as Penny put the arrow down on the counter, and daring to turn back she glared at me.

"If you're going to laugh over the word shaft, again, you can go now." She huffed, turning to the Tracker behind the counter with an apologetic smile. "Excuse my friend. She has the maturity of a ten-year-old boy."

"Of course Miss Grimm. I've got your previous order history here. The V-D Twenty seems to be your usual choice." Victoria scrolled up and down on the screen, yet I noticed her giving me the side-eye the whole time which made me a little nervous. "Your father-"

"It's Mrs Gibson* now, and my father is irrelevant." Penny cut Victoria off, not impressed by the mention of her Dad. She got out her bank card and slid it across the counter. "I want a new account, all charges are to go on here from now on."

"Congratulations," Victoria mumbled obediently, taking the card as she began to type.

"It's all your mother's fault. How did I get dragged into helping her with her archery classes? The stuff they use at the Academy is terrible, like really Mr Bunting, give your wife a better budget to work with." Penny sighed. "On second thought, Victoria, I'll take all of those, and if you can ship out at least forty more boxes of them to Huntington Academy, I'll manage the expense."

Victoria's eyes widened before she just nodded along, doing what was asked.

"Can we go now? I'm hungry and this place smells like old socks."

"Excuse me, can I just ask, are you, Elise Bunting?" Victoria quickly asked, forgetting her current task. "As in, the Elise Bunting, the Hunter?"

"Ah, yeah. Why?" I don't hide my hesitation.

"I am a big fan! Huge. I thought it was you when you came in, but I didn't want to intrude, but it is you and I have to say hi. My cousin is too. She was part of the crew that collected those um, portal stone things, from that warehouse. I am so jealous she got to help the Valkyrie, but do you think I could get a picture?" She rambled, her face slowly turning red as she reached for her phone. "She's going to love this!"

Penny rolled her eyes and I smiled awkwardly at Victoria. "Um, sure."

"Whatever happened to that prophet? Just seemed like they wanted to cause trouble to me." Victoria raced around the counter, throwing her arm over my shoulders as the pair of us stared at our reflection on the phone.

I smiled for the sake of the photo, and now it was Penny who was trying not to laugh, as Victoria hugged me too, letting go as she looked embarrassed.

"Well, that was her goal, and she caused a lot of trouble by the end," I told Victoria who gave a little clap as she just stood there grinning at me.

"What happened to her?" She quickly tapped away on her phone, no doubt sending the picture to her cousin.

"Um, I killed her." And she nearly killed me; minor detail.

"Of course you did! You're Elise Bunting!"

"Victoria, my order?" Penny interrupted, and seeing how serious Penny looked, she nodded and went back to the computer a little calmer.

"It must be so great to be a part of your family and doing all these amazing things. My Mum hates that I work here. She thinks I should be doing more than ordering weapons for everyone else to use. She's old school, you know, work until you're dead." Her blush deepens.

"You're doing great. Someone has to do this, right?" I feel bad for her and as she pauses, probably trying to work out if I'm serious, her whole face lights up at the praise.

"Thank you." She shrugs. "I had an accident when I first left the academy. My right arm was broken, a few ribs, and my shoulder. Bear shifter nearly crushed me. This came up, and I knew I'd be dead before I was ready if I kept working."

"You made the right choice"

"Yeah," Penny agrees. "And my order?"

"Right. I'm onto it, Mrs Gibson."

I glare at Penny who just shrugs, and we soon make a quick exit as Victoria seems to reach a new level of fangirl after I agree to sign her journal.

"That was intense. I have expected her to ask for a vial of blood to wear or to, like, cut some of your hair off." Penny let out a big breath as we left the alleyway and rejoined the regular world.

"She wasn't that bad." I frown. "She was just excited."

"Why wouldn't she be, Elise Bunting of the Bunting family was in her shop. I am, well, I was a Grimm. Why didn't I get any of that kind of reaction?" She pouted.

"I don't know Penny," I smirk, attempting my worst Penny impersonation to date as I sounded more like an evil queen from a medieval movie. "My order, Victoria!"

