he morning was crisp and many a groan was heard after the morning wake up call. Within five minutes the parade ground was full of misshapen soldiers. The drill instructors watched from inside the mess hall drinking hot cups of coffee. They didn't mind the state of the soldiers being sloppy this morning as it was the last day of the camp. Of course however they wouldn't let the soldiers know that. One of the handsome looking instructors who was named Leo rubbed his hands together, straightened his uniform and headed out to the cold blustery morning. The other officers watched for a few more minutes before putting their cups down and heading outside themselves. As the soldiers ran around falling every order that was barked at them no one noticed a figure sneaking through the camp enter a few cabins or even leave again.

***

Kat awoke that morning and pushed the ball of black fluff out of her face. It slipped off the bed but jumped right back up again and started meowing. Kat slowly opened her eyes and glared at the kitten.

"How is it Midnight that you *never* let me sleep in when you know Jade will be coming home?"

Midnight just looked back at Kat and then purred. Kat gave up at that point and stroked the kitten. She turned her head to see exactly what time it was. She was very surprised to notice that it was 10am. Normally Midnight never let her sleep past 9:30. Maybe the kitten was learning that Kat needed her beauty sleep. As Kat made her way out of bed and towards her walk in robe she laughed. She looked like she really needed her sleep, that or maybe she should get to bed earlier. One or the other. Grabbing her jeans and a t-shirt she headed for the shower. She did want to look her best for Leo and matted hair wasn't going to do that. Plus it would be nice to see her sister again. She did kind of miss them both when they had to take drill camps. Last time there were gone for six weeks and they both returned voiceless and very tired. Apparently the worst lot of recruits they had ever seen. At least now they were only gone for three and the soldiers were more disciplined.

After a long shower Kat picked up Midnight and headed downstairs for the kitchen. Her mother wasn't around but that wasn't unusual for a Saturday morning as she also went out to the granny flat for meditation. Her father looked up from his paper as Kat kissed his forehead after she put Midnight on the ground.

"Darryl rang" Marc said as he reached for his cup of coffee and placed it down again disgusted to find his cup empty.
"Mmm" came Kat's response as she went about feeding the cat, grabbing her breakfast and making her dad another coffee. "What did he say?"
"What? Oh yes, he rang to say he would pick you up about two after he has picked up his sister Nicole from work. In fact I was surprised you didn't hear the phone ring all morning. Poor Sarah didn't get to start her meditation till about two minutes ago. Kate rang for her asking about our new seminar. Will you and Jade be helping with that?"
"I think I can but I will have to check my uni schedule and I think Jade will be on leave soon and was thinking of going away with Dazz for awhile so I am not sure. I'll ask later"
"Thanks"

Marc went back to his paper and Kat headed to the granny flat. The granny flat was quite large but was very useful. They had used it for Marc and Sarah's healing practice. While Sarah did all the meditation, natural therapies and aromatherapy Marc did all the actual physical work so to speak. He was a masseuse and was very good at it to. They were both wiccan and had never made Kat or Jade learn nothing they didn't want to as they thought their children should choose their own path. They both chose wicca naturally but Kat knew more than Jade. That may have been because Kat loved reading and mythology and was currently doing a double degree studying ancient history and mythology. Jade did follow all the rites and so forth but was very solitary about it and never spoke about it much. She did however argue with the army when she joined so she could have wicca as her religion on her dog tags. It was the only time Kat could remember Jade being really proud of being wiccan.

Kat was the brains of the family and Jade was... well just happy the way she was. Both were very good looking but Jade never seemed concerned about her looks. Kat would were the latest fashions and look fantastic and Jade would just wear jeans and a t-shirt and look just as good which drove Kat nuts. It became a running joke between the family. However whenever Jade did get fashion conscience which did happen, occasionally, Kat was always the one Jade ran to.

While Kat excelled at study Jade got bored and dropped out. As Kat started uni Jade was already in the army. As Kat started her masters Jade was a drill instructor. In fact it was through Jade that Kat first met Leo. Kat and Leo had hit off really well and Kat asked Leo for some help getting a man into Jade's life. In came Darryl who strangely enough was at the same uni as Kat studying his doctrine. It had the whole 'small world' feel about it but nobody minded.

