Birds woke me this time, to a dewy predawn with sunlight just barely showing itself outside my window. Everything was still dark enough to be just contrasting shadows.

Jeanette was waiting, steaming coffee on a saucer held in one gloved hand. "Good morning young Miss. Breakfast will be ready in but a moment. I hope the hour finds you well."

I sat up and took the offering. "It does. Good morning, Jeanette. How did you know?"

"Your biological processes are no mystery to me, young Miss. The time in which you will wake is simple to deduce. In fact you made it easy by retiring early."

"Ugh, don't remind me." I'd pretty much wasted the entirety of yesterday, and while it was fun at the time, I was regretting it now. Wait, what did Jeanette mean? I sincerely hoped she didn't mean all my 'biological processes'. That would be beyond embarrassing.

However, it was probably better for my sanity not to ask. I downed the coffee and passed the dishes back.

I made a grab for the clothes Jeanette held out for me to wear, another comfortable choice of jeans, this time with a light sweater. Jeanette did not let go, instead raising an eyebrow. "You are not cleaning yourself this morning?"

"I didn't do anything yesterday, so I'm not dirty or sweaty. And even if I am, its Sunday and I'm not planning to do anything major, so it doesn't matter."

Jeanette sighed but released her grip; I wasted no time getting dressed but stopped her when she held out my coat. "Save that for the moment, I still need to go to the bathroom."

"Of course" was the reply I got, with the undertone of infinite but tried patience. That tone of voice was quite a trick, how had she managed to learn it so quickly? Had she been taking pointers from Mom?

I shut the door to the bathroom, and my maid did not object. After I'd done my dirty deeds and washed my hands, I found her still out there waiting, with my coat outstretched, a slight smile still on her face.

I put my hands through the sleeves and noticed the difference immediately; even with a sweater on, I'd been a little cold. Jeanette pulled my hair free of the garment, and my back started warming immediately.

I should have paid more attention to these little tells earlier, they were obvious, in hindsight.

Jeeves was cooking in the kitchen, and the breakfast looked to be one of his. Was that an avocado half with a fried egg in it? That bacon looked absolutely free of fat, and the wheat toast had some weird hash marks on it.

Jeanette filled my cup again, adding the exact amount of cream and sugar I liked before placing it and the saucer back down at my place setting with a grace that made me a little self-conscious.

I picked at the concoction on my plate with a fork; what had actually possessed people to make such a thing? It was baked together, it looked like, and still hot. How long had Jeeves been at this? The oven was still on, so at least one other batch of this was probably being made.

I quit playing and took a bit while my bots looked on. This was... weird, but very good. I'd have thought a crispy avocado would taste bad, but it didn't at all, and the egg added something. Just what, I wasn't sure, but it did.

Jeeves placed some strawberries in a bowl next to the plate. They looked fresh, and that couldn't be right. It wasn't the season.

I gave him a look but all he said was "Trust me."

The strawberries added more, and by eating the bacon immediately after the rest, the collection of tastes was intense. The toast served as an adequate palette cleanser.

I guess Jeeves saw me brighten, because he smiled - and I could see the reflection of Jeanette frowning at me from our shiny metal toaster as she began brushing my hair.

"So, I'm feeling like a lab day," I informed them both.

"Of course," Jeeves answered. Jeanette merely hmm'd and kept brushing.

That was fine. As long as neither came up with a direct counter to the idea, they could disapprove all they wanted. Besides, I felt bad for leaving Crash alone for the day. I also needed to check up on him to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. Crash was impulsive, after all.

I finished everything and shoved my plate away, a clear signal I was done. Outside the sun had finally finished rising and I realized I'd left my glasses upstairs.

Or not; Jeanette held them out to me as she pocketed her brush. Jeeves took my plate and started scraping it clean.

I had nothing chore-like to do, so there was nothing left to do. I snagged my coffee and headed out, making sure to lock the door behind me. My keys weren't really necessary, Jeeves could let me back in, but I felt them in my coat pocket next to my phone.

