Homecoming

"Sir, will there be anything else?"

Walt shook his head. "No, that'll be all. Thank you for the lift, Gentlemen. You're dismissed." They excanged Salutes and the 3S service members doubletimed it back to the waiting Firefly. They'd be back on base, which They'd flown over to get here, momentarily .

Walter turned to show the ladies "Home". Walking up the hill and passing several barns and other structures up to the sprawling mainhouse.

"Welcome to your new home ladies."

"It's so big! Did they use whole logs in the construction?" Asked Penny.

"They did" said Walt."Nobody really builds like this much anymore It was originally made on ths spot from just the things you can see here. The timber, the rocks when my family settled these lands ages ago. From where we stand here on the mountain," he pointed off down the valley "to way out there where the base is and beyond was their range. Walt took a look around pretty much everything you can see standing here."

"Walt looked at the ladies. Those collars normally will alert RealDreams when you flee or leave your owners property, and they'll still do that here too of course, but here... it might could take you some time. Besides it's pointless with Friday tracking you. Here you won't be cooped up in some house with a front or backyard and little else to enjoy." He gestured behind them." You can go further up the mountain if you wanted too or," made a gesture of to the side down there into the forrests foothills" he nodded the other direction" Same again the plus you got the river." He gestured to where the foothills meet the mountain."over yonder are some hot springs I like when you want to relax or if your feeling poorly or hell I don't know climb the damn mountain and down the other side if you want-" Walt looks up. "Yes, Neo what is it?"

Neo turns and points.

Sienna is already running. The other girls look at Walter and he shrugs."Well if she gets hungry she can come on back if a bear don't eat her first. Which was going to be my next bit of advice. This land is rugged and tough and so are the creatures that inhabit it. None of you ladies is armed and if you get into trouble out here you'll need to be able to get yourselves out of it. And if you did run and you made and you hoped the fence, you'd still be picked up in seconds and brought back here. So when you do grab one of the first aid kits by the front or back doors."

"Which brings me to the next part. The mainhouse is old but it's nicely updated inside and it ain't the only the only building here. You can go live in one of the cabins or old bunk houses.. heck if Sienna gets lucky she might find one of the caves though again they'relikely full of very large bears. My poi t being you don't necessarily need to live in the mainhouse itself if you'd rather... choice is yours."

"By the way Friday how's Sienna doing?"

(("She's making good time at that pace she might hit the perimeter by this time tomorrow sooner if she just keeps going but at that pace she'll tire herself out not to mention get hungry."))

"Well if she stops moving awhile send a drone out to check. And that'sa good point Friday. I know about Penny myself but I don't know when the last time yall eat was. Want to come eat. If your gonna run might as well find out where the food and water is first."

Penny laughs so does everyone else except for Blake.

Kali is actually the first to speak up. "I think a meal would be wonderful thank you, Walter."

"Ahnassi would like to take food and drink, yes." Says Ahnassi.

"I would very much like to see where I shall be working, Sir." Says Lifts-Her-Tail.

"I think a meal together would be a splendid idea," says Penny.

"I think so s well," says Pyrrha

Neo smiles.

"Alright folks lets go but there's something I've got to do first. Penny do you mind?"

Penny looks at Walt. "I don't know what you intend Walter but anything you want would please me."

Walt grinned. "Penny I was simply hoping you'd say that!" And he bent down swept her in his arms and carried her up to the house.

She wasn't sure what he intended until he suddenly swept her off her feet and the other girls give a corous if gasps as Walter starts walking towards the house. Except for Neo. Clap. Clap. Clap .

Kali quickly catches on as does Ahnassi and soon they're all clapping following along behind.

Penny is blushing and laughing. "Walter that's for newlyweds..."

"You gave me your heart and I gave you mine? Thats as good as, in my book."

Penny still blushing with the rest following along behind "Walter it's still quite a ways away."

"Not if I hurry." He starts striding.

"Walter the truck..."

'It'll keep."

"The things in it..."

"Aren't going anywhere."

"... you fool..."

"That's correct."

"You silly, mad, wonderful fool..."

"Accurate."

The house was drawing nearer, nearer.

"I'm a fool too..."

