Emilia carried a tray of coffee and tea down to the lab. She knew that Jack would
want coffee after having spent a late night battling the French guards as the Daring
Dragoon. She set the tray down on the lab table and went to wake Jack.
       "Jack," she called out, almost hating to wake him. Jack mumbled something
incomprehensible. "Jack!" she said more firmly now. "Wake Up!"
    Jack opened his eyes a crack and then closed them again. She was about to splash cold
water on his face, when his eyes opened again. "What?" he groaned, rubbing his eyes.
         "We have lunch with the Govenor this afternoon. Don't you remember? Now hurry up
and get dressed."
     Jack was about to protest when she turned back to her latest experiement. A few seconds
later he heard the clink of test tubes. That must be some experiement Em's working on, he
thought to himself. She had been working on it for the past week nonstop. Dressing quickly, he
strode over to the lab table and grabbed his cup of coffee, not noticing the wet stains on the wood
right next to his cup. He took several large gulps before Emilia turned to him and shouted.
           "JACK! Don't!"
           "What?" Jack asked, looking quite puzzled.
           "Some of my age reducing formula fizzed and spilled, and some may have gottem into
your coffee," she explained.
           "Aw Em. So what? I look a few years younger, that's all. What's so bad about that?"
           "Well, for one, it hadn't been tested yet."
     He didn't get to answer her before his face contorted in pain.
           "Jack?" she asked, very worried.
           "Em, I don't feel so good," he groaned.
    Emilia went to see if he was okay. He collasped in her arms and began to convulse. He started
to grow smaller, little by little. It continued until he was completely transformed into a baby, his
clothes falling off. Emilia guessed that he could not be more then a year old. As Emilia tried to think
what she was going to do, Jack began to cry. Emilia knew that she didn't have an antidote and that
finding one would take time. Meanwhile, her maternal instincts would be put to the test.
           "Oh, dear lord in Heaven... what have I done this time?" she gasped after a moment.
Maternal instincts be damned, I know bugger about babies!  Kneeling down, Emilia bunched
Jack's shirt around the baby. Then, holding the precious bundle close to her, she began pacing the
floor, trying to think over the cacaphony of a crying baby. She soon realized, though, that the motion
was calming Jack down. He made a cute little cooing noise. "Awww," sighed Emilia. "Aren't you the
little snookie-wookums..." Brother, I sound like my daddy!
    Jack looked up at her with wide fawn eyes. He looked... smug. Then, ever so slowly, baby Jack
lowered his head down on Emilia's breasts.
    Emilia was too shocked to even move for a moment. Then, peering deep into Baby Jack's eyes,
she still recognized the oddball intelligence of her partner, and realization dawned on her. Only his
body had regressed to its earlier state. His mind was just as alert and perverted as ever! "Bad Boy!
Really Jack!" Emilia responded to the wandering hand, as she would to the grown up version, smacking
it away sharply. Baby Jack started to bawl again. "Stifle it, Stiles! It isn't going to work a second time!"
she huffed, placing Baby Jack down on her laboratory table, and folding her arms.
     Jack stopped crying, and his mouth turned up again, as drool bubbles left his lips.
          "Oh Jack!" Emilia stated exasperated, knowing internally that her partner couldn't help himself
in this form. Nor could he feed
himself properly, or even worse, control his bladder. How was she ever going to find an antidote,
while caring for Jack in this diminished
state?!
    Just then Baby Jack pulled her out of reverie with a surprised squeal, followed swiftly by a foul
odor. Emilia shut her eyes, wearily.
       "Oh Jack..." Jack looked at Emilia, and he looked so embarassed. And he started to cry again.
"Jack, stop! I know you can understand, so you know that crying will get you nowhere!" She
heaved a great big sigh, and Jack, stopping the tears, looked in awe at the movement. Emilia made
a small grunting noise in the back of her throat. "All right. First order of business, get you cleaned
up and then find you some clothes more fitting."
    Jack grinned and looked hopeful.
       "You know what I mean, Jack. I'm going to call over Shula, the maid. She has two little ones,
so I'm sure she can help. You stay put, little boy," she warned and left for a moment.
   Just then, JC flew in the window. "Allo? Emilia? Jaque?" squawked the parrot.
       "Bur-dee!" he heard.
       "Bair-dee? Who, what, where..." JC saw the baby and drew the only obvious conclusion.
"Emilia and Jack took in an orphan? Oh, they are too much..." But JC made the mistake of hopping
too close to the grasping infant.
   WHOOSH went the chubby little fist, and caught JC firmly.
       "BUR-DEE!! Bur-dee num num..." burbled Jack, and threw JC against a wall, just as Emilia
came back in. She rushed to the bird's aid.
          "Jean Claude?" She picked up the bird and placed him on the table.
          "I'm ok," stuttered JC, "I'm only stunned... Pining for the fijords..." and he lost consiousness.
     Jack only giggled and cooed. "Bur-dee!!" He tried to reach for him, but Emilia quickly took JC
out of his reach.
          "No! JC is not a toy Jack!!" Then Emilia noticed Jack's eyes were bout to water, while his
smile turned in to a frown. "Oh no...not again!" Emilia quickly covered her ears...
          "WWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
Jack cried so loudly Emilia was afraid that her lab wasn't "sound-proof" enough!!
          "This is gonna be a LONG day and then some!!" Emilia groaned. Jack looked at Emilia, his
eyes wide. "What am I do do about the govenor?" she wondered aloud.
       Jack made a face and stuck out his tongue at the very mention of the govenor. Emilia could not
help but laugh. After all, Jack was just too darned cute as a baby and sometimes she felt like reacting
the same way.
      After a moment, Jack started to wail again. Emilia picked him up again, resting his head on her
shoulder. What could Jack want now? Then she realized that he hadn't eaten anything since a late
lunch the day before. "You must be starving!" she whispered.
      Jack cooed in agreement.

      Emilia took Jack to the kitchen and set him on the floor. "Now you just stay there," she said. Looking
around, she pulled down a small pot and placed it on the floor beside him. "You can play with that while
I get you something to eat. And no banging, Jack. I know you understand me."
      Jack stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry at her. Emilia chuckled a moment before making a
pot of oatmeal.
      It was not long before Jack started to swing the pot around and bang it against the floor. The noise
of the iron on the ground pleased him and he started to hit the floor with the pot.
            "Jack Stiles! What did I say?" Emilia whirled on him after a minute of noise.
    Jack stopped and looked up at her with big, brown puppy-dog eyes, almost like the look he gave her
after she had had amnesia one day and he had not told her the truth of who she was. A second later he
stuck out his lower lip and it started to tremble.
            "Oh, Jack!" Emilia sighed. "I'm sorry. Ugh, I never thought I'd say this to you, but bang away."
            " 'e angs! 'e angs!" Jack cried as he happily banged the pot once more against the floor.
            "Great," Emilia muttered. "If he starts jiggling his hips, I might just go crazy!"

