The truck came into view of Gram Gram's place just as the sun began to set in the sky. In the time they'd been gone, much of the rubble had been cleared away, but not all of it. The wooden bones of the former house's frame jutted out from the ground amid splinters and damaged furniture.

Chad and the others disembarked near the wreckage, meeting a few guards who had remained behind. Interestingly, there were a few more vehicles than he remembered parked nearby -- all of them military-esque in decor.

Probably those reinforcements. He stretched, sparing a glance around the area. Home sweet home, I guess.

The sight of the house still sent a flash of guilt through him. As awesome as the bunker was, it just wasn't the same as having a real home. The lack of windows certainly didn't do it any favors, either.

Once all this is over, I'll make sure to build her a new one. One that's even better than before.

"This is... your home?" Nick stepped up beside Chad. His face was skeptical as his gaze swept over the rubble.

"Er, it was." Chad explained. "Don't worry, we're not staying in here though. The real place is down below."

"Indeed." Captian Major nodded at the elf, turning toward him. "So long as you cooperate, we will provide you with protection and a place to stay. If you attempt to escape..." He paused. "I'd advise against that. You have far too much sensitive information to roam free now, and as valuable as you are, you would also be a liability if lost."

Nick met the Major's stare with determination. "I do not intend to escape. Better to cast my lot with you rather than rush to certain death. Even if your own plans are... questionable."

"Good. See to it that things stay that way." The Major gestured forward. "Now, shall we?"

A moment later, the group descended into the bunker, emerging into the posh interior once more. As they stepped through the doorway, they were met with the rich scent of tomato soup, its savory aroma sending Chad's stomach into a chorus of rumbling protests.

"Oh, Chadwick! Welcome home!"

Across the room, Chad spotted his grandmother sitting on one of the couches with a book in hand. A ring of lounging cats circled her, their furry forms covering the couch and floor both.

Gram Gram set her book aside, then stood and walked toward the new arrivals. There was still a vague hint of a hobble in her gait, but only just. Her face seemed to exude liveliness and vitality, even despite her wrinkles.

Damn, Chad felt joy warm his chest. Gram Gram hasn't looked this good in years.

The woman gave Chad a hug, then drew back in surprise. "Goodness! Why, you're all wet! Did you get caught in the rain?"

"Something like that." He decided it was easier than explaining his sudden swimming trip. "How are you doing? Nothing happened while we were gone?"

"Nothing much at all." The old woman reached down to scratch a black cat behind the ears. "I've simply been enjoying my book with my kitties. Dinner's just about ready, but you should wash up before that. I don't want you dripping all over the floor."

"No problem, Gram Gram." He agreed easily. After all that, Chad couldn't help but look forward to a bath himself. That lake water hadn't been the cleanest, especially after tossing it with the turtle's remains.

The grandmother looked over his shoulder, noticing the rest of the group for the first time as they entered. "Oh? Who's this? Have you brought over another friend?"

Following her gaze, Chad saw that she was looking at Nick. The blue-skinned alien elf clad in a leafy cloak certainly stood out like a sore thumb. Even if the woman's vision hadn't improved, Chad was fairly certain he'd have trouble explaining that away.

It's probably fine. She knows what's going on now, and she seemed to take that in stride. So why not this?

Chad clapped his new friend on the shoulder. "This is Nick! We met him while we were out. He's gonna be staying with us now. Nick, this is my grandmother."

Nick turned sharply toward Chad. "Your grandmother? As in, your mother's mother?"

"Well, technically my dad's mom, but... yeah?" His expression turned confused. "Why?"

Nick's brow furrowed in thought for a moment, as though considering something. Then, he fell to one knee before Gram Gram. "It is an honor to meet an elder such as yourself, Elder Matriarch. I will gladly accept whatever words of wisdom you would bestow upon me."

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Chad whispered to the parrot on his shoulder. "Er, Squawk?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you know what this is about?"

Squawkers shrugged. "I'm guessing it's because your grandma is so old. I mean, he's a few months old. She's gotta be older than most people he's ever heard of."

The thought made sense, but it also made Chad frown. She's not that old. She's really not! I mean, she is old, but she's not ancient or anything...

"Oh, there's no need for all that." The woman waved Nick off with a gentle smile. "Please, just call me Gram Gram."

"As you wish, Elder Gram Gram." Nick slowly rose, his head remaining bowed.

The old woman chuckled, patting Chad's cheek. "You get washed up. I'll call you when dinner's ready, alright?" She spoke a little louder. "That goes for the rest of you boys too, alright?"

The soldiers chorused with assent as they headed deeper into the bunker. Major Geoffries and a few men stayed by Nick, keeping watch over the alien as everyone settled in. Squawkers decided to head outside for a little while, to enjoy some fresh air while there was still light out. For his part, Chad made his way toward the lower levels first. As much as he wanted a bath, he also wanted to double-check that everything and everyone was alright first.

