The shuttle landed just outside the mansion, Jack and Nicole exiting, followed by Hyde. The gang was all waiting nervously and the moment the crossed the grass, both Nicoles darted full speed past each other and hopped into the arms of their Delmarian. The others seemed confused.

“What in hell?” asked Dee. “Nooooo, did they do a wife swap this whole time?”

“Dee, let me Explain" Jack said.

“You knew? You didn’t tell Vinn?”

“I knew too.” Vinn admitted.

“Okay show of hands who just figured this out.” Dee said holding up her hand and noticing Mel and Silverback holding theirs up. “That’s it? Just the dumb bitches and him?” She barked to Jack.

“It’s complicated. Long story short, their plan was just to let their Nicole say good bye to you guys. She has the same memories of you as ours does, and it turns out they’re not that different. We were wrong. She’s not Evil Nicole and Kraken, she’s just…other Nicole and Hyde.”

“Actually I kinda don’t mind Evil Nicole anymore, it sounds kinda sexy.” She said kissing Hyde on the snout.

“Does have a nice ring to it.” he grinned

“And we’re all gonna hang out and be nice for a while. Me and Hyde have some legal shit to take care of, remember he’s legally dead, nobody mention he’s staying here.” Jack informed.

“WH-No? No!” Dee said. “Seriously he’s a good guy now, and we just accept that?”

“He killed a council member to save Nicole. We can trust him. The only time this Delmarian has lied to us was to let Nicole have some time with her friends.” Jack explained.

“Was he mean to you?” whispered Vinn, snuggling his Nicole tightly.

“Nobody was mean to me.” she whispered.

“Good, because that’s my job now.” he smirked. She turned to Evil Nicole who was biting her lip sinisterly.

“You didn’t!” she said.

“You wouldn’t, and he left me no choice. Literally, truth serum.” Evil Nicole shrugged

“Hey…it’s cool. I get it. I mean I’ll figure it out. I got a tip sheet and everything.”

“Hold up” Dee shook. “We’re y’all still bangin during the swap?”

“DEE!” Nicole gasped.

“Well you were like awfully cozy looking" she muttered.

“Dee mind your business, you and Silverback are swingers. We’re technically the same person. We had to be kinda cuddly to not let everyone know.” Vinn and Hyde stood face to face, Vinn tilted up a little and trying to appear puffed up.”

“You cuddled my girlfriend?” Hyde asked.

“You cuddled my wife?” Vinn squinted.

“We gonna have a problem?”

“Last time we had a Nicole problem, I killed your ass. You wanna see your own skull?”

“Actually sure, that’s kinda badass. I never thought you had it in ya. I’m impressed, let’s grab a beer.”

“Okay so we’re chill? We're even?” Vinn asked.

“Why not?” he said patting Vinn on the back. Hyde passed Dee and stopped for a moment as she looked up in terror.

“Sorry about the…” he struggled, making a grabbing motion. “Your ankle healed up?”

“Yea…” she said feeling like that dream she had may not have been entirely dream. “You WERE in the tunnels.”

“Different man, different life. But apparently I remember it clearer than you do. Anyway I was just messing with ya. I’m sorry. That’s the point of the caves. Scare you a little.

“My boyfriend is a spy like Jack too. He knows Karate and knives and shit.” She blurted.

“Relax. The haunted house is closed. We’re all friends here. Damn this is a really nice house. Nicole wasn’t joking. Honey, order some meat, we gotta get some outdoor grilling going. I’m so hungry I could eat a human.” he joked, strolling down the front deck.

Dee stood, arms at her hips with Silverback off to the side.

“So He’s just GOOD now, we’re gonna be friends and shit?”

“Nicole is one thing, if our Nicole says that Nicole is a Nicole then she must be, we didn’t even notice they switches, she’s THAT much Nicole. But that asshole? Bullshit.” Silverback huffed “He’s up to something. He’d double-cross us, he’s double-cross a Nicole, he did that to ours, and she’s the same Nicole.”

“Makes sense, Nicoles just can’t see through his lies. He has magic Nicole hypnosis…you think it’s the fancy dick?” Dee asked.

“Vinn has fancydick too. The only reason she hasn’t been on that fancy dick every day is because it was the other Nicole. Why would she be lured by the Kocken if she had Vinndick?” He asked.

"Maybe it's extra fancy. We don't know how fancy his dick is. Maybe she's Dickamtized."

“Honey she’s not dickmatized, that’s just something only you get.”

“I’mma go through his shit. I bet he’s got a bomb or something" Dee whispered.