            *      *      *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *    *    *    *

           "Oh, no you don't!" Emilia warned but a dobble of oatmeal landed on her nose anyway.
    Jack giggled from his makeshift high chair. As could be expected when it came to babies, Jack
was wearing more of his food then what actually made it in to his mouth. After a while, he had gotten
a strange glint in his eyes that Emilia knew all to well, and she was not disappointed when she saw
him lift his wooden spoon and aimed a scoop of oatmeal at her.
          "Oh, so you think that's funny, do you?"
    Jack nodded. "Well, two can play that game!"  Emilia scooped a little from her own bowl and
gently flicked it at Jack. It landed on his nose. Jack was stunned, to say the least, and the look in
his eyes made Emilia think she might have gone too far. But she didn't have to worry. Jack giggled
after a moment and lifted his spoon again.
         "Jack, enough! We have to get ready to see the Governor!"
    Jack made another raspberry.
          "I know, but we do have an appointment. Although I must say I am at a loss as to how to
explain our present situation."
          "Sissy!" Jack said after a moment.
          "Sissy? Who're you calling a 'sissy'?"
          "Sissy, sissy, sissy!" Jack banged a tiny fist on his chair.
          "Oh, you mean sister?" Jack grinned. "Your sister?" This time Jack gave a little nod.
Emilia frowned. She did not know where Jack was heading.
          "Sissy buh-buh!" Jack said.
          "Sister's buh-buh...oh, baby! You want me to tell Croque you are your...nephew?"
     Jack nodded and then gave her a look that said, "Yeah, I know it's nuts, but how else can we
explain it?"
           "Okay," Emilia relented after a moment. Emilia suddenly realized the time. "Oh my gosh!
It's almost time for Croque's lunch! We need to clean you up, and fast!"
    Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door. Emilia peered out and saw it was Shula. "Shula, thanks
for coming on such short notice," Emilia said cheerfully.
           "Not a problem. He's so adorable!" Shula replied, tickling Jack under the chin. "I brought
some of my son's old clothes over. Here, let me take him and get him all cleaned up for you." The
woman took Jack from Emilia's arms and went in to the bathroom.

    Soon, Jack was all cleaned up and back in Emilia's arms. He cooed with delight to be back
with Emilia. After thanking Shula for her help, Emilia headed for the Governor's mansion. "Now
Jack, remember, while we are at the governor's mansion, you are to behave. Understood?"
    Jack smiled at her.
           "Good!"

    Brogard met them at the door with the Governor. "Ah, Emilia, it is good to see you again.
But where is my American monkey? And who is your little friend?" Croque asked.
            "Well, this is Jack's nephew, Andrew. Mister Stiles has a slight cold and his sister is
visting and she caught her brother's cold, so I'm watching the tyke for a while."
     Jack grinned to himself. Croque and Brogard seemed to be buying the story. "Em's....a....
fantastic....liar," he thought. He reliazed that it was getting harder to think clearly and as an adult.
"Em...would have....some....witty remark...about that....one," he thought. His thinking problem
was getting more serious now. His mind was reverting to match his age....a baby.
    Jack figured that he would fight it as long as he could. Surely Emilia would help him, but how
could he get the message to her? He struggled to think of a way.
    Meanwhile, Croque was discussing the problem of the Dragoon to Emilia. She had a plastered
smile on her face, nodding in all the right places, but never hearing what he was saying. She kept
looking at Jack, wondering what she could do to fix his condition. Once, she caught his eye. He
did not seem like himself. She could see the familiar fire in his eyes flicker. What could be wrong?
           How-can-I-get-the-message-to-Em? Jack thought for a moment. Of course!
                "WAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Jack started to bawl.
    Croque and Brogard covered their ears. "Loud little fellow, isn't he?" Croque smiled at Emilia.
     Emilia grimaced. "He must be hungry," she said after a moment, knowing that food was not
what her partner wanted at all. "What is it, J--Drew?" she asked, scooping Jack in to her arms.
     Jack looked in to her eyes and Emilia saw the same flickering in them as before. Now that she
was closer to him, she recognized the situation for what it was. Jack was turning in to a complete
baby instead of just a baby with an adult mind!
     Emilia turned to the two Frenchmen. "I'm sorry, Governor, but I am afraid I will have to cut
our visit short."
            "Of course, Emilia. No 'arm!" Croque assured her. He was glad that she had decided to
leave and take the American baby with her.
     Emilia raced home with Jack in her arms. She had to find an antidote! Rereading old notes, she
came across a warning. After one week, the effects would be permanent. There was no antidote
written anywhere. She was completely on her own.
     She looked at Jack. The flickering in his eyes had stopped. His transformation was complete.
            "Wonderful!" Emilia muttered. "I hope we don't get any missions any time soon.."
            "'Ello?"
            "Jean-Claude?" Emilia had forgotten that the parrot had been rendered unconscious by
a certain baby.
     There was movement on Jack's bed. "Oh, good! Emilia, I have brought you and Jack a new
assignment!"
             "Oh, wonderful!" Emilia groaned.
             "Where is Jack?" JC asked after a moment.
      Emilia waved her arm, gesturing to where Jack sat on the floor--or at least he had been. He
was on the move now, exploring his surroundings. When he came to the skeleton, his eyes widened
and he reached up a small hand, and caused the bones to quake.
             "Jack, no!" Emilia got to him and picked him up just as the skeleton came apart. "That's it.
Lord knows I can't keep you in here..you'd kill yourself." With a sigh Emilia turned back to the parrot.
"What is our assignment?"
             "To protect someone who is very dear to President Jefferson."
             "Another babysitting job?" Emilia did not like the sound of that.
             "Do not fret, Madamoiselle. The President is sending someone along to assist you and--well,
you won't be alone. Good luck! Vive la Resistance!"

