With help from Ishwada, Pitch was able to clear up any confusion with the missing persons report and return home without a fuss. Of course he had to pay for a new ticket having missed his return flight but he didn't mind. Once he was home he was immediately tackle-hugged by Kathryn as Kasa stood at Kathryn’s side wagging her tail. Pitch hugged Kathryn tightly and even pet Kasa’s head. “I missed you too Kat.” After a bit he pulled out of the hug to go sit on the couch.

  Kathryn sat next to him, with Kasa sitting next to Kathryn with her head on Kathryn's lap. “I was worried you'd be trapped there forever.” Kathryn said as she pet Kasa on the head. “Did you have any issues with Phobos?” Pitch shook his head. “I saw no indication that Boogieman was even there. So maybe he was asleep or away the entire time I was there. Passengers did say they spotted a huge eye with a yellow iris in the sky where the sun should have been a number of times but that didn't happen while I was there.”

  Kathryn started hugging Pitch from the side. “Well I'm just glad you're home. You should have heard the stuff that director Hawkes was saying.” Pitch tilted his head. “Director? You mean the director of all of Black Eagle?” Kathryn nodded, nuzzling Pitch's shoulder. “He suggested that he'd find a way to punish you for the crimes you committed. He denied any support from Black Eagle to recover you or the passengers. Ishwada, Anderson, and I all pitched in to get what we needed. Everything we bought is in the basement now.”

  Pitch looked to the door to the basement. “So if I wanted to I could rebuild the gate? I mean I don't want to, but still. That vintage mirror looked expensive.” Kathryn nodded again. “I used your card.” Pitch chuckled. “Well I mean it's not like I spend the money on anything. Though I guess this means I lost my consultant position with Black Eagle and I don't know if NexGen would take me back since they work with Black Eagle.” Kathryn shrugged and snuggled up to Pitch more. “We can worry about that later. For now, let's just enjoy our time together before some new crazy thing requires your attention.”

  Almost as if on cue there was a knock on the door. Pitch sighed loudly. “Ya jinxed it.” He wiggled his way out of the snuggles and moved to the door to open it. A total stranger in a suit and sunglasses stood at the other end. “James Holden, or should I say Pitch Black.” Pitch blinked a few times. “I'm going to hazard a guess and say you're Director Hawkes.” The man nodded. “I've decided to temporarily overlook your past crimes, especially considering I can't prove them. I'm requesting you return to your position with Black Eagle.”

  Pitch blinked a few more times. “Seriously?! You were ready to leave me for dead because I'm a dangerous element that can't be controlled.” Hawkes sighed. “Look, my family has been protecting humanity from monsters since the infancy of this nation. I know full well the kinds of dangers that are out there better than anyone. You are by far one of if not the most dangerous Cryptids currently active. However, after running internal interviews I've decided that although your presence is somewhat polarizing among the men, it's clear that your actions have been instrumental in dealing with threats. So for now, I'm willing to overlook things. But know this, eventually you will be made to pay for your crimes.”

  Pitch shrugged. “Good luck with that chief. I'll work with Ishwada, but I'm not taking orders from anyone. You want to talk about my crimes? Maybe we should talk about what the former head researcher of NexGen was doing. And don't you dare say you had no idea because that torture chamber is still powering the city with its reserves.” Hawkes didn't respond for a while. “Well if we are in agreement, I'll be on my way. Eyes will be on you.” Pitch scoffed. “Yeah, nothing new to me. Goodbye.” He slammed the door on Hawks’ face and went back to the couch. “Asshole.”

  Kathryn nuzzled Pitch. “I'm sure he means well.” Pitch huffed. “Yeah, sure. That's why he and Marrow allowed for Cryptids to be exploited like a resource. Tortured for the good of “real” people. He doesn't care about protecting the people, they only care about the bottom line. Keeping things hush works out for them too.” Kathryn sighed. “Let's not talk about that right now. Right now it's just you, me, and this oversized cat with the mind of a human trapped inside it.”

  Pitch shifted under Kathryn a bit. “You know, I kinda forgot about that. Kasa acts like a cat most of the time. Have you made any progress?” Kathryn shrugged. “She's gotten better at non-verbal communication, but she still can't talk.” Pitch nodded. “Progress is progress, even if it's small.” Kathryn nodded and nuzzled up to Pitch. “So what are we going to do today?” Pitch squeezed Kathryn a little tighter for a second. “Relax and not deal with any crap for at least three days.” Kathryn grabbed a remote and turned on the TV. The two cuddled with Kasa laying her head on Kathryn's lap for the rest of the day.