“I’ll be the lookout" Nodded silverback.

Mel flipped her hair aside, strutting past the couch fully naked on her way to the shower, forgetting, or “forgetting” Hyde was occupying it.

“Didn’t realize this was a clothing optional house.” He said in his usual gruff voice as she awkwardly scooted back to her room and returned with a robe.

“Sorry, I’m not used to couch people.” She giggled. “Then again most people don’t mind.” She said pondering.

“You can’t help it.” he said approaching her “You’re a siren, a mythical thing of beauty and sexuality. You practically glow.” He said as she nervously backed into her room. He ducked under the doorway, admiring the very nautical lodgings.”

“Sir I believe you’re in my room.”

“My apologies, but the door was open and you didn’t stop me.”

“Could I? Stop you? You seem like you have a goal in mind.” She said reaching for the bear mace they all seemed to have now for some reason, possibly this very reason.

“I know when I first saw you I needed to get you aside when there was some privacy.”

“BEAR MACE!!!” she yelled, blasting him and sending him reeling back, still blocking the doorway. “There’s more of that if you get any closer, MISTER!”

“Lady what in the hell?” He wheezed, looking alarmingly less effected than one should. “I was just…” he coughed. “I need your advice on something for Nicole.”

“Oh… Well you came on a little…pervy.”

“I forgot we never met before so your only impression of me is HIM. Being big and commanding and forward is just how I function. I’m not trying to scare you.”

“Sorry… I kinda bear maced you a little, I’ll get some water, or milk?

“Please don’t bring milk, just water.” he said sitting down and rubbing his eyes as she got him some from her fridge, he dumped it in his eyes and shook off the pain.

“I’m really glad you weren’t trying to hurt me, that seemed less effective than it should have been"

“I’m accustomed to pain. I assure you this is not pleasant. More water…please.” He said, dousing his eyes.

“We should switch to stun guns in this house.”

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“No you shouldn’t. Trust me, this is a far better deterrent, I can’t see a damn thing and stun guns are toys. I kinda like the tingle of a stud gun. Wow it just keep burning.” He coughed. “Your aim is just terrible and it mostly hit my mouth. Believe me this is better than the stun gun for personal defense. AAUUUGh, Fuck.” He said, emptying the other bottle of water.

“So anywaaaay.” She smiled awkwardly “What can I do for ya?”

“More water.”

“Oh I have lots of it, I’m aquatic.

“Actually that’s why I’m here. You’re a seacreature that lures men with your sex appeal to their doom. You must know a lot of tips for pleasing a seamonster.”

“We are talking about Nicole, right?” she asked.

“Obviously. I wanna know what tickles her gills.” He wheezed.

“Ooooh you don’t wanna do that. That’s actually pretty offensive. But you really just wanna get advice, fish to fish? Aren’t you some kind of…” she squinted, not sure how to ask.

“No, it’s just a theme. When I was in basic training they used to toughen us up by throwing us into the water and then making us recite the allegiance book to earn a rope.”

“Well that’s terrible.”

“Most Delmarians can’t swim. I have oversized hooves and double-jointed ankles. I figured out how to swim immediately and refused to obey. The rest of the boys seemed impressed, so I just stayed in there, refusing to take the rope. I earned 40 lashes for the defiance, but I earned their respect. After I got out, my beard dreads were so soaked they flopped round like tentacles, Our superior officer said I looked like a giant squid. Everyone started calling me the Kraken. It was teasing. Most of our nicknames began as insults and when we proved ourselves intimidating the name became one of striking fear. Only about 1 in a thousand Delmarians can swim.”

“So you’re not a hybrid or anything, you just got big flappy feet?”

“Correct. In the core, you use what you have as your advantage. You embrace the hazing, and it has no power over you. So I began weaving some of the blue pearls into my braids, telling everyone some day I would command my own ship, and I had a bead for every wife I would recruit on my crew. I was rather promiscuous in my younger years. But they don’t tell you in the core that the Delmarian women want to sleep with a soldier, never marry one.”

“I would have thought a big stud would be a prized husband.” She said, perplexed.

“We’re the peak of physical shape and power, but unfortunately we also give powerful offspring that are prized to the core. No mother wants her child taken to fight and die because her husband only gives her soldiers.” He said gargling and spitting into the trash can.

“Well that’s just sad.”

“We were never supposed to leave the core. Once you complete your training you are just theirs for the day they call on you to defend or conquer. We were best, reserved for the greatest battles when others have failed. But our greatest enemy was the Morrigan world. It was an honor to be saved for the Morrigan war. Horrid beasts, the seamonster that I dreamed of slaying.”