As Kat entered the granny flat she noticed the meditation room door open. That was strange as her mother always had it closed whilst meditating. She poked her head around the corner, and saw her mother sitting on the floor with her best friend and yoga instructor, Maya, drinking tea.
"Interesting lotus position there, Mum," teased Kat, entering the room.
"Good morning, sleepy head," replied Sarah. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes, please."
Kat sat on the floor after kissing her mother and Maya both.
"I've finished cleaning and setting up Jade's room. I'm going to fix up Leo's before I go and collect them both from the Airport."
"Oh, Jade's coming home today?" asked Maya with a smile. "That may explain your mother's need for copious amounts of tea."
Sarah handed her daughter a small cup of green tea, and stuck her tongue out at Maya.
"It's not Jade that has me worried, it's her bringing home Leo, and having him staying 2 doors down from Kat."
Kat laughed, almost choking on her tea.
"Mother, you *know* that Leo and I wouldn't do anything more than kissing and touching in the house."
This time it was Maya who choked on her tea.
"Kat, you don't tell your mother things like that!"
"Why not? Jade and I have always known about her and Dad's sex life..."
Kat's mother choked.
"You *have*??" exclaimed Sarah, in horror.
Kat laughed. "Of course. 'Why don't you girls come and watch this movie...' Jade and I both know how thin the walls are, so neither or us would do anything that's going to make a lot of noise..."
Maya suddenly bust out laughing at the look of absolute horror on Sarah's mother's face.
"Oh, come on Sar, you couldn't have expected her to not know at her age."
"Marc and I have been using that excuse since Kat was 2 years old!"
Deciding that she'd disturbed her mother enough for one morning, Kat stood up and collected the cups and teapot. She left the room, and Maya tried to convince Sarah to begin her yoga. Kat rinsed the cups and teapot in the little kitchenette, then went to the supply cupboard and collected a couple of sticks of lavender incense before going back to the house.

Kat stood in the doorway, looking around Jade's bedroom. It was just the way she liked it - no nonsense. All it had was a single bed, a bedside table, a built-in wardrobe, and a mirror. There was a small shelf above the bed which held 2 books, a radio alarm clock, and a small vase, which Kat had filled with lavender. Kat had decorated the room as much as Jade would put up with - she'd added a couple of throw pillows that she'd made and stuffed with lavender and rosemary, and a painting she'd done last holidays. Anything more than that, and Jade would collect everything and put it out in the hall. That had only happened once before, and Kat still remembered how it had felt when she'd arrived home. Kat lit a stick of incense, and took the small holder out of the drawer of the bedside table. She left the incense burning on the bedside table, and went down to the 2nd guest bedroom, which was where Leo would be sleeping.

This room was set up much the same as Jade's room, but it had a hand-made doona and a few more books on the shelves. Kat set a stick of incense burning in a holder she'd brought from her bedroom, then went up to her room. Kat smiled as she entered her room. She loved her room... it was just perfect for her. It had a double bed, a bedside table, a desk, the walk-in robe, an ensuite, and a little alcove which had a window seat which was perfect for curling up with a book, and a low table with her CD player and a bunch of flowers. And a door, which went through to her "second" room. The walls of this room were lined with bookshelves and a display cabinet. The bookshelves were crammed with books, and the display cabinet held goblets and dragons. Kat's alter was in the centre of the room, and the built-in wardrobe had been converted into a supply cabinet. Kat placed the remainder of the lavender incense into her supply cabinet, and browsed the shelves for a book that would keep her occupied whilst waiting for Leo and Jade at the airport. She selected "The Mists of Avalon" and went back into her bedroom. She made her bed, and had a quick shower to get the dust off, and changed her clothes, into a far more typical long printed skirt and black low-cut top. She strapped up her sandals and brushed her loosed hair. A touch of make-up, and she was ready. Kat collected her car keys, her book, and her purse, cleaned up the remains of the incense, and went out to the kitchen. Marc had finished reading the paper, and was washing the dishes.
"Going to collect Jade and Leo now?" he asked, without turning around.
He could always tell who entered the room.
"Yup. Bye, Daddy," Kat replied, kissing him on the cheek.
"Bye, Princess."
She laughed, and went out the front to the cars.

