Star knocked on J’s door. “J you awake?” He called.

There was a small grumpling just on the other side of the door. “Yeah… yeah…” J said.

“What’s wrong?” Star asked.

“I just need a minute for my body to regain enough energy to move.” J said.

“Is Vinyl in there with you?” Octavia asked.

“Yes…” J said. “Still… asleep…”

“How long did you two go at it for?” Star asked.

“All… night… long…” J said. “On the floor…”

“Yes… That sounds like her.” Octavia nodded.

“Finally… I can feel my… body again…” J said, followed shortly after by a click at the door.

“So are we coming in or are you coming out.” Star asked.

The door slowly opened and J stumbled out, looking completely off balance.

Star grabbed J. “Easy killer. Let me help you downstairs.” He laughed.

“Thanks…” J said.

“So how was it?” Star asked as the three of them walked downstairs.

“Other then… still not feeling my body completely… great.” J said.

“Well what’s new around here.” Star joked, gently setting J on the couch.

“Yeah. How did you two sleep?” J asked.

“My bed is getting crowded.” Star said.

“Yes… Me, Trixie, and Beck are getting rather close.” Octavia smiled.

“Yay…” J sighed.

“Yeah they’ll be down shortly.” Star said, taking a seat next to J and leaning against him.

J was already asleep again, snoring quietly.

“Wow she must have really done him in.” Octavia chuckled.

“I guess so.” Star chuckled, resting J against his chest. “I’ll wait here till he wakes up… Why don’t you go check on Vinyl?”

“Sure.” Octavia nodded.

-------------------------------------

J yawned as he woke up again.

“Hey sleepy head. How was your nap?” Star asked, kissing his forehead.

“Great.” J said as he stretched a little.

“Well that’s good.” Star said.

“So… did anything really important happen?” J asked.

“Like what?” Star asked.

“Like… the world ending.” J said.

“Nope… That’s scheduled for your next nap.” Star chuckled.

“Well they can all wait.” J said.

“Octavia has been up there awhile… I sent her up to get Vinyl right after you went to sleep.” Star said.

“Well I would say YOU should go check but… I’m not sending you alone up to your death.” J said.

“Oh you’re so sweet.” Star smiled, hugging J tightly.

“Come on.” J said as he slowly walked up the stairs.

The two of them stopped outside the door and were about to knock when they heard some noise. Star noticed the door was cracked open and pushed it enough to see inside. They both saw Vinyl and Octavia on the bed in each other’s arms as they exchanged a kiss or two, falling in and out of a makeout session.

“Oh…” Star mumbled.

“Yeah… oh…” J muttered quietly.

“Should… We leave?” Star asked quietly.

“M… maybe.” J said uncertainly.

Star raised his hand slowly and knocked on the door. The two didn’t even glance at Star or J and continued to kiss.

“Yeah… it seems they really don’t care…” J said.

“What do we do now?” Star asked curiously.

“You’re… acting like you’ve…” J started before sighing. “I don’t… even know…”

“Well… How about we leave them to it.” Star suggested.

“Oh good lord you two are clueless.” Trixie sighed as she pushed past them and sat down on the bed.

“I’m just not… feeling the abillity to do anything right now.” J said.

“Yeah let’s take a break from sex.” Star said.

Trixie, Octavia, and Vinyl looked at Star and J. Their horns lit up and the door slammed in their faces.

“Well since your room is out of commission…” Star mumbled.

“I should just move into the shed at the rate this is going.” J sighed as he walked back downstairs.

“It would be the best shed ever knowing you’d be building it.” Star said, wrapping an arm around J as he walked with him toward the couch.

“Look. My room is one thing. But everyone stays out of MY shed.” J said.

“Mmhm…” Star mumbled.

“And… what’s that supposed to mean?” J questioned.

“It means I love you.” Star smiled.

“Sure it does.” J said.

“Okay sit down.” Star said, pushing J onto the couch and taking a seat next to him, crossing one leg over the other. “What’s wrong.”

“My now incredible lack of a safe and private place I can go to just calm down.” J said.

“You know I could move them to my room. This is an easy fix.” Star said.

“No. I don’t want to bother them.” J said.

“J… When you hurt, I hurt.” Star said, putting a hand on J’s arm.

“And I said safe.” J said.

“Oh… I see.” Star said, looking down at the floor.

“No. It’s nothing like that. I mean safe as in undestroyed… my room can’t offer that… as… almost everything in it was destroyed.” J said. “I feel safe around you but… sometimes I want to just feel safe when I’m alone too… like I know no one that I don’t want in won’t be able to come in… like I have some…” He paused, “I can’t think of the right word…”

“Personal space?” Star asked.

“Yeah.” J nodded.

“You know… It IS your room. I’m sure they’ll understand if they have to actually use their legs a little to walk across to mine.” Star joked.