Jeanette had been right, it was cold and would probably become a nice fall day. For now though it was too cold for me, and I scanned myself in the lab with more than a little haste.

The lab was a bit warmer and everything looked to be in its proper place; the engine hadn't been fired recently either, which was a plus.

Crash was leaning over my workstation and - was he drooling? Was he asleep?

"Crash?"

He jumped, then jumped up. "Oh crea- Miss Campbell! How are you?!?"

"I'm good today, how are you Crash? Were you sleeping?"

Crash wiped a hand across his mouth as he answered. "I was um, conserving power in a sleep cycle, yes. You programmed us all with it."

That sounded like an accusation. "Yes, but I didn't program the pose in. It looked very natural. What were you working on?"

There was a notebook under where he had laid his head, and a few pencils, one broken. He'd drawn a blueprint there.

"I was designing a better safety harness for you, for when you move beyond the test stages. The one you have in the jet will likely break your bones in the event of a crash. Not enough padding."

Well that was true; A more rugged person would likely be ok, but my bones were probably the size of toothpicks so it was a concern. "Oh? What's your answer?"

"See these packs here, and here, and here?" Crash pointed them out in case I hadn't. "They will be filled with a powder that converts to a gel when it hits air. the packs are set to rupture in the event of a sudden stop-like movement, kind of like car airbags, and the gel will expand under the straps and take the impact. There is another strip I'll put on your helmet, so any head injuries will be negligible."

I didn't even know Crash knew the word negligible. "That's impressive. How far did you get?"

"Well, the design is ready for testing, and the gel. I'm fairly sure it'll work, but I didn't get around to that part yet."

He waited for me, I just knew it. "For the best I think. Well, if you say you're ready you can do it all now; just be careful around the printer, it always acts a little hungry around you guys."

"Don't I know it. Thanks."

I shrugged and took a seat. A sip of coffee while my laptop powered up and scanned me, and I was back in, running aerodynamic models on the jet. Everything looked okay so far and the tests had gone well, but there was still something to check.

It wasn't actually just a jet, after all. Right now the tests were to determine what would happen if the jet's aerodynamic profile and surfaces were to suddenly change.

What could I say? I was a sucker for the classics. I knew my friends would get a kick out of it too. Crash's gel, if it worked, would have a place in the system. If it was clear, that would be even better, I'd just layer it in the spots most likely to need it.

It might have other uses, too.

My phone rang. It was Ricky. "Hi min, you awake?"

An irresistible urge overtook me. "No."

He sputtered on the other line before I laughed and ruined it. "Oh, not cool. I thought maybe you'd answered half asleep or something."

"Nope, I've been up for hours now. Had a restful night." A stab of a pencil started the next model attempt; the last was close, but a slight wobble remained that I didn't like.

"So you're free? I can come on over?"

"Sure, I'm in the lab," I checked the time. "Though you've missed breakfast so you might want to eat first."

"How did you...?"

Silly. "Just a guess. One you just proved me right on."

"Alright, be there in twenty."

"See you then." No sooner had I put the phone down than it chimed again, this time with a text: "Hope U R up, cause we R otw." Proclaimed Maggie's number.

After a quick cringe at the grammar, I fired a text back that I was at the lab, but there was no breakfast. "Jeanette, we have guests on the way. Some coffee and tea would be welcome."

"Of course, young Miss."

She left, and it was just Crash and I. "So Crash, how close do you think we are?"

"We could have it in a few days, if you want. Another test for the new features, and if it clears, you should be able to take it out. If you want, that is."

"And the next thing?"

"That's even easier. The worst part of that design is the engines need to be set farther away from the pilot; the alloy just can't handle the heat."

Well, the alloy wasn't exactly meant to handle the heat. But in moving the engines the aerodynamic signature was changed. I was trying to avoid using computer assist, but it looked grim for that. I tinkered a bit with the design until the door opened.

Jeanette walked in, a tray with both a tea service and a carafe of coffee in one hand. The other was empty. Maggie and Sam followed her in.