       Later that day, Emilia was resting because Baby Jack was finally taking a nap. She had been
working so hard that she needed a nap also. She was about to fall asleep when someone burst into
her living room. "Howdy Miss Brit!! Long time no see!!!!"
       It was Kentucky Sue.
              "Oh no!" Emilia groaned to herself. What was Sue doing here? "Hello Kentucky Sue!" she
managed to cheerfully say.
              "Looks like I've been assigned to help you and ol' Jacky-boy!" Sue grinned. "Where is the
ol' boy anyhoo?" she asked, rather loudly.
              "Ssshhh, Sue." Emilia said frantically. She certainly did not want Jack to wake up. He had
only been alseep for fifteen minutes, but it had taken her over an hour to get him to sleep.
      Sue looked confused. Seeing this, Emilia was torn about whether to explain or not. During her
slight hesitation, it was blissfully quiet. Then the silence was pierced by an ear-splitting cry.
           "WAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" Emilia groaned and headed upstairs.
            "A rugrat?" Kentucky had followed Emilia to her room where she had placed Jack in a
makeshift crib. "So, you and the ol' dog finally got it on!"
            "I beg your pardon! Jack and I are no more than friends!" Emilia picked up the baby and
tried to get him to quiet down.
            "Sure," Kentucky grinned. "So, where is Jack?"
      Emilia sighed. She had hoped that she wouldn't have to explain, but now...it seemed as if it
was the only choice she had. "You want to know where Jack is? Here," she turned the baby so
he faced Kentucky.
            "I don't want him!" Kentucky held up her hands.
            "I'm not giving him to you. This is Jack!"
      Kentucky Sue just looked at Emilia for a moment. Then she looked at the baby in her arms.
"Ha-ha! I see, this is a joke, ain't it?"
            "No,it isn't! This is Jack!"
            "Listen here, Missy. I don't like being toyed with. Now where's Jack?"
            "I told you."
            "No ya didn't. You just showed me a baby who's droolin' right this moment--"
            "Owwey cat!" the baby squealed suddenly.
            "Owwey cat?" Emilia's brow furrowed momentarily. "Oh! Alley cat? That's what you're
saying."
     The baby nodded and pointed to Kentucky. "Owwey cat!" he said proudly.
            "Well I'll be a hogtied jackalope! That is the ol' dog, isn't it?"
            "That's what I've been trying to tell you."
     Kentucky stepped towards Jack and Emilia. Both women were surprised--somewhat--when
Jack held out his arms to Kentucky. She glanced up at Emilia.
            "Yes, take him if you want. He's a heavy little fellow," Emilia said, handing Jack over.
            "So tell me, Miss Brit, just how did our Jackie get this way?"
            "Well..I was working on this solution that would induce youth in whomever swallowed it.
Unfortunately there was a minor accident in the lab and a bit of the potion ended up in Jack's coffee-"
           "Never would wake up without it!" Kentucky chuckled, looking at Jack.
           "And he drank it before I could stop him," Emilia continued after the baby blew a raspberry at
Kentucky. "This is the result."
          "I see. So does he know who he is?" Kentucky Sue asked after a moment.
         "That's the strange part. He did have an adult mind in this state for a while, but then after a few
hours he lost it. However, he knew you..so maybe memories of his adult life are still in there, it's just hard
for him to communicate and for us to see."
         "You know I did not understand one word you just said," Kentucky commented. "Do you have
a cure for this?"
      Emilia shook her head. "Not yet anyway. But I need to find something fast, otherwise he may stay
this way and end up going through a second childhood."
         "Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad idea. Anyhow, since you have him to worry about, just how
are you going to do the mission?"
         "The mission..? Oh, yes! Well..I guess you're going to have to handle it," Emilia said apologetically.
    Kentucky Sue stared at the english woman. "Do you even know who we're watching?" she asked
after a moment.
         "No, I don't," Emilia admitted. "Who?"
         "Kentucky! Where are you? Why didn't you come out and get us?" a young voice called.
    Emilia gave Kentucky a questioning glance. "Very young cousins of the President. Three of them,
ages one, three, and ten." And with that, Kentucky Sue headed downstairs with Jack still in her arms.
     Emilia groaned. "Another babysitting job! Wonderful!"

     When Kentucky Sue informed Emilia of the ages of Thomas Jefferson's cousins, she thought she
would be dealing with wild, rambunctious toddlers, with the exception of Charlotte, the eldest. The other
two were boys; the three year old was named Wilbur and the baby was named Templeton. Charlotte
and Wilbur had dubbed him the "little rat."
          "So, may I ask why your cousin decided to send you to Pulau Pulau?" Emilia addressed Charlotte
as she served her, the boys, Jack, and Kentucky dinner.
      Charlotte looked at Kentucky Sue. "Go on," the woman encouraged.
           "Well, our parents were going to France for a visit arranged by our cousin, and he didn't think it
would be a good idea if our parents took us with them."
         "I can understand his concern, but why didn't he keep you three in the states?" Emilia was trying to
understand the reasoning behind Thomas Jefferson's latest decision.
       "Because he was afraid that while he was dealing with business, one of Napoleon's spies could get
us," Charlotte explained.
       "But why send you here? I mean, we are in French territory--"
       "That's it Em. TJ figgered he could count on you and Jack to keep the tykes hidden from
Napoleon, right under his brother's nose!" Kentucky said. "'Course, he was hoping Jack would actually
be more useful."
        "Where is Mr. Stiles?" Charlotte asked. "And is that your child, Ms. Rothschild?"
     Emilia looked at Kentucky. "Mr. Stiles had to...go on a little business excursion for me. He should
be back by the end of the week," she said after a moment. "And as for the baby...he's actually the son
of one of the families here on the island. I'm just caring for him while his parents are off on a short
trip."
         "Much like me and my brothers," Charlotte observed.
         "Yes..well, sort of like that," Emilia said uneasily.
          PLOP!!
      Templeton flicked a bit of oatmeal in Emilia's direction and it landed on her nose. Charlotte, Wilbur,
Kentucky, and Jack all laughed at her expense. Emilia wiped the food off her face. Jack was sitting on
her lap, being fed a bowl of oatmeal. He was mushing his hands in the food, squealing with delight, his
unmistakeable brillant smile across his messy face. Suddenly, his little hand shot up, hitting Emilia in the
chin with a handful of oatmeal. The other kids, taking this cue, started a food fight.
    When things finally settled down, Sue got the kids cleaned up while Emilia cleaned up the kitchen.
Suddenly, Sue came rushing in to Emilia, with Jack screaming, tears running down his face.
          "What's wrong," Emilia asked.
          "I don't know. He just started to cry, is all. For no reason."
   Emilia put her dishcloth on her shoulder as she reached out and took Jack. She set his chin on her shoulder
and began to rub and pat his back. Jack immediately spit up on the dish towel. But then he gurgled a bit and
began to settle down. Emilia shifted him so she could wipe his mouth. His big brown eyes locked with hers
for a moment, then began to drop heavily. Before Emilia even knew it, he was fast asleep in her arms.
       "Awww, well ain't that precious," Kentucky chuckled softly at the picture before her.
       "Yes, well, I'd say it's past his and their bedtimes. Do you mind?"
       "Guess I don't, so's long you're tryin' to find a cure for Jackie." Kentucky took Jack from Emilia.
Thankfully, he did not stir.
      "No, I thought I would just lounge about in the lab! Of course I'm going to work on an antidote!" Emilia
huffed.
       "Okay, okay. No need to get your undies in a whirl!" Kentucky left Emilia and gathered the rest of the
children, letting them know it was time for bed.
         "Wanna stay up!" Wilbur whined.
         "I'm old enough to stay up longer," Charlotte pouted.
         "'o seepy!" Templeton put in.
         "You guys are bound for dreamland," Kentucky put her foot down.