  Pitch spent that night awake in bed as Kathryn snuggled to his side and slept. Things went smoothly for the next few days when Kathryn was called in to work. “Looks like something at the lab needs my attention. You just relax and I'll be back as soon as I'm done.” She gave Pitch a kiss on the forehead before grabbing her things and going out the door leaving Pitch alone with Kasa. She got in her car and drove to the NexGen building before clocking in and going to the Cryptid containment lab. “Alright, whatever is going on better be important because I'm giving up lovey dovey time for this shit.”

  An older balding gentleman in an extremely fancy looking suit with a vintage timepiece on a gold chain turned around and greeted Kathryn. “Ah, so this is the new head researcher. I was so shocked to find out that the building manager and head researcher were doing such horrible things behind my back.” Kathryn, naturally confused, asked: “And who exactly are you?” The well dressed man extended a wrinkled hand. “Thomas Marrow, but everyone calls me Tom Bone. I'm the owner of the parent company that owns NexGen as well as a number of other subsidiaries.”

  Kathryn narrowed her eyes at the man. She heavily doubted he knew nothing considering the various companies he owns and projects they are involved in. Pitch himself pointed out Tomorrow Corp and its subsidiaries had the means and the infrastructure to create a nation wide power grid powered by Umbrans being tortured and fed death row inmates and homeless people to create “clean” energy. Despite this, Kathryn remained composed and shook the man's hand firmly. As they two shook hands Kathryn felt a strange sensation like her skin was crawling and a shiver was sent down her spine.

  Kathryn’s body language became stiffer, more on guard. Her instincts were telling her this guy was dangerous and not just in the aspect that he was her boss. She had a suspicion that this guy wasn't what he appeared to be. She considered the possibility that the man behind the exploitation of Cryptid animals for resources was himself a Cryptid. Specifically a Doppelganger. The hand shake ended and Kathryn tried her best to remain on point. “So what brings you out here?”

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  Tim looked around the lab. “Just making sure things were running smoothly after not one but three influential and high ranking individuals here had to be removed. I hope you'll do a better job running the research team than the last guy.” Kathryn gave a small nod. “I'll do my best and strive for a more humane process when it comes to the study of Cryptids. If we're going to treat ones with human intelligence like citizens then we should treat the ones without it with the same respect as normal animals. No more needless cruelty.”

  Tom closed his eyes and nodded. “Good, good. Well I'm going to continue to look around. Just continue with your work and pretend I'm not here.” He starts to walk away but turns around. “Oh one more thing. The Umbran that died, it was the last of its kind as far as you and your team knows right? There aren't others lurking around in the darkness somewhere?” Kathryn shook her head. “We haven't seen any evidence of another one existing.”

  Tom closed his eyes and nodded again. “I see.” Then continued to explore the labs. “Just pretend I'm not here!” He shouted for everyone as they got back to work. Kathryn sighed and looked around the lab. “This is some stinky bull shit. Catoblepas manure.” Kathryn started checking on different sections of the lab while keeping an eye on Thomas Marrow as he visited the different sections of the lab. Eventually when the man checked every section minus the sub basement he started making his way to the exit.

  He stopped by Kathryn on his way out. “Well everything seems to be in order here so this place is in good hands. I'll be making my leave.” He started walking out but stopped after a few steps to turn around. “Oh, I couldn't help but overhear you when you said something about having to give up time with your boyfriend to be here. You're not dating a coworker are you? We have strict policies about that.” Kathryn shook her head. “His name is James, and he no longer works here.”

  Thomas Marrow scratched his chin. “James? James Holden the janitor and repair man? I was looking at paperwork for recent departures before coming here. He left to be a consultant for Black Eagle right?” Kathryn nodded. “Yeah, we got back from a trip to Florida not long ago.” Thomas Marrow nodded with a smile. “That's nice. Well, I shouldn't delay myself any longer.” He turned around again and finally left. Kathryn sighed before running one last round of checks.

  After Kathryn finished the checks and spent several hours with tests and checks she was finally able to clock out and go home. Exhausted from the day she collapsed on the empty couch as soon as she was in the building. It was dark and empty but not long after she flopped down onto the couch Kasa came over and laid down next to it. Kathryn pet Kasa on the head. “Where's Pitch? Out hunting?” Kasa shook her head then pointed to the bedroom.

  She opened the door to see Pitch just sitting on the bed in the dark while in his human form. He slowly looked up at Kathryn who turned on the light. “I still see it. Whenever I close my eyes.” He picked up and drank from a bottle of holy water. “Whenever I breathe here it's a reminder that now that I'm not there I'll likely need to eat again. I'll need to feed eventually. Need to kill eventually. In order to retain what's left of my humanity I must chip away tiny pieces of it. He's watching Kathryn, he's laughing at my suffering. Whenever I see the moon at night I imagine that damned eye. Looking down on me like I'm some sort of joke.”