Kat parked the sleek black convertible and hurried towards the arrivals gate. The traffic had been terrible, and she was almost running late. She arrived in time though, and waited impatiently for Jade and Leo. Jade came off the plane before Leo, and she came up to her sister, and hugged her hard. Kat gasped.
"Gods but you're strong! Let me breathe!"
Jade laughed, and released her, then looked her over carefully.
"You've been sick again," she accused.
Kat looked guilty. "It's not like I could *help* it," she began, then stopped and laughed. "Oh dear. Nice top."
Jade glanced down at the standard issue top, which just *happened* to be a size too small, so it clung to her figure perfectly.
"I thought Darryl would be here," she allowed, blushing slightly.
Kat grinned. "No, he's coming over with Nicole at 2:00. He had to work this morning, and so did she."
Jade shrugged, although she was disappointed. "It happens."
Jade didn't get to find out what Kat would have said to that, because at that moment, Leo left the plane. A huge smile split Kat's face, and she ran the few metres between her and Leo. She jumped on him, and he easily caught her with one arm, whilst still walking over to where Jade was standing, out of the stream of passengers leaving the plane. He put his bag down by Jade's feet, and winked at her before turning his attention to her sister. It had been Jade who'd introduced them - she had brought him home with her one holiday after discovering that he had no family to speak of. Kat had been instantly smitten. They really made an odd pair - Kat was very small, and Leo was not. He always teased her about that. At the moment, with Leo holding her tightly half a metre off the ground, it didn't seem to matter that much. Jade looked around as they reintroduced themselves. It was always like that - Kat seemed to have a thing for the uniform. After a while, they walked down to the baggage carousel to collect Jade and Leo's bags, then out to the car. The bags went in the boot, and Jade vaulted into the car. Kat stood there, giving her disapproving looks, until she got the message. Jade got out of the car, opened the door, and got in again. Kat sat down as Leo settled himself in the back seat.
"Thank you."
Kat drove them home.

***

Kat sat on her bed, waiting for Leo to get out of the shower. Jade was in the bathroom next to her room, so Leo was using Kat's. He walked out in a pair of black cargo pants, and Kat grinned. He walked over and kissed her - several times. Then she noticed her was also wearing an amulet of some kind, and pulled it out from between their bodies.
"What's this?"
Leo stopped his exploration of her neck to look.
"Ah, that. I don't know. They're really quite odd... They have these funny markings on them, here, see?"
Kat examined the markings, and frowned. It looked very familiar, but she couldn't place her finger on what it was.
"So where did you get it?"
Leo shrugged. "I don't know, it was just on top of my bag on the last day of camp. Jade got one too."
At the mention of her name, Jade walked in. She looked at them both, and laughed.
"Get off her, you'll crush her," she scolded, and Leo blushed.
"I don't mind being crushed," volunteered Kat, but Leo got up anyway.
"Are you talking about the amulets?" asked Jade, and pulled hers out as they nodded. "Have a look, Kat, the symbols are really funny."
Kat examined Jade's amulet, and frowned.
"They're both really familiar, but I can't quite place it. Let me think about it, I'll remember soon."
At that moment, Darryl was heard talking to Marc in the kitchen. Jade acted like she was electrified, and ran out of Kat's room and out to the kitchen. Kat laughed.
"I'd say Darryl's here now," she said with a smile.
"Really, what gave you that impression?"
"Should we go and say hello?"
"Let's give them time to say hello first," suggested Leo, laying on the bed again.
Kat was easy to convince.

***

In the kitchen, was Darryl, Nicole and Marc. Darryl's face showed that he obviously approved of what Jade had changed into. A pair of cargo pants and a very shapely singlet top. It showed of her features well and also showed of her well toned muscles. Darryl walked over to Jade and pulled her into an embrace. Darryl was also well toned as he had been Leo's gym partner since high school and Jade noticed even more so as she ran her fingers down his back. Marc watched his daughter breifly before leaving the room. Of his two children Jade was the one he always worried about, it could have been because she was older and never seemed to need approval and that she had some bad experiences with men. However Marc couldn't work out how he felt since Darryl had entered her life. She he hadn't worried so much but sometimes he longed for the little girl that used to sit on his knee and poke him on the nose. Nicole left also in search of Sarah as she wanted to discuss some things about the upcoming seminar.

