Mischievous Times
Part 1

Back up against the wall, he moved quietly towards the study knowing that
his prey would be working there. Carl Hutchins was a man who had become
predictable and this made him an easy target. The black clad subject moved
down the staircase with loaded gun in hand. He made it to the outer doors of
the room; a quick glance in told him that his information was right, the man
was working at his desk, typing on his desktop. A quick recheck of his
surroundings told him that the rest of the family was still upstairs
oblivious to his presence. He moved quickly from his cover and took aim and
fired.

Carl felt the shot as it hit his left shoulder; he also felt his shirt
dry up the warm liquid as quickly as it spread over to his spine. Carl spun
around in his chair grabbing the pistol off his desk as he did and took aim
at the intruder to his study, shooting him squarely in the chest.

"DAD!" beseeched the 12 year old victim of Carl's well-aimed shot.
"That's not fair! I got you first."

Carl only responded by firing another shot right at Cory's chest,
thoroughly soaking his son, and this Carl ducked behind his chair as he
awaited Cory's response. Which only took a second or two and another barrage
of water was shot over the desk.

"Okay you two that is enough." Rachel said as a random shot in the arm
caught her as she came down the hall into the study.

"But Mom!" Carl said in a voice he knew would provoke a laugh from
Rachel. " We were just having fun."

Rachel looked over to Carl who was climbing out from behind his desk with
a gleam of humor in her eye and a 'I am going to kill you later look on her
face'. She looked over to Cory who she saw was dressed for Karate class. "
Well at least you are ready to go, so now go and see if your sister is ready."

Rachel watched as Cory just obeyed her and took off to see where Lizzy
was. He knew by her look that he wouldn't win but he knew that Dad would
and Dad was good at getting his way with Mom.

"I can't leave the two for you alone for a minute can I. Ever since
Lizzy and I went to New York for that show, you two have been playing spy and
driving me crazy." Rachel said as she walked over to Carl.

Carl took her into his arms laughing. " Don't worry love this spy period
will be over soon. I will pick a different set of movies to watch the next
time you ladies head off somewhere instead of James Bond."

" I can just see you renting Sparticus next time." She said back with a
chuckle. She kissed him on the cheek and together they walked to the living
room to find the twins waiting for them.

"All ready?" Carl asked.

" Yes dad, ready to get your butt kicked tonight.'" Elizabeth said as she
picked up her bag.

" Give it your best shot young lady." Carl said as he took his bag from
Cory.

"What do you guys want for dinner? You want me to order something or
meet somewhere?" Rachel asked as she followed the trio to the door.

"You aren't going to come and watch tonight mom?" Cory asked.

"No honey, I have some tests to grade from school, but I plan on being
there next week when you test for your next belt. Okay?"

"Sure, Mom."

"How about ordering some burgers from Mary's Place and we will pick them
up on our way home?" Carl suggested.

"Oh, that sounds good." Lizzy voted back.

"I want onion rings with mine this time." Cory said.

"Sounds good to me, I place the order as soon as you get out of class.
Any special requests Dad?"

"You later, but that can wait. " He said kissing her as the kids headed
out to the car. " Just surprise me. Later my love."

Rachel watched as they drove off and headed back to the study to
straighten up after her boys. She grinned as she thought about how much fun
Carl had being a father and how much their relationship had grown since the
twins birth. She knew that Carl still missed his other sons but having the
twins filled the void made by the absence. Rachel had been surprised when
Carl mentioned that the local Martial Arts teacher was starting a class for
parents and their children to take together and that he wanted to enroll
himself and the twins. What surprised her more was when he made the
suggestion she was go back to school to finish her degree in education. Carl
had found an old transcript of hers and had asked her if she ever wanted to
finish it. It was a question that she had not thought of but with Carl's
backing went on and got a BA in Education, and now taught art classes at that
local college.

"Mom?" Came the voice from the hallway that got Rachel's attention. "
Where are you?"

"In the study."