Her weekend had gone better than she had expected, and she was still trying to wrap her mind around it. Mr. Hannity had been ever so patient, Timothy had started to warm to her, and she to both of them.

Morgan had, by her own decree, become Madison's little sister. There was simply no debating it. When Madison had landed back at the airport in Denver, the first thing that happened was Morgan calling to make sure that her sister had landed okay. And to talk about shoes. She had called the next day as well, and had called earlier that evening before Madison had gone on the air. She had requested a Britney Spears song. Madison had replied with, “I'll think about it."

The bat-shifter was lost in thought as the Eagles took it easy on the radio, and her heart was light. The second day she had spent with the Hannitys, William had dusted off his guitar and had played a few blues numbers before Heda had convinced Madison to sing along.

Smores had been made, sodas had been drunk, and a situation that Madison had gone into with trepidation turned into one that she left with fondness and a little regret.

"You're daydreaming again," Billy said from the door.

Madison let her head roll back in an exaggerated movement, then jerked if forward.

"Five more minutes, Mommy!" Then she stuck her tongue out at her best friend.

"You really had a good time, didn't you?"

She flashed a brilliant smile.

"I flew with other bats!"

Billy grinned a bit himself.

“So you said. I'm proud of you, you know that?"

“Huh? Why?"

“Because you're really trying. I know how hard it is for you to trust people, and the Hannity name doesn't exactly provide you with Hallmark moments."

“But they're trying so hard," she replied, spinning in her chair.

"William is really everything that Alvin isn't. Timothy's a good kid, and Morgan —-"

"Is a force of nature," Billy chuckled.

"And if she can make you smile like you have been since you got back, then she's got my vote.

Only other person who can make you smile like that is --"

“Hmm, Heda," Madison murmured happily.

"She's the best girlfriend on the planet.”

“Hey, I AM out here," Sasha bellowed.

“Besides her of course," Billy replied, trying not to roll his eyes.

“Ooh, now THAT was an enthusiastic defense."