  Kathryn moved to the bed and sat next to Pitch, hugging him from the side. “You went through something awful, it's only natural it affects you even after it's finished.” Pitch hugged her back. “I know, I know. It just gets to me sometimes. It's been a wild ride with ups and downs. Sometimes it's so hard to focus on right now when I'm stuck in the past or even the future. Thinking about everything I've been through, then thinking of what comes next. Not just the looming threats but what comes if we manage to survive it all.”

  Kathryn rubbed Pitch's shoulder as he continued. “What kind of future can we even have? Especially if Cryptids go public? Are we eventually going to settle down, marry and have kids? Can we even have kids?” Kathryn held Pitch tighter. “Hey hey hey, I know things have been and still are crazy. They'll continue to be crazy for a while. But we'll find a new normal. We'll figure things out. One step at a time.” She paused to kiss his forehead. “I can't have you getting lost in the sauce on me.”

  Pitch hugged Kathryn back. “I'm so glad I have you. I definitely couldn't do this alone. Not without losing my shit.” He kissed her cheek. “I love you.” Kathryn smiled as she held Pitch tightly. “I ran a number of tests on that stuff you let out when we… you know… got intimate.” Pitch looked at her and chuckled. “Of course you did. You just can't help yourself, can you?” Kathryn chuckled and shook her head. “I guess not.” She giggled.

  Kathryn gave Pitch a big squeeze. “Anyway after running several tests and even running samples from myself I found that although the chances of successful insemination are low, they aren't zero. So to answer one of your questions, yes, we could have kids if we wanted to. It just might take a few… hundred tries.” Pitch pulled in Kathryn for a kiss on the lips. “Oh? Well I don't think that'll be too much of an obstacle for us~” Kathryn blushed and giggled. “You're the worst. I'm exhausted so I think I'll be going to bed. I know you don't need much sleep but do try and rest.”

  Pitch nodded and Kathryn switched to pajamas and crawled into bed. Pitch snuggled up to her and did his best to relax as she slept, waiting through the night for her to awaken once more. The next day came and Kathryn awoke with a stretch with Pitch not in the bed. She got up and looked around only to smell something cooking. She found Pitch in the kitchen making her breakfast. He looked back and smiled. “I wanted to surprise you in bed but I guess this is fine too. Sit down, it's almost done.”

  Kathryn sat in a chair in the dining area and Pitch came over with an omelet that was loaded with peppers, onions, bacon, and cheese. He then placed a glass of milk down next to the plate. “I figured since I don't need that much sleep I might as well use that time to do something nice.” Kathryn poked at the food with her fork. “I should be the one doing something nice for you because of all the stress you've been under.” Pitch sat down next to her at the table with nothing more than a bottle of holy water. “I actually find the act of cooking quite relaxing. I got way into making home cooked meals shortly before I fully transformed. Since I don't need regular food though I stopped cooking. Now I have an excuse to do it again.”

  Kathryn took a chunk out of the omelette and took a bite, closing her eyes and letting out a sound as she put her hand over her mouth before uttering a food muffled “that's good” and continuing eating. “Yeah, well, when you eat mostly for pleasure you tend to get good at bringing out the flavor of a dish. Even if it's not exactly healthy. I cooked the eggs in the bacon grease and the bacon was cooked in steak seasoning. “Kathryn let out another food muffled “so good” as she scarfed down the omelette. She then washed it down with the milk before setting it down hard on the table. “I definitely needed that.”

  Pitch chuckled before leaning over and giving Kathryn a forehead kiss. “If you think that's good, just wait till tonight. I've got something special planned. Two things special in fact.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Kathryn causing her to blush. “You're such a perv.” Pitch chuckled. “So are you~” He then gave her a kiss on the cheek before making his way to the living room. Kathryn grabbed him by the hand and followed him to the couch.

  The two cuddled while sitting and watching TV until it was time for Kathryn to go to work, eating meals together and relaxing. Kathryn eventually gave Pitch a kiss goodbye before taking her car. Since Pitch worked on a as needed basis he basically sat around the house with Kasa unless needed until Kathryn returned. So unless he was called in, Pitch literally just killed time and kept busy while Kathryn was away.

  Shortly after Kathryn left Pitch's phone went off, a call from Ishwada. Pitch quickly answered it. “Hey Jiryu, you need me on a case?” Ishwada responded quickly. I just needed to do some follow-up. Cross my Tees and dot my Eyes. The sky martial, he was among the survivors right?” Pitch blinked a few times. “I was told he died on the first day, dropping his gun.” Ishwada was silent for a moment before cursing. “Shit.” Pitch sighed. “Let me guess, there was someone with a gun and a badge with I.D and everything saying they were the guy.” Ishwada responded quickly again. “Yep, we've got a rogue Doppelganger.”