“No… I’m not going to force them to leave. Besides… it’s not like I’d be leaving the house… I still need to sleep.” J said with a smile. “And I need some place to keep my stuff safe when I don’t need it.”

“Well they’re not going to be in there forev- Okay well… You have a point.” Star laughed.

“And I said… people I don’t want in won’t be able to come in.” J said, “So… I guess that means… maybe after a while when I get really bored of being alone… you could come in and use it too.” He smiled, “Or maybe a lot sooner.”

“Sooner… Ashamed it’s already in use.” Star said, pulling J against him tightly.

“Oh. I didn’t know I finished planning it out.” J said as he hugged Star tightly. “Glad you told me though. I’d hate to have missed it.” He smiled.

“So until then… What did you want to do?” Star asked.

“Well… breakfast would be great.” J said.

“Coming right up.” Star nodded, jumping up and into the kitchen.

“So how you doing?” Beck asked, staring at J as she walked down the stairs.

“Good.” J said calmly.

Beck took a seat next to J. “Good.” She nodded.

“And… did you need something?” J asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Just curious.” Beck said.

“About what?” J asked.

“About Jeffrey.” Beck said.

J closed his eyes, “No.” He shook his head.

“What?” She asked.

“Why do you care?” J asked.

“Because he’s not just threatening you dumbass.” Beck said.

“Yeah… and you think you can stop him.” J said.

“I’m wondering why you haven’t.” She said.

“One. I don’t know where he is.” J said, “And two. I’ve tried.”

“Well One… I do.” Beck said.

“And how do you know where he is?” J asked.

“What do you think I do around here… Just sit on my ass like you?” She snapped.

“No. But I’d expect you wouldn’t do some-” J stopped.

“What?” She asked.

“He knows that you know where he is.” J said.

“And?” She questioned.

“And it’s suicide to go after him.” J said. “Eight people armed to the teeth couldn’t do so much as provide cannon fodder for him… I’m lucky I survived that attempt.”

“God you should hear yourself sometime. You frustrate me so much.” Beck sighed.

J shook his head, “Just…” He said.

Beck stood up and faced him. “No. I’m sick of your bullshit. You have some of the strongest friends on this planet on your side. And not only that you have three princesses with their own armies, not to mention a Queen and an army of changelings.” She said. Her expression changed slightly when she saw he was crying.

“I’m telling you… it’s MY problem… and I need to solve it… no one else is dying to that monster because of MY stupidity…” J said.

“Then why aren’t you letting anyone help. You said it yourself you can’t take him on alone…” She asked.

“Why are you bent on helping me?” J asked. “You’ve made it clear that you want me dead.”

“Because maybe I don’t anymore.” Beck said quietly.

“Then… I need some more time to get some stuff ready…” J said. “And you’re wrong… we’ve got two armies.”

“I thought we had three.” Beck said.

“No… two is enough.” J said.

“Alright…” Beck sighed.

“But… overkill is always nice to have.” J said.

J’s arm lifted up and he immediately slapped himself across the face.

“God… fucking damn it…” J grumbled.

“What was that?” Beck asked.

“A crazy bitch… and I thought it was already crowded enough…” J sighed.

“I see… Well I’ll leave you two alone.” Beck said uncertainly before standing up and walking upstairs.

“Moooorning.” Xana said.

“Fucking… hell why?” J asked.

“Need a favor.” Xana said.

“What… is it?” J asked.

“I need you to knock someone out. Doesn’t matter who.” Xana said.

“Yeah… no…” J said.

“Not that this body isn’t fantastic in more than one way but I need someone new. I’d like to try the changes I made to Richard out.” Xana said.

J remained quiet.

“Although Clara is probably my favorite.” Xana sighed.

“Changes?” J asked.

“Oh well you see I did a few things in the basement. You know… Before I became my own thing? You told me not to touch the kids but I made a few additions I think you’ll like.” Xana giggled.

“God… damn it…” J sighed.

“Oh come now… You’re not even curious? You already saw what I did to Clara.” Xana said.

“No… I never said I didn’t want to know.” J said.

“Well Richard… He’s special. Or I guess in a way… He’s not special at all.” Xana laughed.

“I don’t have time for riddles…” J sighed.

“Oh and I am so excited for the new member joining our family!” Xana said giddily.

“What… are… you talking… about?” J asked.

“Ohhh you don’t know. That’s really funny. But I guess the surprise is out the window. Rarity is pregnant.” Xana sighed.

“I’d be… outwardly happy if I know you didn’t have some plans for the newest addition…” J said.

“Ohh don’t worry about that. It’s still a few months away. But for now… Time to celebrate!” Xana said.

“God I want you gone… but I’m not hurting anyone to do it.” J sighed.

“Come on now… I’d never hurt the kids. In fact I’ll say the changes are quite… Advantageous. Especially… Richard.” Xana said.

“I already got that…” He said quietly.