"Good morning."

"Good morning!" they chorused. Well, Sam wasn't quite as excited about the day, clearly, but the thought was still there.

"So what mad science are you planning today? What happened yesterday, what did you do?"

Right to the point; typical Maggie. "It was a family bonding day. Mom wanted to hang out and watch movies, so that's what we did."

Family bonding sounded better in my head than 'Mommy-min day' or the dreaded 'Mommy-daughter' day. Those two options made it sound like I needed my Mom to hang out with me or something, and images had to be maintained.

"Ah, that's so cool! What movies?"

"The princess bride and um... dead hard. The latest one, with old Bruce."

"Ahh." Sam muttered. So she'd wanted to see that one too?

"I think it's still in the living room if you want to see it Sam."

Sam got up and walked out without a word; she could use the television in here if she wanted, I wouldn't care.

When Sam came back, both Ricky and Ralph followed her in, both of them chatting away about something that they promptly shut up about.

"Good morning you two, there is coffee, tea, water and cola should you feel thirsty, but no breakfast. Ralph, I didn't expect you here."

Of all my friends, Ralph was the one who hadn't called yesterday. I commended him for being busy in my head, unlike the rest of us lazy people.

He stuttered his response out. "Well, I was a bit busy and..."

"Sorry, I didn't mean it like that, of course you're welcome here. I just meant you didn't phone or text first is all."

Sam immediately monopolized the television and game console, sliding the movie in and starting it without so much as a warning to anyone. Not that anyone else seemed to mind; they all crowded around, pulling up the folding chairs and plunking down in them. Had no one seen this movie before me? That seemed a little far-fetched. Even so, I shut up to avoid spoilers.

It was advantageous when Crash brought his new harness by later, no one even glanced at us when we put our heads together and went over it, looking for problem areas. I couldn't find any, so I gave Crash the go ahead; after all he would be the one testing it first anyway.

Then it was time to machine the new parts for the new configurations and install them on the jet. That was going to take all day, probably - but it was scratching the mental itch I had. Well that and the new project. I just hoped Dad let me fly it when I was finished. I should be more trusted or not grounded from doing certain things by then.

I installed the first part before the movie was done, the 3d printer really was overtaxed; should I build a new one? An industrial one maybe? The first had been a compromise between a home and factory model... no, don't get sidetracked. I can do all that later, or tell Jeeves to do it; he was my partner in crime, after all. I couldn't wait to see what he came up with for the fall leaves, after the grass incident.

I was so bad, sometimes. For all I knew, Jeeves wasn't even working on plant pigmentation any more.

"What are you doing?"

Not only was I surprised by Sam's voice, I was surprised by the full sentence. Both were kind of unusual, and looking up I could see Sam hunched over, her face a little too pink.

"Replacing this panel here."

Sam was back on solid ground. "Why?"

Of course the jet worked, so why would I do such a thing? "It wasn't fully functional before. So now, if I replace a few things, it will be and Crash can test the next phase of the jet."

"Weapons?"

What? "No, I'm not adding any. Why would I add weapons?"

There was the right place to add the AI assist if I were going to. I guess I could add the slot for it next and just make the chip later when I decided.

"Most devisors add weapons to things," Maggie interrupted as she also leaned over and watched.

I finished and waved them both back, Crash helped me up. "What did you think of the movie?"

Sam waffled her hand while Maggie was a bit more vocal. "It was pretty good, so long as you don't think too hard."

"Yeah I know what you mean." I had been a bit disappointed - the movie had done some frankly unbelievable crap with special effects. But that was par for the course, anymore. The new one would likely be even worse in that regard.

The guys had apparently loved it without reservation. They were both grinning like loons as they put a fighting game in the console. I went over to join them - after all there really wasn't much else to do while the other replacement parts cooked, so to speak.

I mauled Ralph but got trounced by Ricky and passed the controller off. Sam trounced all comers for the first round. The second round Ricky took back the throne, and we started all over again. We really needed Ian here - he was the only one who could match Ricky consistently.

