With a quiet sigh, Storm rearranged the stored blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the fire. An unknown smile came to her lips at the memories spent this same way. With Ewan putting Avery to bed and Kellan already fast asleep in his crib, Storm stretched her arms behind her head as she laid down on the blankets with a satisfied grin.

"Close your eyes, now, Avery. Stop fighting it. There's tomorrow yet to come." Ewan stood from the bed and patted the boy's shoulder, then Whispers furry head, and stepped from the room, closing the door behind him.

Walking down the short hallway, he turned to find no silhouette of Storm. Only upon stepping further into the room did he see her settled in the nest of blankets and pillows. "Comfortable?" he asked, standing over her, arms crossing his chest.

During her wait her eyes drifted close into a peace relaxation. Hearing Ewan's approach before his words, she still acted like she heard nothing. Her lips twitched into a smile, and she opened her eyes to look up at him, "Just almost. You see, while I am nice and warm on this side," she motioned to the side of her body that faced the fire, "I am lacking on this side." She motioned to the opposite direction with an innocent look on her face.

"Hmm," he nodded as he looked over the situation with a stern demeanor, "yes, I can see that you have a problem there, though this might fix that." And he leaned over, then pulled one of the blankets over the side away from the fire. "Amazing how that works, hm?" The grin grew slowly from one sly corner to the other.

Her eyes narrowed as he moved the blankets over, and then she did not bother to hide a pout, "I was thinking that perhaps you would warm my other side, but I suppose this blanket will have to do." Managing a mock sniffle, she rearranged the blankets around her.

"Oh," he chuckled, arms going out with a rather "who knew" sort of shrug. He crouched down, and then crept close, sliding one hand beneath the cover to try and wrap it around her shoulder as he moved to slide in beside her. "I am so sorry to have misunderstood the predicament."

She chuckled warmly, helping to move the arrangement so that the blanket was not in between them, "I think that you knew exactly what I wanted. Not as that it matters, for here you are." She grinned and turned to give him a kiss, "All is well with Avery?"

The kiss shared he moved to just lay back, folding his hands behind his head. "Yes, all is well. He was trying to stay up later, per usual, but finally gave in to it."

She kept on her side, using her elbow for support as she looked down on him, "I am hoping over time his need for trying to stay up late with wither before he is old enough to remain awake longer." Her free hand moved to stroke his cheek tenderly, "And how was the rest of your day, beloved?"

His eyes closed, just listening to her voice and breathing as she touched his cheek. "Hmm, it was less than troubling." Feeling no desire to sully the quiet serenity of the moment with grimy details, he let the rest remain unsaid. Blinking his eyes open to look up at her. "And yours? What news on the progress of your people's recovery?"

"It is well, I suppose." Taking the opportunity, she moved over to him so that she could rest in the open space next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder and placing a hand on his chest, "We are still a Guardian short, but it sounds as though all the realms are nearly normal. Father wants me to change my position to help communications between the realms."

It was a soft sound that rumbled just a moment in his throat. He had heard her, but did not know just how to respond, so the sound served as notice that he was paying attention. He let his thoughts tumble over it, and while they continued their chase through the mazes of possibilities and ramifications, he asked, "What do you think about that?"

Well, I can see his reasons." Her finger started to make slow, circular shapes over his chest, "I have good relationships with nearly all the Guardians, and they all understand my unique gift. In theory, it is my rightful place to be. I travel well in the other realms, though of course I do not favor the Earth at all. However, the whole reason for my coming here was to learn and build networks in other places. It does not mean that I must return to the Air Realm, but it changes my perspectives."

Though her tracing circles along his chest was beginning to send shivers down his spine, he focused on the conversation. His arm about her to hold her close, the hand caressed her shoulder. "In what way changes your perspective?"

"Oh!" Storm wanted to laugh and suck in air at the same time, making an odd sound while adding space between her and Andrew. Her shoulder received a harsh hit with his iced blade. The time between her last spar was so long that her moves were moments slower than anticipated.

"Perhaps now is a good time to stop." Andrew lowered his arms, and looked critically at her shoulder and other places he had gotten through her defenses, "Besides, I think you will have enough coloring for now."

Her laugh came out more fully now, though it held a few notes of pain, "Yes, I think so as well. I cannot remember the last time you have won just so." With a thought, her katana faded away from her hand. Stretching her arms, she winced only slightly.

"I will relish in the few times you will allow me to win." His smile was clearly teasing, before he raised a brow, "Can I escort you somewhere? Just to be your arms in case you need them."

With gentle laughter, she rolled her eyes and started back towards the Guardian Chambers, "I would not mind company, if that is what you are asking."