"And silly and mad and wonderful to boot"

They'd nearly made the steps to the porch.

"Yes, I am..."

"And I love you."

They'd made it to the big porch and the door was coming up.

"Say it one more time?"

"I'll say as many times as you wish."

Walter opened the door and wisked her in past the foyer into the waiting great room. Friday had turned on the chandeliers it was a mansion but of timber and stone and iron. Its rough hewn beauty equal to any fancy upscale home and nicer and homier than a palace and warmer than a castle could be. Walter spun her around in his arms so she could take it all in before slowing and stopping looking deeply into her eyes.

"Welcome home... I love you Penny Polendina!"

"And I love you, Walter Stark!"

And then they kissed.

"Welcome home ladies!"

They're all stunned it's an impressive home especially knowing that the original structure was built by hand. But thst didn't mean it was completely rustic either.

(("Yes! Welcome home everyone!"))

"Thank you, Friday!" Said Walt

"Yes, thank you, Friday! It's so good to be home!" Said Penny.

"Who actually said that?" Asked Blake and her mother abd Ahnassi and Lifts-Her-Tail. Even those with heightened senses are thrown by the fact the voice is coming from all around.

Neo had some what figured it out a while ago. She doffed her hat in Greetings to the intelligence she couldn't see. She knew it seemed to be Walt and Penny somehow and it helped Penny communicate with her.

Pyrrha had also guessed. "You're like Penny. Well how she was."

Walt grins. "Gold star for Ms Nikos! Friday is an artificial intelligence. She's in the house. In the glasses Penny is wearing and through implants conected to me as well."

Seeing some still didn't get it. "Think of the spirits of your world. But unlike a ghost. More like a nature except opposite. She's a spirit of knowledge. She can do the things I say for instance. Friday could you please play some music for our guests something instrumental also would you please tell our guests where they come from?

The sounds of of the

(("Certainly Miss Ahnassi and Miss Lifts-Her-Tail hail from the world of Nirn and more specificallythe continentof Tamriel. Ahnassi from Morrowind and previously Elseweyr the home of the Khajit and Lifts-Her-Tail is an Argonian a species from the region of Black Marsh.

The others are from the world of Remnant and more specifically the Penny is from Atlas and Mantle in Solitas. Ms Nikos is from Argus in Mistral and while the Belladonnas and Ms Khan hail from Menagerie the home of the Faunus"))

They're all surprised but Neo raised an eyebrow at being left out.

(("My apologies Neopolitan. Walter said you probably wouldn't appreciate having someone reveal your secrets so I opted for the safe course and chose not to say anything. Would "Vale" be a sufficient enough amswer for you?"))

Neo smirks and tips her hat.

(("You're very welcome, Neopolitan. "))

Neo raised her eyebrow tilting her head.

(("Of course, Neopolitan. Walter would be the one to give you deeper access and in time after a certain levels of trust have been established I'm sure that's something that could be arranged but for now-"))

Walter had been lighting the fireplace and then pulling some things out of boxes. He walked to Neo. "In time, when certain levels of trust has been established, it would make me very happy to give all of you ladies deeper than surface level access to Friday, like Penny has. But we'll take it slow for now. Friday, I grant surface level access to all the ladies."

(("Does that include Ms Khan, Sir?"))

"Good point. No. I think we'll wait and let the tiger come to us." He walked up to Neo who quirked her lips head tilted. Walt kneeled down so he didn't look over her. "I'd like that Neopolitan. I promise we'll talk about a great many things later when we have the opportunity. I'm actually quite looking forward to it. But for now, may I present you a gift?" Neo is surprised and places her right hand fingertips on her chest but nods. Walter placess a phone in her left hand. "Eventually I'd like to give all of you girls gifts like these but I only have two at the moment." He reaches out to Neo's face. "May I, Neo?" She nods slowly. Walter checks first and finding what he's looking for a fix the earing to her ear gently brushing her hair back. "Welcome home, Neo."

(("Welcome home, Neopolitan.")) Friday says in her ear the earring being a tiny device itself for communications.