Next round I knocked him out though, then Sam promptly destroyed me. That was enough socialization for now, it was time to go back to work.

Work was pretty boring right now.

"Come young Miss, let us leave this stuffy place for a time, and walk for a time in the sunlight."

Uh oh. Trouble in paradise. "But..."

"You need the exercise."

Maggie took up the cause. "That's right! You do need to get out more, you're going to get all flabby."

That wasn't really possible. "There's no way I can...."

Then Sam grabbed my arm, and delivered her verdict. "Flabby."

I knew a lost cause when I saw one. One of my powers was regeneration, so there was no way I could even lose muscle mass. Well, unless I was in a coma for a hundred years or so, and probably not even then.

But against the combined might of those three stares, even without the two boys high-fiving themselves behind them, I stood no chance of explaining that. i was pretty sure that Jeanette knew too, and she had done this on purpose.

Oh well, I could always set the printer up with a Que. Or, let Crash handle it.

"Fine. Crash, you know what to do, right?"

"Mind the store?" He replied, making it sounds a little too much like a question.

"Not the phrase I'd have used, but yes. Make sure the place doesn't burn down and watch the parts to ensure they don't warp. I'll be back later."

"Will do!" He enthused, sounding too much like a deep voiced Maggie for my liking.

Jeanette led the way out, one hand shielding her eyes, the other keeping me from following; she looked around first, then nodded to herself sharply before her fingers came off my breastbone.

I just rolled my eyes at her. Then I regretted it because the sun was bright. I really needed to get some prescription sunglasses.

Ralph and Ricky tried to pile out of the door together, and Maggie berated them for their manners; they too squinted, looking around the same way Jeanette had. At least they probably weren't looking for the same thing.

It was still cold, even with the coat and sweater; looking around, no one else had a second layer on. The closest was Sam, who had a long sleeved shirt on. Everyone else was still dressed for summer and not suffering at all! I huddled in my coat a bit more, and buttoned it up when I was sure no one was looking.

I didn't button it all the way though, that would be both uncool and noticeable.

"So where are we going?" Maggie asked.

"How about the park?" Ricky responded, twirling a basketball on his index finger. Where had he gotten that? Had he picked up the one in my room somehow? "The courts are probably free."

"Fine by me," I answered. "But I won't be playing any horse today. You all can knock yourselves out."

"Shall we jog?" Jeanette asked. "Now is an excellent opportunity to get blood flowing and loosen muscle."

Ricky rose to the challenge and took off, his reply trailing behind him. "Sure, sounds good."

Ugh, I knew it would come to this. I started a step too late, and everyone else joined in. Within ten steps I was passed.

No, I wouldn't accept this. I doubled down instead, I kept to a jogging pace but shortened and doubled my steps. By the time we reached the park, I wasn't first, but I wasn't dead last anymore either. That honor belonged to Maggie.

"Not a bad warm up," Ralph said, his eyes seeking me out.

"Yeah, got the blood pumping. A little one on one?" Ricky shot back with a look I knew well.

Ralph took the bait. "Sure. Let's do it."

"Boys," Maggie whispered loudly with a grin.

They ignored her in favor of rock paper scissors to see who got the ball first. I took a seat on the nearest bench with a sigh. What to do now? I didn't want to just watch other people play basketball.

Sam sat next to me, then Jeanette took the other side.

Sam didn't talk, but Jeanette was under no such hesitation. "I know that look, young Miss. Perhaps I might entice you to participate elsewhere? On the other park equipment, perhaps the swing set?"

Jeanette thinks I am a little kid, it seems.

"That sounds like an idea," Maggie said, the traitor.

Sam just got up and held a hand out to me. I took it and almost shot to my feet as she pulled; Sam was stronger than she looked. She didn't let go either, so there was no escape from the attack to be had from the attack on my dignity.

Instead we all plunked down on swings next to each other, and started off.