“And you just never got called to battle?”

“Well they pissed off Gizzy, and she just burned the planet to a molten cinder. Her Osirian weapons made us obsolete. It was easier to kiss her ass, than to raise thousands of trained Delmarians to fight. So the war party was cut back and we never got to fight. After that I was furious. I got on several merchant ships hoping for action, found some, did a few illegal operations for some older war dogs off the books. Never anything as glorious as a full on invasion.”

“Must suck. Bred and raised for something and then just…dropped.”

“I thought so, but it turns out it was a blessing. I killed men for a religion that I now doubt, and I could have killed thousands. It wasn’t until I returned from death that I found my true battle, with a little seamonster non the less.” He smirked.

“We better hurry, she could show up looking for you.”

“No, she’s playing mortal Kombat with herself, she’s tied 36 rounds in a row, and she’ll be occupied for hours. So are there any skills I could learn or tips to pleasing the sea?” he asked.

“BOMB! KNEW IT!” Dee said, holding up a remote device for Silverback.

“Looks like a dog collar, except, VERY adjustable. It’s like a 4-foot-long strap.”

“Who’s he gonna put this on? We gotta hide it.”

“He’ll know we took it. Put it back.”

“Fine but I’m keeping the remote. Can’t use it without the remote. If it’s a bomb he can't blow it up.” She insisted, returning the device and pocketing the small remote.

“Good thinking. You could easily lose a remote without assuming someone stole it. The whole thing missing would be obvious.”

“We’re like spies.” She grinned, shuffling out discreetly.

Hyde snored loudly, drunk on the couch surrounded by numerous bottles and cans that gave Dee the confidence.

She tiptoed to the luggage and removed the collar. She nudged Hyde, nudging him harder and whispering “hey!” at his face. “Heavy sleeper hu?” she asked, placing the collar around his neck. She barely got it to a loose fit and then place a ziptie through the latch mechanism. “Who’s in charge now?” she whispered.

“YOU DID WHAT?!” asked Silverback.

“I said ‘who’s in charge now?’ Get it?”

“The line was good, but you put a damn shock collar on a sleeping Delmarian soldier, and you have the remote?” he asked. “He’s gonna be pissed.”

“Well guess what, he doesn’t know who did it or who has the remote. So when he wakes up he has to ask around who has the controls to his torture device, if it’s a bomb he’s gonna be real keen to getting it removed and confess everything. He can’t see the ziptie to know what’s keeping it on. Caught you, motherfluffer. And if he won’t answer what it’s for, then we ALL say we got the remote and give him an ultimatum.”

“It’s a brilliant plan, but you really just put a shock collar on a sleeping Delmarian?” he asked. “That’s insane.”

“I’m basically a badass boss bitch.”

“You’re so hot.” He said grabbing her and making out in a very random manner, tossing the remote aside and yanking off her shirt.

Silverback slept it off while Dee checked the security cameras all night, after her third redbull she was having doubts, until she noticed movement. Hyde sat up, groggily, noticing the collar and trying to turn it around.

“Shit, nobody’s up… it’s all on me.” She sighed.

He sat, perplexed but not alarmed. She grabbed the remote and noticed a dial from 1-10. She turned it down all the way. If it was a bomb she wanted it set to the lowest boom. She checked the other basement cams to make sure nobody was near him. Nicole probably fell asleep playing video games against herself. He checked his phone, texting someone.

“Calling your robot for backup?” she asked, noticing the robot still outside under the awning. There was a reply, the screen lit up and he answered. He put the phone down and headed to the downstairs bathroom. The room was mostly heavy stone, and all reinforced, safest place to detonate it. She hit the button. Nothing happened. She turned it up to 2, hit the button. Nothing happened. She cranked it to ten and tapped it lightly. The faint sound of a large deep voice hollering “OW FUCK!” sounded faintly in the night.

“So it’s not a bomb, it’s a torture device.” She smirked. “Whoever this is intended for is gonna thank me later.” She said noticing the security cam was dark. She could still see the others but the one outside the bathroom was black.

“Stupid camera, don’t die on me now.”

Evil Nicole placed down the broom handle, the camera now facing the wall and unable to see her sneaking into the downstairs bathroom where hHyde was waiting.

“You called baby?” she said, dressed in a sexy black pair of silk shorts and bra.

“You have a way with your creativity.” He smirked, grabbing her by the waist and lifting her up for a kiss.