Neo hasn't recieved a gift in very long-time. Not since before Roman's end. She's actually touched. This man continued to surprise her. He was firm but fair. Bold but thoughtful. Compassionate and ruthless. And he was both respectful and kind to her. She decided for herself that, yes, she'd like to try a partnership. She could learn a lot from him and do far worse. She leaned her head into his hand smiling and nodded. She could see he understood as he nodded back.

Walt went to Penny next and gave her the phone. "Same for you my dear one. And Friday already inputted your SHH friends contact information for you. You'll find it works very similarly to the scrolls you use in your world." He brushes her hair back from her ear. "May I?"

Penny is moved by Walts continuing thoughtfulness. "Yes, master. Please do!" Walt warns her it'll hurt a bit as he pierces her ear placing the earing then he used some small device to heal it and gently wipes away the drop of blood. He strokes her ear and face as she hears Friday in her ear.

(("Welcome home, Penny. It's so very nice to have you here my friend."))

"Thank you, Friday. It's so very good to be home!" She kisses Walter. "Thank you for everything, Walter."

Walter kisses her back. "You're very welcome, Penny."

He backs up. "Friday, Penny. Please instruct and show the ladies around the mainhouse and how to make use of the screens and other devices. Neo, would you mind helping too?" Neo nodded and moved to stand next to Penny. She shared a look with Penny and they both nodded. Walt smiled. "Ms Lifts-Her-Tail would you like to accompany to the kitchen and assist me in cooking while seeing to your duties?" She bowed. "Of course. It would be this one's honor to do so, Master."

"Alright then," said Walter. "Let's get started."

Sometime later on the second floor.

"... then I suppose this one shall take this room for herself, yes?"

Penny nodded. "That would be fine, Ahnassi. We shall say that this room is yours and that room is Blake's and Kali's. And this one is yours Pyrrha and if Sienna comes back we can give her that one over there. The bathroom and facilities are... Oh, thank you Neo!"

Neo was indicating the bathroom for this area of the house she opened the door and they all stepped in even with all of them standing in it, it was quite large with seperate bathing areas from the sinks and the toilets. Here too the amenities were quite modern but keeping a sinple and rustic charm. The bathing area was particularly nice with several showers and a very large modern tub and a seperate not quite as large but gorgeous antique tub.

"Wow... " Says Pyrrha. "Friday is that a working fireplace too?"

(("It is. In the old days before modern conveniences they would heat the water in kettles to fill the baths. It's still usable though only Walter does something like that. Honestly with the generators and other systems here this place is virtually guaranteed to not lise power but he'll still do things the old-fashioned way if he gets a chance and has the time. He's a strange man even to me."))

Penny giggles. "He's doing something like that now, isn't he Friday?"

(("Why yes he is, Penny. He showed off the state of the art kitchen to Ms Lifts-Her-Tail her and Ms Kali who decided to join them and then he immediately decided he was going to cook outside over hot coals like a primitive instead. He's so impossible. He's supposed to be showing them the modern conveniences. But how did you know?"))

The touch monitor shows a feed of an outside cooking and dining area there's a large modern setup but the camera turns and zooms in. Lifts-Her-Tail her is baking something in an old fashioned brick ovens, while Kali is making is making or preparing ingrediants and off to the side Walter, is cooking over hot coals and checking the fire. He says something and the ladies laugh. Kali goes over to take over cooking for a bit from him. Meanwhile Walter, who has at some point changed out of the expensive suit into a work shirt and jeans with vest, takes off his apron and hanging it on a hook grabs an axe and starts splitting and gathering wood and adding and tending the fire.

Penny giggles again. "It's just who he is." She says seeing them all smiling.

"I can't believe she's helping him AND acting like she's having fun!" Says Blake watching Walter talking to her mother who touches his shoulder and laughs.

Neo looks exasperated and rolls her eyes at Blakes outburst. She points at her eyes then the view screen as the picture freezes and the camera zooms in closer. It's Kali who is touching Walter's shoulder and joking with him, laughing and clearly enjoying herself.

Blake crossed her arms and huffed. "I see it, Neo. He must have had them do something to her, then. Warp her mind or something. These people are worse monsters than the Grimm!"