"Ha. Ha."

"Do people really know my name?" I know I got odd looks whenever I was at the Council, and I remembered that guy who had been creepily interested in me when Apollo and I had turned up at his place.

"Yeah, babe. You're, as she said, The Elise Bunting. What did you think would happen after these last few years? No one would remember you, or what happened?"

"Well, yeah. I hadn't given it too much thought to be honest."

"Your Dad normally sends a message to everyone if you're on campus so the kids don't lose their shit. They're getting better, having your parents and brother there helps them adjust to having celebrities around."

"My parents are celebrities?"

"And this is why Buntings aren't as legendary as us Grimms, Andersons and Van Helsings. You're too humble. You save the world a bunch of times and dismiss it like it was nothing. I mean, imagine if you were a Van Helsing." I cringe instantly and Penny laughs. "I know right, it would be unfair to be blessed with brothers of that gene pool and not be able to appreciate them. My point is, they were riding off the Dracula thing for centuries. Everyone knows about it, civilians and our kind. This, well. Hello, million-dollar franchises and a never-ending reminder of what they're owed for their great duty to humanity."

I do think she was being a little dramatic, but then again, it wasn't hard to imagine Tom doing just that. I shivered at the thought of being a Van Helsing and dealing with twenty-four seven.

"What if I were a Grimm?" I wonder, still thankful Tom wasn't my sibling.

"Wouldn't have happened. Dad never would have allowed it."

"I'm still me. I don't think he would have survived my teen years."

"Probably not, but through all of it, he would have had to work extra hard to exploit you for all it's worth, and find a way to punish you twice as hard for the effort. He isn't like your Dad. He only saw me as his property. His legacy and since you're no boy, you'd have to prove yourself that little bit more to make up for it." She started, the anger in her voice is unmissable. "He hates the fact your Dad has Jordan, and the Van Helsings had three boys. I always tried to make excuses for him and his assholeness, but I am so done with being a Grimm and him."

That took a turn I hadn't expected.

"Penny, how bad was it for you? Really? You should have said something, anything, to us. We could have helped you."

She shrugged. "It wasn't bad, and I was so used to it, I didn't see how hard it was. Colton and I have these big talks, and sometimes stuff comes up. Hindsight is a beautiful thing. I stood up to him at the right time, and I owe you for that."

"No, you don't owe me anything."

"See, stupid humble Buntings." She laughed, but I still saw the sadness in her eyes.

I stopped walking and as she turned to look at me, I hugged her. "I'm sorry, Penny."

The surprise disappears and she hugs me back.

"Don't' be. It all worked out in the end. I have never been this happy or even knew how great life could actually be for us. I mean, it helps that one of my best friends is Elise fucking Bunting and I am now married to the most amazing man in the world." She smiles, her happiness overtaking everything else.

"Did you want a photo with me? I could sign your journal, and for you, I'd consider snipping off a piece of my hair." I laugh.

"Oh please do! I'll put it in a locket and wear it always!" We link arms as we keep walking, and after making a short stop at a candle shop, we find somewhere to eat. "We haven't done this in a long time."

"I know, it's nice to just be normal." I stop drooling over the Festival Fantasy candle I'd just bought and put it away to read the menu.

"Nevermind me, how are you really?" She pushed after we ordered.

"I am just here. I had an appointment with Richard before dinner the other night, and I managed to give him a first-hand look at what I meant when I told him I got panic attacks. Apparently threatening to fire him if he didn't cure me was something he often dealt with and still booked my appointment for next week." I shrug. "Cocky bastard."

"Can he cure you?" She frowned. "Doesn't seem like something you can just stop because you said so."

"I've tried that too, it usually makes it worse so I was hoping he could. Instead, I got all this stuff about dissociating and memory processing and grounding myself. I had to pinpoint three of the biggest traumas in my life, which made me laugh, to try and discover what made me crazy and triggered the crying, strangled, shaking mess I turned into."

"I kind of feel like Richard didn't get warned about your case properly."

