DT Serum, Primary Testing In Progress

Lex considered that.  "Makes sense.  What do you think, Lays?  Layla?  Hello?"

Layla jumped. Unknowingly, the direction she had stared at was the kitchen. "Huh? Wh-what was the question..." She swallowed. "Lex?" She blushed as she looked at him again, to her dismay.

"Never mind," Lex smirked.  "Are you any good in the kitchen?  Maybe you could go lend them a hand."

"I-I can cook... But... I think they have it under control in there..." Layla floundered. She swallowed and blushed a little as she stared at Lex like a deer caught in headlights.

Lex just smirked at her knowingly.  "Right.  I'm sure Shuni can give you a job.  Why don't you go ask?  Paul and I are going to go put his pictures away."

Layla swallowed at his knowing smirk, alarmed. Was it that obvious?! Did he realize she thought he was about the hottest guy ever?! She tensely nodded and shakily made her way to the kitchen, still hugging Hugs. "Shuni, is it? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Shuni looked up guardedly but tried to be polite.  Hugs clearly liked her or he wouldn't be letting her drag him all over the place.  "Who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Layla. I'm Lex's.... friend." She decided on. No sense in telling Shuni all the details if he didn't need to know. "He's helping me get back on my feet."

Shuni frowned, looking down at her feet.  "I'm sorry.  How were your feet hurt?  Daddy is good at helping fix hurts.  He's helping True get on his feet."

"Wha..?" Layla asked in confusion. Luckily, Ashton explained. "It's a saying, Shu. Helping someone 'get back on their feet' means they are going through tough times, and someone is helping them get past it."

"Oh."  Shuni went to Layla and offered her a hug.  "It's going to be okay now.

Layla shifted awkwardly. "Uh, thanks?" She wasn't sure what to think right now. She, however, did hug Shuni back. "Anyway, Lex said perhaps I can help you out in here?"

Shuni nodded eagerly.  "Okay!"  He took her hand and led her to his giant boiling pot of red.  "Stir, please?  So it doesn't boil over or burn on the bottom.  Yuck."

Layla nodded and stirred faithfully. "So, um, Shuni?" She asked as they worked.

"Yes, Layla?" Shuni asked, standing on his stool as he added the pasta to hot water.

"What do you think of Lex?" She asked. "I mean, other than a brother."

Shuni thought about this.  "He used to be mean, but only as mean as he needed to be.  Then he didn't have to be mean to stay alive anymore.  Now he's grumpy and moody especially when his head hurts, but he protects us.  He is good.  Very good.  He helped Sam with the robot and Paul with numbers and True with lots of things and he makes bullies leave me alone."

Layla nodded appreciatively. "So... he didn't have happy beginings either, huh?"

Ashton cleared his throat. "How about you, Layla? Shuni, what do we want to know about Layla?"

Shuni looked between Ashton and Layla, confused.  "Um.... Do you like cats?"

"They're nice, although I've never really been around them a lot until today. Hugs has kind of been my buddy since I woke up." Layla replied with a smile.

"Hugs loves hugs," Shuni grinned, adding a couple things to the sauce.  "Everyone has someone but Hugs.  Hugs is happy you're here."

Layla smiled a little. "Well, he's kind of insisted on sticking with me whether I want it or not, stubborn kitty."

Shuni nodded soberly as he mixed the garlic butter.  "Cats are always stubborn."

Layla smiled a little. "Lex is pretty stubborn too..." She commented off handedly. That made Ashton raise an eyebrow at her.

Shuni nodded happily.  "Good stubborn, sometimes.  Ashton's stubborn, too.  And True and Sam."