      *      *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   *   *    *   *    *
        "You're joking, right? The Emperor wishes for us to do what?" Captain Brogard stood in Governor
Croque's office, a pained expression on his face.
         "To find Thomas Jefferson's cousins," Croque replied.
         "But they are...."
         "Children. Yes, I know."
         "I despise children!" Brogard reminded Croque.
         "Yes, I do believe everyone on the island is quite aware of that by now," Croque said. "But we
have our orders. We are to find the children and hold them for ransom. With America under my brother's
control, he will be able to take over the world."
         "How do we even know if the brats are here?" Brogard asked after a moment.
         "Because they aren't in France with their parents. If they were, they would already be in
Napoleon's hands," Croque shuddered momentarily at the thought.
         "And the Emperor believes that the President would send them here?" Brogard was confused.
"Who would he send them to? Not that incompetent Messieur Stiles, surely?"
         "No Brogard, I do believe the President has sent them here with a guardian. We just have to
keep our eyes open for new arrivals to the island. All American arrivals are suspect."
         "An American ship just came in yesterday. It's still here. I could, if you wished, go and get the
list of passengers," Brogard said after a moment.
  Croque smiled. "Brilliant idea! I'm glad I thought of it."
  Brogard's lower lip twitched. "Yes, of course. I shall get the list at once."
        *     *     *     *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *     *     *     *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *
          "So, what do you sprats want to do today?" Kentucky asked. The night had gone peacefully
by--thank god!--Neither Jack or Templeton woke up, and Charlotte and Wilbur had no trouble
adapting to the strange beds they were sleeping in.
          "The docks!" Wilbur cried.
          "I'd rather go to the beach," Charlotte said.
    Emilia and Kentucky glanced at one another. Jack was resting in Emilia's arms while Templeton
dozed in Kentucky's. "It's going to have to be one or the other," Kentucky said after a moment.
           "Why not both?" Charlotte pouted. "Kentucky, you could take Wilbur and Templeton to the
docks, and Emilia could take me and Jackson to the beach."
          "I can't go anywhere today," Emilia said after a moment. "I have a lot of work I need to catch up
on. Perhaps Kentucky could take you to the beach after the docks?" she suggested quickly when she saw
Charlotte's lower lip quiver. Charlotte immediately perked up.
          "I'll get my little shell sack!" Charlotte got up from thet table and rushed upstairs.
          "Wait for me!" Wilbur called and followed his sister.
    When they were gone, Kentucky turned on Emilia. "I sure hope you find a whatchamadoodle for Jack
before I go stir crazy!" she snapped softly.
          "It's not my fault he's like this--well not entirely my fault. And it's not my fault you were sent here with
them when you were! If Jefferson had waited another week or so to send you here, then Jack might be his
normal self and we could be working on the mission together! Yet as it stands, that is not the case, and if you
have any hope of getting Jack back and helping us, then you'll let me work on finding the antidote!"
          "All right, all right! Sorry I said anything." Kentucky was saved from further comments as Charlotte and
Wilbur returned. "Okay, kids! It's time to move out!"
        "Are you sure you can't come, Emilia?" Charlotte asked just before the three of them and Templeton left.
        "I'm sure. You have fun with Kentucky Sue." Emilia watched them go, an uneasy feeling deep inside her.
"I better find the antidote for our problem soon, Jack. I've the feeling we'll be needing the Dragoon..."

     Emilia worked busily in the lab. She had moved Jack's makeshift crib down there so that she could keep an
eye on him. At first he had been fussy, but a warm bath, a full stomach, and a diaper change had put him to sleep.
At the moment, he was sound asleep. Emilia quietly mixed potion after potion, not coming up with the right one.
She was getting very fustrated.
     Taking a ten minute break, Emilia walked over to Jack's crib and peeked in. He was just waking up. He smiled
when he saw here and exclaimed "mem!" He reached his arms towards her. She picked him up and rocked him a bit.
     "Oh Jack," she found herself talking out loud. "Why can't I find the antidote? It's all my fault, I should have been
quicker with my warning. I should never have made that age-reducing potion to begin with. If I could do it all over
again...Oh, what am I to do? I never thought I'd say this, but I miss the Jack that I've come to know." In her mind,
she completed that last thought with "And love."
    Jack meanwhile, had buried his face in her neck. He let out a soft sigh. Emilia held him close for a moment, then
set him back down in the crib.
      "Alright, enough chatting. I have to get back to work!" she smiled at him.

       "Okay Wil! We've been down here long enough!" Charlotte called impatiently to her brother who was back
admiring a ship he had already seen.
       "Give him a couple more minutes," Kentucky said. She was standing with Charlotte and Templeton, keeping
an eye on Wilbur as well, making sure the three-year-old did not fall in to the water.
        "We've already been here an hour! Are we going to spend this much time on the beach?" Charlotte whined.
        "Not if you keep on like you are," Kentucky warned, looking down at the ten-year-old. Just then a flash
of red, blue, and white caught her eyes--and it wasn't for Old Glory, either. Glancing up, she saw Captain Brogard--
at least she thought it was the same stiff guy she saw at the only party she had ever gone to on Pulau Pulau. He was
accompanied by ten soldiers. They broke off in pairs and each pair went to one of the ships in port. "Wilbur, get your
little tail over here, now!" Kentucky hissed.
       "Not finished!" Wilbur called back as two of the soldiers passed him and climbed on to the ship he had
been admiring.
       "Charlotte, take Templeton for a moment," Kentucky ordered.
       "Sure." Charlotte took her brother from the woman and watched as Kentucky approached Wilbur. She
saw that the woman grabbed a blanket or something that was drying on someone's clothesline and wrapped it
around her.
        "Wilbur, come now! We've got to get you, Charlotte, and Templeton out of here!" Kentucky gripped the
boy's shoulder.
        "But I wanna see the ships s'more!" His eyes started to water and his lower lip quivered.
     Kentucky thought fast. "We can come back later when there are less soldiers around, okay?"
        "Soldiers?" Wilbur immediately brightened.
        "Oh, no," Kentucky shook her head. "You don't want to meet these soldiers, believe me. Come on." To
make sure  he couldn't protest, Kentucky scooped the three-year-old in to her arms and turned to go back to
where the other kids were.
    Charlotte and Templeton were cornered by three soldiers, including the captain. "Damn!" Kentucky muttered.
If they started to take them away....
    After a moment, Kentucky saw the soldiers walk away from Charlotte and Templeton. While she was
thankful that they had not been taken, she wondered what Charlotte had said to make the men ignore them.
      "Kentucky!" Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief when she returned.
       "Glad to see you're still here," Kentucky said as she put Wilbur down.
       "I wasn't sure I would be. When the soldiers approached us and started to ask me questions, I didn't
answer..that only worked so well until the captain..at least I think he was..anyway he started to threaten me,
so I started talking--in German."
      "German?"
      "Yeah. I don't think they understood what I was saying."
      "What did you say?"
      "Nothing important," Charlotte replied and that was all Kentucky could get from her as their group headed
towards the other side of the island to the beach.