Neo throws her hands up in the air giving Penny a look. "Alright, Neo. We'll see you later then."

Neo leaves walking past Blake shaking her head.

"Ahnassi thinks she'll take her leave as well, yes." She turns to Blake. "A kitten cannot stay a kitten. Ahnassi sees, Ahnassi hears. Ahnassi hopes sad kitten does too, someday soon. Sad kitten is hurting good friends, yes?" Ahnassi leaves Blake with Pyrrha and Penny.

"What was that supposed to mean? Sad kitten? Who does she think she's-"

"Blake," says Pyrrha. "I think she's right. It's a crazy world we find ourselves in now. But we're here now and some of us are together." She steps up next to Blake and puts her hand on her shoulder. The veiw screens gone back to a live feed. Neo and Ahnassi have joined them outside. Ahnassi takes over ingredient preparation that Kali was doing and looking at Neo says something and Neo nods, joining her watching and learning. "We may find some small happiness in this world or we may not." She looks Blake in the eyes. "And for some of us it's a chance we may never have again to find that happiness, that second chance... if some of us do and they're happy I think we should be happy for them and extra careful not to harm that happiness... as friends." She pats Blake's shoulder and also leaves.

Blake hears crying and feels her heart sink. She turns around to see Penny sobbing. Her ears droop as she looks down. "I'm sorry Penny... I didn't mean to hurt you."

Penny shakes her head. "It's okay Blake... you don't see it yet because you don't want to see it... and I can accept that... but please... it hurts me to hear it... because that's not the truth... not at all... so even if you believe it... please don't say it... at least not to me? I love him."

Blake goes over to hold Penny and Penny holds her. "I know... and I'm sorry."

After a lovely meal of salad, potatoes, Walter's special Chili (which everyone agreed was special indeed. Kali Ahnassi and Lifts-Her-Tail discussed the recipe with him at length), steaks, fresh bread and biscuits with apple pie for desert everyone was full. Even for the eight of them it was too much. Walter rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed explaining he had learned from his grandmother and father and he loved cooking for others.

As they sat around enjoying drinks and coffee after dinner making small talk. "Did you ladies decide on your accommodations for the night?" He asked.

"Yes. We picked out rooms for most of us," said Pyrrha.

Picking at a bit of left over crust on her plate Blake asked, "Actually... is it possible for us to use one of the cabins?"

"Blake..." her mother started to say.

"That's fine," said Walt taking a sip of his coffee that had more than a touch of bourbon in it. "Would you like me to take yall out there in a bit?"

Blake nodded looking down. "Yes, please."

"I'm so sorry, Walter-", Kali started to say but he shook his head. "It's fine, Kali. I won't **** someone to sleep under the same roof as me if they don't want to. As old as I am I'm new to personally owning characters and I have no intention at this time of forcing anybody to do anything that they don't want to do. This is a new situation for everyone and I think it's best we go at whatever pace moving forward with our relationships with each other that we need to, whatever those relationships are. If we can start as "guests" and "host" and move towards "friends" in the future that's fine. I would though like yall to consider how best you can help out around here."

Kali touched his hand. "Well I want you to know I think you've been very good to us so far and I appreciate it. I would actually rather stay but I won't leave my daughter. I think I could cook for you in that wonderful kitchen. So if she wants to go I'd appreciate your showing us to the nearest cabin so I can at least come help make breakfast in the morning for everyone."

Blake looks at her mother shocked but seeing Penny and remembering earlier she shuts her mouth.

Walt smiles. "I think that's just fine. Anyone else want me to show them somewheres else to bed down for the night?"

Walt looked around but no one said anything though Pyrrha raised her hand.

"Yes, Pyrrha? You want to go somewhere sleep elsewhere too?"

Pyrrha shock her head. "Actually no, Walter. But I did want to know more about this place. May I accompany you?"

"Sounds good." Says Walt. "I can either go get a different vehicle or some can ride in the back. Might get a bit bumpy but nothing bad we won't be going far."

Penny starts to quietly question. "Walt, I had assumed that I-"

"Will definitely be sleeping in the master bedroom. You assumed correctly. "

Penny blushes but takes his hand. "Yes, please. Thank you."