“Hey… What’s got you so down in the dumps?” Xana asked.

“You’ve been through my memories plenty of time by now.” J said, “You should already know.”

“Yeah but it feels nice to ask.” Xana said. J suddenly felt a wave of adrenalin hit him, making his body relax.

J shook his head and stood up.

“Hey relax. I’m just trying to help…” Xana said.

“Yeah you did help me out a lot before.” J stated. “It’s only fair that I return that favor. Though you’ll be getting the better side of it.”

“Mm… Whatcha mean?” She asked.

“You should know what you helped to almost achieve.” J said calmly.

“Well you’re the one who took it so rash you dimwit.” Xana said.

J remained silent both internally and externally.

Xana sighed. “I’m sorry okay?” She said.

“No, you’re right I shouldn’t have taken it like that.” J said.

“I guess since that moment I’ve been growing a bit attached to you. Both metaphorically and literally.” Xana chuckled. “I can see what Star sees in you.”

J sighed and slowly opened up the kid’s bedroom door.

“Stop…” Xana said.

J walked beside Clara’s bed, “Hey… sweetie it’s time for breakfast.” He said quietly.

Clara opened her eyes and smiled. “Hi daddy.” She said, reaching up and grabbing his nose playfully. “Honk…”

“Hi Clara.” J smiled.

“What’s so funny? You’re nose is squeaky listen.” Clara said, pinching it gently again. “Honk honk squeak.”

“I know it is.” J chuckled. “Why don’t you get dressed and go say hi to your other daddy?”

“Okay.” Clara giggled and jumped up, hugging him before running downstairs.

J smiled even more as he stood back up and walked over to Richard’s bed.

“I guess you already heard about my… new sanctuary.” J said quietly.

“Yes your shed. What about it?” Xana asked.

J smiled a little more, “Oh… don’t worry.” He said.

“Who’s worrying?” Xana asked.

“I guess no one is.” J shrugged as he kneeled down beside Richard’s bed. He shook Richard a little, “Time to get up.” He said.

Richard grumbled and pushed J’s hand away, “No… it’s too early… wake me up at noon…” He mumbled.

“Your other dad is making breakfast.” J said.

Richard quickly got out of bed. “Oh.” He said.

“Yeah… nice to see you too Richard.” J said.

Richard hugged J.

J smiled and hugged him back. “Now go get something to eat.” He said.

Richard nodded and rushed downstairs.

“Well why don’t we join them?” Xana asked.

“Sure… oh and for once and possibly the only time I actually want your opinion on something.” J said as he stood up.

“Shoot.” She said.

“Should I go with fingerprint, DNA, or code locking mechanisms?” J asked.

“I’d say fingerprint. Much cooler.” She said.

“Then I should also go with a retinal scanner.” J said.

“That then.” Xana said.

“Mmkay.” J said as he walked out of the room and down the stairs.

J came down and saw Clara and Richard stuffing their faces with food. “He made sausage… N’ pancakesh.” Clara said with her mouth full.

“Anything left?” J joked.

“Oh that’s just the first portion don’t worry.” Star said.

“Hey dad…” Clara said, looking at J.

“Whatcha need?” J asked with a smile.

“Have you seen Jennifer?” She asked.

J felt a sudden surge of sadness hit Xana.

J kneeled down in front of Clara and lightly grabbed her hand, “No I haven’t sweetie… but I’m sure you’ll see her soon.” He said with a soft smile.

Clara smiled. “Okay.” She said. Clara’s eyes shifted slightly and her smile grew. “Jenny!” She jumped up and hugged the air.

J smiled and stood up. He turned to the kitchen and started walking in.

“So how was your whatever you were doing?” Star asked.

“Good. Good.” J nodded. “I’ve already got one opinion on it… and I like it. But I want yours too. Code, DNA, fingerprint, retinal scan locking mechanisms?”

“Uhh… All of the above?” Star asked. “What for?”

“To make sure no one that I don’t want in can get in.” J said. “Oh. That reminds me I’ll need Gael to set up the teleport wards.”

“Sounds overprotective.” Star said, raising an eyebrow.

“I think it’s a great idea daddy.” Clara smiled.

J smiled a little more, “It’s settled! Retinal scans it is!” He said.

“Sure… Why not.” Star said.

“Oh don’t worry. You’ll be on the first round of additions to it.” J said, “So will whoever else that asks in the next…” He looked up at the clock, “Minute.”

“Then add me.” Richard said.

“Me me me!” Clara waved.

“Then it’s settled! The four of us will be the first ones added!” J smiled again. He paused, “Ah… sorry five.”

Clara reached out and grabbed onto something in the air and smiled.

“Well I’m sure Jennifer is happy to be included.” Star said.

J nodded, “Well we can’t forget her.” He said.

Clara picked up a pancake and put it on top of J’s head.

“Thanks.” J chuckled as he grabbed it and took a large bite out of it.