"You and I both, but he takes it all like a champ. I do wonder what he's writing down when he does his, I'm not a therapist I'm a psychologist's face, and also if he has taken up drinking post-session. I did get a gold star for self-identifying and managing my destructive behaviour and cutting back on the alcohol. He's not even going to touch on that anymore, though I think it's because of the million other things we have to work through first."

"I'm so proud of you. I am. You'll beat those panic attacks, and it sounds like you have the right Dick on the job." She presses her lips together as her eyes widen even more than usual and we both break at the same time, our laughter filling the corner of the cafe.

"Thank you! Any time I make a dick joke to Ailin she just stares at me like I'm an idiot."

"You are," Penny keeps laughing, and I poke my tongue out at her as our food arrives. "But it's funny."

"I know!"

My face is hurting from all the laughing and smiling that went on during the day. My shopping bags are dumped on the dining table before I head to the sofa and collapse. Being happy and having fun was just as tiring as everything else was at the moment.

"Have fun?" Cain comes out of the bedroom, a curious look towards the shopping before he comes to join me

"I did. It was nice, normal. I also ended up with a lot of candles, and please do not let me near them if it looks like I might actually be considering it because they smell so damn good. Also dirt."

"What?" He looks completely confused.

"I read this magazine thing about pregnant people eating dirt. It's a nutrient thing or something, but I am not willing to do it, ever. So no dirt or candles." I realise how ridiculous I sound and fall to stretch out on the sofa. "Why are you in those clothes?"

"I honestly have no idea what to say to any of that." Cain looks completely thrown by request and sits on the coffee table in front of me. "Clothes can be optional if you like, but it will need to be quick. I'm on my way to see Zane. He's got that shifter issue to deal with, and I was going to help."

"No, no. I'm actually too tired for that. You just looked different, but it makes sense now you've reminded me of your boy date. Guess you found Zane's wardrobe on the way out here."

"Cargo pants are practical and-" He defends.

"I am well aware." I smile, quickly stopping. "Even my cheeks hurt. Can you sprain the muscles in your face from smiling too much?"

"Never heard of it." He smiled, reaching over to kiss me on the forehead. "It shouldn't take long, but I did promise not to use my powers in front of his new team. They're all fresh out of the academy and spook easily."

"Who better to protect them then?" I move and pull him closer for a proper kiss. "Can you take the candle that smells like fairy floss with you, just in case?"

He hesitates, trying to work out if I'm joking or not and to be honest, I wasn't even sure right now.

"For you, anything." I wait until he's gone and turn on the TV.

The trouble with that was, as I flick through the channels there was somewhere else I'd rather be and appearing in my parent's lounge room, I was surprised to find the TV on and the snakes sitting there watching it. Annipe doesn't even look as I go and sit with them, sliding over her, I end up against Alfie who happily comes in for a cuddle.

"I'm sorry I've been so MIA lately," I scratch under his chin and let him slide up close.

His scales are so vibrant and new, shimmering in a way that makes them look wet yet as I run my hands over him it feels as strong and normal as always. His tail twitches slightly and he ends up knocking Annipe completely off the sofa as he takes over.

"Are you happy, Alfie?" He nods, smiling.

"Alfie miss Elisss-sse, Alfie happy with Old Blood too."

I kiss between his eyes. "Thank you, Alfie. You're always there when I need you to be."

"Alfie keepss family ssafe."

"I'm so proud of you, big guy." The sudden fast-paced rock tune of the show Annipe was watching is suddenly blasting through the TV and grabbing the remote, I turn the volume down. "No, Anni. Too loud."

All I get is a hiss in response and Alfie is quick to his back, rising above her, the warning was clear.

"How about we take a break from whatever this is and-" As I hold up the remote, her tail whips out and knocks it from my hand, earning her another hiss from Alfie.

She ignores him, turning back to the TV.

"Wow. Guess it stays on then." I sit back as Alfie rests his head on my lap and we start to watch the cartoon about hero puppies lorded over by some kid that lacked adult supervision.