     Meanwhile, Emilia worked feverishly on finding the antidote. The sharp clink of testtubes penetrated the air
every few seconds. Jack looked on from his crib.
     "Here we are!" Emilia said, holding up her latest attempt. She tested the potion, but nothing happened. "Darn
it!" she mumbled under her breath, setting the potion aside.
   She continued to mix new potions. Jack babbled baby talk to her, so she at first ignored the suprised shrieks
he was making. When she looked at him, his eyes were wide, starting at something on the lab table. "Jack?"
     "Buh-buh!" Jack pointed towards the table.
      "What?" Emilia looked where he pointed and shrieked. "Oh my good lord!" Her recent potion may not have
done anything for Jack-- probably because he refused to ingest it--but it was doing wonders for a cockroach that
was crawling along the table. With every movement, it was slowly getting bigger. Soon it was the size of Emilia's
hand.
   Emilia frantically looked around the lab for something to kill the bug. Her eyes settled on her underwater helmet.
Pulling it from its hook, Emilia swung the helmet down on the cockroach. She heard the crunching sound of its
exoskeleton breaking and the squish-squashing of the bug's innards. For extra measure, to make sure it was truly
dead, Emilia pushed down. After a minute she lifted the helmet. Loose cockroach innards slipped off the metal
and on to the table.
      "Eeewy!" Jack made a face.
       "I couldn't agree more," Emilia grabbed a cloth and wiped the helmet off. Once it was clean, she placed
it back on its hook. "Well, that was certainly interesting. Hmm..I seem to be getting there, but what is it I'm
missing?" Emilia raised a finger to her chin. She sighed after a moment. "I hope Kentucky's having better luck.."

       "Come on kids!" Sue was trying to get them back to Emilia's house.
       "But we haven't even been to the beach," Charlotte complained.
       "Well, it looks a bit cloudy to me, and...well, maybe tomoorow will be better."
   Indeed, clouds were rolling in and raindrops started to fall. Sue and the kids had just gotten into the house
when all the storm truly started. Lightning streaked the sky, followed by the loud rumble of thunder.
       "I don't like thunderstorms," Charlotte said, an edge to her voice.

   Down in the lab, Emilia wasn't having much luck with the antidote. On top of that, the storm had frightened
Jack. He had started to cry, and Emilia, knowing that she wasn't going to get anymore work down, he brought
him back upstairs. She held him close, trying to reassure and comfort him.
    Finally, Emilia's ears were saved when Jack's bawling ceased. She held him close, her maternal instincts
taking over. She fixed Jack a bottle and then sat down in a rocking chair. As she fed him, she found herself
singing him a lullaby. It was the same lullaby her mother had sung to her when she was Jack's "age" to calm
her down during storms.
         "Oh Miss Brit? Where are ya?" Sue called, before she stepped into the room. "Oh, there ya are!
Them kids are driving me nuts, won't calm down at all. I'm gonna need some help."
         "Sue, I don't mean to be rude, but I am in the middle of something here. You're going to have to
handle the children on your own."
         "Oh, I see. You're in the middle a something. Certainly not in the middle a finding a cure for ol'
Jackie-boy! Looks to me like you're having a sweet an tender moment with him!" Sue fired back.
         "I am not! For your information, I working all day on trying to find a cure for Jack! He's frightened
by the storm, and unless you want to hear his incessent bawling all night, then I suggest that you leave me
to tend to Jack, while you take care of the other children," Emilia said in as calm a voice as she could muster.
       Sue turned in a huff and left the room. Emilia knew that Sue was right in some aspect. The moments
spent singing to Jack had been sweet. Emilia sighed. The longer that Jack stayed a baby, the more she
missed him. But at the same time, she was enjoying the part of being a mother more and more.
         "Oh Jack," she whispered. "I wish you were better. I miss you." On an impulse, she bent her
head down and kissed his forehead.

            *     *     *     *     *     *     *    *    *     *     *     *     *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *
   Brogard was seething. He and his men had spent two hours at the docks questioning every captain,
sailor, and merchant if they had noticed three children arrive on the island. No one could say whether
they had seen the kids in question, mainly because no one knew what they looked like. But at least all
the captains of the ships had been compliant with giving Brogard a list of all the people on board. The
French Captain perused the papers and only one seemed to contain names that prompted further investigation.
As he had earlier suspected, the most recent American ship to arrive brought someone who was listed
only as KS, and three children.
    Brogard returned to the Constitution II and interrogated the captain about KS and the children.
        "Those four? Don't really know much about them," the captain replied. "They mostly remained
below deck during the voyage."
         "I suppose they would," Brogard nodded. "Did they ever come up? And did you or any of
your men see what they looked like?"
    The captain remained silent for a moment, thinking. "Well, the woman with the kids had blonde
hair--although I think it was a wig. She had an accent of some sort, some southern western drawl..
As for the kids, there were two boys. One was about a year old, the other perhaps two or three,
and a girl about nine or ten. They were definitely siblings..could tell with their auburn hair and brown
eyes--"
       "A ten-year-old girl?" Brogard asked.
       "Yes. She was a cutie and she was nice to my men, especially the few who speak German.
She was fluent in the language."
       "She spoke..spoke German?" Brogard was starting to get angry. The captain nodded. "Well,
thank you for the information. You've been most helpful." He started to leave.
        "Just one moment, sir."
         "Yes?"
         "This woman and her kids..they're not in any trouble are they?"
         "Not yet," Brogard replied and, before the captain could get in another word, he was gone......