"I have two and a half months leave now" Jade said
"I like that idea, do I get you all to myself?"
"Not all of it, mum's holding a seminar she wants help with and I still have to catch up on some paper work so I need to go to the office tonight as I can do it at home. Plus I think mum and dad may be just a little upset if I don't spend *some* time with them"
"Maybe, at least promise me you will stay over tonight"
Jade smiles
"I promise"

Kat enters with Leo trailing behind her. Kat was grinning so Jade knew something was up but knew better to ask. If Kat wanted her to know she would tell her.

"Hello Dazz" Leo said as Kat hugged him hello
"They let you come home again I see Leo" Darryl teased
"Yes, I think they knew that Kat would have traveled over there just to tell them off"
"Oi!"

Leo stands behind Kat and wraps his arms around her.

"You know I am just teasing love" as Kat pretends not to listen
"Anyway Jade is staying at my place want to come over for tea?" Dazz says
"Sure if that is fine with Kat"
"Not a problem as long as your not cooking" Kat pokes her tongue out at Darryl as he feigns being hurt and offended
"I'll just go grab some clothes and then I will be ready, be right back"

Jade bounds up the stairs.

"Does she know?" Kat asks serious all of a sudden
"No and she will be staying at my place tonight so that gives you the space to finish whatever your planning Kat"
"How did you know I was planning something?"
"I didn't, just guessed since normally your schemeing something" Darryl turns to Leo
"Are you sure she will get the promotion?"

Leo nods and Jade comes back down with a throw bag over her shoulder.

"Ready?" Darryl nods "Oki lets go, say by to mom and dad for me Kat"

Sarah and Nicole walk in as the front door closes.

"Was that Jade?" Sarah asks
"Yes, she has to go to the office and then she will be staying with Darryl"
"Guess I will be walking the whole one block home by myself then" Nicole jokes

Everyone laughs. Nicole and Darryl lived together as they had moved to Western Australia to continue there studies as their parents moved to England. Kat said that both she and Leo wouldn't be home for tea and Sarah nods.

***

Meanwhile Jade was in her office which shared the same neatness of her bedroom. There were a few papers on her desk and a folder or two. As she started putting away the folders and grabbing the papers she needed her superior officer walked in.

"Evening Sir" Jade said
"Evening Major"

Jade looks at the commander strangely and he then hands her a small box, inside was her new rank, the rank of Major

"Thank you sir"
"Don't thank me yet. You are now in charge of two more platoons and Major Brendler has requested you to be his right hand man. That is if you accept which I already said you did because I know you to well. Congratulations, you deserve it. Now your on leave so go an enjoy it, that's an order"

The Commander leaves and Jade allows herself a huge grin. To be asked to be Major Brendler's right hand man was an honor and the promotion was just as good. It meant she would get a pay rise and be able to delegate more. She didn't really need the pay rise as she already had more money in her account than she ever thought she would need.

She cleared her desk and was surprised to see a folder on her desk marked "classified". She had no idea how it got there but as she opened it she only saw photos. As she looked closer she realised what the photos where off. Her amulet and the one Leo had. She put the folder in her bag along with a few other items and then picked up the photo frame on her desk. The photo was off her family.

"Thanks for believing in me" she whispered and put the frame down again

***

It was about 7pm when Leo and Kat arrived. Jade grabbed Kat and took her to Darryl's room and showed her the folder. Kat asked to see the amulet closely. Jade took it off from around her neck and handed it to Kat. It slipped out of Kat's fingers and fell to the ground but not like a normal object would fall, it fell slowly like a feather would fall. As it hit the ground the symbols seems to light up with a blue iridescent light and then it faded. Kat bent down to pick up the amulet but couldn't seem to grasp it. Jade bent down and as she opened her hand to pick it up it seemed to jump or fly into her hand. They looked at each other silently, shocked, then looked at the amulet. It seemed alive now but they didn't know just how they knew that or even come to that conclusion.

"Air" Kat burst out suddenly "They symbol represents the element air and the one on Leo's is water"