"Thought I heard something out here, and look who it is." Jordan comes out of his room in his workout gear, which he has no intention of actually working out in as he pushes Alfie to the side to make room for himself on the sofa. "What are you- Anni, what did we say about Paw Patrol? Not when we're home!"

Annipe hisses at him, and he merely stares at her unbothered before shaking his head

"No, I mean it. Not now, hand over the remote." He orders and amazingly, the remote appears in her tail and she drops it in Jordan's lap. "Thank you."

He flicks it over to a news program and Annipe curls up pouting as much as a snake can.

"So she only listens to you now?" I roll my eyes.

"She'll listen to any of us, but you gotta be firm. You and Alfie are too soft on her. She thinks she's the boss here, whereas we have boundaries." Jordan continues to change the channel and Annipe sulks off towards the kitchen.

Hearing the fridge open, Alfie abandons me too.

"Great, nice. I come to see you and whatever!" I call after him.

"What are you doing here? I'd thought you'd have maxed out your visit quota for the month by now."

"I missed Alfie. I've been shopping and had lunch with Penny today, so curling up with him and the Kardashians seemed like a nice way to end things." I look at the remote in his hand as he stops on the reality show I was too many episodes behind on. "It used to be our thing when I ran away."

"Oh yeah, almost forgot about that. Seems like a lifetime ago."

"You're telling me."

"Do you think things would be different if we hadn't found you?" He wonders.

"No. Logan was still Apollo, doing the best he could to try and stalk me after all. Too many other things were going on for it to be that simple."

"Forgot about that too," Jordan admits. "What about now?"

"What about now?"

"What are your plans now? That's all over right, Furies will be handled soon enough. Come on, it's you and Cain. Talk about a power couple." He laughed. "What does retirement look like for gods? A nice little mansion somewhere in Sandbanks? You've always liked it there since the summer Dad rented us out that place on the beach. Oh, what about a villa on the French Riveria. Mum and Dad can retire and go live with you."

Jordan thought he was hilarious. "We don't live well together for long periods. Besides, the way you're going I doubt you're ever going to officially move out so if that happens, you will not be coming with us."

"It's a place to keep my stuff. I travel too much, you know, doing missions." He looks around, "Where is Cain?"

"On a mission." I watch Alfie and Annipe sneak out the back door, no doubt going to the river. "With Zane. Does Alfie hate me now or something?"

"Na, they just do their thing. They're like cats. They come when it's time to eat, and that's it. They really like the water, and just stay there most of the time, but the first sign of trouble, they're back."

"You guys have trouble?" Why wasn't I aware of this?

"Na. Some vamps tried to attack the school a few weeks ago, just before the wedding actually, but it was minor and a good experience for the ones graduating this year. Plus you know, nearly any time you're around something is bound to happen."

"Thanks, that makes me feel so much better."

"I didn't mean it like that." He shifts around to look at me. "You're off on these big adventures, but life here keeps going for us too. The Network hasn't ceased to exist, the bad guys haven't stopped badding. You can't stop everything, so you focus on the big stuff and we'll deal with the little things. It was pretty cool to go with everyone to check out the Furies, but it also was very clear, I am better off here. You, on the other hand, you are something else."

He looks so proud of me, I can feel the lump in my throat pushing the tears into my eyes and before they get the chance I open my mouth.

"We faced the Furies, and nearly lost. No one won, and they're going to be back. Deimos got turned to actual stone and I had to visit Medusa and beg her to undo it." I blurt.

"Oh, so what's what Zane was on about after dinner. Medusa was not where I saw that going though," Jordan nods along as if all that made perfect sense. "Guess you'll just have to make sure you get them next time then?"

"I guess so?"

"Na, Ellie, you will. You're a Bunting after all!"

I hit him with a cushion, which has him collapsing dramatically onto the floor. "You need to move out, I'm positive that was Dad talking then."

That looked like it might be worth something to get upset over as he stopped moving and stared up at me.

"Shit, you're right."

