Home Again

[Cece Ryder]

"Good." Cece said with a smile. "But at least it got you a way out. I know when I was still young and I was assigned Selene to be my protector, because he didn't want anyone else controlling me, we formed a very close bond and as soon as we had an opening to escape, we took it. I always wondered if there were other versions of you that were with other versions of me... still, you're the only other one we've encountered." she chuckled lightly. "Is the rumor true that you and Clint tried blue tea in home brew? Joe put up a sign that said 'no special homebrew for augments' behind the bar."

[Liara]

Selene rolled her eyes, "Yes."

[Cece Ryder]

"God that's so you two." Cece said with a smile. "Still, I'm sure some of the effects were fun. After all, you didn't run screaming from him." she gave Clint a look. "You're going to enjoy all this, trust me. And you're going to be an even better agent when you do have to put on the suit. You'll have purpose. I sense that while you were good at what you did, you didn't have a reason to defend other than simply avoiding pain, correct?"

[Liara]

"Do me a favor Cece...don't poke around up there." Selene said try to keep her voice friendly. "I might look like the woman you knew but I don't know you well enough yet."

[Cece Ryder]

"Fair enough." Cece said with a nod of her head. "Old habits... and my Selene was always worried that some of her old programming would come out. Luckily you don't have that. So, nothing I couldn't glean from simply being observant." she sat back and looked at her. "We'll work on the claustrophobia later. That's a bit trickier to help with since it's so primal."

"Lot of augments and clones are claustrophobic." James said softly. "I used to be too, being born in a tube essentially and having mature memories and you're in a confined space." he closed his eyes. "One good thing Empress Lei did, was have us get therapy. Last thing she needed was for us 'house boys' was to have us freak out when we went into a closet to get something."

"And Selene and Noonian being trapped in a freezer I'm sure didn't help... other than ice cream of course." Cece said as she pointed to the empty bowls. "Never lose this love for ice cream... "

[Liara]

"It wasn't that bad." Selene said with a roll of her eyes. "Now a box...Anyway if you're going to be staying in the work shop you can babysit. That's what they call it right? Where you watch the children."

[Cece Ryder]

"Yes.. " Cece nodded her head. "Was planning on it. James can keep my apprised of things at the Compound and Kaitlyn and I have a lot of catching up to do. Maybe I'll help her with her gymnastics... the girl's got amazing balance. When she was still a few months old, she managed to crawl out of her crib and stand on the top to grab a bottle that Clint or Selene left next to her crib. I know Clint kept talking about enrolling her in a group but until I was 'killed', I was too busy. Too busy for my best friend and her daughter."

[Liara]

"Well now you're not." Selene said and pointed to Kaitlyn.

[Cece Ryder]

"Indeed... and probably as close as I get to having one of my own." Cece said softly. "She grew at least a couple inches since I last saw her. James seemed to get a little more muscular, or you're not washing your shirts properly and they're shrinking."

"I've been working my upper body. Still can't do the salmon ladder more than a couple rungs, but I'll get there." James said proudly.

"I'm sure you will, fact that you can do more one rung is pretty good considering you just started." Clint said and reclined a bit in his chair. "You have any idea how long I've wanted to do this? All of us here at this table? Even you Cece. I would suggest the guest room, but you claimed the Workshop, so it's all your's."

"Last time I took the guest room, I didn't get a bit of sleep. Too close to your room. Cheesy movies and the smell of Thai carry out kept me up." Cece chuckled lightly. "I always eat way too much when I'm here. At least the workshop has the home gym. Has Clint cooked for you yet? He makes a killer Chicken Lo Mein, no where on the planet and believe me I've gone to them all, is quite as good. And he only makes it when he 'feels' it."

[Liara]

"Do you think you could feel it for me?" Selene inquired smiling at him. "Some time in the near future. Doesn't have to be tonight."