        "What are you thinking about, Captain?" the sound of Croque's voice brought Brogard back
to the moment at hand. He was in the Governor's office, standing in the doorway, his back against the
wall.
       "Just that I could have had two of the children in custody at this moment if I--if I hadn't been
fooled by the girl replying in German."
         "Did you understand what she was saying?"
      Brogard shook his head. "I learned English and Italian. But one of my men who had taken some
German and was told what she said, it was 'You are morons and may your butt sprout boils.'"
             "How delightful," Croque grimaced. "Where are the two children now?"
             "We do not know, but I have my men knocking on every door, searching for them. We shall
succeed!"
              "I hope so. I would hate to have my brother disappointed once again."

         *     *       *        *        *        *        *        *        *        *         *         *        *        *        *        *
             "Uh-oh!"
             "What is it?" Emilia heard Kentucky Sue mutter under her breath. Putting her book down, she
joined her at the window.
             "Trouble's a'comin'!" Kentucky turned and started for the stairs.
            "Kentucky, what did you see?"
            "The Frenchies are knockin' on everybody's door. Give ya one guess as to what they're looking for."
            "Oh dear! We better get the children and get them to the lab and quick!" The two women hurried
up the stairs and went to wake the children.
             "Whassup?" Charlotte slurred as she awakened.
             "Git your brother up and come with me," Kentucky directed. Charlotte obeyed, the tone in the
woman's voice brooking no argument. Once Wilbur was up, the three of them headed in to the hall where
they met up with Emilia who had a baby in each arm.
             "Here," Emilia handed Templeton to Charlotte and Jack to Kentucky. "Children, I need you to go
with Kentucky to a secret place, okay?" Charlotte and Wilbur nodded.
      Just then there was a knock on the door. "Open up!"
      Emilia glanced at Kentucky before heading down the stairs. She hoped that the American remembered
the way to the back entrance of the lab. "Just a moment!" she called. After taking a moment to compose
herself, Emilia opened the door. "Captain Brogard, this is quite an unexpected visit. May I help you?"
             "Perhaps," Brogard nodded. "May we enter?"
             "Oh, dear! How rude of me! Of course, please come in."
        Brogard strode in, followed by ten soldiers. As Emilia closed the door behind them, Brogard and
his men were taking in their surroundings, identifying the possible places the children could be hiding.
             "Madame Rothschild," Brogard turned to Emilia. "We are searching for an American woman
with three small children. Have you seen them?"
         Emilia pretended to think a moment. "No, I can't say that I have."
             "Really? You mean to say that Kentucky Sue has not been by?" Brogard asked.
            "Kentucky Sue? That rude woman? Why would she bother to stop and see me?" Emilia huffed.
            "Maybe she wanted to see Messieur Stiles?" Brogard suggested.
           "I do suppose that would be the only reason the woman would want to stop by, but as I said
before, Jack is taking care of his sick sister while I care for his nephew. So if Ms. Sue were trying to
find Jack, she most certainly came at an unfortunate time."
           "I see. And where is Messieur Stiles' nephew?"
          "Where any child his age would be at this time of night--in bed asleep, and if you don't keep
your voice down, you'll wake him."
     Brogard blinked. Glancing at his soldiers, he saw that they were not in any mood to wake a baby
either. Besides, Emilia did not seem to like the woman, so why would she aid her in hiding Jefferson's
cousins. "I apologize, Madame Rothschild, for disturbing you. Of course the American wouldn't stop
here if Messieur Stiles wasn't around. However, may I ask you to keep your eye out for her?"
      Emilia nodded. "Of course Captain. If I see her or the children, I shall notify you at once."
          "Thank you, Madame. Good night," and with a nod he and his men left.
      Once they were gone, Emilia sighed in relief. That was too close for her liking! She waited a
couple of minutes before going down in to her lab.
          "I take it you fooled them Frenchies," Kentucky nodded.
          "Yes, for now. But they won't stop looking for you or the children." Emilia looked around
the lab. "Where are they?"
          "Asleep in what I assume 's Jack's bed," Kentucky told her. "So, I take it we're going to
be housebound for a while?"
          "Afraid so. At least until the French aren't searching as much as they are."
          "We're in trouble!" Kentucky exclaimed.
          "The question is: how are we going to keep the kids inside and occupied until the soldiers
go away?" Emilia mused.
          "Hey, you're supposed to be the genuis here!! Think of something braniac!"
      Emilia thought and thought before arriving at an answer. "We'll just have to 'reward' the kids
with things when they agree to stay inside. Also, we will have to supply them with coloring books
and stuff like that."
           "Well, you'll have to be the one to go out and get the stuff."
          "How am I suppose to get the stuff anyways?"
          "You're suppose to be the one to find that out!" Sue stated.
      Both of them suddenly heard Baby Jack crying and Emilia dashed over to the makeshift crib
to comfort him. Sue sighed and headed upstairs, figuring the kids would be okay in the lab for the
night.
       Jack stopped crying instantly when he saw Emilia. "Memmy!"
       Emmy...Emilia thought. "Yes, Jack it's me." She scopped him up and cuddled him.
       Jack looked up at her and smiled. He nestled up against her and was soon fast asleep in
her arms. "Wuv ooo. Wuv ooo."
            Wuv ooo? Emilia thought. Could he have possibly said Love you?
           It was possible he meant that, Emilia mused as she placed Jack back in the crib. He
probably won't remember any of that when he's back to normal...if he ever gets back to
normal.

