Cherry lies on the patio, looking at the rickety ceiling above her, lost in thought. She hears the critters and the sound of crunching snow, but she can't concentrate on any of it. All she can worry about is the feeling in her stomach that won't go away. The feeling that something is off. That something is off with her. She brings her hand in front of her face. She spots the small scar she got a few years ago, but other than that, she seems normal. Then why does she feel so off?

"Why are you lying on the floor, Cherry?" She leans her head back a little further, seeing Daniel and Sean upside down. "You missed my training."

"I'm sorry," she says, looking back at the ceiling. "Figured you two could have your little bromance." She waves her arm at the boys. Daniel rolls his eyes. "Also, I was getting food ready. It's on the stove if you want to eat."

"Aw, you fucking rock, Cherry!" He runs past her, opening and closing the door. Sean moves to stand near Cherry, pretty much covering her entire view. She admires him momentarily, finding the long hair to frame his face better. She raises a brow at him.

"'Fucking'?"

"Not like it'll hurt," he shrugs. "Aren't you cold?" She shakes her head no, finally noting she took off her hoodie some time ago, using it as a pillow for her head.

 "You know my memory is still shit."

 "Well, I don't need you catching anything, come on." He places his hand out in front of her, making her roll her eyes.

"Like you said, I'm a walking furnace. I'll be fine." He doesn't move his hand, making her groan in annoyance. "You're such a dad sometimes, Sean-y boy." She grabs his hand, and the boy hoists her to her feet. She has to put her hand on his chest to avoid falling into him.

"Someone has to look out for you, chiqui." She rolls her eyes despite the warmth coming to her face.

"I think I do just fine, cariño."

"It's just..." he trails off, taking in a breath. "You've seemed out of it." She looks up at him, a tired sigh escaping her lips. She hopes the guilt isn't obvious with her expression. "You've been cold with me and a bit cold with Daniel, too." She looks away for a moment, feeling unsure of her words. "What's wrong, Cher?"

 "Nothing, just forgetful," she shrugs, but it's obvious he doesn't believe her. 

 "I told you you could talk to me about anything, didn't I?"

 "Yeah, but-"

 "Then what's wrong?" He places his other hand on her shoulder, leaving her nowhere to go. She stares at him for a few moments, finding it difficult to breathe. She can feel the answer on the tip of her tongue but isn't sure how to say it.

"Well," she starts, taking in a deep breath. "I think-"

"Cherry, can you help me with the food?" A silent sigh of relief escapes her lips.

"I'll go help him." He holds her still, gentle but firm.

"We're talking after Daniel goes to sleep. Promise?" She nods her head.

"I promise." His hold lingers before he lets go. He grabs her hoodie off the patio before the two enter the warm cabin. He tosses the hoodie on the bed before he goes to write Daniel's progress on a piece of drywall.

"What's wrong?" she asks. She looks at the stove, seeing the pot hasn't moved. The ravioli is boiling at this point, though.

"It's too hot to grab, and I don't want to drop it." She rolls her eyes but smiles, nevertheless. She definitely babies him.

"Whatever you need, Daniel." She grabs the pot, places the cooked ravioli on two plates, and leaves the rest in the pot for herself.

"How come I don't get a nickname like the one you have for Sean?" She places the pot on the counter before looking back at the boy.

"What do you want for your nickname then?"

"Something better than Sean's." She can hear the teen boy scoff as he finishes writing on the drywall.

"How about mi amor?" she says, ruffling his hair.

"You hear that, Sean? I'm her armor." He grins proudly, gaining a smile from the two.

"Do you even know what it means?" Sean asks, picking up his plate of ravioli.

"All I know is it sounds better than karano."

"It's cariño, Daniel. It means dear. Mi amor means my love."

"So it is better, is what you're saying?"

"Sure, mi amor." He fist pumps in the air before eating his meal, and the teens do the same.

"I hate ravioli."

"That was spaghetti a la Johnson... Didn't you taste her famous truffle sauce?" Sean says, gaining a smile from his brother.

"Yep. Plus, I loved the garlic bread! And ice cream! Yum!" he adds, rubbing his stomach. He hears Mushroom whimper, so he uses his powers to put the plate on the floor for her. Cherry rolls her eyes.

"Bon appetite, Mushroom," she says, finishing the last of her food and placing the pot back on the counter. Her stomach still grumbles slightly. She grabs one of the canteens, downing some water in hopes of silencing her stomach.

"She really likes this stuff-" Daniel says before he goes into a coughing fit. Sean and Cherry move to him immediately, Cherry giving him water from the canteen. "Sorry. I'm okay."

"Hold on. I need to show y'all something." He grabs one of the candles and goes to the back of the room. The two watch him, Cherry leaning slightly to get a full view of what he's doing. "Daniel! What'd you do with the map?"

"What do you mean?" She gives the boy a look, making him come clean. "Oh, that map. It's in my tent. My bad, Sean." She pats him on the shoulder while he looks away, all guilty-like.

"Okay," he says, placing the map on the table. "I think it's time for us to hit the road. You're not getting better. And we're almost out of food."

"No. I'm okay." Immediately, he starts coughing, and Cherry gives him a sip from the canteen. "It's just a cough."

"One that won't go away, mi amor."

"Trust me, Daniel. You need some medicine. We'll find it here." He points at the map, Cherry and Daniel leaning forward to look.

"Beaver Creek?" she questions, receiving a nod from Sean.

"What's that?" Daniel asks.

"That's where Karen's parents...our grandparents live."

"Okay. So what?" Daniel says.

"So we can go there. They'll probably help us." He sounds a bit unsure himself.

"Why do you always force us to run, Sean? What if they, I don't know, don't like me?"

"How could they not like you, Dani boy?" She pulls him into a side hug. "Do you know how happy they'd be to spend Christmas with their two grandkids? They'll love you."

"Grandpa is super cool, too," Sean adds. "I'm sure you guys will be best buds!"

"Okay..." he trails off. He looks at Mushroom, who sits beside the plate she licked clean. "But Mushroom has to agree, too. She's part of the team! What do you say, girl?" She barks at him in response. "Okay. When do we go?"

"Tomorrow. The sooner, the better. We have a long road ahead of us."

"Mmmm... We should do something fun for our last night here... How about a game of dice? If I win... I get to draw on your backpack!" Cherry rolls her eyes, getting up and off the bed. "You don't want to play?"

"No. I-" She stops her words, seeing the pout on Daniel's face while she feels Sean reading her like an open book. "No, I really, really want to," she says, putting a grin on the boy's face. "Let me just put away the dishes, and I'll play with you guys."

"Yes!" Daniel exclaims, grabbing the board and dice. "Get ready to lose, Cherry!" he says. She rolls her eyes, picking up the plates and the pot.

"Whatever you say, mi amor."