The Sequel. The Little Rose.

Owen put his phone away. He could feel his mood lifting moderately as he collected Mr Xavier and walked into his kitchen to feed his pet. Well, try to anyway, he thought to himself as he looked warily at Xavier's tail as it started to wave slowly behind him.

"I know you have been missing Miss Sorenson too." Mr Blackbourne murmured to Xavier. "She'll be back later today." The chief frowned, and carefully placed a plate of fresh fish in front of the decidedly upset cat and then sighed. "I know exactly how you feel, but you have to eat. Miss Sorenson will be upset if she thinks you've lost weight, and we both know she will notice. Come on Xavier, you have to eat." He declared solemnly.

He frowned again and continued to look at the cat as he stubbornly refused to eat again. "I'll make you a deal. Start eating again and as soon as Sang is back I'll take you to see her." He shook his head as Xavier appeared to understand him and finally started eating.

He stood up and sighed again. He couldn't believe that he was having an actual full conversation with a cat and secondly was reduced to negotiating a deal with him. God, Sang better come home soon, he thought. It was killing them both.

"Owen, I think you need to see a doctor." Sean smirked from the doorway. "Oh wait. That's me. Now, just to be clear what I'm dealing with here, did I just hear you trying to make a deal with the fearless feral previously known as Jack? Because that is was it sounded like. Exactly how worried do I need to be about your mental health?" He enquired pseudo-politely as he took a seat and looked at his friend with false concern in his eyes.

"What, Sean! You didn't try and feed Xavier while Miss Sorenson has been absent from Charleston. He has done nothing but fret and sulk since they left, and has barely touched his food." He demanded with a decidedly unhappy look on his own face.

"Oh, admit it Owen." Sean countered immediately "You've missed her yourself. God knows the rest of us have. There's nothing wrong in missing her. I would be seriously worried about you if you didn't."

"I'm not really sure when she took total control of all our hearts, Sean." Owen confessed "But this last week has been untenable, and as for Xavier, well he's a cat for crying out loud. He shouldn't be acting like this."

Sean looked sideways at Xavier and grinned widely. "No one ever thought to tell him that before, Owen. Frankly, I don't think he will believe you now. After all, you just fed him fresh fish, lightly steamed. On fine china. You're responsible for his behaviour. You created the monster. Not me."

Sean laughed as he rose from his seat. "I'm borrowing your spare bed. Wake me in a few hours and I'll help you get the little beast in the car to go and see Sang and the guys. I'm dead on my feet right now. Stop worrying Owen. Sang will know you didn't starve him deliberately. Besides, she will forgive you just about anything."

"Easy for you to say." Owen muttered to himself as his best friend wandered off to rest, "you're not the one left in charge of my own cat. You don't have to explain anything."

The chief glared a little more at an unrepentant cat, before simply reaching out and placing more fresh fish in front of him. "I hope you appreciate this Xavier. Because you're going back to catfood. The nasty cheap brand if you ever pull a stunt like this again." He declared firmly. There was only so much a man should have to tolerate. Smug cats that fret for days because one person was not available for their personal entertainment was not high on his list of life experiences.

Several hours later Sang and the boys pulled up into the driveway at Uncle's home. Luke wearily got out, stretched and opened the passenger door. Leaning down he gently shook Sang awake.

"Cupcake, we're here. Come on Sweetie. It's time to wake up." He murmured as he glanced across at Nathan.

Sang's eyes popped open. "I'm here. I'm awake. Um, where's here. No. I know. Don't tell me. Your place, Luke." She exclaimed much to the boys amusement. "Why are we here exactly?" She asked as she got out and stretched.

"Your books, Trouble." Gabe explained as he walked up with Kota and Victor. "We're storing them here for a while. Now come here and give me some sugar. I've missed you." he exclaimed as he swung her around laughing.

"Meanie. I've missed you too. So much." Sang giggled, squealed and bent backwards as he went to lick her chin.

"Oy. That's my chin. I claimed it months ago." Gabriel exclaimed before huffing in disgust as Kota grabbed her.

"Give her here Gabe. It's my turn." He demanded as he held his gorgeous girl tight. "I missed you too Sweetie." He whispered quietly before Victor tapped his shoulder. Sighing softly he handed Sang over to his brother, but not before saying "I want to hear ALL the details of your little adventure later. Okay."

"Okay, Kota." Sang smiled before latching onto Victor. "Hi Victor." she whispered quietly and hugging him tightly "I really did miss you so much."

Victor closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. He didn't think any of them had breathed easily or slept well since Sang and the rest of his brothers had been away. "I missed you Princess. Next time I'm coming too." He stated firmly, nodding as Kota and Gabe both agreed.

"Hand her over guys. It's my turn." Sean declared leaving Owen to retrieve Xavier from the back of the car. "Hi Pookie, did you miss me too?" he whispered, smiling softly when Sang nodded and kissed his cheek, before hugging her tightly and setting her down in front of the chief holding a struggling Xavier.

"Miss Sorenson. Welcome home." The chief smiled and his eyes shone softly as he reached over and kissed her forehead. "I think we have all missed you greatly." He murmured as Xavier finally reached his preferred destination in Sang's arms and immediately started purring happily.

"Well, gentlemen. I'm pleased you're all home safely. You look tired but well. How about we move all the books into the garage for the time being and then we adjourn to the diner and you can tell us about your expedition."