        *        *        *         *         *         *         *       *         *        *         *         *           *          *
             "Emilia! We want to go out!" Charlotte was furious. It had been three days since the soldiers
stopped by the house.
      At first, Charlotte and Wilbur had understood why they had to remain housebound, yet as the
days passed, the children became restless and nothing Kentucky or Emilia suggested could placate
them.
      Emilia looked up from her workbench where she was continuing her search for the antidote to
her youth potion. "Charlotte, we've been over this ten times already. You can't go outside because
the French soldiers are still looking for you and your brothers."
             "What if we were really, really, really careful?" the girl asked.
            "I would still say no," Emilia answered. Charlotte frowned and narrowed her eyes. "Looking
that way at me won't get you anywhere," Emilia warned. "Why don't you go join Kentucky and the
boys?" she suggested after a moment.
            "They're just playing some stupid kids' game," Charlotte grumbled and folded her arms.
     Emilia sighed. "Charlotte, it wasn't really a request. I don't even have Jack down here because
I'm working with very potent chemicals and you could get hurt."
           "Fine! I'll go play with the others."
            "Thank you." Emilia waited until the girl was gone before continuing to work on her latest
mixture. She had already been through four other attempts since the giant cockroach incident. With
each try, she was coming closer to reversing the effects of the youth potion, but she wasn't quite there
yet.
            "Hey Em, we've got a problem!" Kentucky entered the lab carrying Jack and Templeton
and followed by Wilbur. She placed Jack and Templeton on the floor between her and Emilia.
            "You mean Charlotte?" Emilia asked.
            "Yeah. She came in to the parlor where we were playing cowboys and then turned tail and
headed outside."
            "She's gone? Why didn't you follow her?" Emilia demanded.
           "Hey, don't be accusing me! I had these three tykes!" Kentucky glared at the english woman.
      Emilia placed her hand on her forehead. "Of course, I'm sorry. All right.." Emilia's brow furrowed
as she tried to figure out just how they could handle this and still keep track of the three boys. Glancing
down, she saw that Wilbur and Templeton were still near Kentucky, but Jack was gone! Whirling towards
her bench, Emilia saw Jack climbing on to the table and reaching for her latest mixture. "Jack, no!" she
yelled, but it was too late. Jack drank the potion.
      For a moment, nobody moved or even breathed. After a minute, Emilia saw the effects of the
potion starting to show--it was working! Jack was growing from the bottom up. Soon he was back
to normal--and completely naked.
           "Uh..excuse me!" Jack raced behind the curtain separating his bed from the rest of the
lab and came out a second later with his sheet wrapped around him. "Okay, what just happened?"
       Emilia and Kentucky were shocked. "You don't remember?" Kentucky asked.
       Jack scratched his head and looked around. He saw a ripped diaper  and clothes on the
workbench, the place where the cockroach had been killed.."I sorta remember, but it's rather
fuzzy." He glanced over at the two boys who were clinging to Kentucky's legs and staring up at
him, wide-eyed. "Say, is that Wilbur? And Templeton?" Jack asked after a moment. "What are
they doing here? And where's Charlotte?"
           "We'll explain everything to you, although I suspect that most of what happened will
come back to you. We'll leave you to get dressed, but hurry. Charlotte's gone out and--"
           "Yeah, the mission," Jack nodded. "See you upstairs." He waited until the women and
children were gone. Then he dressed quickly and headed upstairs. "Okay, so what's going on?"
he asked, coming through the fireplace.
           "Charlotte has run off! We told her to stay in the house, but she just turned and left.
Brogard and his men are looking for the kids and Sue. They were here a few days ago, but they're
still searching for them," Emilia quickly filled Jack in.
            "Then we gotta go after her!"
            "Of course. Now, if you run into Brogard and he asks you anything, say your sister and
nephew left this morning on a ship to America. She's feeling much better but had to return home."
            "Umm, okay," Jack said.

             *     *      *      *      *     *     *    *     *     *    *    *    *    *     *     *     *      *      *
    Jack and Emilia searched everywhere for Charlotte, but with no luck. Emilia sighed as she
and Jack stopped for a quick rest under the shade of a tree. "So I drank the juice and turned
into a baby," Jack was trying to make sense of what had happened to him.
        "Yes," Emilia replied.
    Jack was silent a moment, then added thoughtfully, "You sang to me."
        "What?" Emilia asked, not really hearing him. She was scanning the crowds looking for
Charlotte.
        "When I was a baby. I got scared by the storm and you held me close and sang to me."
        "Yes, well, I had to kept you from bawling somehow. Besides, you helped save me from the
wrath of the mutant cockroach," Emilia said jokingly.
        "Em, thanks for helping me out. I...hey," Jack said as he saw Brogard bullying some poor folks.
"I'll be right back."
    Emilia could scarcely say a word before the Daring Dragoon made an appearance in front of the French
guards.
        "I didn't know today was the Running of the Bullies," the Daring Dragoon appeared before Brogard
and his men.
       "The Dragoon!" Brogard hissed. "Get him!"
       "Hey, what happened to the 'Daring'?" Jack asked as the three Frenchmen with Brogard attacked.
The Dragoon easily defeated them, knocking two of them in to vendor carts and flipping the third on to
his back. "This used to be a challenge," he commented sadly after a moment.
       "You want a challenge? I'll give you a challenge!" Brogard said.
       "You? Don't make me laugh!" Jack barely had enough time to parry as Brogard yelled and attacked.
"Oh, you've been practicing!" The two men fought for a long time, each trying to find the other's weak spot.
    Jack had to admit Brogard had improved. He was not having much luck in knocking the captain's
sword from his hand. "Why can't you keep your nose out of other people's business?" he heard Brogard
mutter under his breath.
       "Anything that goes on on this island is my business!" Jack retorted.
       "Arrrrgh!" Brogard suddenly charged. Jack quickly looked around and waited until the captain
was almost on top of him. Then the Dragoon stepped aside as Brogard rushed by him and, before the
captain could turn, lifted his arm and struck the French man in the back, sending him flying in to the
water.
       "Cool off, Brogey!" the Dragoon laughed and disappeared.

   Emilia watched the fight, making sure she didn't need to help Jack. As she observed what was going
on, she noticed someone familiar coming out from behind one of the carts. "Charlotte!" she whispered.
Charlotte looked at the fight going on for a moment and then took off. Emilia considered following the
girl but then she saw a couple of French soldiers intercept her and carry her off. "Oh, no!"
       Emilia remained where she was for a moment, debating whether or not to follow the soldiers who
took Charlotte. Jack returned, still dressed as the Dragoon, just as she made her decision.
            "They have Charlotte!" she informed him. "They headed that way."
            "Damn! Let's go!"

     Charlotte was taken to jail and placed inside the cell. Tears rolled down her cheeks as the soldiers
sneered at her before settling down at a table and started to play a round of poker.
     Jack and Emilia watched all of this from a high window, above Charlotte's cell, since the her cell was
below ground level. Charlotte's back was turned to them. Jack picked up a pebble and managed to hit
Charlotte in the shoulder with it. Charlotte whirled to see who hit her. Looking up, she saw Emilia and the
masked man from the fight put their finger to their lips, signaling for her to stay quiet. She nodded and faced
foward once again.
     Creeping back in the bushes, Jack looked at Emilia, who had since changed into the black outfit. "What
now? There's guards all over the place, and no doubt that there are plenty more around, searching for Wilbur
and Templeton," he asked, worriedly. "I mean, I can't possibly fight them all."
      Emilia scrunched up her brow, deep in thought. "I've got a plan. Come with me," she said, leading him
away from the jail.
          "Care to fill me in?" Jack asked as they headed back home.
          "Patience Jack," Emilia smirked, causing Jack to chuckle uneasily. Whenever she started to look
like a fox, Jack knew he or somebody else would be suffering from one of her new inventions.
          "What is it this time?"
          "Jack, patience!"