“It’s just pajamas, but I’m glad it excites you.”

“I don’t care what it’s called, it’s a bold move, but the message is clear you sneaky little monster.” He said, locking the door and turning on the water. She flipped the lights off.

“Marco.” She whispered.

“What?” he asked.

“Never mind. This monster can see in the dark. Can a big scary boy like you?”

“I don’t need to when she’s talking.” He said lunging and grabbing her, pulling her up as she suppressed a giggle and playfully bit his hand.

Dee sat, looking bored. Fiddling with the remote as the light turned green again.

“What is this, low battery?” she said pressing it and spamming the button as it turned red again. “Great it’s defective.” She said cranking it to ten again and tapping the button until it turned green, and then holding it down. She heard a low grunt from the basement.

“OOOoh, so it’s got a timer. Don’t wanna kill your victim, just give them time to answer questions, hu?” she said. “Well someone fucked up when they brought that into this house.

“Hey,” gasped Evil Nicole, “take it easy.”

“Oh I got the message, you don’t have to repeat It.” he huffed.

“Okay, just…go nuts I guess.” She said sounding concerned.

“And you’re fine with that? Or are you gonna get mad and punish me?” he asked, grunting loudly for no reason and tensing up.

“I guess we’re playing that kinda game tonight.” She snarled back.

Dee woke up, face down on the table with the remote still in her hand. She smiled

“Yea hope you slept well asshole.” She said to herself. Putting the remote in her pocket and heading down for some breakfast.

“What do you mean how do I get it off?” Nicole asked, fiddling with the collar.

“You figured out how to lock it, how do you unlock it?”

“I didn’t lock it, it’s just stuck. Shit, I can’t remove it. I can’t even see with all the damn hair in the way.”

“Well.” He sighed. “At least you can’t really see it. Just don’t hit the button and I’ll figure it out after breakfast. Lemme have the remote.” He yawned.

“I don’t have it. You had it last.”

“No, you had it last, I fell asleep first.”

“Then where did you leave the remote?” she asked. You had it all night, I thought you were going a bit overboard with it. Did you lose it?” she asked looking alarmed.

“Of course not, I know where it is. Hey, last night…did you text me first or did I text you?”

“You woke me up. It said “Bad girl, downstairs bathroom, thick walls.” So obviously you wanted a late night treat.” She smirked. “Next time, I get the remote. Apparently you’re a little too trigger happy with that thing.” She said nuzzling his nose. He looked half confused and half amused. “Well, thank the gods for safety limiters, I guess.” He said arrogantly.

Dee sipped her coffee between scoops of cereal, watching the news as a large shirtless Hyde stretched and walked in front of her, making sure she could see the dark line under his neck fur.

“Morning.” She muttered.

“Great morning. Slept like a rock after that long shower.” He yawned. She looked confused and concerned. What’s the matter Dee? You look rather shocked to see me in a good mood.”

“Nope, just…that’s how my face looks sometimes.” She said hunkering down and eating faster.

“You look exhausted, up late last night?” Hyde grinned.

“On the computer, watching videos.” She blurted.

“You know it’s rude to steal from people. That can be dangerous, but messing with a sleeping Delmarian can be a very risky game.” He muttered as he sat down directly in front of her.

“Weird dreams or something?” she nervously asked.

“Dee…remote.” He said firmly. “I saw you take it.” he said. She nervously took it out and handed it to him.

“How did you see me take it? I had the door closed.”

“I didn’t, I just wanted you to admit it and give the remote back.” He smirked.

“Stupid.” She muttered to herself.

“Oh I’m not mad. In fact, I’d like to thank you. It made things very interesting. Nicole usually has the remote, and she sometimes goes easy on me. You on the other hand were just plain mean. Now I don’t know if that technically counts as a threesome, but I think I’m glad we’re finally bonding. I gotta say your timing though was exquisite. With both of us having our hands free, and the perfect moment of that last tap…I gotta give you credit for at least 50 percent of that finale’." he grinned. “But next time just ask if you wanna play.” He finished, making his leave as Dee made a face of horrified revolt, cereal just pouring from her open mouth as she decided she was done eating.

“Morning Dee.” Silverback said, patting her on the back and heading to the fridge.

“I fucked up.” She said pouting. “I made him…happy.” She sniffled.

“What?” he asked, “You want some eggs?”

“I’m gonna go cry in my room now.” She said getting up and shuffling off.

“Stop staying up so late, Dee. You get weird in the morning.” He sighed.