"And you might want to find a girlfriend because you know Mums going to turn all that attention on you, her single, twenty-something, son who still lives at home. Penny gave her a wedding. I'm giving her a grandchild. What are you contributing to this family?" I tease, enjoying the look of horror on his face.

"She will start on me now, won't she?" He sat up, thinking this over. "You've got two spare rooms right?"

"Wrong." I laugh. "I have one, and it's got Blueberry's name all over it."

"That's a stupid name," Jordan argued.

"Like your face."

"Oh it's so nice to be home and after being around complaining students all day, I now have you two." Mum sounds much too happy about that as she comes from the back. "Please tell me you two have been busy making dinner as I asked you this morning Jordan?"

He had not, and he looked guilty as he stood up. "About that."

"You just had to put the meat in at 2 and keep it low!" She sighed, going into the kitchen.

"You're welcome," I whisper to him, as Mum reappears and the smell of the roast Jordan had forgotten about starts to fill the house.

"Not funny Jordan, but thank you. Elise, love. You staying for dinner?" I can hear how hopefully she is despite her neutral she keeps her face.

Jordan was right. I had maxed out my monthly visits, but instead of making an excuse and leaving as fast as I could, I just smiled over at her and nodded.

"Sounds great, Mum." She went to shower since Jordan had dinner under control, and seeing something move by the back door, I went to check it out; not expecting to see Apollo there. "What are you doing here?

"I was around, and thought I'd say hi." He looked inside cautiously. "How did they take your news?"

"It went well. Why are you here?"

Apollo shrugged. "I needed a break from everything being about Deimos. He's doing better already, Kara and Art have been looking after him. Lucky for me, I can do what he can't, and get out of there for five minutes."

"He did nearly face eternity as a life-size garden gnome," I remind him, as I hear Dad inside. "Did you want to come in for dinner?"

"It's okay, I don't want to upset anyone."

"I know you know Cain isn't here." I point out. "Friends can stay for dinner, I told you before you'd still be welcome. I'm sure Mum will be happy to see you."

"And he's going to be okay with that?"

"Yes, just how he was when I went to see you while he was stuck in the underworld. Are you okay with that?"

"Honestly, I miss this and it was nice just being together this week." He took a deep breath. "And, I want you to be happy and I don't want to cause an issue for you, with him. I don't."

"I believe you." And I did. "Thank you."

I was right, Mum was happy to see Apollo again and welcomed him with open arms. Despite early reservations, Jordan was relaxed and chatting to him again too. Dad stayed quiet and glared a lot, but by the time it was all over, he managed to say goodbye. Apollo left in a better mood than when he'd arrived and I went home to my candles, one of which was already lit and waiting for me as I went into the bedroom.

"Mmm, popcorn." I breathed it in as I went to the bed where Cain was waiting. "How was your night?"

"Interesting. Yours?"

"Same. Did everything go well?" I climb in beside him, and he puts down whatever he was reading on the iPad.

"Zane is a very good leader. Those kids are lucky he is there to guide them."

"He loves a plan."

"He does." Cain smiled. "He gave me an idea, but why am I sensing Apollo has been around you?"

"Because he came to dinner and stayed for a while tonight."

"Did he?" Cain's tone loses its early perkiness. "Why?"

"I think he's going through some stuff at the moment and wanted a safe, familiar place to just, be himself." I climb into his lap and smile as his arms go around me. "But I don't think he knows what or who that is yet."

"I can not bring myself to try and find even one redeeming quality about the fool, but I do think you're right, so maybe one day that will change."

"Maybe." I kiss his chin, the curve of his jaw and then his cheek. "Enough about Apollo."

"I agree."

In one swift movement, I'm lifted and then placed down on my back as Cain hovers over me, but we both stop as my phone starts to ring. Cain flicks out his hand to silence it, but I stop him as the ringtone isn't any of the usual ones that come through. I get a feeling I need to answer it, even when the number isn't one I recognise and wriggle back slightly as he sits up.

"Hold that thought," I mumble to Cain as I hit answer. "Hello?"

"Elise? It's Matt. We need to talk."

___________

*Did I give Colton a surname? I need to keep track of my characters better!