Walt kisses her hand. "No, thank you, Penny. Thank you"

Later

Walter and Kali are standing the small porch of the cabin. Walter hands her a bag. "Theres some shirts, sweat pants and shorts with spare socks in there for you two wear as night clothes or whatever. I appologize if they're a little large. Also some left overs from dinner. I showed you where to find toothbrushes and such."

Kali smiled. "Yes, Walter. Thank you fir being so thoughtful."

Walter shakes his head. "I wish I could give you, more but it'll due for short notice. When you come down to the house tomorrow we'll get you all some new clothes and underthings that don't have the 3S logo on them. I already placed an order for two each of your regular outfits, they'll be at the house tomorrow, but I'm sure you'd like some variety and to pick things for yourselves. The monitors and displays inside are connected to Friday if you need anything. And if you all plan on staying out here we'll get you some vehicle for getting around."

Kali takes his hand smiling. "You've been very kind. This is plenty. I'm sorry she's taking this so hard."

Walt squeezed her hand gently. "It's fine. It's a lot for her to take in is all. You ladies have had your whole lives turned upside down. I can imagine what that's like. Honestly," he looks at her. "Just between you and me?"

Kali smiles. "I can keep a secret."

"It's a relief that more of you didn't take off into the hills like Sienna did" he winked. "I was half afraid I'd have to saddle up and explain everything while chasing after yall."

Kali laughed. "I can just picture that!"

He laughed too! "Hahaha.On horseback tearing through the woods-"

Kali laughing,"-the girls running hahaha for their lives-"

Walt laughing. "-and me going,"I'd like to take 15 minutes of your time to explain how the appliances work". Hahahahaha!"

They had a good long laugh. "Where is Sienna now anyway?"

Walt shook his head. "See for yourself. Friday sent out a drone to check on her a while ago. She's up a tree looking miserable. I imagine she'll hop the fence in the morning and be caught in a matter of minutes and dropped on the porch about two or three minutes after that. The only question is if it'll my be 3S agents or whatever flying superperson they send catches her first. When you come down to make breakfast you might just find her on the porch hogtied."

Kali laughs. "I know I shouldn't but I can't stop!"

"Well it beats the alternative of crying about it. Anyway i should let you two settle in." He looks back where Pyrrha is waiting in the truck. "I gotta feeling that one didn't just want to go for a drive. She's been thinking about something but I don't know if she's worked her way up to asking yet."

Kali smiles nodding. "They're adults but they're still so young in many ways. Still trying to figure out what they actually want. Well except for some..." she gives Walt a sly look.

Walt blushes and nods. "Yup. That one knows what she wants. Hell, I'm starting to think she knows it better than I do. She's sweet as can be but she's been scheming with Friday. The two most important ladies in my life..."

Kali smiles"... got you eating out of the palm of her hand."

Walt nods. "That's a fact."

Kali asks,"And you're off to give her what she wants?"

Walt nods and then looks at Kali. "I am. It'd be cruel not to and I couldn't do that."

Kali tilts her head. "That's true but that's not the reason you're doing it."

Walt sighs and smiles. "And I want her too. Because I love her. So I'll give her whatever she wants. Anything she wants."

Kali smiles. "Good answer. You better get going. Don't keep your princess waiting. "

Walt nods and tips his hat. "I won't. Goodnight, Kali."

Kali watches him step down off the porch. "Goodnight Walter... and Walter?"

Walt turns around. "Yep?"

Kali smiles. "If you two sleep in I'll set some breakfast aside."

Walt blushes but nods smiling. "Thank you, Kali."

"You're welcome Walter." Kali watches him drive off then steps inside the much more modest sized but also nice cabin to find her daughter crying. Blake had been listening of course. She didn't say anything, just sat with her and held her.

Blake mumbled, "...maybe i was wrong..."

Kali just nodded.

"...he better be good to her..."

"He will." Her mother kissed her forehead and held her. "He's one of the good ones."

In the truck going down the dirt track. Walter drives slowly. He knows this trail like the back of his hand but he also knows his passenger didn't come along on a whim. He waits for her to speak her mind. She had said she wanted to see more so he took the scenic way back. Pointing out little things to her. Pyrrha giving short nonspecific responses.