When I was a kid, one of the things I loved to do was get as high as I could on a swing, then jump out to see how high I could get. I even sprained an ankle doing it once, but nothing beat the sensation of air whistling past your face and the feeling of weightlessness, right before gravity reasserted itself and everything went wrong.

Today I was lighter than I'd ever been, and yet I was afraid. Not afraid of taking the plunge, but afraid of how Jeanette would react; I knew Jeeves would try to catch me, but Jeanette would probably just yell at me for a year, and I didn't want to hear it.

Still, higher and higher I went, committing to some time in the air at least, coming closer to the dreaded moment of chained weightlessness that occurred right before you went completely around the set on a swing, wrapping the chain around the metal bars. That sort of move had its own dangers.

Maggie was playing it safe, but Sam was matching me, the madwoman. The set itself was beginning to thrum with the forces we were applying.

We bailed out together, Sam and I. Jeanette watched me arc in silently, and land perfectly. despite that my lead foot still stung with the impact.

I turned to find Sam grinning, and I was sure mine matched hers. Maggie was shaking her head and muttering at us... but Jeanette was silent. She stayed that way even when I limped my first few steps, working the kinks out while Sam led us away.

Sam led us to the merry-go-round, and old rusted disc of steel painted in alternating blue and red that squeaked with every movement.

"Really?" Maggie asked her as Sam got on. Sam just stared back at her with her jaw set.

"Fine, but I'm not getting on," Maggie declared. Sam looked at me.

Then I got pushed from behind, gently. "Go ahead, young Miss."

Resistance was futile; it was take the step and get on or trip and fall. "Jeanette what are you doing?"

"Please sit." Jeanette replied, beginning to push the contraption. Then she started pushing it with smooth, easy strokes.

The motion was slow and easy, but it wasn't long before she was really getting into it, and the choice was sit down and hang on or fly off. The world blurred by, and I sat back, braced my feet against the rails, and watched the sky spin.

When the center started wobbling, a minute later, Jeanette smoothly slowed us down again, just like a schoolyard pro.

Of course neither of us could so much as move, let alone get up. It was a miracle we hadn't gotten sick.

"Jeanette we need to have a talk about your impulsive streak."

Sam seconded me with a rather melodramatic "Blergh."

"As you wish, young Miss." She sounded suitably sorry, so it could probably wait until later.

Ricky strode into view, blocking the sun. "That looked like a lot of fun just now."

"Knock yourself out." I told him.

He started to climb on. "Wait, no! Let me get off first!" I did not want a round two. At least not yet.

Jeanette came to my rescue, lifting me up and making sure I didn't fall as the world spun. Sam was already off the ride, safely in the grass, and I was placed gently beside her.

"Wuff." Sam muttered, and I agreed. Meanwhile the boys both got on eagerly, because they were boys.

"Hold on, because if you land on me I'm going to be pissed." I told them. Having the clouds spin that way was rather nice.

Squeaking announced the merry-go-round was in action again, and low whoops announced who was on it. The noise stopped, then about the time I could see straight again, I heard that ominous rattle.

It was time to move. Sam was already out of the way, and I managed to follow, but nothing happened; there was no snap or flying bodies to avoid.

Sam moved on... to the pull up bar. The pull up bar was a lone bar bolted in two bars five feet apart and five feet up, with those set in concrete. Its sole purpose was to have kids swing on it using their upper arm strength, or do pull ups. Why it was considered a playground toy was beyond me.

Sam grabbed hold and bent her knees under her, then began the count. She managed five before putting her feet back on solid ground.

I stepped up behind and mimicked her (I didn't actually have to pull my feet up but I did anyway). I knew I was in trouble after the first. I managed a second pull-up before I couldn't hang on anymore. Before, I could have easily done anywhere from seven to ten but my arms were like noodles now.

I got out of the way and Maggie pulled off three before she gave up.

Sam snapped her fingers, then cartwheeled. I knew how to cartwheel of course, in theory, but I'd never done it before. She cartwheeled again, then pointed. Maggie cartwheeled too.

