I woke up in the dining room of the Parkson residential estate. Looking around nothing about the estate had changed making wonder for a second if any of that happened.

  My damaged arm and eye put those doubts to rest real quickly. Molly was ecstatic constantly jumping up and cheering, "We're home, We're home, we're home!" She grins as she gives me a full on hug.

  I get my bearings and look around. She is right we are back. Everything is where we left it. There is food still in the microwave even. Still fresh and hot almost as if we were gone moments instead of days.

  As if suddenly remembering Molly rushed over to the dining room table. Using her wings she glided up to get something important.

  Soon Mr. Bubbles was clutched in her arms.

  "Mr. Bubbles did you miss us." She said to the stuffed tiger in her grasp.

  As if responding to something only she could hear she nodded her head along to Mr Bubbles imaginary voice in her head. Then she spent the next couple of minutes spouting off our adventures to Mr. Bubbles.

  While Molly spoke to Mr. Bubbles I went to go check out the microwave. Scanning the food found in there I could register nothing wrong with it.

  I still didn't feel I could trust it though. Scooping it into the garbage I tossed it. Out of habit at this point I opened up the status menu to buy something from the system shop only to realize that the shop icon was gone.

  Noting that down I instead went to the fridge and soon I had started up some pasta for Molly.

  The scent of fresh made spaghetti filled the room and drew in Molly like a magnet. Molly stared at the plate I served up like someone awestruck.

  She stared at it like it was the most precious thing she had ever seen. The next few minutes que Molly ripping into it like a starving bear. I clean her off afterwards and then it is Molly's bedtime.

  I put Molly into her bed and tuck her and Mr. Bubbles in. One quick lullaby later and Molly is asleep. She sleeps peacefully. She sleeps peacefully for the first time in days.

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  As I watch over her sleep I finally allow myself to acknowledge that I have fulfilled most of my objectives.

  ______________________________________________

  Quaternary objective resolved... Goblin Chief has been defeated.

  Tertiary objective resolved... Conditions match end of scenerio... Lost Child

  Secondary objective resolved...Fulfill your promise to Molly and get her home... Promise kept.

  Primary directive watch over Molly and keep her safe while the Parksons are gone... Incomplete

  ______________________________________________

  Most of my directives and objectives are complete but not all so I continue to stand guard. I continue to watch.

  The night continues to stretch on and it is not until the late hours that I hear the telltale sound of Mr. and Mrs. Parksons' SUV pulling into the driveway. It swerves into view going at a fast pace. As it screeches to a halt Julie and Wayne Parkson rush to the front door.

  "Molly, Sweety. Where are you?!" Julie cries as Wayne frantically fumbles with the keys.

  I go down to greet them. As they stumble into the foyer I shush them I don't want to disturb Molly's sleep.

  "Shush, the young miss is fine. She is sleeping right now and she needs her rest." I try to dissuade their fears.

  My appearance with a broken arm and blinded eye however does little to calm their nerves and they cry out the more. The noise wakes up Molly and she comes down stairs.

  "Ida, what's all the noise." She yawns.

  It is at this moment they rush her and soon Molly is embraced in a desperate hug.

  I realize at this moment that their clothes are torn in some places and they are wearing some armor. My algorithms finally register that they went through something similar to what we went through.They must have been worried sick about Molly.

  As if a tide was released a flood of worried words flowed from the two parents at Molly. Molly for a while seemed too dazed to answer until suddenly she piped up.

  "Silly Mommy, silly Daddy. I'm fine. I had Ida with me."

  At her words they pause and look back at me and my torn and battered form.

  I politely bow and state,

  "I was only following their instructions."

  What Instructions? they ask.

  I state their words that formed my prime directive to them.

  Watch over Molly and keep her safe while we are gone.

  "Now is that all you required of me."

  They nod silently.

  Thank you. I'm going to go back to my station now. I request you order maintenance on me at your earliest convenience. I bow and start to turn to go. As I turn I hear a small voice say "Thank you Ida." I smile and nod.

  ______________________________________________

  Prime directive complete.

  Flashes across my HUD as I plug myself back into my stand station. As the power station goes to start off the power down sequence. I wonder what they will call on me for next time. Hopefully it will be less stressful all though it was rewarding to fulfill my purpose. Those are the last thoughts that go through my databanks before I go into my maintenance cycle.