"I heard what you and Kali were talking about," said Pyrrha.

"I figured you might. Doesn't change anything." Walt stated. There was clearing ahead and he started to pull into it.

"You are one of those types, aren't you? A man of your word. I can tell."

"Some are, some aren't. I was raised that such that I try to be. I lived, and still do, in a shadow world of secrets and half-truths and lies. And while I know the language, fluent in it in fact, I doesn't suit me well. With the people in my life I want to be honest. It's important and preciousto me."

He'd stopped the truck and got out, walked around and opened Pyrrha's door for her. "What are we doing? Didn't you just tell Kali you wouldn't keep Penny waiting?"

"You saud you wanted to see more of the ranch." Walt said leading her a little away. Then stopping. "So I figured I'd share with you one of my favorite things and show you "more". Sit down."

Pyrrha hesitated. She was alone with him. The sun had just set not long ago. She didn't think he'd try something but she wasn't sure and if he was going to try something this would be an ideal remote location.

Walter spread out the blanket he'd grabbed from the truck. Sat down and patted the spot next to him.

Pyrrha swallowed and sat. It was time to find out she thought.

Walt took off his hat and placed it brim up. Then he laid back looking up. "Lay down and I'll show you "more" Pyrrha."

Pyrrha hesitantly lay down.

Walter spread his arms out to the sky. "More" he simply said.

Pyrrha looked up and saw the whole sky just about spread before them. Out here in this remote place there was much less pollution and artifical lights to obscure them the Milky Way could be clearly seen stretching out before them. The majestic colors and twinkling stars were captivating. "More" she said quietly. This was indeed more.

Walt could name constellations and stars and planets but not this time. Anybody he shared this with the first time he did it like this. Quietly.

They lay there a longtime just watching.

Pyrrha finally broke the silence. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." He told her.

"Not just this." She said and reached out to take his hand. "For everything today."

"It was my pleasure, Pyrrha. I was- no, I am happy to have you all here," he squeezed her hand gently. "I want to help."

"I know," she said. "I can see that now... and you helped me so much earlier... and the others too... You've done so much in less than a day... I think I can safely say you're a good friend to have, Walter."

He turned his head to look at her. "My friends call me, Walt."

She turned her head to look into his eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. "Thank you, Walt." She squeezed his hand.

He squeezed back. "You're welcome, Pyrrha."

They lingered a little longer before before heading back. The ride bsck had much more lively conversation.

Upon returning home he asked the rest of the girls if they needed anything else and they all looked at each other and giggled and told him they were fine.

Ahnassi was enjoying a glass of wine and reading something by the fire. Walt checked it was his copy of The Real Barenziah. The originals too not the sanitized version. He chuckled. Already found the wine cellar and the more salacious books in the library. He expected no less. He gave his special freind a wink and she smiled and purred.

Lifts-Her-Tail was working on something in the kitchen for tomorrow. He told her she could retire for the evening after she finished up. Speaking of salacious works inhis library he windered briefly if he should hide his copies of The Lusty Argonian Maid. He didn't want to scandalize her. He shrugged. He'd consider it later.

Pyrrha said she was foing to turn in after hitting the showers. She wanted to do some training in the morning. That was the Invincible Girl. She was a dedicated person.

Neo was playing with her new phone. He patted her shoulder and grabbed his hand to show him some of the things Friday was teaching her. He was going to ask her more but she very pointedly looked at him and then upstairs to where the Master bedroom lay. Walt nodded that he understood and agreed. She gave him look and a wink with a smile that made him blush and then sent him on his way.

He checked with Friday. Everything was nominal and normal except for a catgirl up a tree. He asked about the status of the items he'd ordered and she assured him everything was fine. She'd alert him if anything came up and that Penny was waiting for him upstairs.

Walt wasn't sure what he expected to find as he neared the bedroom. He swallowed and knocked. "Come in", he heard her say. Walt took a breath, let it out and entered the bedroom shutting the door tight behind him. His princess had waited long enough.

[Walter Stark and Penny Polendina with guest appearances

Will return in

Coming Home

Cumming soon]