"Come on Min, you try it. The grass is soft enough, you won't get hurt."

As if that were the problem. My worst fear was coming true.. other kids were coming to the park.

Pam, Monty, Jodi, and Flash were headed our way. Monty was holding a basketball, and I could smell the trouble.

"I've got a coat on. Also, we have incoming."

Sam turned to look and her eyes narrowed. Maggie kept her face neutral but they both closed ranks - in front of me. From nowhere, Jeanette drew up to my side, making as little effort as Sam to hide her feelings. Which looked to me like nothing so much as disdain, but that couldn't be, right? I mean, Jeanette didn't know any of these people.

The other group drew close and Pam took the lead; Flash had been, but he let Pam go ahead of him. "Hi guys! What's going on?"

That seemed a little too bright and chipper. At least she was addressing Sam and totally ignoring me. I couldn't expect that to last, but I could hope.

"Nothing," was Sam's reply.

"Oh come on, it looked like you were practicing for the cheer squad," Pam said. "No need to by shy about it."

Sam had been on the cheerleading squad for awhile, before quitting. I wonder if she missed it.

"Just having fun," Maggie answered, pulling another cartwheel. "Trying to get Min involved. She's under the impression cartwheels are hard or something."

I didn't have that impression, but I did know how clumsy I was. "I'm just too cold to ditch my coat and go flipping around is all, but you two can knock yourselves out."

Flash ignored me entirely, in favor of Ricky. "How about a game? One on one, or two on two?"

Ricky shrugged. "Sure. Ralph, you in?"

Ralph looked startled by the notion, but stepped up with a hard look at Monty. "Sure."

Monty appeared to be in too. "Alright. We'll let you have first ball."

"Your funeral," Ricky stated. They headed off to play, leaving me surrounded.

Pam did a picture perfect cartwheel, then a handstand. "Come on Minerva, this is all easy to learn.

Jeanette, that picture of propriety, threw herself into off a cartwheel, then a handstand. "Come young Miss, let us learn together."

When she put it like that, how could I refuse? I loosed my coat, but I wasn't about to take it off; just loosening it would have to do.

To my surprise I didn't fall on my ass my first attempt. Or even the second. I turned to Sam, and she gave me thumbs up before doing a back bend. I followed her lead with Jeanette beside me. Even Jodi got into the act, and her laughter was contagious.

Then it was off to things like front and back flips, and even splits. The splits didn't hurt at all, when had I gotten so limber?

Following Sam's lead I was able to avoid making a complete fool of myself. Well more than normal for someone jumping around in a park like an idiot for half the day. Even Jeanette would be satisfied after this performance; I found a bench to watch the end of the game on and plunked onto it.

The two R's won. I was able to bask in a little bit of just revenge, watching Ricky feed the last pass to Ralph, and watching Ralph score over Monty.

I expected some griping over losing to a mutant, but Flash was as respectful as Monty was silent: "Good game you two. Same time next week?"

"Maybe," Ricky replied. "If the weather allows. Not a fan of playing in pouring rain and cold."

They were downright civil! Something had happened here, and I wanted to know what it was.

Monty held out his right hand to Ralph. "Good game. Sorry about before."

Ralph shook it. "Good game. I accept your apology."

Ralph's tone was off; I could tell Ralph was still holding a grudge - so Monty could probably tell too. At least the world hadn't turned completely upside down overnight.

"Alright, I'm tired so I'm going home. Good game you guys, and an interesting time Pam, but I'm out."

Jeanette fell in beside me as I started off.

"See you at school tomorrow!" Flash called. Odd, he sounded almost... natural about it. Non-hostile? With Monty apologizing? Pam being mostly silent? What a weird day.

Jeanette was smiling, so that was something at least.

"Hey wait up!" Ricky called while running the ten steps needed to catch up to me, as if it was hard or something.

Everyone else caught up just after, and we all closed ranks on the sidewalk home. The sun was still a long way from setting, and there was still much to do.