         *      *       *        *      *      *      *      *      *      *     *     *      *     *     *     *     *     *    *     *

     Kentucky was playing horsey again with Wilbur and Templeton in the parlor when Jack and Emilia
came in. Jack was out of his Dragoon costume by then and had it tucked beneath his arm.
         "Did ya find her?" Kentucky asked.
         "Yeah, but she's in jail at the moment," Jack replied.
     Kentucky frowned. "Then what are ya doin' here instead of bustin' her out!?"
         "Ask her!" Jack pointed to Emilia.
         "I have a plan, and I need you to play a part," Emilia said.
        "What about the boys?" Kentucky asked.
        "I'll watch them."
        "Are you sure?"
       "Yes," Emilia said. "But first, I need to get something from the lab and then I'll explain my plan."

      *       *      *        *      *      *      *       *      *       *      *       *        *        *       *        *      *       *
        "Royal flush, boys! Aces high," one of the French soldiers at the table exclaimed. "Pay up!" There
was a lot of grumbling, but the francs made it in to the winner's hand. "Another round?" he asked.
        "Say fellas, want a round of this instead?" a feminine voice called.
   The soldiers around the table turned towards the doorway. Standing there in a most revealing dress
with her navel showing was a barmaid. She held a tray with five mugs, one for each soldier, at her side.
        "Who are you?" one soldier asked.
        "Name's Alabama. Just got hired at the Drunken Pig and we started a new thing where soldiers got
free drinks each time they brought in a prisoner, and seeings how the word is you've got somebody, it was
time to bring ya your drinks!"
        "How kind! Come on men!" The soldiers rose and each took a mug. One of them tried to get fresh
with the maid and ended up with a tray to his head.
        "I'm not on the menu," the maid smirked.
   Charlotted came up to the bars then, having been roused from a short nap by the woman's voice.
The girl's eyes widened. Before she could say anything, the woman caught her look and shook her head.
        "This stuff is pretty good! What do you call it?"
        "Mad Potion Number Nine!" the woman said as the effects of the potion were starting to show.
   Slowly, one by one, the five soldiers started to shrink. They continued to get smaller and smaller until
they were about three inches tall.
         "What did you do to us!?" they angrily squeaked.
   Kentucky ignored them as she got the keys and unlocked the cell door. As soon as the door opened,
Charlotte flew in to her arms. Kentucky held her a moment. "Shucks kid, I'm glad to see you too!"
          "Hey Sue! We gotta get going!" The masked man Charlotte saw earlier stood in the doorway.
         "The Daring Dragoon!" the miniature soldiers cried.
         "That is too weird," he commented after a moment.
         "You're telling me. What do you want to do with them?" Kentucky asked after a moment.
   The Dragoon looked around. "Got it. Come here you pipsqueaks!" He bent down and scooped the
soldiers in to his hand before they could run away.
         "We're gonna die!" one soldier cried.
         "He killed Kenny!"
         "I'm still alive, moron!"
         "Oh."
   The Dragoon placed the mini soldiers on to the bench inside the cell and locked the door. "You five had
better stay there until the potion wears off otherwise I won't be responsible for what happens," he warned.
         "How long will this last?" another soldier asked.
         "No more than a week, give or take a few days. I'll drop Brogey a note and let him know to leave
food for you," the Dragoon replied. "Have fun!" Turning his back on them, the Dragoon escorted Kentucky
and Charlotte out, only to come face to face with Brogard and five of his soldiers.
         "So, we meet again!" the captain hissed, his sword raised.
         "Appears so," the Dragoon nodded. "Unfortunately." He drew his sword and struck out, catching the
captain off guard.
         "You'll pay for that!" Brogard yelled as he fought back.
    Jack easily parried and knocked Brogard down. Once he was on the ground, the other soldiers attacked.
"Get the kid outta here!" the Dragoon yelled at Kentucky. The woman nodded and took off with Charlotte in tow.
    It did not take long before he had knocked all the soldiers out and Brogard staggered back on to his feet.
"Are you ready for me, Brogey?" the Dragoon taunted.
          "Always!" Brogard charged.
          "This is getting so old," Jack muttered as he waited until Brogard was in the right place before stepping
to the side and tripping the captain. "But it works! See ya later, Brogey!" Jack mock saluted him as he lay in the
dirt and then headed home.

      Kentucky and Charlotte were waiting for Jack when he appeared at Emilia's. "Hey, why didn't you two
go in?" Jack asked as Charlotte ran to him as she had Kentucky. Jack lifted her off her feet easily and twirled
her a moment. "You've grown, Charly," he said, calling her by her nickname.
           "You've gotten shorter!" the ten year old retorted, giggling.
           "Very funny!" He glanced at Kentucky, still waiting for her explanation.
           "I've been dealing with the boys and Charly here all week while Em just dealt with...your nephew,"
Kentucky stopped herself before revealing that the baby had been Jack. "And I figured she could experience
some of what I did."
     Jack knew exactly what Kentucky meant. "This I gotta see!" He put Charlotte down and the three of
them entered the house.
           "Aren't you tired yet of this game?" they heard Emilia huff in the living room. Peering in, they saw
Emilia on her hands and knees being ridden by a very happy Wilbur.
           "Faster!" Wilbur commanded.
           "Yack!" Templeton suddenly cried, seeing Jack and the others standing there, grins on their faces.
     Emilia turned her head. "You're back! I take it everything went all right?"
           "Yep. Brogard will be without a few little soldiers this week, but I think he'll manage," Jack grinned.
"Hey Cowboy, why don't we give the horsey a rest, okay pardner?" Jack lifted Wilbur up and off Emilia's
back.
           "Thank you!" she gasped as Charlotte helped her to her feet. "These boys really love that game,
don't they?"
           "Of course!" Kentucky grinned. "Say, since we're scheduled to be here another week, why
don't you and I spend a bit more time together?" she suggested.
           "You mean do 'girly' things Sue?" Jack could not believe his ears.
          "No Jack. Woman things! It's time for Emilia and me to have a break," Kentucky linked her
arm through Emilia's and the two women started walking away.
    Kentucky's words suddenly dawned on Jack. "Oh, no you don't!"
           "Sorry Jack! It's your turn!" Emilia called back.
           "Play horsey Jack!" Wilbur tugged on Jack's arm.
           "Not horsey! I want to go to the beach!" Charlotte whined. Templeton just wrapped himself
around Jack's legs.
    Jack looked down at the kids and then glanced up at the ceiling. "Why me??"

                        THE END

Disclaimer: Jack was a big baby, a giant cockroach was killed, and five soldiers were shrunk during the
writing of  this story. And after his fight with the Dragoon, Brogard did find boils on his butt and couldn't
sit for the week he spent searching for his little soldiers and Jack spent the next week in any position
but up.

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