"Excellent. So what is this new position of yours I have heard about?" He was straightforward in his question, keeping in stride with her moderate pace.

She gave him a sidelong look, before looking ahead at the path. "I am unsure just what to call it. Unity?" A slight shrug, "We have had that for some time now. However, I suppose that it takes work to maintain, and so that is what I will do."

"I think it is a position well in need. Who would be better than the one that can control all elements?"

"Just because that seems the right way does not mean that everyone shall support it. I would guess that Emeric will be most disapproving. Healthy change is still change."

"Let Celeste, Adrienne and myself deal with Emeric. Even if he does not bend, he is one to three." He sent her an encouraging smile, "So when will you be coming to visit?"

Andrew opened the door for her, and she took the moment to take a deep breath and clear her thoughts. Ewan had left for Yransea, and if he was going to be away for more than a week, Storm wanted to join him. It made her eager to get as much done as she could before the possible departure, "Is tomorrow too soon?"

"Tomorrow is perfect. Will you bring your new son along?"

A quick shake of her head, "No, I do not wish to take him anywhere rather than here and the Air Realm. Not until he is older and the amount of his gift is more certain."

He opened his mouth to say something, before clearly changing his mind for something else, "Well, let me visit him now then."

Curious to what he did not say but unwilling to pry, Storm simply smiled before leading Andrew to her father and Kellan.

Deep within the Earth Realm, Storm was searching for a sense of stability with her face pressed against a cold wall. With her natural distress underground, and the remaining memories of Jeremiah, her body all but screamed with escaping. The discord between her soul and mind left her body trembling and her mind grasping for control. After several deep breaths, she quickly wiped the threat of tears away and pressed onward for the Temple.

There was no pause in her step, no lingering to look at the changes from her last visit. Each step echoed determination to perform her duty as quickly as possible without appearing to be rude. As soon as it was over, her mind would turn to packing and to focus on the light of her family.

A handful of children were playing a game of catch under the watchful eyes of their parents. One in particular spotted her and left the game to run at her.

Finding a smile for the little boy, she gathered him in a warm embrace, "My my young Mike, how you have grown!"

"Auntie, you never come and visit us!" He latched his arms and legs tightly around her, "Are you coming over?"

Storm nearly groaned at the thought of staying underground longer than she had to. However, Patrice was a dear friend, and one she had not spent time with in recent times. "We will see. Now, where is your mother?"

"She's in the Tower with Shawn, waiting for you."

"Well, best that I go to see her. Perhaps if you are good, then your mother will let me see you and your siblings for a time." She ruffled his hair in a way she would Avery's, "win your game for me." He laughed as she set him down, and ran with renewed spirits to the ball game.

Chuckling, she found that the darkness of her mood lightened as she attended the last meeting of her busy week.

"Stay close, I am not going to make the shield any larger than needed." As Paola worked on their small fire, Storm worked on constructing a small shield to keep them warm and out of the blizzard. She was tired to the bone, and aching from spending a night away from her sons, particularly Kellan.

"I have no plans to leave anytime soon." Paola peeked her head out of the small cave to the storm that continued to billow. Trying to keep from shivering, all of her concentration went to the simple lessons she had learned form Devin many months ago. The fact that she was could after all of her time spent with the fire made it all the more painful. "I appreciate you coming with me." The words were forced, but the chance of a successfully dry night made the disappointment less.

She was already moving all of her things closer to the fire, although threads of her energy went into adding more heat. "You do not have to lie to me." Niceties were tossed aside as she crawled under all of her blankets, "I will just not give at your persistence. I am just assist you and make sure all goes well. This is not the place to be alone."

"I am aware of the dangers of The Pass." She turned to her own blankets to hide her insult, "The joining of all the realms is one of the most basic and largest studies of the scholars." She could already feel the difference in heat from their long day of traveling, It thawed the chilled sensation in her fingertips and toes as she began to get ready for bed.

Storm held back a sarcastic chuckle, her attitude dropping with each passing moment. "Studying the center of all power is nothing like experiencing it. I hope you have studied and practiced joining and taming storms. You will need it for tomorrow." If lucky, the storm would be contained quickly, and she would not stop until she was home with her children. The simple thought of them steadied her less than kind thoughts as she turned over, "Sleep well, Paola."

She wanted to open her mouth and argue, but instead Paola grinded her teeth. Devin had warned her that her actions were implusive, but she would not change her mind. "Goodnight." Ignoring the aching feeling of the unknown, she bundled herself within her blankets and imagined the warm Fire next to her.