He found Annie in the gun range below, surrounded by a small armory's worth of firearms. Above her head hung a Massage Therapist (lvl 14) tag. Evidently, she'd been busy as well.

She glanced up as he descended the stairs. "Chad! Hey, you're walkin' again!" She flicked on the safety and set her weapon on the bench down before jogging over. "And you hit level 20!"

"Yup!" He grinned widely. "Pretty good trip!"

"I'll say," Annie snorted. "I was gettin' tired of you bumpin' into everything. Are you hurt?"

"Nah, nothing too bad. I'm pretty bruised up, but nothing serious. I had to toss some constitution into my head, though."

"Wow. So now you're even more hardheaded?" The woman crossed her arms. "Lucky us."

He just chuckled. "What have you been up to?"

"Me? I've been here, mostly." Annie nodded to the range. "Your pops has enough guns and ammo that I can afford to practice a bit. Might as well if we're gonna go back out and level."

"You went and got this stuff from the shed?" Chad asked.

"Yeah. Apparently, that door down here leads straight to it. Pretty convenient." Annie reached into her pocket and drew out some keys. "Here's these back. The silver one goes to the door."

He gave her a nod of thanks. "I know you guys need to level, but still..."

Annie shrugged. "It's the only way you'll stop worryin' about us. Plus, we won't be in that much danger. Especially when you can paste anything that gets close."

It was a fair point. As long as they went as a group, Chad wouldn't have to worry so much about everyone else's safety. Though if he were honest with himself, he wasn't sure if he'd ever completely stop worrying.

"Oh! I was supposed to mention." Annie snapped her fingers. "We've got new guests. Reinforcements came. More soldiers and a doctor."

"A doctor?" Chad straightened and glanced down. Dang. Maybe I shouldn't have fixed my legs.

"She's a doctor, not a miracle worker." Annie chuckled, seeming to read his mind. "C'mon. I know you said you're ok, but it gettin' checked out can't hurt. Maybe she can take care of those bruises."

Annie led him to one of the storage rooms up above, one that had appropriately stored medical supplies. However, rather than the first aid kits and medicine that Chad remembered, the space had been transformed into a makeshift doctor's office. Additional tools and boxes of equipment now crowded the room in a chaotic mess. Standing among it all was a tall, lithe woman, a white lab coat draped over her frame and frizzy orange hair bound up in a messy bun. She faced away from them, rummaging about in a drawer.

"Finally!" She called without looking up from her clipboard. "You'd better have brought the right kind of tape this time, or so help me I'll have you--"

As the woman turned to face the door, she blinked. Her face was set in a severe scowl as she pushed a pair of rectangular glasses up her nose. "Ah. You're not my gopher. Which means he's even slower than I expected."

She placed a hand on one hip, her gaze evaluating Chad before lingering on his arm. "You're Mr. Armstrong?"

"That's me!" He grinned. "Call me Chad."

"Tammy. Sit there." She pointed to a nearby couch that looked like it had been pilfered from elsewhere in the bunker, then whirled to continue her work.

Annie and Chad eyed each other with a shrug. Not sure what else to do, he walked forward and took a seat. In a flash, Tammy had pulled out a dizzying collection of calipers, measuring tapes, and other devices.

"Hold your arm out straight."

Doing as the asked, Chad watched as the doctor affixed a blood pressure cuff to his arm. It barely fit.

"Feet flat on the floor, breathe deep, be calm."

He tried to ignore the nearly frantic motions of the woman for fear they'd inflict him with secondhand stress. Instead, he focused on sensing the familiar pressure of the inflating cuff to start. But strangely, it never did. Looking down, it was clear to Chad that the thing was working. But it wasn't strong enough to even remotely constrict him.

Without so much as a word, the woman tore the cuff off and shoved a grip strength tester into Chad's hand. "Hold this and grip as hard as you can."

"You sure? I don't think--"

"Yes. If you're gonna ask questions, we'll be here all day."

He shrugged and did as he was asked. A loud crunch echoed through the room as half of the tool fell to the ground. The other half lay in his palm as plastic dust and crumpled metal.

If Tammy was phased by the display, she didn't show it. She didn't even pause in her measurements, continuing to scribble on her clipboard. "Alright. Now hold still so I can take some blood."

As she prepared his arm, Chad couldn't help but speak up again. "You might wanna try the other arm for that..."

Ignoring him, the doctor grabbed a syringe and unceremoniously tried to stab it into his forearm. The needle thunked harmlessly against his skin. After a few more tries, she scribbled something else down. "Interesting. We'll have to test that resistance more."

Chad swallowed. He got the feeling they might be here for a while.