DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

"Uh..." Layla thought a bit. "Inside?" She said after a moment, not really knowing. "Doing something?"

"Cool.  What do you like to do?" Lex prompted.  "Name a few things, I'll see what I can do."

"Um," Layla swallowed. "Other than sex and drugs? I actually like to read some, as nerdy as it sounds..."

"Graphic novels or actual books?" Lex asked, standing and heading for the book shelves.  "We've also got how-to manuals and medical stuff if that catches your fancy."

"More like fantasy books." Layla said as she followed Lex to look at the shelves. "Smart house..."

Lex glanced at her, confused as his mind was now on books.  "Smart house?  You want a book about a smart house?"

Layla laughed and smiled, something she didn't do often. "No! I was saying you have smart people living here, based on the books."

"Oh, right," Lex said a touch sheepishly.  "Dad's a doc.  I usually just call him Doc.  His bio sons are geniuses, and True's a musician."

"That's pretty cool." Layla complimented. "If I can ask, what kind of doctor is he?"

Lex paused, thinking about that as he handed her a couple of books he thought she might like.  "I'm not sure what it's actually called.  He's the sciency kind, but knows his way around anatomy, too.  Saved my life when I got shot a couple months back, and he's helping my brother with... a problem of his own."

Layla smiled. "That's pretty cool." She read the titles. "Have you read these ones before?" She asked Lex. "The Golden Compass is suppose to be a classic."

"I'm not really much one for reading," Lex shrugged.  "I've never had time.  Maybe I'll get around to it."

Layla smiled some. "The Golden Compass series is good. It's a book about a girl who is trying to prevent a great evil sucking away magic, or something that seems to be it, and her journey takes her to the Arctic with her shape shifting deamon."

"Sounds pretty fantastical.  Maybe I'll give it a try when you're done with it," Lex said.

Layla giggled. "Okay. I liked the book. It's part of a series, but I haven't read the last one yet."

"Um, is this it?" Lex asked, pulling out a book and handing it to her.

"The Subtle Knife?" She read the title. "That's the second one. I don't see the last one here; The Amber Spyglass."

"Um, here, here it is.  It got misshelved," Lex said, pulling it out and handing it to her.

Layla smiled happily. "Oh. Thank you." She looked forward to reading the ending to the story.

"Welcome."  Lex grunted as he pulled himself to his feet.  "I need to go check on something.  I'll be back in five, okay?"

Layla nodded and moved to the couch to read her book.

Ashton had finally gotten what information he wanted, and started to head home.

Lex exited by way of the front door, but then went around and climbed up onto the roof, checking to see if there were any white stones on the distant rooftop.  He saw none, but didn't instantly go back inside.  The open air was good.

Ashton came in through the front door about five minutes later. He got a glass of water before he went upstairs to check on Night.

Night started mewing excitedly the instant he heard Ashton's step.  He circled his box, trying to get out.  His person was back!

Ashton laughed and plucked up the kitten, giving him a showering of love and affection. He wondered where Lex was. He'd probably turn up eventually.